OVERBOARD {TAYLER HOLDER}

XXXVII. Overboard

LOS ANGELES, CA | SATURDAY,  3 PM
SEPTEMBER 19TH 2020

"Well, I wanted to tell you that", Troy started, "I got an apartment here." I looked at him in shock and hugged him immediately. "No way!", I said pulling away and looking at him with a huge smile. He nodded his head frantically and I hugged him again. "How? How did you convince your parents?", I asked as we walked towards the pool. "Practically I'm 18 and I can do whatever I want, but I told them that I was now done with high school. And I have no clue on what I want to do or if I want to go to college. And we had a very, very, very long talk and eventually they said I could live here", he said almost jumping from excitement, "I do have to find a job or at least earn some money, they are going to pay for a small bit." "I'm so happy for you, T", I said swinging my arm around his shoulder while we were sitting by the pool.

"Braelynn!", Aaron yelled coming out of the backyard doors. He sits next to me and hugs me. "Hi, Ron", I said chuckling. "Did you tell her yet?", he asked looking at Troy. He nodded and smiled at me. I looked back at Aaron and he smiled too. "What?", I asked smiling. "Guess who is Troy's housemate?", he asked me. That was when it clicked. "Mhm, Kio?", I asked playing stupid. "God she's really dumb", Aaron said throwing his hands up and looking at Troy. "Hey! I'm right here", I said flicking his head, "but it's you, isn't it?" "Yeah", he said rubbing the place I hit him, "and with Ben." "Oh the dude that makes music?", I asked. "Mhm, you should definitely make music with him", Troy nodded. I shrugged and looked at Anthony who came running our way on the other side of the pool. Before we could progress it, he jumped in, splashing us. And with that I got pushed in the pool and we all played in the water like 5 year old's. This is why I love my friends.

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS | DECEMBER 2022

"... please stay seated until the seat lights are turned off", the flight attendant said thru the speakers. I wake up from my little slumber and look out the airplane window. There we are. California, Los Angeles. The little kid next to me taps my shoulder and I looked at him. "Can I take a picture?", he asked as his eyes lit up. I think he was about the age of 9 or 10. "Yeah sure", I said moving back a bit so he could take a picture of the view. "No, with you", he said smiling at me. "Oh, yeah", I said surprised. His mom smiled at me and took his phone from him. I pulled him into a small side hug and smiled. He did the same and his mom took the picture. "Thank you, I really like your songs", he said turning towards me again. "That means a lot", I said smiling at him, "what's your name?" "Noak", he said. "I like that name, it's beautiful", I said ruffling up his hair.

The plane came to a stop and we could finally get off. The little boy waved at me one last time, before he walked off with his mom. A smile formed on my face and I put on my headphone. I start shuffling my playlist and wait for my suitcase. I looked down at my phone and looked at the time. 3 pm. Just when I look up I see my suitcase and grab it quickly. I put my phone in my back pocket and took my suitcases. I rolled them on the side of me and walked towards the exit. I wasn't expecting anyone to pick me up, because I wanted it to be a surprise.

I walked thru the doors and smiled at the bodyguard at the door and he smiled back. I see people getting greeted by family and friends. Just pure joy. I would really like a hug right now. I walked a bit further and grabbed my phone to call and uber. Just in that second I feel someone covering my eyes, making me anxious a bit. The only person who I told was- "Hey, sis", Brandon said turning me around and hugging me tight. "Hey, what are you doing here?", I asked looking up at him. "Well, I kind told people you were coming today", he said smiling sheepishly. I glared at him shaking my head. "I wanted to surprised them", I said pouting. "I think they did too", he said looking past me. "What?", I asked confused while slowly turning around.