Six months later
I’m going to suffocate. Seriously. With the way my parents were hugging me, you’d think they would never see me again or something.
“Oh, honey, I’m so proud of you.” My mom’s eyes glistened with tears as she beamed at me, her face as proud as could be. “You—“ She sniffled. “You did great. I can’t believe—“ Another sniffle. “I can’t believe you’re all grown up now. And of course, you’ll be leaving for Paris tomorrow…”
“Now, come on, Shelly, you’re embarrassing her.” My dad released me to slip an arm around my mom, who seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown. “And you—“ Here he cast a stern look at Roman, who moved closer to me now that there were no parental units in the way. “You better take care of my daughter.”
“Of course I will, you don’t need to worry about that. I’ll guard her with my life,” Roman reassured him, giving me a sly wink when my dad turned away.
I blushed. No doubt he was thinking about what we were going to do once we were settled into our hotel in Paris. He was such a pervert. Although I’ve become a bit of a pervert myself, so I couldn’t really say anything.
“Oh no,” I suddenly groaned, stepping closer to Roman when I saw who was headed our way. “Here they come.”
Roman blanched and pulled me protectively into his chest while both my parents immediately backed off.
“Well, I, uh, I think we’re going to go look at the food,” my dad blurted, grabbing my mom and dragging her away. “Boy, that ceremony sure made us hungry.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “Dad, there’s no food here.”
He turned scarlet. “Uh, yeah, well, you know. It never hurts to look. Ok bye now!” With that, he nearly ran across the lawn with my mom.
I shook my head while Roman chuckled. I swear, my parents were like kids sometimes. Luckily, in the past few months, my relationship with my father had strengthened to the point where we were almost back to the way we were. It certainly helped that he’d been spending a lot more time with my mom and I, working from home and taking us on random family trips over the weekend. Actually, I thought fishing is just about the most boring thing in existence, but it was nice to spend more time with him.
“Looks like they’ve learned faster than us,” Roman commented dryly, wincing when the hurricane finally hit.
“Mayaaa!” Venice nearly tackled me into the ground in her excitement, her eyes shining and her smile so big I was surprised her face didn’t break. “I’m so, so happy for you! You did it!”
“No, we did it,” I corrected, laughing as I tried to disentangle my limbs from hers.
She sighed happily. “I can’t believe we graduated. That’s absolutely insane. Goodbye, school! Hello, world!”
“Um, you do realize college counts as school too, right?” I raised my eyebrows while Roman rolled his eyes, but there was a small smirk on his face. He’d confessed that there were certain times when he just wanted to wring Venice’s neck because of how exuberant she was—which I found funny, considering he’s friends with Zack—but after so many months he’d gotten used to it.
“College, schmollege.” The redhead waved her hand dismissively in the air. “I don’t even want to think about that right now. We have a whole glorious summer ahead of us, and boy, I can’t wait.”
Another happy sigh.
I was finally able to stand up again, and I was sure my graduation gown now had a series of grass stains on the back, but I barely managed to straighten fully before I landed right back on my butt.
“My-My! You did so great!” Zack cried, nearly suffocating me with a bear hug. “The way you took your diploma. That was just awesome!”
I wondered what he was talking about, since I received my diploma the same way as the other two hundred or so students in my class, but I knew better than to ask. Zack did a lot of crazy things, but one thing he didn’t do was make sense.
“Thanks, Zack.” I caught sight of Roman’s disbelieving face over the blond’s shoulder and cracked up all over again.
“Dogpile!” Venice randomly shouted, ignoring the scandalized looks surrounding families cast in our direction as she dove on top of Zack.
“Oof!” I grimaced at the extra weight. Yep, there was no way I wouldn’t have grass stains. In fact, my whole back was probably green.
I shot Roman a frantic, help-me look, but he just shook his head and smirked. No doubt he enjoyed my quasi-misery. Ever since Venice and Zack officially started dating, about a week after New Year’s, they’ve been inseparable. The most worrying part about their crazy hyper relationship—other than the fact that those two had taken to randomly chasing puppies together and therefore inspiring desperate fear in almost all dog owners in Valesca, since nothing good ever came out of Venice’s canine pursuits—was that they’d become even more hyper since they'd gotten together.
Yes, it is possible. Just ask my parents. They now refuse to be within ten feet of Venice and Zack when they were together. I didn’t blame them. If they weren’t such good friends, I would’ve permanently duct-taped their mouths shut by this point.
