That's My Sister ➼ tas

Chapter 7

"We're going where?"

I was staring at my mother as Austin impatiently tapped his foot against the floor. Trust our mom to tell us that we're accompanying her to a concert in London on a school day a week before midterm mock papers. Plus, Austin had plans that started 10 minutes ago.

"What's not to understand?" Mom looked at us both as though we'd heard her say we were taking a trip to the moon. "I've already been given the opportunity to continue my job over here, and so that requires travelling to London and working at the arena."

"But, do we have to come with?" Austin continued. I was still standing there not saying much. I mean, I wasn't too bothered about the trip itself, more about how I was missing a hangout at Cameron's house this weekend. But then again, if my friends knew why I was going to London for the weekend, they'd be super jealous of me.

"Yes, I think you should," mom sighed. "I don't want you two already staying home alone when you still hardly know the area, and plus, it's only one day of school and the weekend. I've already contacted the head office - I said it was family business."

"Fine, I'm cool with whatever," I mumbled, wanting to get back upstairs to finish my homework and text Jennifer. We were supposed to go to the local shopping centre after school tomorrow, mainly because I hadn't been there yet.

"But, like, we have to go to the concert?" Austin continued asking questions, and I rolled my eyes at him. Obviously, if mom wasn't going to let us stay home for a few days, she wouldn't allow us to scout London at night by ourselves.

"Yes, you're coming, don't question it," mom stared at Austin in a way that told us she wasn't backing down. "It'll be good, I mean, how many teens can say they got free tickets to see Taylor Swift?"

"Well, I'm not mentioning it," I laughed. "I already get teased about my surname, so now people would actually begin to think she was my long lost cousin or something."

"Right, now that's settled: what do we want for dinner?" Mom turned and made her way into the kitchen, signalling that this conversation was over. I turned to look at Austin, and he looked a little uneasy.

-

"Tell me you can sneak me in?!" 

Amber had practically screamed for a good ten seconds when I told her why I wouldn't be at Cameron's that weekend - Cameron himself was a little down because of it, but didn't say much more. One thing I didn't know about Amber until now - she really liked Taylor Swift and her music. She'd even tried to get tickets for this tour but they'd already sold out. That made me feel bad, because I was getting free tickets and wasn't totally bothered about it. I mean, I think her music is pretty cool, and I jam out to it a lot, but I'm not really a concert person.

I just laughed in return, watching Amber as she continued staring at me with wide grey eyes. "I mean, I don't think you'd fit in my pocket, sorry dude," I replied.

Amber pouted in return. "I'll record it all for you," I smiled, hopefully giving her something that she could be happy about. We were currently sitting in an empty classroom as the some group of senior year students had occupied our usual table in the cafeteria. Everyone was eating their lunch, not really taking notice of Amber freaking out. Maybe she did this a lot.

"Please!" She begged, before turning back to her lunch with a smile plastered on her face. I just giggled again and turned back to my own food.

-

It was Friday morning, and we were getting ready to head to the train station for the trip up to London that would probably take a few hours. We each held a little suitcase that contained a few changes of clothes, toiletries and the usual stuff. I was a little excited - I mean, I'd only been to London once, and that was when we flew over and passed through to get the train to our new home.

I spent the majority of the train journey listening to music on my phone, occasionally eating some of the sandwiches mom had made for us. We sat in a table section, with mom next to me and Austin opposite. My brother spent most of his time reading some book, whilst my mom was constantly and furiously tapping away on her phone. I guess this part of her job was more important than others.

The train journey flew by, and before I knew it we were shuffling onto the platform and the train continued down the track. I turned and followed my mom, who clearly knew exactly where she was going. After trailing after her, taking a short cab ride and entering a hotel, I flopped down on the bed. I turned to look at the clock beside me and noticed it was around 2pm.

"Right," mom began, after placing her bags on the bed. "We need to be at the arena around 4pm - I need to help with soundcheck and all that, and gates open at 6pm."

I hummed in response, staring at my phone as I opened up the Messages app. I decided to text Cameron.

hey, im in london now - hope lunch is cool
and you guys ain't missing me too much ;-)

He replied within a matter of second and I giggled to myself.

yo, don't worry we don't miss
you that much anyway ;-)

well, im heading into london now, whilst
im sure you're heading to physics, so, y'know
who's the real winner here? ;-)

clearly me - who doesn't love
learning about outer space?

I chuckled to myself before clicking my phone off and getting off the bed. I quickly checked my appearance in the mirror, and upon seeing how much of a state my hair was in, decided to take a shower. After rinsing my hair thoroughly, I stepped out the shower to hear my mom on the phone. She'd been doing that a lot lately, but I wasn't so phased - I mean, it was all to do with her work.

"Yes, don't worry, we won't be late. Taylor, you know that isn't the best idea, I mean, just not tonight." I heard her say through the closed bathroom doors. For a second my eyes widened...Taylor, as in Taylor Swift? I mean, I didn't know my mom's sector of work actually meant handling the musicians.

I opened the door and stepped out, attempting to be quiet so not to disrupt my mom's phone call. I gave my mom a small smile as I walked around her bed and towards my own, where my suitcase was sitting. A look a panic appeared across her face before she composed herself again. She continued speaking into the phone.

"Yes, Taylor, okay," she coughed. "I should probably let you get back to your soundcheck setup - I know it begins at 4pm, and Swift will be there in an hour. Okay? Goodbye." She hastily hung up the phone and placed it on the bed next to her.

"Hey, darling," mom turned to me as I slipped a white t-shirt over my head. "The guys are setting up soundcheck at the arena right now, how about we head out in around half an hour, grab something quick to eat and then make our way there? Your brother's just downstairs checking out tomorrow's breakfast menu."

"Yeah, sure," I replied as I pulled my black jeans up my legs. "Was that who you were on the phone to right now? The soundcheck guys?"

"Yes, it was, they were asking about whether we'd get there on time, and then, uh, began worrying about inviting fans into soundcheck, which is an idea that's still in discussion. Having it happen tonight might just confuse everything."

I was somewhat surprised that my mother had explained so much to me so quickly, but I didn't give it a second thought - she was busy, I mean, I guess she needed to prove that she could be as good working here in the UK as she was back in Florida.

"Cool, I'll just finish my makeup and then we can go." I smiled and turned back to my suitcase.

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hmm it might be getting interesting soon (finally i guess) if you could even call this interesting lmao ok bye

~ shay xo