Dedicated @latoyacosta for inspiring me to write this book and for being my best friend and having faith in me. You are amazing and I have no idea what I would do without you!

***

One month prior to the first note~

This is it.

This is the year everything changes.

I've been telling myself these exact 6 words over and over again ever since my dad pulled in to my high school parking lot.

Today is the first day of my last year of high school. I'm officially a senior.

This is the last year before we go off to college. Our last year of seeing each other every day. This is the year that could make or break us. This is the year I've been looking forward to for who knows how long.

I have established plans to go to the same college as Jace and Vicky. The whole long distance relationship doesn't work, so we thought it would be best to go together. But for now I have to focus on getting through this final year before I can think of college.

I adjust the rear view mirror and check my appearance one final time. My blonde hair is pulled back into a high ponytail with some loose strands framing heart-shaped my face. My bright blue eyes are outlined with black eyeliner to make them pop. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. With a deep breath to steady myself I exit the car.

"Have a great day," my dad beams.

"Thanks dad. You too," I reply with a bright smile.

I'm not typically one to get nervous on the first day of school. I was excited. Ecstatic even. I haven't seen my friends in a couple weeks. I've been off traveling around Europe with my dad. I've prepared myself for the onslaught of questions that will more than likely come my way when I step into the building. Once I reach the door that separates me from them I don't hesitate to open it.

The halls are filled with both students and teachers. There are so many people that there isn't much room to walk. As I make my way towards my locker multiple questions as to how my summer are thrown at me. I reply to every question with the same answer; it was awesome. I don't want to go into detail with them. I just want to find my friends.

I reach my destination. It's the same rusty maroon locker with a smiley face etched into the metal that I've had for the past three years. I enter my combination absentmindedly and allow the door to swing open. Suddenly, a hand grazes against my forearm. I jump backwards and unintentionally slam my locker shut. A deep throaty chuckle erupts behind me.

A breath I didn't know I was holding escapes my mouth. I can feel a hand holding my lower back firmly to keep me steady.

"I missed you," a deep voice whispers in my ear. I slowly turn around. My gaze is met by a pair of shimmering emerald green eyes. I roll my eyes at my boyfriend, Jace. Before I have the chance to say a sarcastic comment his lips crash onto mine.

My arms wrap around his neck and my body melts into his. Unlike all the other kisses I've had in my life, which were awkward, this one is full of passion. Jace is the only person who has ever made me feel like this. Like I'm needed. I don't know how long we've been like kissing, but a giggle causes us to break apart. Now with us is a crazy brunette (who is also my best friend) named Vicky and her current boyfriend Bryan.

Unlike my two best friends, who are very social creatures, I didn't have many friends. I'm not a very social person. I spent more time reading books than I did in the presence of others. But these few people were my closest friends and u wouldn't change that for the world. These are the two people who mean the most to me and the people I've want to see since my plane landed.

I don't talk to Bryan very much aside from when I'm being polite because Vicky's around. He's friends with Jace, but I hardly see them together. Bryan and I have nothing in common aside from the fact that we both know Vicky. We have conflicting personalities and interests. Vicky started dating him a couple weeks ago after a summer party.

"So sorry to interrupt. I just came to see how your summer in Greece was," Vicky tells me with a bright smile. Bryan snakes his arm around her waist and squeezes her against his side.

"It was great. I got a lot of sun and I met some really cool people there. I would love to go back sometime."

She nods enthusiastically. Bryan is having a separate conversation with Jace. Vicky diverts her attention to what they're saying and pipes up every now and then with her input on their conversation. I would too, but I'm distracted. I have this weird feeling in my stomach.

Like the feeling you get when you're being watched.

My brows furrow and I scan the hallway. My body rotates around the hall to see every direction to pinpoint the source. Suddenly, a blurry figure rushes past me almost knocking me to the ground. Quickly, I grab hold of Jace's forearm to stop from toppling over. A strand of blonde hair tickles my nose as the girl flies by me.

"Freshmen," Jace chuckles while pulling me to my feet. "Always worried about being late on the first day of school."

"Did you see her speed? She was like a tank. Nothing was slowing her down. Hand her a football and I think we could add her on the team," Bryan says earning a small giggle from Vicky.

"Do you remember when we were freshmen?" And with that we're launched into another conversation about our first couple of years of high school and completely forgetting the event that just passed.

I brush off the accident and chat with my friends. I can't help but to feel happy and at ease. This small group of people are my true friends. The people I've laughed with, cried with, and grown with. Being beside them in my final year is what my dream has been ever since I met them.

We talk for a few more minutes before the bell rings. We wave goodbye and head in separate directions. I enter my first period class which is math and take a seat. I pull out my schedule and note that I have an easy day ahead of me. My first two period classes go by smoothly. I meet with old friends and with each one it feels like I hold the same conversation about our summers.

