That's My Sister ➼ tas

Chapter 22

ha ha its 2019 and here i am to continue writing this shítshow of a story due to my fear of leaving things unfinished but still acting as if taylor swift hasn't released two whole ass albums since i was last here

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The girls were over the moon when I told them about getting involved in writing with Taylor - the  next day they even threw in some cash together to get me a proper notebook and fluffy pen, just like Poppy's, because "every celebrity songwriter needs a place for their ideas". At the end of that day Aiden even asked me on another date following our last on Saturday. We had been out for dinner in a newly opened restaurant owned by his uncle - fully paid for on the house, of course. No one questioned our age when a bottle of wine and two glasses were placed on the table - luckily he had reserved a more private table towards the back of the venue just in case anyone saw us. He even paid for my taxi home, but not before a cute movie-moment where he tucked my hair behind my ears and gave me the smallest kiss on the lips.

Everything in my life felt like it was nicely placed for me. Poppy was fully loved up with a boy in final year, so wasn't even phased when Aiden swung his arm around my shoulders at lunch. She simply stated we were "a super hot couple", though I blushed because it was nowhere near that yet. My crush on Aiden though? I couldn't deny it.

The next morning I opened my locker and swapped my books for first lesson. Poppy had texted me that she would be skipping form due to a uniform malfunction whereby her white blouses came back from the dry cleaners yellow, and so I made my way towards the classroom door alone. As I reached forward so did someone else - Emily.

"Hey girl, long time no speak," I gave her a smile as she blinked at me. "Still buried in all those books?"

"As always," she replied, pulling on the door handle without paying all that much attention to me.

"Gosh I don't know how you don't get bored. Do you still sit alone and read at lunch? Let me know if you ever branch out and wanna socialise! I'll so help you out!" I felt sorry for her - in my time here I went from the new American student to someone with friends and parties almost every weekend, yet here this girl was showing no social progression with the people she sees everyday.

"Well I've known these people longer than you, so, I'll pass." And with that she continued avoiding eye contact and made her way to her empty desk. For a split second I was taken aback - she never came out with anything in a volume sounded , never commented on other people, and most certainly never spoke as if she wanted to roll her eyes. Whatever, I thought. Not everyone is comfortable having loads of friends.

Later on I placed my handbag on the bench next to me at lunch, saving it for Aiden who had texted saying he was running late from bio. "Hey guys, mom's away this weekend heading up to London for an award's show and Austin has a football tournament, so....you know what that means?"

"House party!" My friends cheered back. I giggled and flipped my hair over my shoulders whilst checking my reflection in my phone screen. Instantly Poppy was taking her notepad out of bag and jotting down the guest list, drinks required and music playlist ideas. Of course, I hadn't actually asked mom if I could throw a party...but she mentioned it being okay to have a few friends round on the weekend to keep me company. I mean, she specifically mentioned Jennifer and Amber, but I didn't have the heart to tell her how awkward they were making our friendship now I had other people to hang out with as well. Especially Amber, I just couldn't believe how jealous she was every time I sat with Poppy. I made an effort to sit with them on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes, though it felt more and more uninviting with every hour that I began thinking I might as well leave them to it. Even Cameron spent much of his lunchtimes working on his magazine, and never walked to PE with me anymore. You think my friends would be happy about my growth in confidence, but apparently not.

That night I made sure to prep at least five possible outfit choices for the party that weekend. Aiden and Nick were organising where to buy alcohol from, whilst Kimberly and Layla weighed up the pros and cons of everyone on the guest list. I decided I would invite Jennifer and Amber and the rest out of kindness, because they were still my friends, even if they weren't as enthusiastic. They were never invited to any of the popular parties, and I couldn't imagine going through high school without ever having an invite.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled until I found my sister's number. Taylor was in London with mom, who left this morning. It rang a few times before she picked up.

"Hey, Cait! What's up?" She sounded cheery as always. "Mom and I are just in the spa before soundcheck for the awards this weekend!"

"I was phoning to let you know I had a total rush of ideas earlier today and you won't believe how much I've written! You're coming back here after London, right? Mom's just had the piano installed downstairs so I thought I could show you."

"Sure thing - I am so excited to hear it! Hey, how about you invite Amber round! I still can't believe you haven't been able to introduce us! I wanna be more than a video message to your best friend by now!"

I laughed half-heartedly, not sure how to explain that Amber was not acting like a friend right now. Everyday was more side glancing and eye rolling, and she always makes such sarcastic comments whether I'm talking about new items I'd bought or how Poppy invited me to her yacht in France for the upcoming holidays. "I'll see if she's free," I mumbled.

I wished them both good luck for the show, and went back to sorting through outfits...which one would impress Aiden the most?