June 4, 2009

If you had told me six months ago that I would be packing my suitcases on a tour bus today, I would've laughed in your face.

If you told me that I was the opening act for the Jonas Brothers, I think I would've combusted from laughing too hard.

Who am I, do you ask? The name's Rachel. I'm fifteen years old, I have long brown hair and vivid green eyes. I'm pretty much the average girl. I have a lot of friends, but I also have my best friend Lily. I love to read, sing, act, dance and play almost every sport. My favorite color is purple and I love to eat pickles. Some weird fetish. I have two sisters named Devon and Izzi. Izzi is currently at Georgetown while Devon and I live at my house in Wycoff, New Jersey with my parents.

The town where the Jonas Brothers grew up? Bingo. That's the one. But they never come around here anymore.

Now, it's just a normal boring town with the same boring people. One of those "everyone knows everyone" towns.

As you probably guessed, I'm a Jonas fan. A huge one, in fact. My music consists of the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Switchfoot and Joshua Radin. Give or take a few other bands.

Back to my story, though.

Let's rewind to about six and a half months ago when my dad made the decision that would change my life.

November 14, 2008

"Family Meeting!"

Oh great. Don't you just love the family meetings where you talk about how you're not doing enough work around the house, or how your grades are slipping?

Of course, I'm a straight A student, but Dev…. Well, she doesn't like school very much.

"Guys! Now!"

Well, he didn't sound angry. As I walked into the kitchen, I grabbed a banana and sat down on one of the stools lined up against the smooth granite counter.

"What do you need dad? I have homework to do." I really didn't have homework to do, but I've learned that using that as an excuse always works, because parents like when you do school work. Smart, eh?

"Well, you can go do your homework, but you might miss out on the best trip of your life," he said with a smug smile. He knew something.

Oh, he knew something good. He had something up his sleeve, so I calmly started eating my banana and waited for him to continue.

"So, I just got an e-mail from the Atlantis in the Bahamas. I want to go. Any one of you are welcome to come, but you'll have to miss a couple of days of school and-"

"I'm in!" Like I had to think twice about that. Don't get me wrong, but I catch up easily. Making up the work will be a piece of cake.

"Well, I'm not! If I skip, you know I'll never make it up. This sucks" Of course Devon can't go. Just a couple of days could hold her back a year. She's a junior and if she doesn't graduate with her class, she'll go insane. We have enough insanity in this family as it is.

Elaborate? Gladly. You see, my mom isn't exactly the motherly type. She drinks all the time, she never spends time with us, she parties a lot, and she barely pays attention to our family.

Why does my dad still hang around? He claims that he still loves her.

How… sweet.

"Alright. I guess that means that Rachel and I will go. Yea Rach!" He tried to give me a high-five.

"Oh please dad, no. Thanks. This is gonna rock. I'll get all of my work and I'll pack. When are we going?"

"Well, your cousin Andrew's birthday party is next week so I was thinking that if we fly out to Georgia for that on Monday, we can stay with them for a couple of days and leave for Atlantis by the end of the week."

No way! I loved Andrew. He was like my big brother that I never had. He was my age, but his birthday was seven months before mine. He was great. A little over protective, though.

"Alright. I'll go pack. Thanks daddy!" I hugged him as tight as I possibly could. As I ran upstairs, I called Andrew and told him that I would be coming for his birthday.

"No way Ray! That's Awesome! I haven't seen you in ages!"

"I know! I miss you Andy. But I'll be there for a couple of days, so you better not get tired of me." I smiled as I started to get out my suitcase.

Andrew was always there from me even in different states. Through make-ups, break-ups, happy times, and sad times.

"You? That's impossible! How could someone get sick of eating pickles and watching the SAME movie over and over again?"

I could hear the sarcasm dripping from his voice. Everytime I visit, I always make him eat pickles with me while we watch my favorite movie.

"Hey! Pickles are amazing, and Transformers is probably the best movie ever made! But guess what. We're going to watch Dark Knight this time. It's makin it on my bests list."

"Oh, really? Well I'm glad it's a new movie. So did you-" He was cut off by screaming in the background. His mom probably.

"oh sorry Ray. I have to go help my mom go over the guest list for the party. I can't wait to see you! Bye!"

He hung up before I could respond. I let out a sigh and continued packing for a much needed vacation. I threw in all of my clothes, my bathing suits, necklaces, and lady stuff. (;

I didn't process my hair too much, so I didn't need to bring a straightener or anything like that.

When I was satisfied with my bulging luggage, I placed it by my desk, hopped into bed, and dreamed about the amazing vacation I would have.

Boy, would I be surprised to find out just how amazing it would be.

December 8, 2008

So I'm in Georgia and Andrew and I have been setting up for his party all day.

Who would've guessed how high maintenance a guy could be about everything?

The table cloths HAD to be green. No, not aqua! Green!

I was about ready to pull my hair out by the time five rolled around.

I made my way up to the guest room and started to get ready. I let my wavy hair fall naturally on my shoulders and put on little make-up. I always put on natural colors with cool eye make-up. I loved making them pop.

When I was done with my face, I went to my suitcase. I decided that I wanted to look a little more put together than usual. I mean, there's no one here to impress, but why not?

I settled on a white bubbly sundress with a gold vintage belt that went under the bust. It contrasted nicely with my dark hair and it fit me in all of the right places.

When I slipped on my flip-flops, I grabbed my phone and ran downstairs. The party would be held in their backyard. Cute, right?

As I walked through the kitchen to get to the backyard, I started to smell the sweet aroma of barbeque sauce and meat. Yum.

"Hey dad! Do you know where Andrew is? I want to give him his gift!"

My dad was by the grill helping uncle Jerry grill the burgers and chicken.

He wasn't quite a cook, but he knew how to make a mean burger.

"He's by the drinks saying hi to old family friends, I think."

"Thanks, dad."

I walked away from the grill and headed toward the refreshment table.

He was talking to some kid with abnormally bushy hair.

Haha. Sorry. No offence to the kid. I'm sure he was going for that, but-

Nevermind.

"Hey Andrew!" He turned his head toward me and so did his friend.

My smile dropped along with my jaw, and Andrew's present fell from my hands.

I was staring right at a boy I have known for a long time. Not personally, of course. A boy who's music helped my through my mom's problems, deaths, love and life. A boy who's more perfect then the word itself.

I was staring into the eyes of the one and only Nick Jonas.