***Deklyn POV*** (pic to the side)

My birthday! My favorite day of the year. Yeah, I'm self absorbed today. Sue me!

18 and carefree. Except school. Except work. Okay, so 18 and 18. Whatever.

I'm excited. I'm going out with some friends to a party. This isn't that unusual, except the part where I actually have my parents permission and my new friggin car.

You heard me right! My parents gifted me a happy birthday/graduation car. 2019 Nissan 370Z convertible, black with sleek black interior and carbon custom rims. I feel spoiled.

We aren't like filthy rich, but my parents make a good living. My mom is a lawyer and my dad is an accountant, both at large firms.

We live in a modest house, 5 beds 6 baths, 3800 sq feet. It sits beachside. Taupe stucco on the outside, white doors and khaki trim, it has aesthetically pleasing landscape. There is a minimal front yard with lush green grass. Two vibrant green topiary trees flank the front french doors.

We have an in-ground salt water swimming pool and a tiki bar that sits beside the waterfall. There's a bar inside the house, a game room, living room, dining room, lounge room. Two stories with a beautiful cherry wood spiral staircase. So, it's modest for my parents income and the area we live in.

However, as an only child you would think I was spoiled rotten. Not even close. My parents have high expectations from me. I'm shipped to go to college, Ivy League. I'm demanded to keep at the top of my class. I have to hold a full time job.

I may have slacked on the job part, as I actually work less than part time. But, my parents don't mind, since I am responsible. I adhere to a rigorous school schedule.

Dating is out, much to my mother's dismay. To be honest, I just don't like the kids in my school. They are snooty. The kids are so fucking spoiled you can practically smell their expiration date.

I have a handful of friends, mostly girls and two guys. I'm not severely popular, but everyone knows my name. This is primarily because I have been in this same area since I was occupying my mother's womb.

I am going to be valedictorian when I graduate in six weeks. But, don't get twisted, I earned that shit. I have sacrificed my popularity to keep my nose clean, my grades perfect. Genetically, I am blessed. I have a high IQ, a genuine interest in my studies.

Los Angeles, California. My home, my life! I love my city. This place has an amazing day and night life. The best of both worlds.

My parents should be home soon then we will go to dinner. Next, party time. This guy is not going to remember shit come tomorrow.

<<<<<

Waiting.

Waiting..

Waiting...

It's now 7:30 pm. I have called multiple times. My parents should be home by now.

I could just go to the party, but I was low key excited to have dinner with my parents. I don't get to see both of them together often. My birthdays are the exception.

Waiting....

Fuck it! Party time!

<<<<<<<

I'm dressed to kill.

Jeans, white shirt, white high tops and my signature black leather jacket.

Dressed. To. Mutha. Fuckin. Kill.

I grab my keys before heading to the scene of future crimes.

I have to park a couple blocks down. Cars were lining the drive way and streets of the massive mansion. I lock my baby, meeting up with my friends.

"Dek, my man." Chance fist bumps me.

"This party is gonna be lit as fuck." Broady booms. His blue eyes sparkle under the street lamps.

"Where are the girls?" I ask, looking around for the rest of our group.

"We're here!" Calista, Cherry, Yani and Zaya squeal. Jumping around me like wind up toys, they excitedly take their positions around me.

"Happy Birthday!" The girls cheer. Their hands latch to my body possessively.

"Thanks ladies!" I kiss each of their cheeks, offering smiles to my best girls.

"Ready to forget tonight?" I ask as we walke towards the house with my arms wrapped around Calista and Zaya.

<<<<<<<

One hour in: peeps are passed out all over the place. Beer pong is on the pool deck. Dancing in the living room. Mosh pit is in full swing in the garden. Beer cans, trash and solo cups are already littering the drive way.

Honestly, I can't even drink. I'm so stressed. I still can't get ahold of my mom and dad. I know they often work late, but it's 9:30. They should have noticed I wasn't at home. I left them texts and voicemails. My phone has been glued to my hand all night.

Nothing.

"Hey" I hear from beside me.

I am too caught up in thought to have noticed the person calling name. 

How long has he been standing there?

"Hi" I question. Can you say stranger danger?

"I'm sorry, I just thought I could introduce myself. I'm Elik." Stranger boy says. His voice sounds safe (thought every victim of a serial killer).

