For Him.

"Home sweet home." My mother smiled as the car stopped in its usual place in the garage. Everything looked the same as it did as when we left, just dustier and a little out of place. I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open, immediately taking a step back as I'm hit with the realization that we're finally home. Being away for three months has really taken a toll on me.

I followed my parents inside the house and into the kitchen where sandwiches were already made and piled on a platter in the center of the island along with a pitcher of lemonade. My stomach grumbled instantly at the sight of food, and forgetting about my manners, I rushed over to the table and grabbed a plate.

I didn't notice the note on the table until Mom strolled over and plucked it from the pile of sandwiches as she chuckled at me.

"There are fresh sheets on the bed and new towels have been placed in the bathroom." Mom reads aloud before crumbling up the note and throwing it away. I peeled the crust off of my second sandwich as dad grabbed his own and walked into the dining room. I quickly ate the sandwich and put the plastic wrap on the sandwiches before putting them back in the refrigerator.

By the time I walked into the living room, every curtain and window has been opened up, creating a warm feeling despite the cool weather. I took a seat on the white couch and folded my legs beneath me as we watched the news. I let my mind wander to our trip over the summer as the weather forecast popped up on the screen.

Spain was beautiful, but I found myself feeling guilty as I went back to thinking about Logan. He was somewhere training with the army while we were parading around in Europe, attending different dinners and shows. I love going somewhere new every year but it would be nice to have someone there around my age. And now we have only a few months together with my dad before he flies off to attend another opening of his resorts over in Italy.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" Mom gently shook my shoulder when she saw that I was drifting off. "We had a long flight. In the meantime I can make some dinner."

I hesitated but truthfully I was exhausted. I said goodbye to the both of them before lumbering upstairs into the familiar room. My hands found the measurements on the doorframe from when I was small as I walked into the room. The blue and dark gray sheets on the bed are folded to perfection along with a couple of mints and a CD labeled "Jess's Mix." I picked up the CD and put it into the CD player on the side of my bed. A sweet melody rang through the speakers as I stripped down and climbed in the bed.

In what seemed like only a few seconds, I woke up to the sound of pounding on my door. I wiped the sleep out of my eyes and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I put the clothes I had on earlier today back on and walked over to the door.

"I'm coming!" I yelled when the pounding didn't cease. A small choking sound escaped my lips when I opened the door and saw who was standing there.

"You're back!" squealed Anna when she saw me. She jumped through the door and wrapped her arms tightly around me. I squealed also and pulled her into my room, kicking the door shut behind her. After three months with complete strangers its nice to see a familiar face.

"Why didn't you call me?" She smacked my arm and laughed as we sat down on the messy bed. Her blond hair was pulled into a loose ponytail with a few strands falling around the side of her face. I think she got a hair cut but I'm not sure.

"I got tied up, I guess." I shrugged. She laughed once again and settled back on my bed, crossing her legs.

"How was the trip?" She questioned. I mentally rolled my eyes, I knew where she was going with this.

I reluctantly told her everything, leaving out a few parts I knew she would go into depth on. When I finished, a smile crossed her face and she sat back up suddenly.

"That sounds wonderful. But no more boring dinner parties, we're going out tonight." She stood up and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Where?"

"To Luke's party, of course. You know he throws one every year." she laughed as if I'm supposed to know what she's talking about.

"And you know that I never go to those parties." I countered, making her stop celebrating. She crossed her arms and fixed me with a death glare that I knew wasn't joking.

"But this year is different. This year we're seniors and it's the last one we'll go to before we graduate." She dropped to her knees and scooted close to me where we were eye level.

"Please." She begged and took my hand. I rolled my eyes at her immature behavior and looked away. One look into those eyes and I would cave instantly.

"We don't even have to stay long." she batted her eyes lashes. I looked back at her and my heart crumbled. One party wouldn't hurt, would it?

"Okay," I said and she jumped to her feet, pulling me with her. She was jumping up and down so hard that I was worried that my parents would hear her... Oh god, my parents.

"What am I going to tell my parents?" I said suddenly, my voice full of concern. I would have expected her to tell me a plan on how to sneak out of the house but she surprised me by waving it off.

"Just let me talk to them." She promised and pulled me downstairs.

"Would you like to stay for dinner, Anna?" Mom asked as she washed off some plates. Everything was clean in the house but I guess that was her way of distracting herself.

"No thank you." Anna smiled and stood beside me, twirling her fingers on the counter top. "But I would like to ask a favor."

Here it comes...

"My friend is throwing a dinner party and I was wondering if it would be okay if Jess came with me. They always throw a party before school starts and I don't want her to be left out." Anna blinked her eyes rapidly. I shot her a look and she diverted her gaze back to my mother who was contemplating.

"That sounds great! This is your last year of high school, have fun!" Mom surprised both of us. She kissed my cheek before turning back to washing her dishes. Anna grabbed my wrist and drug me back up to my room.

Notes

Hey guys! I hope you all like it! If any of you are wondering, Jess is rich, but not a millionaire (like someone else in the story). But continue reading my story if you want to find out who!!