Chapter 1.

Back in my sophomore year of high school, I had been naïve and quite frankly, stupid.

It amazed me that even in all my painfully awkward banter and very questionable attempts to flirt, that I had ever managed to get a guy like Lucas Carters to like me. Him; a handsome, charismatic senior that was the varsity quarter back and loved by everyone. And me; the inexperienced sophomore who's only idea of what guys were like came from watching cheesy rom-coms.

The tips of my fingers traced the photo inside the tiny black frame, reminiscing on the memory of Luke and I at his graduation. His arms were wrapped around my torso protectively as he started to tickle my stomach: my weakest spot. We both had such genuine smiles. Anyone that saw the photo would have thought "what a perfect couple" or "they look so happy". And, in the heat of that very moment, we were just that. The perfect couple. A picture caught at the perfect time just moments before everything changed.

"We need to break up."

So much had changed in my life after those five little words left my mouth that day. Luke and I hadn't spoken or seen each other since. For months following the breakup I didn't talk to any guys outside of my family. Dylan and my dad were the only two that I talked to on a day-to-day basis. Dylan wasn't technically family, but he was practically a brother figure, so I counted him as such.

"I wonder if I ever cross your mind," I found myself whispering out loud as my thumb tapped lightly against the glass. The probability that Luke was still pining over me and the breakup two years later was as low as my chances of getting into an ivy league school.

There was no denying that Luke and I had a connection. I truly had fallen in love with him, and I was grateful that he had the titled of being my first boyfriend. But, looking back at everything now, knowing what I had in my current relationship with Ben, I knew that my relationship with Luke lacked the friendship. At the time it was everything that I had hoped for, but if I could go back and do it again, I would have gotten to know Luke better.

I shook my head, forced all the thoughts of Luke from my thoughts. I was just his old high school coach's daughter that he once dated. It was baffling how many memories came rushing back from an old photo frame.

I set the photograph back into the box that it came from and grabbed my phone from the floor next me. It was almost dinner time which meant that Dad would be home soon. On numb legs from sitting in the wrong position for too long, I stood from the floor and made the trek downstairs.

The front door swung open to reveal Dad holding a large bag of take out just as I reached the bottom step. "Perfect timing," I grinned as I made my way over to help him with the food.

It wasn't too often that Dad brought home take out instead of cooking, but considering as it was the last meal we would share together before I left, he felt it important to get my favorite dinner. Chinese.

Dad slipped the bag of food off of his fingers and onto mine, giving me a grateful smile. "Thanks Lilly."
"Not a problem."

He slipped off his sneakers and shut the door behind him while simultaneously shedding his bag. "How'd packing go today?" he asked, leading the two of us and the food, to the living room couch. "Did you finish?"

I mimicked my dad's actions of falling backward into the couch. "It wasn't as bad as I thought, and thankfully, it didn't take nearly as long. My car is all packed."

"Good. Glad to hear it."

Dad reached forward to the bag of food I had set on the coffee table. He pulled out a container of lo mien, thrusted it toward me. A soft smile lifted the corners of his lips, but it did little to hide the sadness in his eyes. "Your favorite."

I forced a smile to my face as I took the food. It was hard for me to see Dad upset. In his eyes, I was his little girl who had just had her first day at public school. Although I was ready for the change, I knew he wasn't. "Thanks Daddy."

"How did practice go today?" I asked desperate to change the subject off of me. I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid the inevitable tears, but I wanted to prolong it as long as possible. "Are the boys ready for a new season?"

"It went surprisingly well actually," he stated, his tone and facial expressions changed instantly as he started in on football and all the plans that he had for the players.

Football was still not a topic that I loved to chat about, or listen to, but I was willing to suffer through a night of it if it kept my dad happy. He loved to coach, so it was nice to listen to him talking about something that he was so passionate about.

_-_-_

I bit down onto my lip, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. It was an impossible feat. Saying goodbye to my dad was the hardest thing that I had ever had to do. Without me in the house, Dad was going to be living alone. I knew he was an adult, but my stomach twisted knowing I wouldn't be right down the hall if he needed someone.

