Chapter One
The name is Cora Johnson. I've lived in California since I was a baby. But now, we're moving. Moving halfway across the damn world to London. Why you ask? Because my father and mother want an adventure. They want to pack up and move to London so they can grow old in a place better than Los Angeles. How in the hell could any place be better than L.A? That is what I'm about to find out…
"Dad…Why in the hell are you making me do this?" I asked pacing the kitchen.
"Cora, you know that we've been talking about moving to London for many years now." He said taking a sip of his hot coffee.
"But dad, I never took you guy's seriously!" I said plopping down on the stool next to him at the counter.
"Honey, I know that we said that we weren't moving again, but we really think you would like this." My mother chimed in. "It's not like it's a life or death situation."
See, I moved out here when I was 15 and now about to turn 19, I think it's bogus to move. Yeah, yeah..I know. I'm 19 and I still live at home. So maybe I failed a year. So what? I walked up the stairs to my room and closed the door. I sat on my bed and wondered if it wouldn't be that bad. I mean, Kammi, my best friend ever moved there two years ago and it would be awesome to see her again. I grabbed my cell phone and called Joe, one of my best friends here. His ringback tone began to play. It was My Own Worst Enemy by Lit. I was jamming out when he answered.
"Hello, it's Joe?" I busted out laughing and so did he.
"Joe, you are the gayest person I know!" I said in between giggles.
"You know it honey!" He said in his mock gay voice.
"Joesy, We are moving…officially." I said getting off my bed and walking to my window. I could see Joe standing there, in his room, sitting at his desk writing something. He walked over to his balcony and opened the door…as did I. We hung up and began to laugh.
"Joe…what the hell am I suppost to do in fucking London?" I asked leaning onto the railing of my balcony.
"Well, I hear that there are a lot of hot girls there?" He said laughing.
"Dude, I'm not gay. I'm strictly dickly."
"Well, maybe you'll find some hot guy to canoodle with."
I sat there and pondered that for a moment. Maybe I would find some hot guy and we would fall in love. Or NOT! I've always had trouble getting boyfriends. For what reason you ask? Well because all the guys at my school are asshole jocks who like easy girls.
"Cora? Cora?? CORA!" Joe was yelling my name.
"What?" I asked coming out of my day dream.
"Did you hear anything I just said?" He asked. I could tell he was irritated.
"Nope…not a damn word."
"I said…that you have to scout for a guy and call me. So I can help you figure out which one you can date.
"Joe, you seriously are my best friend ever." I said leaning over the railing to give him a hug.
I walked back inside and headed to my closet. It was huge. Full of designer clothes, shoes, purses, and sunglasses. I was filthy rich, but people never knew it, because I never acted like it. I was probably the only rich girl at Matthew McGraw private school that wasn't a total bitch to everyone. But I graduated in May and now it's September and my birthday was next month. We would be in London by then and I was upset that I wouldn't be able to spend it with Joe. Joe is gay, but he doesn't show it. He is the only gay guy I know that can actually act straight. I find this hilarious.
I was standing in my closet when my mom called me from down the hall.
"What mom?"
"Honey, you need to start packing right now, we are leaving in a few days!" She yelled back. I grunted and headed back into my closet to start packing.
A few hours later I stopped packing. I was tired and wanted to get some sleep. It was already 2 in the morning and I had to do a lot more packing. I headed to my bathroom and turned on the water to my claw foot tub. I walked over to the sink and took off my make-up and earrings. I undressed and climbed into the tub. The hot water felt great on my aching back and knees. I sat there and thought about all the things that I would be able to do in London. I was getting more and more excited. Maybe leaving this place behind might be a good idea after all.
The next thing I knew I was waking up in water. I had drifted off to sleep in the tub. I climbed out and put on my silk robe. I walked into my room to find it 4a.m. I found some shorts and a t-shirt and climbed into my bed.
I woke up the next morning to find Joe sitting on the edge of my bed holding something. It was a picture of us when we were 16. When I moved here, we became friends instantly. We always hung out at school and people always thought we were dating, which just made us laugh our asses off.
"Joe? What are you doing?" I asked sleeply.
"Looking at this picture. Ya know Cor Cor…I'm going to miss the hell out of you." He said standind up and plopping down beside me giving me a huge hug.
"Aw…Joesy, I'm going to miss the hell out of you too!" I said hugging him back. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and rubbed his head then mom walked in.
"Well hello Joseph. How are you?" She said not even caring that he was in the bed with me. Mom knew he was gay. She just never said anything.
"I'm fine Mrs. Johnson."
"Cora darling, I've come to tell you that you are leaving tomorrow. Your father and I have some more business to attend to here so you will be in London a couple of days alone." I sat up shocked.
"WHAT?! Are you serious?" I asked climbing out of bed.
"Do I look like I'm serious?" She asked staring at me.
"Yes. But..but, who will I stay with?"
"Kammi and her parents are going to meet you at the airport and are going to take you to the house. Kammi will be staying with you until we get there."
I just stood there. I had nothing to say. A few days…alone, in London. Hmm…this could be interesting.
Joe left around three and I decided to finish packing. It took the rest of the day, but I finally finished. Mom told me to pack all the stuff I would need for a couple of days so I could carry it with me when I left tomorrow. I was getting more nervous and excited. I decided to hit the sack early and get an early start tomorrow. This was going to be some trip, I could tell. Hopefully Kammi can introduce me to some hot London Lad. Or maybe to a lot of hot London Lads. I don't know and I don't care, I just want to have fun and party before my parents get there.
I woke up the next morning around 6a.m. I put on my Billabong hoodie, a pair of jeans, and my rainbows. I headed downstairs to find all my stuff in the car and my parents ushering me out the door. We arrived at the airport an hour later. We waited for a while until the final boarding call was called. I kissed both my parents goodbye and headed to board. They waved and blew kisses. That was the last time I saw my parents…alive.
