Alyssa sat beside the clear blue green pool, listening to the radio. It had been two months since she had broken up with Ryan. She should have been over him.......but she wasn’t. Alyssa had wanted to date other people, only there had not been any offers. And now, Alyssa was barely speaking to him. Ryan had been a very important part of her life, a part that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get over. Alyssa’s mom was pregnant, along with her sister, she was worried about Julie, Josh, and Sam, and she couldn’t get over Ryan.
“My life is totally screwed.” Alyssa said out loud.
“Is that so?” Josh said, sitting down next to her.
“Yeah. My sister’s pregnant.” Alyssa paused. “And I can’t get over Ryan.”
“I knew she was going to get into some kind of trouble.” Alyssa shrugged her shoulders.
“My mom isn’t going to kick her out so that’s a plus.”
“I’m glad. I’d hate for her to be out on the street.”
“What are we going to do about college Josh? All of us are going to different places, except for Ryan who’s staying here.”
“I wonder how that’ll affect our group. Lynn leaving took a toll on us and we’re not as close as we used to be.”
“I don’t know Josh. I just want to get out of here. But I don’t want to lose my friends.” She paused. “Or Ryan.” Josh sighed.
“I guess we’ll cross that road when we come to it.”
******************
(Seven months later)
“So how does it feel to finally be done with school?” Julie’s mom Mary asked. Julie gave her a small smile.
“I kinda miss high school.”
“I can’t my baby is going to Julliard.” Again, Julie smiled. She had never answered Josh, and Julie guessed that he had moved on. Ryan had a new girlfriend, and Alyssa was still looking for the right guy.
“Me either.” Julie commented. Josh was going to California University, Ryan was going to South Florida University, and Alyssa, who had always wanted to go to France, was going to try her hand at a French American university in Paris. Lynn decided to go the University of Arizona. Six friends who were going to be separated.
“I’m not leaving until September so don’t freak out.”
“My baby’s all grown up, trying to find where she belongs. Julie sighed. Where do I belong? In New York, or with Josh?
******************
Alyssa carefully folded her blue chambray shirt and put it in her suitcase. She had borrowed it from Ryan and had never given it back. Alyssa went to her closet and shifted through the clothes hanging in there. She grabbed khaki hip huggers and a lilac spaghetti strap tank top. Tonight would be the last time she would see her friends until she returned home that following summer. Alyssa grabbed her keys and drove to Rave, her favorite club. The group was having one last get together, a going away party for Alyssa who was leaving the next day.
“Hey Lyss!” Josh yelled over the loud music. Alyssa gave a small wave and headed over to her table. Confetti was sprinkled on the table and crepe paper decorated the corner.
“It’s our little French girl.” Sam commented. Alyssa smiled. How she was going to miss Sam’s witty banter. She looked over at Ryan, who was looking at the tan expanse of skin that she was showing. Instinctively, Alyssa put her arm across her bare stomach. Trista raised her cherry coke.
“A toast to my sister, who will be the best journalist France has ever seen when she finishes college. You better come home often Lyss." Alyssa nodded and looked at the smiling faces of her friends. Eve 6 “Here’s To The Night” came on and Alyssa smiled sadly. How ironic.
So denied so I lied are you the now or never kind
In a day and a day love I'm gonna be gone for good again
Are you willing to be had are you cool with just tonight
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
~~~~~
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
Alyssa sighed. How true this song was. She wanted to get out of Tampa, become somebody.
Put your name on the line along with place and time
Wanna stay not to go I wanna ditch the logical
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
~~~~~~
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
~~~~~~
All my time is froze in motion
Can't I stay an hour or two or more
Don't let me let you go
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
~~~~~~
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
(Eve 6~Here’s To The Night)
Eve 6 ended and another song came on. Most of it didn’t fit Alyssa’s life until the second verse. It explained everything.
I recall the days I loved you in a million ways
Suddenly You and me
From friends to History
~~~~~
Cos My Love For You
Will Always Last Eternally
You are In My Heart
I loved you from the start
Baby it's Hard To Believe
That You and I were never meant to be
~~~~~
Does anybody know this feeling of despair
When you really love someone
When You really care
it's hard to walk away
When I really wanna stay with you
~~~~~
Does anybody know it tears you up inside
When you tried to decide
Between what's wrong and right
(Samantha Mumba~Never Meant To Be)
Alyssa was torn between going to France, having the time of her life, and becoming a journalist, or staying here.....with Ryan.
*********************
Alyssa Morgan
My last night in the States. Last night at home. This is my chance. Why am I not happy?
~~~~~~~~
Ryan Brennon
I have a wonderful girlfriend. Alyssa is going to France, and I will be over her. Why am I not happy?
~~~~~~~~
Trista Morgan
I always wanted my sister to get out of here. She won’t be here to see her sister or niece’s births. I always wanted her out of the house. Why am I not happy?
~~~~~~~~
Josh Ridgely
I can’t believe Alyssa’s leaving. First Lynn, now her. What’s happening to our group?
~~~~~~~~
Julie Holland
Having to leave all your friends to go to college sucks. The price I have to pay to go to Julliard.
~~~~~~~~
Sam Wilson
This sucks.
Chapter Eight
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