"Deklyn. But my friends call me Dek." I reach my hand out to him, not actually taking a moment to take in his appearance.

Elik returns my gesture; he firmly shakes my hand. Warmth eases up my palm at his touch. I look up, a little shocked at the reaction of our skin contact.

Then is when I find his blue grey eyes. More grey is definitely present. He is quite attractive. Seriously, he's fucking hot.

His skin is a deep shade of sun kissed honey. Elik has a mop of curly milk chocolate locks. Yeah, definitely attractive.

***Elik's POV***

I hate parties. Well, parties that I know nobody anyway. I have been walking thru this massive home for twenty minutes with no sign of my cousin Cali.

I am about to give up, I pull my keys out of my pocket. Walking outside to leave, I see him.

Beautiful!

Absolutely gorgeous!

He stands there, looking worried. His hazel eyes searching his phone screen, disappointment ravishes his handsome features. Wind blown chestnut hair that is tousled to perfection begs for fingers to slide through it. Skinny jeans, not too tight, form fitting sit on his hips. His white shirt brings out the hues of his limestone skin. Nude full lips that look bite worthy rest on his perfect face. That leather jacket completely compliments his look.

"I'm Elik" I introduce.

"Deklyn. My friends call me Dek." He replies absentmindedly. His eyes dart between my attention and his phone.

"Maybe we could be friends." I smile. He looks like he might need one. It's hard to watch his features change from friendly to anxious.

"Probably." He smiles back. His attempt at bravery is commendable.

God he's sexy.

His phone rings, I go to step away. Listening would be rude.

I turn on my heels as I hear his sharp intake of breath. Running back to him as he stumbles into the wall of the house, I barely make it in time. I grab his hand, interlacing our fingers as I support his weight.

"Dek?" I ask. I'm not just worried; I'm fucking scared shitless.

Nothing.

"Dek? Is everything okay?" I ask frantically.

Nothing.

"Deklyn? What's wrong?" I ask again with urgency.

"My parents." He whimpers. The sound is heartbreaking.

I have no clue what is wrong, but it seems serious.

"Dek? Who did you come with? Where are they?" I question.  Need to find his peeps.

"I need to get to the hospital." He breathes out. His face is pale, a sheen of sweat is licking his skin.

"I'll drive you." I promise. I would do anything to ease his distress.

He doesn't move. He makes no sound. He just perches against me, leaning his weight into my embrace.

Something is majorly wrong.

I continue to support him as I start dragging him towards my car. Opening the door to my Porsch, I set him in, buckling his seatbelt.

I close the door before rushing to my side. I start the car and speed down the blacktop.

"Dek? What hospital?" I ask. I need a direction to start off in.

"Cedars-Sin-a-i" he stutters. He is most definitely in shock.

I grab his hand, running my thumb over his flesh as I carefully navigate the streets. His stare is glazed as he appears to look at nothing in front of him.

I park the car. Getting him out, hand in hand, I lead us towards the emergency room.

"Dek? What are your parents names?" I ask as we reached the emergency room reception area.

"Dexter and Julia Jackson." He speaks robotically.

"Wait right here." I usher him towards a seat, pushing him to take sit down.

Running to the receptionist, I quickly begin to explain the situation.

"Excuse me. I'm here with Deklyn Jackson. His parents, Dexter and Julia Jackson were brought here by ambulance. He needs to see them." I breathe out.

"Who are you?" She asks. Apparently, that matters.

"His cousin." I lie.

"Okay, I will get someone. Please give Deklyn this badge, you two can wait in the family area." She states. She pushes the visitor badge across the ledge towards me.

I retrieve Deklyn, placing the badge on his white shirt before securing my own badge. Then, I guide him to the family area.

We sit for a while. He is clearly in a state of shock.

"Dek? Who can I call? Where's your phone?" I ask. My eyes look over his lap to see if I notice his phone.

"Don't leave." He cries. Pitiful, heart breaking tears seep down his cheeks.

"I'm not going anywhere. I promise. I just want to let your friends know where you were. I'm right here." I comfort him. I'm not leaving.

Deklyn hands me his phone before laying his head on my shoulder. I wrap my arm around him while I search his phone for anyone I can contact.