Although a very, very tiny part of me had to admit they were quite the adorable couple.
“You smell like cotton candy,” Zack sighed, twisting his head to sniff Venice’s neck.
She beamed. “I snuck some under my robe during the ceremony,” she giggled, fluttering her eyelashes.
And then the two proceeded to make out. Did I mention they were still on top of me?
That was it. I take back everything I said about them being adorable—nauseatingly sweet is more like it—and with a superhuman strength endowed on only the truly desperate, I pushed them off of me. They didn’t even break contact, and just rolled over on the grass while they continued to kiss and giggle.
“That’s absolutely disgusting,” Adriana declared, sauntering onto the scene with her signature long, confident strides.
She looked flawless as usual, her blond hair gleaming under the sun and her custom dress hugging every curve. Adriana, being Adriana, had long ago ditched her graduation robe. Beside her, Parker looked pretty flawless himself, in a button-down Thomas Pink shirt and Hugo Boss pants. His signature Rolex shone almost as much as Adriana’s hair.
“They really need to stop.” Adriana wrinkled her nose at Venice and Zack, who were still making out, except they were now standing up and kind of dancing at the same time.
Don’t even ask.
“Ok, that’s it,” Parker announced. “There’s no way I’m letting freakin’ Zack outshine me in the girl category.” He immediately followed up his declaration by laying a kiss on Adriana, who pushed him away and pretended to be uninterested, but finally acquiesced and kissed him back.
I sighed, linking my arm through Roman’s and resting my head on his shoulder as I stared at the scene before me. Everyone was happily coupled up. Well, maybe not everyone. At least, not yet.
“Hey, where’s Carlo?” I suddenly asked, looking around to catch a glimpse of the towering Colombian.
“Maybe he’s on his way to Australia right now,” Venice suggested. She’d finally broken out of her makeout session.
Roman and I exchanged a look. “Do you really think so?” I asked cautiously. I found it hard to believe Carlo would make such a huge decision without telling one of us first, but then again, he hadn’t exactly been acting like himself lately. Love did strange things to people. Trust me, I would know.
“You never know with that boy. He’s been in all kinds of torment lately. Go, don’t go. Tell her, don’t tell her.” Parker sounded bored. “I told him to just pick the answer out of a hat but he wouldn’t listen to me.”
“I wonder why,” Roman said sarcastically.
“I can’t believe Daria’s going to Australia for a year,” Venice mused. “I’m so jealous.” She pouted. “I wish we didn’t have to split up and go to college.”
“We’re not going to really be spitting up,” I pointed out. “I mean, we’re all within train ride distance. Short train ride distance, at that.”
It was true.
When college decisions finally came out in late March and early April, I was ecstatic to learn I’d been accepted to every school I applied to, including Stanford and Columbia. I was even more ecstatic to learn Roman had also gotten into Columbia, and even though I’ve always wanted to go to Stanford, I finally decided to go to school in New York with him. It wasn’t just for him though. Columbia had a great writing program, and I was definitely happy to be so close to home. I wouldn’t even have to buy a plane ticket every time I wanted to come back for the holidays and whatnot.
After much debate, crying, pleading, and negotiating, my parents finally relented and decided I could live with Roman in the Soho loft his parents got him as a graduation present, instead of staying in a dorm. They’re still not fully comfortable with the idea of their eighteen-year-old daughter living in the big, bad city with her boyfriend, but they trusted me and (sort of) trusted Roman too.
Before we move into our apartment and start classes, though, Roman and I are going a tour of Europe over the summer. I insisted on paying for half of the trip myself, and to my surprise, Roman didn’t put up much of a fight. I think he understands that I’m not the type of girl who can keep freeloading off others, even if their families did make billions more than her own.
Speaking of the others, they’re all going to college nearby too. Zack was going to be at Berklee, which is one of the best music schools in the country. He’d gotten into Juilliard too, but decided it was too stuffy for him. I didn’t have a single doubt he was going to rule Berklee. Meanwhile, Venice was going to be at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, which meant she and Zack would still be living in the same city. I’m positive they were going to be highly entertained. I heard Boston has a lot of puppies.
Adriana, who never settled for less than the best, got into as many schools as I did, but her choice was instantaneous: Yale. Parker, on the other hand, followed in his ancestors’ footsteps and registered at Princeton, where his great-great-something grandfather had been part of the very first graduating class. Those Princeton girls had no idea what was coming their way, even though the renowned playboy has (gasp) renounced his ways. Part of it was because he actually loves Adriana. The other part? I’m pretty sure he was slightly terrified Adri would cut his balls off if he ever cheated on her.
