It Started With A Promise

Chapter 1

Flashback:

"Ryan the band goes on at 10 tonight. Aiden said he understands if you can't make the drive, it's suppose to rain really hard tonight." "Iris, i will be fine, i haven't seen you guys in like 2 months and it's only a 2 hour drive from Indiana to California, as you have pointed out before. Don't worry so much, sometimes it's good to take risks you know, and not always live in a bubble." "I know just.... be careful okay?" "of course, I love you Ris." "I love you too Ry."

I sat in my dorm room alone, staring at the photo i had on my desk of Ryan's smiling face looking back at me. Blair, my best-friend and roommate, left earlier with her boyfriend, Carter. I was leaving as well, on my way to the coffee shop down the street from the dorms when the photo fell out my jean jacket i had decided to wear. I stood up and set it on my desk, letting it sit up with the books i had arranged behind it. It's the most recent photo i have of him. Little did i know that was the last time i would see him. I grab my keys and practically run out of the dorms. The weather is nice out today, but then, the sun is practically always shining in California. Ry used to tell me it didn't matter if the sun was out or not, because the warm of the light didn't affect him, until i got by his side and unleashed my smile. He was cheesy like that, but i laughed each and every time. It was hard not to, his personality just made you want to be happy. Thinking about it now earns a wistful smile upon my face. I get to my grey sentra, a new car my dad bought me before i came to Carlson University a year ago, and start the car. I have no idea where i want to go, no destination. I had wanted coffee, but now im not so sure. I could call Lydia, another best-friend of mine, and ask if she's busy, but im not sure i want the company. It takes me a couple minutes before i realize I've stopped and parked. Im at the beach, Sandford Beach to be exact. It's empty and quiet. It could be the fact that it's 8:29p.m. and everyone is looking for a party to go to now that it's the official weekend, or, it could be the fact people rarely come to this beach unless it's just to hang out with a small group of friends. I don't mind the fact that it is so empty, it gives me a moment to think. I take off my sandals as i began to walk on the sand. im glad i chose to wear my jean shorts and tank top today since it seems to be getting hotter. i wish i had bought my camera. I love taking pictures. It's the only escape i seem to have, the only thing left that gives me hope. With a camera, you see everything different as you're looking at it through a different set of lens and catch the tiniest details. Behind a camera i don't have to pretend to be someone else. i sit down and look out towards the water. i feel something drip onto my hands only to realize im crying. I bring my head up and let my head rest against my knees. I know why i am crying, because im lost. My protector, lover, friend, he was ripped away from me and he was the one person i trusted to be there with me every step of the way, other than Blair and Lydia. I met him in sixth grade, we became closer in the seventh after he found out my mom died of cancer. He was my first kiss eight grade year, but then we got a new neighbor on our block, Aiden, and they became the best of friends. We didn't began dating until sophomore year of high school because he ignored me for talking to Tommy Sheffield. He was taken from me at the end of our sophomore year of college, and it is completely my fault. I feel my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. I take it out and look at the time seeing it's 9:15pm. It's a text from Blair.

Blair: Where are you?! You promised Aiden you would be there to watch him play tonight at 10:30!

Me: Sorry, im on my way, i just lost track of time. Cya in a few.

I get up and make my way back towards the car wishing, not for the first time , that i didn't feel so lost.