Lunch comes and the group assembles at a cafeteria table. The group consists of Vicky, Jace, Bryan, and a few of Jace's baseball friends. The majority of lunch is spent comparing time tables and checking to see what classes we have together. I have last period with Vicky. We both squeal like little girls. This is the first time we've had a class together in 2 years.

"Do you remember the last time we had a class together." It isn't a question more like a statement.

I nod and a bark of laughter escapes my lips. "We got into so much trouble. We never shut up and then one time Mr. Silvia said 'you're interrupting my lesson' and you told him he was interrupting your conversation. I'm surprised we passed that class." We both break out in a fit of giggles.

"Yeah, I still have the same smart mouth attitude. Nothing has changed in that department."

The lunch bell rings. I relax when I enter my favorite class of the day-science. The teacher gives the standard introduction and mentions the procedure for how she expects the year to go. The same act is repeated in my fourth and final period class. Although this time I have Vicky to endure it with me.

"Pst hey Marley," she whispers beside me while poking my in the arm with a pencil.

I swat it away irritably. "What do you want," I grunt while filling out a form.

"Who crapped in your cheerios this morning? I was just going to ask if you wanted a ride home. Eva has been pestering me to see you."

My face softens. "Yes that would be great. Thank you."

She nods. I send a quick text to my dad telling him of my change of plans. Just as I put my phone down the bell rings. I cram my books into my bag and fling it over my shoulder. Vicky loops her arm through mine and drags me out of the school. She shields her eyes and scans the parking lot.

  With pursed lips, she mutters. "I don't see her-oh! There she is. She parked across the street."

  We cross the parking lot and start to cross the street not bothering to look both ways. The loud roar of a horn causes my body to jerk backwards. I drag Vicky with me and we nearly trip over the curb. A black SUV with tinted windows speeds by us.

  "Vicky," I hiss. "Are you trying to get us killed. I don't know about you, but I intend on being alive for graduation."

 She rolls her eyes. She checks both ways this time before crossing. Vicky rounds the car to the passenger seat while I slide into the back.

  "Hey Eva," I greet cheerfully.

  "Hello Marley," she replies. She diverts her attention to me through the rear view mirror. "How's my favorite daughter?"

  I giggle while Vicky glares at her step-mom.

  "I'm doing really well. The teachers haven't crammed homework down our throats yet and my sanity is still intact, so overall I'm pretty good. How are you?"

  She laughs. Shaking her head, she turns on the car and replies, "This is why you're my favorite child. I'm good. I don't have to go back to work for a couple more days. I think I'm going to spend my time keeping up with what all you cool teenagers are doing these days. Like keeping up with the Kardashians and binge watching shows on Netflix and chilling."

  I laugh awkwardly while Vicky blushes a deep pink. "You are so embarrassing."

  I'm not sure if Eva just didn't hear or chose to ignore Vicky, but either way she doesn't answer.  She pulled away from the chaos that was the end of the day at our school. The ride to my house was quiet except for the low rattle and hum of the cars engine. No one spoke, so I took this as an unspoken invitation to daydream. I stared intently out of the window as the suburban sprawl slowly faded into deep and rich forestry. I loved living in the country. It was secluding. 

  Finally, we pulled up to my house. It's a beautiful and dominant two story Tudor style home that has well defined mahogany bars and rich cream walls. It stood out against the dark green forest around it.

  "Thank you for the ride, Eva," I chirp while climbing out of the car. She rolls down her window and pops her head out.

  "It was great to see you again, Marley. You have my number, so if you ever need someone to talk to about anything just shoot me a message. I'm always here for my favorite girl," she chuckles with a wink.

  "I will. Bye, Vick!"

   I ascend the stairs and slip in through the door. A large boarder collie pounces as on me and covers me in kisses. "Hey girl. I've missed you, too."

  I slip into the kitchen; my favorite room in the house.

  Two steaming plates that appear to be holding mountains of food are waiting on the table. A low growl erupts from my stomach.

  "Dad, isn't it kind of early to eat?"

  "Probably," he says with a chuckle. He sits down at the table. "But it's never too early to spend time with my little girl. You won't be little forever."

  Without arguing, we eat our meal. It's filled with small conversation about future plans and school. Once everything is cleared off I excuse myself to my room.

 I read the book within three hours . To occupy the rest of my time I shower and prepare my notes for the months to come. I send a quick goodnight text to Jace and Vicky before hopping into bed.

  As I slowly drift in and out of consciousness I allow the days events to slip out of my mind and allow thoughts of the future to encompass it instead. A ghost of a smile falls on my lips.

  This is the year everything changes.