*Holly's P.O.V*

I was sat in geography class with my chin in the palm of my hand, paying no attention to the lesson whatsoever. All I could focus on was the clock above the door and counting down the seconds.

Summer officially started in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

Briiing!

Mr Adams had no chance of finishing his lecture as as students were flying out the classroom the second the bell rang. I took my time exiting class, though. Yes, I was eager to start the summer, but I didn't really want to join the stampede. Even by the time I got out into the hallway, it still looked like the crowd of a 5 Seconds Of Summer concert, just without the screaming, singing and dancing around.

I just about managed to elbow my way through the ocean of teenagers and made it to my locker in one piece. As I opened it and started filling my bag with all he crap I had yet to clean out, someone appeared at my side. I knew who it was without even looking; my best friend, Jason.

"I can't believe we're not gonna see each other for six whole weeks!" He pouted.

"How will we ever survive?" I put my hand on my heart dramatically.

"We'll just have to rely on texting and calling and Skype and emails and-"

"Okay, Jace, I don't need you to list every single form of communication in existence." I interrupted him with a giggle. I'd finished at my locker and we were now walking towards the school exit.

I started at Raymond Academy about a year and three quarters ago, after being bullied at my old school, and I met Jason when he was assigned to show me around. We instantly clicked and nowadays we tell each other absolutely everything. I was even the first person he came out to as transgender last year. I remember how scared he was that day, but he hadn't needed to be scared about telling me. I've stuck by him like glue and helped him through everything since then. He's now out to his family and the school and he's so much happier now that people are calling him by the right name and using the right pronouns. He even started taking testosterone last month and he's getting top surgery in the autumn. I'm so proud of how far he's come. Last year, he was in such a dark place but now he's so much better and just such a ray of sunshine. I've gotten to watch him grow into the person he's supposed to be and it's truly beautiful.

"Are you excited for Europe?" I asked my best friend while we waited for the bus.

"I am so excited! It's all I've been able to think about! I can't wait to see the Pisa Tower, and The Colosseum, and the Eiffel Tower, and- Oh my god! What if I meet someone in Paris? A Parisian summer romance!"

"Well, I expect lots of pictures." I giggled.

"Oh, don't worry, I'll be spamming you with photos every single day. But, in return, I want lots of pics and videos of you and all the YouTubers you're going to meet."

"You can have pictures and videos of Zoe, Alfie and Nala but I don't know if I'll even meet anyone else. You're way more likely to meet big YouTubers here in London."

"Well, I want lots of pictures of Brighton, anyway." Jason ordered.

"That I can promise." I grinned as we got on the bus that had just pulled up.

It wasn't long before the bus arrived on my street and I had to leave my best friend for six weeks.

"I guess I'll see you in six weeks." I said with a sad smile.

"Don't forget to text me and call me everyday, okay? And Skype."

"Of course I won't forget. Bring me back a little something from Europe? If you can?"

"Holls, I'm gonna be buying you presents from every single place I visit."

"You're the best. I love you." I threw my arms around his waist.

"Love you too, Holls."

We hugged until the bus driver told me to hurry up and get off before he drove away, which was fair enough. He did have to get on with taking the other kids home. So, Jason and I said one last goodbye to each other before I got off the bus. Jason waved at me through the bus window and I waved back until it drove off and he was no longer in sight. I let out a small sigh before making my way to Mark's house and trudging up the driveway, up to the front door. I used my key to unlock it and went inside, immediately dropping my bag by the door. I'd pick it up later.

I was instantly greeted by Teddi, our puppy, as she came running in, her claws scuffling against the wooden floor.

"Hello, pretty girl." I giggled as she jumped up my legs. I picked her up and giggled even more when she licked my face. I made a fuss of her before putting her down and going into the living room, where I expected to find Mark, but didn't.

"Mark?" I called out.

"In the kitchen!" He called back. I followed the sound of my brother's voice and sure enough, found him in the kitchen.

"Hey."

"Hey, I made you a little end-of-school celebration snack." Mark handed me a bowl of fruit salad, consisting of watermelon, honey melon, strawberries, cherries and grapes.

"Aw, thank you. You didn't have to do that."

"Just shut up and eat it, child." He joked. I laughed and grabbed a fork.

I moved in with Mark around the same time as I started going to Raymond Academy. Mark lives a lot closer to the school than my parents do so we figured it was better and easier for everyone. I've loved every second of living with Mark. Don't get me wrong, I love both my parents to pieces but Mark gives me a lot more freedom. He trusts me more than Mum and Dad and he's not quite as suffocating.

Anyway, I soon finished my fruit salad and went up to my room to change out of my school uniform. I decided to wear a cropped lilac tank top, a pair of shorts, a red and black plaid shirt and a pair of white high top Converse. I then sat down at my vanity and added my black velvet choker to my neck which had a dark gold pentacle pendant. I also slipped on my black diamond ring. It was a fake diamond, of course. I left my hair down and wavy and moved straight onto makeup. One of my last makeup steps was applying my Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade Queen B. And lastly, I added my Marilyn Monroe case to my phone.

"Holly, it's time to go!" Mark called up to me just as I finished getting ready.

"Coming!" I called back, grabbing the suitcase that I'd finished packing last night. I only just managed to drag it out of my room but then I got to the top of the stairs and realised I couldn't do this by myself.

"Mark!" I yelled. I heard his footsteps and he was stood at the bottom of the stairs in seconds.

"What's up, Hollipop?" Hollipop was Mark's quirky nickname for me. I don't even know where it came from, all I know is that I can't remember I time when he didn't call me it.

"Can you help we with my suitcase, please?" I pouted. Mark just chuckled and came up to help me. With both of us working together, we managed to get my heavy suitcase down the stairs and even outside and into the boot of the car. After I helped Mark load his own stuff into the car, we both got in the front and started the journey to Brighton.