A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 31

"So what all do we have to do on the EP?  I thought we pretty much finished it in Australia," I asked the boys, about a week after our meeting with Simon.  Things had been going slowly, and I was eager for us to begin touring.

"I think it's just some marketing and advertisement, to be perfectly honest," Ash answered.  I nodded.  We were currently sitting outside a small cafe not far from Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.  It was late morning, but we decided to get breakfast early.

"Sounds glorious.  So, what all are we doing today?" I asked, taking a sip of my tea.  Earl Grey.  The best kind.

"I don't know.  Maybe some sightseeing would be nice," Liz suggested.  I nodded.

"Yeah, that sounds nice," Cal agreed.  

"Are we going to be extremely touristy or just stroll the streets and hope we find something nice?" I asked, hoping for the latter.  

"Let us stroll the streets of London!" Mikey cheered. 

"Okay.  Points for enthusiasm," I told them, giving Mikey a golf clap.  

"We should at least see the London Eye," Luke told us.  I gave him a thumbs up.

"Yeah, the London Eye is pretty great," Ashton added.  

"Okay, so the London Eye and then a stroll?" Liz summarized.  We nodded, and I quickly asked for the check.  We paid and quickly made our way off.  The London Eye was not actually that far from our cafe, so we walked instead of having to deal with multiple cabs.  There were too many of us for just one.  We made it in a little while, observing things from the street.  

Meeting a man at the beginning, we all paid for tickets and waited for the rotation to make it back to us.  I knew that it took about a half an hour for the wheel to make a full rotation.  It only took about ten minutes of us standing in line before we got on to one of the cars.  One of the great things is that you don't have to sit.  I'm not a sitter, and every plane ride I've ever been on is just a curse.  I stood at the edge, watching the city slowly become larger yet also smaller in a way I couldn't explain.

"Whatcha doin'?" Cal said quickly, grabbing my sides and scaring the crap out of me.  I jumped back and shoved him with my hands.  

"Don't be a jerk!" I cried, laughing a little bit.  I was pissed that he scared me, but it was kind of funny.

"Hey!  I just had the greatest idea!" Ashton exclaimed from the opposite side of the car.

"Oh God, help us all," I heard Mikey groan from near where I was. 

"Hey, there's no need for that," Ash said to Mikey.  I chuckled.

"What's your idea?" Adeline asked.  Goodness.  I totally forgot she was even here.

"You and Jordan could go shopping together," he said, cheery as the day.  I furrowed my brow and pursed my lips.

"Ashton Irwin?" I said.  He looked over at me.  

"Yes, Gingy?" he responded.  I slowly walked towards him.

"How long have you known me?" I asked.  He gave me a thoughtful look.

"I guess four months, give or take a little while," he finally answered.  I nodded.

"Okay, and in those 'give or take' four months, have you ever heard of me or seen me going shopping?" I interrogated.  He thought again and gave me a quick shake of his head.  "That's because I don't go shopping.  If I'm going to spend my time searching for something to buy, it's either for books or from the comfort of my couch.  You can't find fun things at a regular store.  Unless it's a super cool antique store or something similar.  I mean, look at this shirt."  I unzipped my jacket and showed him my t-shirt, which had the Doctor, Rory, and Amy in ponchos with the quote, "If we're gonna die, let's die looking like a Peruvian folk band."  I heard Luke chuckle.  I gave him a smile and a nod.