PIPER

I stepped out of the airport with my head held high. A smug look crossed my face. I had finally made it. I was actually in Los Angeles. I had left my past behind me, started afresh like a second life. Besides, there was nothing left for me at Chicago. Just crushed hopes and heartbreaks. My parents divorced after a huge argument (expected), and Ryder, my little brother was taken into custody by my mother. I sorta pitied him, since my mother was pretty ill-tempered and depressed most of the time, but a ten-year-old needed a motherly figure in his life. And I knew Mom would take good care of him, since he was still her child, no matter what. They moved to San Francisco, while my dad (I can't bring myself to even call him that) stayed in Chicago and sold our house. And then now, you're thinking, what about poor Piper? Well, since I was already 18, they let me live my own life. I could break free from all parental control, and besides I didn't want to be under custody of any of my parents. I got a little money for a living from my dad, and now I've got a house right here.

That was not the only heartache. My so-called "boyfriend" pretty much cheated on me just to date an innocent new blonde. Of course, he probably got bored with me after 6 months and found his new target. By the time I found him, gods, he was making out with her by the lockers. I ditched that bastard and our relationship was officially over, not to mention that I was clean over with his freaking nonsense. I sorta felt sorry for his next victim, cause I was pretty sure she didn't know what she was heading for.

And you think all the pain is gone? Think about this. My one and only best friend died last month. It was a fatal ski accident, and she broke many bones. Too many. She broke her ribcage, and had a heart failure before they reached the hospital. There was nothing they could do to save her. She was declared brain dead as soon as they reached the hospital. It was as though my world came crashing down. I fell into a hole so deep I couldn't find my way. I screamed so loud but no one heard me. I was breathless, drowning in my own tears. I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. She was like a twin sister. We did all things together. We weren't like the other girly girls, gossipy bitches, screeching cheerleaders and slutty bimbos in our school. We loved music, and watched movie marathons, dished out card games like there was no tomorrow, and played both tennis and track. And we loved to go to each other's houses, almost everyday. I was actually contented with my life when I had her. We had absolutely no interest in gossip, cheerleading or boys. I could still remember the last time I talked to her, before she went on her ski trip. We were in my room, hours after my bed curfew. She had crawled through my window and into my bedroom, since she lived just a couple of blocks away. She could climb the roof alright, since I lived on the second floor.

"I'll miss you, girl." She smiled, sitting cross-legged on my bed. I lightly punched her arm, laughing at her mushy statement.

"Oh come on, you'll be seeing me again in a week. I already bought this awesome movie about car crashes and really cool stunts. You totally have to watch it!"

"Really? Oh my gods, I'm so gonna watch it. See ya soon, remember I love you, Lean!" I laughed jokingly, knowing she loves to use my nickname of being a McLean, as in McLEAN. Those were her last words to me. I didn't even say them back to her.

A tear ran down my freckled face. I was gonna hold out for her, be strong. I was supposed to start over again. This was my new start. I slammed my palm flat on the luggage, tightening my grip around the handle. As I pulled it along behind me, my eyes drifted to the taxi stand. There weren't many people, just a couple getting into the car or some storing their suitcases into the boot. I smiled silently to myself, heading straight to an empty taxi that had just pulled up to a lot. After placing my luggage in the boot, I slid into the taxi and buckled up.

"What are you doing in here?" An unfamiliar voice startled me, causing me to slam my back against the taxi's door. I found myself staring at two electric blue eyes boring into my own kaleidoscopic eyes. A boy sat across me, his spiky hair sticking out from his skull, a little too close for comfort as he leaned in to speak to me. His sunglasses dangled from his button down shirt, and he sported a pair of khaki pants. Sitting on the floor is his light blue duffel bag, signaling he obviously sneaked in while I was placing my luggage in the boot. His breath ran down my neck, sending involuntary shivers down my spine. I subconsciously slid back into my seat, straightening up and coughing.

"Excuse me? What do you mean by what am I doing here? Who are you and what are YOU doing in my taxi?"

I asked defiantly. He raised and eyebrow as I rolled my eyes.

"This isn't YOUR taxi, please. And I came in first, I didn't even see you in here when I came in."

