Lizzie

"Another date with Jennie. It must be getting serious." I say, looking adoringly at my best friend, Brandon. He is one of the most handsome guys in our school. We're seniors, and for as long as I can remember, he's had the girls chasing after him.

He's tall, six feet and slim, with the sexiest tattoos running up his arms. He runs his hands through his jet black hair and smiles. God, that smile. It makes me go weak, so weak. "Nah, no big thing. She's cute though, but it's not serious."

"Yeah, right," I say, trying desperately to be lighthearted about it. I know that he hasn't seen anybody twice before. Ever. This is a first. I wouldn't say that Brandon is a serial dater, but he is a ladies' man, and he has the looks with his piercing blue Travolta eyes, plump, luscious lips that'd give Angelina Jolie a run for her money.

"Hey, come on, Lizzie. I'm not ready to get serious with anyone, especially not Jeannie. We've not even gone to first base. We're just hanging."

"I thought that's what you did with me." I sound sullen; I know I shouldn't, but the green-eyed monster has appeared. He scoffs and ruffles my head.

I've known Brandon since I was five years old. My dad employs his dad. Oh sorry, I totally forgot to introduce myself. I'm Lizzie. Lizzie Billingham. I'm eighteen years old and studying business and finance; my father wants me to go into his business with him. He's in shipping and has more money than he knows what to do with. He's what you'd call filthy rich, but he's a good guy and doesn't act like most powerful billionaires I know.

Nope, daddy dearest is exactly that. Brandon's dad has worked for my father for the last thirteen years. He's daddy's CFO (chief financial officer), and he keeps my daddy right in check, making sure he doesn't just run from one business to the next, buying them all up just because he can.

Brandon's dad, Patrick, is originally from Ireland. They came to America when he was five years old and now live on the same mansion row that we do here in good old Atherton, CA. It is pretty exclusive, and all the properties are huge. We have mountain views and beautiful lake land. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world. Well, other than Paris being a fashion designer. I've always had a keen interest in fashion; maybe one day I can start my own label. My mother says I'm brilliant with designs and have a real eye.

My mother is the best. She is on every committee and still has time to run her own beauty business. Beauty with Kindness. Mom, known as Ellie to her friends, is a firm believer in providing beauty at affordable prices, with no animal testing and 100% sustainability. She is her own empire, and she met my father when she was a kid, too. A bit like Brandon and I.

When Brandon first came to our town, he spoke with what I consider a very funny accent. I then learnt that he was Irish, which made him exciting and mysterious. I believed in leprechauns and four-leaf clovers and thought Brandon would have all sorts of magical powers. It didn't matter when he told me that he was just a normal boy with no magic at all. Only I do find him quite magical; I am always lost when I look at him. I want to trace his tattoos with my fingers and feel his tongue exploring my mouth. It makes me blush.

"What are you blushing for?" he asks. Shit. There is nothing getting past, Brandon. He knows me so well. We've even shared a bed; for years, we've slept together since we were kids. Well, until last year when Brandon said it wouldn't be proper anymore to share a bed. I guess he's right. I don't think I'd be able to help myself. If he ever found out what a huge crush I have on him, well, I'm not sure what would happen.

Would our friendship survive, or would he drop me like a ton of bricks? I don't want to find out which is why I've never stepped over the friendship barrier. I keep my mouth shut firmly when he tells me about another date he is going on, or some girl he fancies. Sometimes I've been known to go to my room and bawl my eyes out. Because it's just crushing me that I want him so badly and yet I can't. I mean, how do you even deal with that? There's no guidebook or YouTube video on this.

"Nothing," I say and punch his arm lightly, as friends do.

"I bet ya thinking about some jock, aren't you?" he says, laughing. Actually, I am, only it isn't just any jock; it is him. He is the best ball player in our school and has been accepted to five of the top colleges, and no doubt my Brandon will become a superstar in his own right. I shake my head.

"Don't be such a jerk, Brandon. Cut it out. Come on, let's get out of here." Usually, after class, we'd go to Mason's Grill for a bite to eat and a couple of sodas. We just hang out and chill with our friends. Most of whom have been having sex way before they should have been. I know I'm the only girl who hasn't lost her virginity yet.

That's because I'm saving myself for the right man. Only the right man is right in front of me, so I could possibly die an old spinster. Ugwww, that's a bit depressing. I hope this crush passes soon and that it is just a phase. I have to admit it has been a pretty long phase though.

If I'm honest, I have been crushing on Brandon since I was about thirteen. Every little thing he said back then, I hung off every word. Actually, I think I've been pretty spectacular in hiding it, but someone is bound to notice.

"Hey, who are you going to the prom with?" I've been keeping myself together since I thought we'd become besties. Clearly not.

"Erm, I haven't decided yet." It's not a lie. I have been avoiding thinking about it. Because all I can think of is being at prom with my best friend.