And what about Carlo, you ask? Well…that was up in the air. Literally.
He was supposed to be going to Middlebury, but after everything that happened with Daria, he might take a gap year and spend it in Australia with her. If they still had a thing. I don’t even know. They had a very…complicated relationship, to say the least.
I really did like Daria, though, so I hope they can figure it out. Even though we didn’t meet her until the second semester, she had become part of our highly dysfunctional family.
“Maya!”
I immediately tensed, and the exact same expression crossed everyone’s face: mild fear.
Taking a deep breath, I turned around and gave my grandmother a big smile. “Hi, grandma! I’m so glad you could make it!”
She frowned at me, not looking glad at all. “Maya, why you wear white? Not your color,” she chided. “Your butt look even bigger in white!”
And here we go again.
Luckily, distraction came in the form of a little fur ball called Mickey—or Mikey, as everyone called him in front of my grandmother, since we didn’t want to set off another broom incident.
The puppy bounded over with Giselle hot on its heels. I’ve gotten to know her a lot better the past few months, and was surprised by how funny and down-to-earth she was, considering how much her husband was worth. Of course, the elder male Fiori had only stayed for about a minute before jetting off to Japan or something for business.
I can’t say I was sad to see him go.
“Mick—I mean, Mikey, settle down,” Giselle scolded as the puppy ran threatening circles around my grandmother, barking the whole time. Giselle had come to view Mickey as her grand-puppy; my grandmother, on the other hand, did not have a good relationship with Mickey. My grandmother hated animals, and I think Mickey could tell, because he never stopped growling at her when she was near, and she never stopped trying to swat at him with a rolled-up newspaper like he was a fly.
Needless to say, that was one feud I’m not going to intervene in. I value my life, thank you very much.
“Stupid dog, I ship you to pound if you don’t stop bark,” my grandmother snapped, eyeing my puppy resentfully.
Mickey crouched down and growled ominously, a challenge glinting in its eyes.
“Peewee! Blondie! Take care of him,” my grandmother demanded imperiously, as Parker and Adriana were the closest to her. They both just blinked.
At that moment, Mickey lifted up one leg and peed on my grandmother’s shoes.
Holy. Freaking. Crap.
Without saying a word, Roman, Giselle, Zack, Venice, Adriana, Parker and I all bolted from the scene, my grandmother’s scream ringing in our ears and attracting much unwanted attention. We managed to make it to safety but ran straight into Carlo.
“Carlo! You’re here!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around the Colombian.
He looked amused. “Of course I’m here. You didn’t think I was just going to grab my diploma and leave without saying bye to you guys, did you?”
The rest of us exchanged guilty glances.
“So, you’ve decided then?” I asked, lowering my voice. “You’re going to Australia?”
Carlo’s face grew more serious and he nodded. I bit my lip. That was such a huge step, but I’m kind of glad he was going to do it. Middlebury would always be there. Love, on the other hand, is one of those things that was definitely worth chasing.
“Have you spoken to Daria?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Briefly, yesterday night. Right after she landed. The school’s going to mail her diploma, but…” He sighed. “She has no idea I’m going.”
I grinned and hugged him again. “I’m really proud of you,” I mumbled, my voice muffled by his chest. And I really was.
If I wasn’t so in love with Roman, I probably would have ended up with Carlo, but I’m not sure that would’ve worked. We were just so similar it would’ve been like dating myself, and besides, I know he he was meant to be with Daria. Everyone had found their other half; I’m glad Carlo had too. They just needed to make it official.
“Well, well, what do we have here? Cheating on the great Roman Fiori right in front of him? It’s a sight for sore eyes.”
The lazy, cocky drawl, which had made my skin crawl all those months ago but now just made me roll my eyes, came from directly behind me.
I turned and cast a disapproving look in Rico’s direction while Roman glared at him, looking like he was going to rip his face off.
“You’re such an instigator,” I complained.
Rico just laughed and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Can’t help it sweetheart. It’s part of my charm. Girls can’t resist.” He winked at me. “Including you.”
“That’s it!” Roman was about to storm over to Rico before Zack and Parker held him back.
I laughed at the sight of Roman struggling against their hold, his legs flailing in the air, while Rico just smirked, a smug look on his face. When he looked at me though, I could see genuine pride and amusement in his eyes.
