Chapter 3

So far So Cal sucks

Saying goodbye had hurt. I saw the pain in his eyes as I boarded the plane to California. I had felt it too. What was going on? We had only know each other just over a day. This was real pain, it was almost physical. I didn't miss people. I wasn't homesick and I didn't miss my family. I missed Embry.

I was planning on spending two weeks in California. It was my home away from home. Ok so I hated the heat, but I loved the history, the buildings, the museums, libraries and the nature. If I was a nerd in Scotland, I was a super nerd in California. My friend Carrey, her boyfriend Tom and her mum picked me up. I ran towards them and slid on a piece of wet floor. It didn't hurt. What did hurt was remembering earlier today. I got up, not caring that people were watching and laughing ( I'm used to it, I get it a lot) and finished walking towards them.

'Well done, Cathy,' Carrey said laughing, Tom was trying to comment, but couldn't for laughing.

'Welcome home, your hair looks nice.' Carrey's mum said. My hair was one of the few things about me I liked. It was chin length, light brown and was naturally wavy. My fringe had grown out so it was the same length as the rest.

'Thanks,' I said as we grabbed my guitar from the conveyor belt. Tom had finally composed himself and offered to take it for me.

We all went way back. Carrey and her family moved with her dad's work to Scotland for two years when we were ten. I was thirteen when I spent my first summer here. We had been in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art when we met Tom. He was big on Sci-fi and I fancied Dr Who, the character and the actor. From then we distantly grew up together. Carrey was popular, Tom and I were not. We were like brother and sister. Carrey became more distant and Tom and I grew closer. Last year, when I came over for Christmas, they got together. She had an unrequited crush and he was just being polite.

So the holiday began. Secretly we began university hunting. I would always love Scotland. As they say 'my heart's in the Highlands'. But I wanted to be here. I was constantly thinking of Embry. I was on the phone to him lots, it helped a little. It was odd, we both felt we could be completely honest with one another. He said he wanted to tell me something, but couldn't over the phone.

We entered our second week. I began to get bored. The love birds made me feel sick and the food was Mexican. I hate spicy so was hungry lots, making me grumpy.

'So, let's talk,' Carrey turned and said, I had just got off the phone with Embry. I had noticed how much she had changed since we were children, she was a gossip now.

'About what?' I asked, knowing full well where this was going.

'Boys.'

'What do you want to know?'

'Who, what, where, when and why.'

'Ok. His name is Embry. We met last week in Port Angeles when he helped me out.' I said. It sounded like she thought we were…

'Hmmm. Ok. And do you like him?'

'I… I…' Did I like him? I wasn't sure. I was totally inexperienced with boys but I was sure it was more than that. Was this what I had been trying to tell myself. I couldn't, we had know each other only a day. Love at first sight didn't exist, but I loved him. It felt good to admit it to myself.

'When can I see you?' he asked.

'Soon, I promise. We need to talk.'

'What about?' He asked, sounding worried.

'Don't worry, I think it's good.'

'Can you tell me now?'

'No. I'm leaving here early, so I'll tell you then.' I said quickly changing my plans.

'Can I ask you something then?' He said nervously.

'What?'

'What are we. I mean are we friends or…' he trailed off lost for words.

'…more.' I finished for him.

'Are we?'

'Yes, much more.' My brain mouth connection faltered. What had I just done?? Had I said too much?

'Good. I was hoping that you would feel that way too.' He said, I could hear the smile in his voice.

'I do. I guess I have a flight to book then. I'll see you soon.'

'Bye,'

'Bye.' I hung up, missing him already.