The Bad Boy Falls Hard

California Bound

-Nat's POV-

Exam week is finally over and I've hardly seen Alec now that I have my own car to get too and from school and haven't stopped studying for the past two weeks. My bags are all packed and ready to go for my trip to California tomorrow with Alec, Mason and Ali.

I head home from my final exam and go straight to the kitchen, starving after the 3 hour calculus test. Dad's already in the kitchen preparing dinner, "Ready for the trip tomorrow?" He asks chopping up some vegetables. "I'm more than ready!" I say excitedly. "I'm glad honey" he says smiling, "Now listen, I've transferred some money into your account for the trip" he says continuing to chop up veggies. "Dad you didn't have to do that!" I say, "Especially after buying my car for me" I smile. "It's not much, but it's enough for emergencies" he says.

"What's with Alec doing all this for you anyway? First the party and now a trip away" He says sounding interested. "He's just being a good friend Dad" I say. "Well I know I wouldn't go to all this trouble for just a 'good friend'" he says and I continue to search the cupboard for a snack. "He has a crush on you" he turns to face me.

"I wish.." I think in my head.

"Dad, we're just good friends! Plus he covered all the costs for Ali and Mason as well so it's kind of a trip for us all." I say pulling out some chips. "Whatever you say sweetie, he does seem like a good kid" he smiles and I head up to my room to relax after a hectic week. "Make sure you're packed and ready for an early morning tomorrow" he calls out as I make my way upstairs.

I check over the things I've packed for the trip and leave out the things I'll be using tonight and in the morning like my toothbrush. I jump in the shower and wash my hair, blow drying it when I get out. I head into my wardrobe and grab out a big t-shirt and some comfy trackies and head back downstairs for dinner. We have stir-fry and Dad tells me about his week at work and I explain to him about my exams, as I haven't seen much of him either due to constant study. I help wash up and then head back to my room, quickly checking Facebook on my MacBook Air, I close it and pack it in the my bag for tomorrow for movies and music etc. I climb back into bed and relish the sleep that instantly comes to me from such an exhausting week.

****

My alarm goes off at 6:00am, "California!" and I instantly feel excited. I stop my alarm and I am about to put my phone down when it vibrates with a text from Alec.

Alec: Good morning beautiful, hope you're ready for a big day

His text puts such a smile on my face that I don't even realise I only have half an hour to get ready before I have to head to the airport. I shower in record time and throw my hair up in a messy bun, putting some light makeup on and a comfy outfit, suitable for a 2 hour plane ride. By the time I'm ready it's 6:30am and Alec is waiting out the front for me in his range rover. We agreed to meet Ali and Mason at the airport and the boys would pay to leave their cars there.

Our plane doesn't board until 9:30am, but it will take us an hour to get to the airport and we want some time to have breakfast there too. I head downstairs with my new suitcase from moving here and a side bag with my laptop, phone, chargers and makeup bag in it. Dad's waiting at the door for me to take my bags out to Alec's car and I give him a hug goodbye and let him know I'll text him when I arrive in California.

"Hey" I say smiling as I get in the passenger side of Alec's car. "You excited?" He says asking with a huge grin on his face. "More than ever!" I say, not hiding my excitement. We pull out of my driveway and head in the direction of the airport in the next city over. Alec has some music playing but it's not loud enough to stop a good conversation flow, "Hey Alec I just wanted to say thank you so much for doing this for me. I've never had a better birthday" I say not being able to hide the smile on my face. "You're more than welcome, I'm just glad I was able and am able to make it as special as possible for you" he says focusing on the road.