Magnet Love

9. Surprise Visitor

LILY POV:
The rest of the day was uneventful and I went straight home after school, not wanting to spend any more time in that building than necessary.

I walked through my front door and dropped my brown rucksack by the door, kicking off my converse and hanging up my navy duffle coat. I wanted nothing more than to go to the studio and dance out all of my frustrations, but unfortunately my shoulder wasn't up to it yet, so I went for the next best thing - piano.

The dance studio offered music and voice lessons as well as dance; having good musicality helps you to feel the music and move more fluently, plus it was another skill that I could add to my resume. I walked through the kitchen and into the music room.

Our family were very musical, so we had a piano, saxophone and three guitars in the room. To my surprise, Amelia was already sat on the piano stool, her small and nimble fingers flowing across the keys with ease. Her eyes were focused on the sheet in front of her and her hair swaying to the beat. Suddenly, Amelia noticed my presence and she stopped playing.

"Hey Lil, I didn't see you there" her little voice spoke as she scooted along to make room for me on the seat next to her.

"That's okay Mia, that was beautiful. You are so much better at playing than I was at your age" I replied, causing her green eyes to widen and a grin to form on her little face.

"Really? I thought you could always play as well as you do now" she replied, looking back at the music sheet on the stand, a piece called 'flying free'.

"I was terrible for years after I started to play, practice makes perfect Mia, and based on that I'm sure you'll be perfect in no time" I praised. "So what were you practicing that piece for anyway?"

"My teacher wants me to play in the assembly next week, but I don't think I'm going to" she replied, looking down with her eyebrows scrunched.

"Why not Mia?" I questioned, surprised by her defeatist attitude. Amelia was talented, but as her big sister, I want to try and make sure her shy nature won't hold her back from sharing her gifts. Emily was my personal cheerleader and I want to be the same for Mia.

"What if I mess up Lil? Everyone will laugh at me" Amelia replied quietly.

"Amelia listen to me. I bet that nobody at school has heard this piece before, so even if you did mess up, who would know? And what does it matter anyway, none of them can play like you can and you should be proud to show off what you can do" I replied, pushing a strand of hair behind her shoulder.

"Will you come and watch me if I did? The assembly is next Thursday night at 6" she asked, hope sparking into her eyes.

"I can't wait" I replied, hugging her body tight to mine. "I love you Mia".
"I love you too" Amelia said, smiling up at me. She looks so much like Emily - it's comforting, as if Em is helping me to look after her.

My Mom came through the door, smiling excitedly "There you are Lily, there is someone at the door for you, it's a boy!" She beamed.

"Huh, who is it Mom?" I questioned, confused as to who on earth would come over to see me after school.
"He said that his name is Alex, and what a handsome boy he is too! Get your butt out there Lil!" She squealed, clearly excited by the prospect of her teenage daughter receiving make attention.

Why on earth would Alex be here? I was very confused as I walked through the kitchen to see Alex himself stood by the door, deep in conversation with Mason. Mason was laughing at something Alex had said, and the sight was endearing. Mason took ages to become comfortable enough to speak to Maddie or Eleanor like that, so the fact he trusted Alex immediately was surprising, but comforting.

"Lily hey!" Alex said as he noticed me leaning against the doorframe, watching the two interact.
"Lily, guess what Alex said? Guess?" Shouted Mason as he grabbed my hand and began to swing on it.
"I don't know little guy! Tell me" I replied.
"He said that he will take me to the park to play football with me one day soon, how cool is that!"

I looked up to Alex with my eyebrows raised. Agreeing to play football was the equivalent of agreeing to be Mason's best friend. He grinned back at me with his pearly white teeth on show.

"Well that was very kind of him! Mason how about you go and get the 'Finding Nemo' DVD and see if Amelia would like to watch it with you whilst I talk to Alex here?" I asked my little brother, hoping that he would leave me alone for long enough for me to find out why on earth Alex Harper was stood in my hallway.

"Sure! See you soon Alex!" Mason shouted, running away. I looked back up at Alex. He had got changed since school and was now wearing black jeans and a white shirt, with the top four buttons undone - just enough to allow me to see the ink of a tattoo peaking out from his left bicep. He looked hot.

"I thought, after earlier, you might want some fun. Would you fancy getting dinner with me tonight? My treat?" Alex said, looking with a hopeful look glimmering in his eye.

"I, I, I'd love to" I replied, surprised by my own confidence. He beamed his award winning smile again. "I'll just quickly get changed, are you okay here for a minute? I'll be quick I promise" I replied, looking down at my outfit which I'd worn all day.

"Of course, take your time. I'll put the DVD on for the kids" he replied, walking through to the sitting room where Mason pounced on him again.

I ran up the stairs to my bedroom and threw the wooden wardrobe doors open, drastically looking for something suitable to wear. I pulled out my white sun dress, it was textured and patterned with a lace strip around the waist, showing very little skin, but made the dress more fancy. I paired it with brown gladiator sandals and a brown shoulder bag, touched up my mascara, painted some subtle pink lipgloss on my lips and quickly braided my hair into a side fishtail, covering my bruised shoulder. The outfit wasn't fancy, but it was cute and I was happy enough with it.

I jogged back down the stairs and into the sitting room where I saw my Mom handing a bowl of popcorn to Amelia and Mason, with Alex stood in the corner of the room. When I walked in, his eyes widened and mouth opened slightly, as he studied my appearance. Suddenly I felt judged and I visibly tensed, causing Alex's gaze to snap .back up to meet my hazel eyes and his lips to curve up into a stunning smile.

"You look gorgeous Lily" he complimented, causing me to blush and smile at the ground.
"Have fun guys! Lily, make sure your key is in your back incase we are asleep when you get back, you know how early we go to bed after night shifts" said Mom as she pulled me into a hug, whispering "give him a chance Lil" into my ear, causing me to blush yet again.

"I'll have her back by 9 Mrs Evans, thank you. Shall we Lily?" Alex said, taking my small hand in his, opening the door and walking me to his car.

"Let's go little one, your carriage awaits'