STAR STRUCK: epilogue continues (book 2)

Chapter 1

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CHAPTER 1

Tickets and Anxiety

 

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The morning I woke up felt so quiet. Eerily so. 

The town's folk rarely left their houses to gossip on the streets. They'd like their talks to be in private within the invisible barrier of fences that had holes you could practically hear their voices from the street. But people here were careful, threading in whispers that were inaudible to untrained ears. 

However, that wasn't really it. 

The whole town was quiet. The whole mansion was as well. I didn't hear Beth from her room or Melissa from downstairs. But there were also the birds. The birds were weirdly quiet for a peaceful fine morning like this one. 

I tried to set it aside as I dressed and checked for my things if they were ready. The luggage was all set plus all the necessities: a pamphlet Boss gladly got me, a map so I wouldn't get lost, some cash, a credit card, and, of course, my mother's notebook with Rigel's note in it. 

Today was the day. I think I'm all set. 

I hurried down from my room after combing my hair and setting my things aside. It'll be easier for me to manage them all once I go if they're in one place. 

No need to panic. Let's just think that this is just another weekend. Let's be like the birds today, quiet and undisturbed. 

I'm calm. 

"Will Vincent pick you up at the airport?" Melissa asked just as she saw me walking down the stairs. "We can always take you there. Beth said she wanted to see you off."

"He sent a message just now actually," I said, talking about Vince who volunteered to go with me to the airport instead of meeting straight there. (I actually forced him to take me. I just liked the sound of 'volunteer' more.) "He said he's on his way."

Melissa placed a plate of waffles in front of me as I sat for breakfast. She gave me a meaningful look paired with a grin which I ignored with no trouble.

Vincent immediately warmed up to Melissa just as fast as Beth did at that time of the festival. No surprise there. The guy likes to fit in a social circle like a glove. I think he's just built that way. If there wasn't a rough patch between me and my father, I bet they would also get along. Whatever happened to that subject though requires a different time for talking. Right now, I'm enjoying the taste of chocolate on my waffles. 

"Are your things ready? Your luggage? Are your clothes enough for the whole trip? You sure you wouldn't run out of things to wear?" Melissa asked one question after another before pausing. "Do you think they have laundrymats in London?"

She's being silly again. I smiled before answering. "Don't worry, Melissa. I'll be fine! Besides, I have a trusty guide with me." 

There was the look again with none of the grinning this time. She's weirdly serious about the laundrymats... "Okay," was her reply. I bet she only said that because she knows I'll shut her off her like usual. 

Melissa's been so at it, the worrying. It's not just with me. She's also keenly paying more attention to Beth as she is now asking her for the second time if she wants more chocolate or caramel in her waffles. 

It's just that it feels different when she does it with me. I know why she does it, but that doesn't mean my head can take it. For now, I'm trying to tell myself that that's just what families are supposed to be.