Looking thru his texts, I find a guy named Chance who was obviously at the party. I start calling.

"Dek? Dude? Where did you run off to?" The obviously intoxicated Chance answers.

"This isn't Dek. It's Elik. We are at Cedar-Sinai hospital. Get here now." I explain.

"Who is Elik?" He asks. This Chance cat is not helping.

"No time for introductions. Dek's parents have been in an accident. It's not good." I try again.

"Call Calista, we are on our way." He promises. The phone line goes silent.

Calista?

Cali?

I search thru his phone, finding Calista's number.

"Dek? Where the fuck are you?" Calista questions.

"Cali? Is that you? It's Elik. I'm with Dek at Cedar-Sinai. His parents have been in a serious accident. Get up here." I explain again.

"Shit! We are coming." She confirms. I can hear the worry in her tone.

Soon after I got ahold of Cali the doctor comes out. I already know by the expression he wears, this is going to be a late nite.

"Jackson family?" He calls out. His eyes sweep the room until landing on mine.

I grab Dek, standingwhile waiting for the doctor to reach us.

"Dek, hey, you gotta listen babe. The doctor is here to explain about your parents." I coo. I just need his attention.

He looks up, suddenly alert.

"My parents?" He asks with interest.

"Son, your parents were in a car accident. A semi hit the cab they were riding in. We took them into surgery. Your mom flat lined on the operating table. We were unable to revive her." The doctor starts delivering the devastating news.

"Where's my dad?" Deklyn cries out.

"He's on life support. It doesn't look good. He has crushed ribs, two pierced lungs, a cranial fracture. Two broke legs and a lesion on his brain." He states methodically. I know it's his job. I just wish he understood how bad it sounds.

I stand there as this guy, I just met, listens to his whole world set on fire.

Dek breaks down into a heap of wails as I hold him in my arms. I have no words of comfort. He wouldn't hear them anyway. He is slipping quickly into the abyss.

I drag his sobbing frame, pulling him into my lap as I rock him. His tears are coming in droves.

Half an hour later, his friends show up. Drunk, but quickly sobering as the weight of tonight comes crashes down upon them.

I explain the tragic prognosis of his father, the passing of his mother, with tears of my own.

They listen as each one breaks down when the words sink in.

"Elik? How did you get here?" Cali asks. She is in fact my Cali. My cousin.

"I drove Dek. I lied to the receptionist. Said I was his cousin." I whisper. I feel no shame

"I don't know what to do." Cali cries.

"We just have to be here for him." I answer. There is nothing else we can do.

"We?" She questions incredulously.

"I'm not leaving him." I grit out. No one can make me.

With my words, Dek curls further into my lap. No doubt, he has no idea where he is or what he is doing. I don't care. I am going to be here.

"Mr. Jackson can go see his father for a moment. But, I want to warn you. This may be his last time seeing him. We have revived him twice. He isn't going to make it." The nurse who comes out announces.

I pick Deklyn up, carrying him down the long corridors. I don't care who thinks what. He isn't strong enough to do this alone.

We approach the room, I stand Dek up beside his father's bed as I try to explain everything to him once again.

"Elik?" He asks.

"Yes sweetheart?" I reply softly.

"Is this goodbye?" He cries.

"I think so." I whisper. I know it is.

He leans against my chest as he stares at his dying father.

"I love you dad. I love you so fucking much. Please don't leave me." Deklyn wails, taking the very last shred of strength I have from my soul.

As if his father was waiting for him, his dad codes before our eyes. I move us to the back of the room as the nurses and doctors rush in. They work tirelessly, to no avail.

"Time of Death: 11:59 pm." The nurse calls out sadly.

Deklyn's world goes black. He collapses.

FONT DISCOVERY

***mature content, disclaimers will be noted, only once in most cases. After that my readers should realize I am a graphic writer***

***POV change (because all my main characters need a chance to shine) will be marked clearly***

<<<<<<<< Scene change or page break indicating a lapse in time

Anything italicized is internal dialect to personal character.

"Italicized dialect with quotes will produce internal thought spoken out loud by mistake."

***Flashback*** is noted as such and all flashbacks will have italicized font.

Dreams will be italicized and underlined