“Talia hurry up, we have to get you to the airport before you miss your flight!” My Mother shouts from downstairs. I look around my room to make sure that everything I need has been packed before shouting back,

“Coming!” I grab all my bags and race down the stairs and out the door after my Mom. If you’re wondering, my name is Talia Johnson. I’m currently on my way to visit my brother in Los Angeles for a few days, as his friends Bryce and Josh are flying me out to surprise him. My brother is Griffin Johnson, and he lives in Los Angeles at the Sway LA house, a house of 6 tik tokers. At the moment, I’m not sure when I’m coming back because Bryce and Josh only bought me a one way ticket. The way back was my responsibility they said. I don’t mind though, I’m just stoked to check out what my brother’s new lifestyle is like. And, I love to make new friends. 

Before I know it, we’re at the airport. My Mom goes with me to check in, and walks me to security.

“Bye baby, I’m gonna miss you. Call me when you get there and tell me what Griffin is up to. That boy loves to ignore my texts and calls, I just wanna know how he’s doing! Have a great time, I love you” She pulls me into a big hug and kisses the top of my head,

“Bye momma, I love you. I’ll make sure to keep you updated on Griffin’s every move.” I laugh. With that, I go through security and board my plane when my section is called. Settling into my seat near the window, I look out and smile to myself. I’m so fucking excited. 

~

Approximately 4 and a half hours later my flight landed in Los Angeles. As I was getting my bag, someone approaches from behind me,

“Yo Talia what’s up, I’m Bryce.” I turn around to see two boys behind me, Bryce Hall and Josh Richards, who might I say is more attractive in person. I recognize them from their social media accounts.

“Hey, I’m Talia, obviously. Josh?” I point at the other boy. He nods,

“What’s good, ready to go surprise Griffin?” I nod, lift up my bags and follow them out to the car. 

We pull up to the Sway house and my eyes nearly bulge out of my head,

“This place is fucking massive.” Butterflies appear in my stomach in a happy, excited way. Bryce and Josh lead the way inside. Bryce turns to me and puts a finger up to his lips, signaling me to be quiet. I nod, leaving my bags beside the door and follow them to a room in the basement of the house. They open it slowly, and reveal Griffin on a computer with his back to the door. I come up from behind him, “Boo!” He turns around, a shocked look on his face. A smile quickly replaces the look,

“Oh my god! Talia! What? What are you doing here!?” He jumps up from his chair and envelopes me in a hug. 

“Don’t say we never did anything for you buddy” Josh jokes with Griffin. 

“Yeah these two bought me a ticket out to surprise you. And before you ask, no they didn't buy me a ticket back, and don’t tell Mom but I’m thinking we play that one by ear. I already want to move in.” Griffin shakes his head at me,

“Stay as long as you like. Where are you sleeping? Where is she going to sleep?” He looks at Bryce and Josh, seeing as these two made the arrangements for me to come. 

“Thinking we take the spare mattress in the garage and put it in Jaden and Josh’s room, they’ve got the most floor space.” Bryce answers the question. Griffin gives him a look,

“Jaden dating Mads today?” Griffin asks. 

“Far as I know buddy” Josh laughs. 

“Alright, let’s go get the mattress then.” Griffin, Josh, and Bryce leave the room and as I go to trail behind I hear Josh say to Griffin,

“You didn’t say your sister was hot bro” and Bryce agrees. I shake my head. I decide to go sit in the living room while they figure out the whole bed situation, and run into two more of the sway boys. Jaden and Anthony were making a tik tok together in the living room when I approached them. 

“What’s up ladies? I’m Talia, Griffin’s sister.” They both turn to look at me, 

“Oh yoo what’s up, I’m Jaden. Griff’s mentioned you!” Jaden comes to give me a hug. I laugh and hug him back,

“I think Griff’s mentioned you before too.” I reply.

“I’m Anthony, nice to meet you.” Anthony says almost inaudibly. I could tell he’s just as shy as the boys’ youtube videos make him seem. 

