CHAPTER 1  -  Cecilia

The sound of dad's car horn pierced the heavy air. He was getting antsy to leave and everybody knew it. Sheesh! You wouldn't think he'd be so eager to see off his eldest daughter! I ignored him and pushed open the door to my old bedroom softly. Phoebe was already sprawled across my old bed, her leg's dangling off the end, engrosed in one fo Min's magazines, Min would be really impressed if she found that out. I kicked her leg gently and she jumped a mile, quickly stuffing the magazine behind her back. She relawxed when she saw who it was.
"Oh Cec, it's only you" She sighed. I pretended to be hurt.
"Yeah it's only me" She giggled.
"You know what I mean" I nodded.
"Yeah, you mean that you're glad it isn't Min coming to kick your skinny butt for reading her mag's" Phoebe laughed and nodded.
"Got it in one big sis...so you're ready to leave?" I nodded.
"Yup, just got to put this in the trunk and I'll be off" I said, brandishing my new carry case. Her huge eyes brimmed with tears and she threw her skinny arms around me in a fierce bear hug that knocked the wind out of me.
"Well...you look after yourself honey-bee" I said. She grinned.
"I love you jellybean" She said. I smiled.
"I love you too kiddo" She grimaced.
"Don't call me that" She whined. "You're only four years older than me!" I laughed, and, with a final hug, turned and strode out of the room, down the stairs and out into the driveway where Josh, Mike, Luke, Ben and Jared were waiting to say goodbye.

Tears sprang to my eyes as Ben gripped me in a bearhug. He pushed a strand og lank, long hair out of my eyes and kissed me softly on the cheek.
"Come on now, none of that. Remember, you're the first ever Robinson to make it out of Crescent City and into the big wide world. And I have every ambition of following in your footsteps next year" I smiled and punched his arm softly.
"You'd better" I whispered as I hugged him again. He whispered back:
"Remember, you've got your entire life to be mediocre, so get out there and be the best you can be now" I nodded and kissed his cheek.
"My turn" Jarred whined and I hugged each of them in turn before dad cut in.
"Cecilia Robinson! Let's move it!" I jumped into the backseat obediently and turned to look up at the attic window where I could see the faces of Min, Phoebe, Kelly and Jean. They waved to me and I waved back as our car headed for the airport.

Mom got teary at the airport. I sighed as she hugged me and blubbered all over my nice new shirt. Dad finally succeeded in wrenching her away from me and I shot him a grateful smile. He patted me awkwardly on the shoulder, not one to overdo it in the emotion category my dad. I smiled at them as the third and final call for my flight sounded over the loud speakers. Trying to lighten the mood I quipped,
"Well, I guess that's my cue" Mom smiled ruefully and nudged dad in the ribs. He retrieved a small,s carlet box from his pocket and thrust it at me.
"Your mother and I...your graduation gift" He muttered. I gasped as the contents of the box winked back at me. Mom slipped the exquisite rose-gold and diamond band onto my finger.
"It's been in our family for generations" She explained. "And as my mother before me, I am now handing it on to my eldest daughter" I hugged them both again and slung my satchel over my shoulder.
"I'll uh...I'll call you when I get to LA and again when I get to Boston" I turned to leave as mom called out to me,
"Remember, if for any reason you want to come home, there's always a place for you here, and at UCLA. You'll never be a failure to us" I smiled weakly and made my way to the stewardess who checked my ticket and got me on board. As the plane took off I couldn't help but think,
"Too late mom, you already see me as a failure"

I sat back and tried to enjoy my flight to LA. I had slept most of the way there, still exhausted from my trip with some friends. When the plane landed I followed most of the passengers off and went in search of a payphone. I finally found one in an adjacent lounge. Next to the phone was a door that must have led into a private room, it was slightly ajar and I could hear a raised and obviously very annoyed voice screeching at someone. I sighed and dropped some cash into the phone I punched in the all-too-familiar and waited for someone to answer. I didn't have to wait long.
"Hello? Just-in-time hair salon, Michelle speaking" I groaned.
"Very funny wise-guy! Go and get mom Jarred!"
"Cec?" He screeched. I nodded and suddenly realised he couldn't see me.
"That's my name, now go get mom" I had a quick conversation with mom. She basically wanted to know how my flight had been, what movie had they showed, what sorts of interesting people did I meet. And to tell me not to eat anything that I thought smelt funny, don't forget to ask the stewardess what sort of coffee beans were used and how they were ground and above all, don't make eye-contact with anyone on the plane. Which was really a double-negative after asking me if I'd met anyone interesting. I finally told her they were calling my flight. I hung up and beat me head against the wall. I turned to reboard the plane and bowled straight into a tall, blond guy.
"You okay?" He asked. He had the bluest eyes I'd ever seen.
"Uh, yeah, sorry" I muttered, as I ran for the gate. I finally reached the safety of my seat.

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