For years I had dreamed of the day that I would have the freedom of making my own decisions. But now that I was finally getting that, my stomach was twisted with dread.

"Be safe, okay?" Dad instructed me; his voice was steadier than my own. He was being strong for my sake, but I could tell by his teary brown eyes that he was close to crying. I was thankful he didn't.

I nodded my head rapidly. "Of course," I choked out, swallowed hard as an attempt to help the lump that had formed in the back of my throat. This goodbye was way harder than I needed.

The corner of Dad's lips pulled into a smile. "You are going to do great things in college, kiddo. I'm sorry I can't be there to help you move in." Then his arms were wrapped protectively around me, embracing me in our last hug before I hit the road.

Several long seconds, maybe even minutes, passed before either one of us pulled away. "You should get going, kid. I don't want you guys to hit rush hour traffic."

I nodded my head into his shoulder, using the cotton of his shirt to absorb all my tears. I finally was the first to pull away, swallowing hard as I wiped the remaining tears on my arm. "I know."

Dad's eyes flickered behind me to the young man leaning up against the hood of my car. "You better take good care of her for me. You are the one and only friend that she has within a ten-mile radius of her dorm." For a second, he went silent as the two locked eyes. "Please promise me Olson that you will not let anything happen to her. You look after her."

Dylan nodded. "Don't worry, Simon. I promise that I won't let anything happen to her." His expression was genuine. Both Dad and I knew that he was serious. He wasn't going to let anything bad happen to me.

I could see Dad physically relax. He trusted Dylan more than I ever thought possible. I think he was grateful that I ended up at the same college as him, a complete accident of course.

"I am holding you to that. You better not disappoint."

A wide smile found its way to my face as I watch the two converse. Like my dad, it put me at ease knowing I was so close to Dylan if I ever needed anything. It was the one thing that made today feel a little less intimidating.

"I won't."

I turned back to my dad, engulfing him in one last bear hug before I had to hit the road and start the next chapter of my life. "I'm really going to miss you, Dad."

"And I will miss you more than words can describe, but I can't stop you from growing up." Dad's arms squeezed me tight one last time before he let go, gestured me toward the car. "Now go, enjoy your time at college. I'll see you at Thanksgiving."

"I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered back, my voice barely audible. If I spoke any louder, I would have started to cry again.

Dad forced a smile to his face, but it didn't hide the water in the corners of his eyes. If I didn't leave soon, he was going to let the tears go.

"Goodbye Dad."

"Goodbye Lillian."

Dylan placed his hand on the middle of my back as he guided me to the car before I completely lost it in front of my dad. "We should get on the road," he said as he guided me to the passenger side.

I felt myself nod, let him guide me. I may have managed to get through saying goodbye to my dad without ugly crying in front of him, but I knew that Dylan was going to see them. I was far from done crying.

By the time that we had been in the car for two hours, I was beginning to feel a lot better. Somehow, Dylan had managed to put up with my ugly crying without any music. He was a true friend.

"I think I'd be lost without you."

My words were sincere. Without the help of Dylan, I never would have gotten over my breakup with Luke. I never would have made it through my junior year. He was the one who introduced Ben and I, and he was the one who always gave me a shoulder to cry on. Dylan was my clutch.

Dylan shifted in the driver's seat, a soft smile on his lips that spread all the way up to his charming deep brown eyes. "I know Faye, you love me."

"I do," I admitted. A genuine smiled filled my face. I did love Dylan. Not in a romantic way, but a big brother that I never had way. He was my best friend. A best friend that didn't come with the same drama of being a girl.

"Gee Faye, don't you go getting all sappy on me now," he teased. He turned his head to look at me as he said, "we still have over an hour left in the car. I don't think I can handle you going into depth of how much you need me. Not after all that crying."

I rolled my eyes at his playful teasing, reached my hand over and smacked him on the leg to not affect his steering. "Shut up. I'm not that bad."

He shrugged; his eyes returned to the road. "Eh, you kind of are, but it's okay. I still love you."

I shook my head, turned my body to face the window. With over an hour left to the car ride, maybe I would be able to catch up on some extra sleep. At least a girl could hope.

___

Chapter one of the sequel is officially wrapped up!

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