Forever and Always

Chapter 2: Star Struck

*Kat’s POV*

“Kat?” Greg asked confused and clearly not awake

‘I-I’m sorry I just-I didn’t know who else to call I woke up at a bus stop and I have no idea how I got here and I can’t remember anything and I just…” I quickly spit out trying to hold back tears as the seriousness of the situation starts to sink in.

“OK calm down everything’s going to be fine.” he says taking on the protective older brother attitude that I rarely saw when we were kids.  He may not actually be my brother but to the Horans I had always been part of the family.  “Where exactly are you?” he asked fully awake now.

“I’m in front of that Chinese restaurant with the scary old lady.” I replied, calmer now that I could tell Greg had a plan

“OK” he chuckled, probably recalling the memories of the woman yelling at us for fighting during dinner.  “I’ll be there in 10 minutes” he said before ending the call before I could even say thank you.

It was only five minutes before he showed up, probably because there was no one on the road at 8 o’clock on a Sunday.  He pulled up in front of me a put the car in park.  I climbed in and groaned out a thanks before buckling my seat belt as Greg pulled away heading in the direction he came from.  At this point my mind was finally clear of panic and started to focus on my wicked hangover.  Between the blinding sun and Greg’s horrible taste in music my head felt like it was going to explode at any moment.  I quickly reached over and flipped off the radio before sinking back into my seat and kicking my feet up on the dash.  I probably shouldn’t be this comfortable around him; I mean I haven’t spoken to him in like 5 years I’m not exactly a close friend anymore and my behavior was bordering on rude for someone you’re not close to.  I pushed the thought out of my head deciding that I don’t really care and lift my hand up to rub my forehead, letting out a slight groan.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you hung-over” Greg chuckles.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been hung-over” I laugh.

“So what are you doing back in Mullingar?” he asked curiously

“My friend Emily and I came to Dublin for a summer vacation.  We went out to the pub last night, we ordered a round of shots and the next thing I know I’m waking up on a bus bench in Mullingar.” I replied coolly, still baffled by the situation. I never black out.  Hell I never get a hangover and I can drink like twice my body weight in liquor it just doesn’t make sense that I can’t remember anything.  

“Sounds like the definition of a good night” he jokes as he pulls into the garage of the house he grew up in. 

I slid out of the car and walked into the house not bothering to wait for Greg.  I was comfortable here I think I spent more time in this house than I did in my own growing up.  I kick off my shoes and throw them into the pile beside the door before walking into the living room.  I look around and everything seems to be exactly the same as when we were kids the only difference being that some of the pictures have been swapped out for more recent ones and a few one direction items lay around.  It’s crazy to think that the little boy I grew up with was now in an internationally famous boy band.  I feel bad that I missed all of that, his rise to fame.  I had always told him he needed to try out for one of those shows and then when he finally did I wasn’t even there to support him.  I shake the thought from my head realizing that there’s nothing I can do about it now.  Greg walks in and plops down on the couch turning on the TV.  “I’m going to go take a shower” I mutter as I climb up the stairs hoping it might make me feel better and that I might regain some clarity as to what happened last night.