I was at the diner around the corner with Jane, Kirsten and Debby. It was Ladies Night here, a DJ was playing and sparkling wine was dirt cheap to buy like nowhere else, of course only for women and nobody was interested in our age. We were still sitting on the first bottle and toasting to our forthcoming graduation. Kirsten raved about Steve and spilled her bedtime stories, of course, a little teased by the champagne. Debby wasn't sure, but that's how it always went with us when we were out and about without boys. We mostly talked and laughed about it, but everything was fine between us in our girls' group and we had the most fun together.Jane was in the middle of talking when her cell phone rang and she answered it. Kirsten looked at me and raised her eyebrows. "How was your prom night?"Debby groaned and took a sip from her drink. »Please no details from my brother! ...Please!"Kirsten looked back and forth between me and Debby, laughing. "I totally forgot again that he's your bro

I had my stuff under my arm as I crossed the street and shortly thereafter let the front door slam shut behind me. Dad sat at the table with his coffee and looked at me with a serious expression. I walked over to his table, but didn't sit down. He had his newspaper and coffee in front of him and was still looking at me seriously."...everything okay?" he asked, totally tense.I nodded and had no idea what was wrong with him. "Yes and with you?""I don't know, Josephine! ...You know, I don't believe in cheating myself, but I'll always have your back! ...I just keep wondering what's so special about this TJ when you have Jayden by your side?”"Dad, what are you talking about?" I was really confused. To cheat on? Who?He took a sip of his coffee. "Isn't it funny you're staying at Dwayne's house even though your house is across the street? And it's even stranger that TJ came out of this house this morning and took a cab away... Josephine,... You can arrange things differently... Talk to J

"Are you sure we should go? We can call it a day and stay here with you?” My dad sounded really worried."No, go ahead, you can't really cancel it anymore! It's already all paid for!«My mom came over to me, kissed my forehead and hugged me tight. "Honey call me if what's okay? We'll be back in four days!"I walked them both to the door and forced a smile, otherwise they might end up canceling their short vacation trip with Neil and Elena Stafford after all. »I wish you a lot of fun! Enjoy the days!' Neil stood in the driveway and honked his horn a few times. Mom waved at me and tried to run to the car in her heels. Dad turned around again, put his arms around me and whispered in my ear."Call me if something happens... It's an order!!" I pulled out of his embrace."Dad, I want you to enjoy your vacation with Mom, okay? ...I'm fine so far, yes?” He nodded at me with a wry smile and then went to the car, loaded the luggage and they drove away.Fuck. Fuck. fuck!!! Who am I fooling? It's

I woke up to a beautiful melody and sat up in my bed.That's not my bed! Where am I? I looked around and checked that I was with TJ and I noticed that music again. I actually heard TJ sing for the first time, very softly, but I heard a few words. I didn't know the song but it was beautiful, calm and radiated its warmth. There wasn't much text yet, but the melody was heavenly and really touched me. It finally surpassed the deep pain in me that Jayden had left behind. I saw thick drops on the bed covers and didn't even notice that I was crying again. Crap!!With the blanket over my shoulders, I walked around the corner into the living area. TJ was sitting at a piano in the corner of the room and didn't see me standing there. I kept seeing him stop playing and write something on the sheet music in front of him. With the cracking of the floorboards, he suddenly turned his head towards me and looked at me with a concern that even my dad couldn't manage. »Hey, did I wake you up? I was too l

TJ was by my side the whole time, texting me daily and trying to cheer me up in any way he could. I haven't heard from Jayden for weeks, which was a good thing. After all, five weeks have passed since we parted ways at the airport. The first few days were the worst, some of which I can't even remember. My friends also said that I was just in a trance and not really responsive, which could also explain my memory gaps. With each week the pain in me lessened and my parents were really touching towards me. They both had a slight problem with TJ because Debby once told them everything about him in a short conversation, about his previous drug history, fights and his many affairs. Of course they weren't enthusiastic about him at all, but they still allowed him to visit me very often. Judith never liked him anyway, which he felt every time. I felt sorry for TJ because my family actually had something against him, but just tried to put it aside, which I've gotten really good at.We finally ha