"That's cause you obviously slipped in while I was placing my suitcase in the back boot. Dude, I even saw the taxi drive into the taxi stand." The boy looked at me suspiciously, almost curiously, with a tinge of interest. His sharp azure sky blue eyes stared at me intensely. And you know what? It would be wrong if I didn't stare back. After a while, he looked away smiling, while I turned away with a smirk across my face. Boys just don't have the monopoly in the staring business. At first I thought I had won. Until I heard what he said.

"Drive her to her place first then. I'll go after her." My lips curved downwards in a frown, my face twisted in incredulity. Really? Oh gods, not now.

"No. He's getting out." I turned and glanced at his cocky smile, annoyed. "GET OUT. I got in first. NOW." He looked and me and shrugged.

"Not moving. Not a chance. I'm trying to make peace, girl." I looked up at the taxi driver and he nodded in response. Sighing in defeat, I leaned forward to speak to the taxi driver dude.

"Block 117 Varsity park please." I slouched back into my seat, just as the boy exclaimed,"I live at Block 119, thanks." Oh gods, how could things get any worse? He was literally two blocks away from me, too close. I wanted to faint clean out right there in the taxi. Way to a good start, Piper. Taking out my headphones, I placed them over my ears like ear muffs and blasted music, covering up all the hustle and bustle of this city in California.

JASON

So, I wasn't expecting much complication from coming back from Las Vegas. It was like a short trip, since my parents were both in New York for a business trip. And I didn't appreciate that. I hardly ever spend time with them, ever since I was old enough and in high school. Hell, I spent more time with my maid and secretary and saw my bodyguard's faces more than theirs. I know it's sad, but I'm learning not to care anymore. They brought this upon themselves after all, since they pretty much abandoned their son to be fully devoted to their company.

And now, due to an irritating gorgeous girl sitting in the back of a taxi with me, I find myself staring as she taps her fingers to the music and hums a sweet tune to the song. Her clear voice floats through the car, placing me in a trance. While I was in a daze, I studied her, observing her every move. Her chestnut brown wavy hair was tied up in a high ponytail down her back, all the way down to her shoulders, and her eyes, oh gods, her eyes. They were the most beautiful feature of all. Her kaleidoscope eyes were of all different colors there could be, blue, green, black, brown, even stormy grey and many more. Thinking of a color? She got it. She had her headphones around her head, her pale pink lips pursed into a thin straight line, light brown spots dotting her perfectly tanned face. She was wearing a brown V-neck blouse and denim ripped shorts, a backpack on her lap. Her converse were tucked underneath her body as she sat cross-legged, smiling at the awesome view of Los Angeles. Interesting girl she is, I thought, she must be new here.

"So, I'm Jason, nice to meet you." I tried to make conversation to break the awkward silence. No response. Much to my embarrassment, she acted as though nothing happened and continued tapping to the beat. I cleared my throat and tried again.

"What's your name? You must be new here, since you seem to love the... Uhmm... Barren landscape." I spoke a little louder. Nothing again. This time I was mad, I tried to be nice alright.

"HELLO?! WILL YOU NOT IGNORE ME?!" Finally she looked at me,not even the least affected.

"Were you talking to me?" She took off her headphones and stared at me questioningly. My shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Seriously, you didn't hear a thing? You must be deaf."

"Nah, I just turned it on to full volume, that's all. And if you don't mind, please do NOT further annoy me, because I'm irritated enough. Thanks for your kind consideration." She drones on in a monotone, then returned to listening to her music. I was appalled. Most girls would lay at my feet to be with me for lunch, and they pretty much pounced at when they had the chance. I'm just saying, but I guess I have the looks and charisma, so I am told, but this girl sure has an attitude and guts, and absolutely no physical attraction to me, somehow. That doesn't make sense. Girls I don't like come along to flirt with me while a girl I find interesting has no intention to have anything to do with me. Great. Personally, I'm already finding her personality really cool, and that we could be friends. And honestly, I think she'll have my head if I told her this. So there goes my chance. Bye bye!

The rest of the journey was rather boring, with no activity much. Then a song came up on the radio, and to my surprise, the girl jumped up in excitement and started singing in a soft tone. (Somehow she managed to hear it through her blasted music. Guess she filters out what she doesn't want to hear.)

So it's gonna be forever,

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But you know I love the players

And you love the game

Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I got a blank space baby

And I'll write your name

I admired her voice so much, and this song, well, too much similarity to me. I smiled to myself as we continued to drive down the lane.