“Nice to meet you as well. So you guys smoke weed?” I ask, as I’m currently dying to be high. Jaden and Anthony look at each other and smirk.

“Yeah I got a bong in my room. Tryna toke?” Jaden replies. I nod my head and follow the two boys into a massive room,

“This looks like it’s supposed to be a living room, jesus!” I exclaim, admiring the room. It did look quite empty though, Griff mentioned they hadn’t furnished most of the house.

“Yeah, it probably is supposed to be” Anthony shrugs. Jaden pulls out a nice piece and starts grinding up some weed. 

“So what’s living in the Sway house like? It seems to be pretty awesome” I direct the question to both of the boys, my curiosity and amazement taking over me. 

“Honestly, it’s such a great opportunity. I love living with my 5 bestest friends and my team. It can kinda overwhelming at times tho.” Anthony responds.

“Yeah, what Anthony said. Obviously I’m very grateful. Plus we get to go to some sick parties and hang with lots of people.” Jaden answers as well. He finishes packing the bong and takes a hit. He barely coughs, surprising me with his lung capacity. He passes the bong to Anthony.

“Sounds like the life. I’m excited to meet more of your friends. You two seem pretty chill, and Josh. Bryce seems kinda wild haha, but in a good way.” I laugh and accept the bong from Anthony. 

“You gotta meet my girlfriend Avani, she’s in the hype house. She’s awesome, I feel like you two would get along.” Anthony says. Jaden nods in agreement,

“Yeah, you’ll probably end up meeting the whole hype house crew, we’re pretty tight with them. Josh kinda has beef with Chase tho.” I nod, taking in all the information, and finish taking my hit. I pass the bong back to Jaden,

“Thanks dude. Yeah I’m looking forward to meeting Avani, y’all are so cute I’ve seen your tik toks. Meeting the hype house crew seems like a good time too.”

Griffin, Josh, and Bryce come into the room lugging a queen sized air mattress with them,

“Tali you’re already smoking, jeez. C’mon guys!” Griffin says as he notices the smell in the room. Jaden, Anthony, and I look at each other and laugh. The three boys put the mattress down against the far wall. “I swear you’re never sober.” Griffin half jokingly says to me. I shrug my shoulders,

“What can I say, I have an addiction.” Griffin shakes his head at me. 

“Nothing wrong with that!” Bryce says and walks up to me, extending his hand out for a fist bump. I fist bump him and grin. 

The boys and I all go to the “filming room” where they have a TV set up on top of the fireplace and decide to play a game of smash bros. I, not being very good, got creamed almost every game. Anthony and Jaden mostly took turns winning the game. I really like these boys, I get why Griffin is friends with them and decided to join the sway house. We ordered pizza and chowed down. 

“Where’s Kio?” Griff looks around at everyone who just shrugs. “He’s probably with his girlfriend” Griffin answers his own question when none of us give him a response. 

“Kio’s another sway house member right?” I question. Everyone nods back at me. 

“Hey Griff, we should take Talia to the hype house tonight. Show off some more.” Bryce suggests. I could tell he was being somewhat sarcastic about showing off. I can’t lie and say I’m not excited to go to the hype house. I follow most of the members on tik tok, and watch Alex’s vlogs. They seem like a lot of fun, and not to mention they have some good eye candy over there. 

Griffin agrees with Bryce, but says that he’s not in the mood to go over there. He said he wants to stay back and FaceTime his “girlfriend” Dixie. I honestly had no clue he had a girlfriend, but looking back on it, his tik toks and tweets about her do make it kind of obvious. Jaden, Anthony, and Bryce say they’ll take me to the hype house if Griff is okay with it. 

“Yeah Griff, c’mon let me go.” I pout at him. He laughs and says okay. I tell the boys that I’m just going to go freshen up and I go back to my “room” where Griff had moved my bags from the front door and pulled out a fresh pair of clothes and some make up. I proceed to get ready to go meet some new people.