Adriana and Venice, who were also laughing, came up beside me, linking their arms with mine, while Carlo provided a safe, warm presence behind me. My parents also joined us, trailing after my furious grandmother like naughty schoolchildren. Mickey strutted behind them, looking almost as smug as Rico. When he saw me, he gave a happy yip and bounded into my arms.
I beamed at the scene, which may not have been as idyllic as in the movies, but everyone I loved was here, and in the grand scheme of things, they were all happy. And that was all that really mattered.
* * *
“Don’t forget, I gave you a list of all the best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife in every city you guys are going to, so use it,” Adriana instructed, leveling Maya with a stern look as passengers streamed past them to board the plane. “Don’t trust Roman, his taste is…questionable, at times."
“I’m standing right here, you know,” Roman snapped crankily, putting on his sunglasses. He was not a morning person, as anyone who looked at his face could tell.
Adriana ignored him. “But most of all, be safe—“
“Speaking of safe,” Parker butted in, pulling something out of a small brown Bloomingdale’s shopping bag. “I got you this.” He handed a box over to Maya, who turned the color of a tomato when she saw it. Roman, on the other hand, looked slightly happier.
“Seriously?” Maya shook her head, but there was a small smile on her face. “Parker. You shouldn’t have.”
“I know, I should’ve bought it for myself. Glow-in-the-dark condoms are awesome.” He shook his head. “I really hope you appreciate what I did for you.”
“Boy, it must’ve been hard,” she commented dryly.
Adriana just rolled her eyes, even though she was amused. She probably had the most perverted boyfriend on the planet, and frighteningly enough, she loved it.
The final boarding call was announced over the speakers.
“Oh no! It’s almost time!” Venice pouted, looking like she was about to cry. She picked up Mickey’s paw and waved at Maya and Roman. “Say bye-bye to your mommy and daddy, Mickey.”
Mickey whined sadly and pawed at the air, stretching out towards his owners.
“Oh, baby, we’ll be back soon.” Maya took Mickey from Venice and hugged him close to her chest, planting a kiss on his head. “And we’ll buy lots of doggie treats for you.”
“No we won’t. Like we haven’t bought him enough,” Roman said grumpily, but Adriana could tell it was mostly just for show. He would probably rather die than admit it, but Roman definitely had a soft spot for the dog.
“I hope you have a safe flight, and definitely keep in touch, ok?” Carlo stepped up to slap hands with his childhood best friend and to give Maya a hug.
His flight for Sydney was going to leave in a few hours, and Adriana couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. The Scions had never been separated for more than a few weeks at a time, but even though they were growing up and parting ways, she knew they would always remain the closest of friends. Besides, she was happy Carlo was taking the gap year in Australia. He was such a good guy, and he deserved the love everyone else already found.
Everyone said their final good-byes, and a suspiciously bright-eyed Maya and Roman started to make their way onto the plane. Still, their conversation floated into Adri’s ears.
“…I can’t believe I’m flying freakin’ commercial. Why the hell did our jets have to be in maintenance today of all days?”
“Stop being so spoiled, Rome, we’re in first class. It’s not going to kill you.”
“I’m not spoiled! Only sissies are spoiled!”
“Well, if the shoe fits…”
“Are you calling me a sissy?!”
Parker chuckled, slipping his arm around Adriana’s waist. “Those two are something else.”
“They most definitely are,” she agreed.
Carlo laughed, shaking his head. “I’m going to miss all this craziness,” he said fondly. “But I guess nothing stays the same forever.”
“Oh my god, puppy!” Venice interrupted, breaking the slightly somber mood and shoving Mickey into Carlo’s arms before she raced after a small golden retriever, Zack hot on her heels.
“Venice! Watch out for the pole—oh. Too late.”
Adriana, Parker, and Carlo cracked up, and in that moment, a bubble of joy rose up inside her. Even though they would all be off to different colleges in the fall, even though they needed to start being more grown-up and start making more adult decisions, Adriana instinctively knew, deep down inside, that the most important thing would never change: friendship. In their case, it was definitely thicker than blood. The Scions, Adri, Maya, and Venice had become a family, and they would always be a family—albeit a highly dysfunctional one—no matter what.
“Come on, guys, let’s go.” Adriana grabbed Parker’s hand and beckoned for the others to follow her, and, with Maya and Roman’s presences right beside them, they slowly moved away from the closed gate.
The future awaits.