Finding Me Again

In England

                When I finally reach the end of customs and all the security measures I have to go through, I am greeted by a large group of people, each waiting for their loved ones to show up. Many people have signs with names written large in bright color. I look around the crowd, and almost tear up when I see my aunt frantically waving at me. I grab my guitar and my carry-on bag and sprint towards her, and when I finally reach her, I give her a huge hug. Minutes pass before we are able to release each other and start moving towards Reese’s car out front.

“You know, you’ve grown quite a bit,” Reesey says, looking me over.

“That does happen when you haven’t seen me in five years,” I giggle at my aunt as she turns around and looks pointedly at me. Reese clearly means that I’ve developed the normal female parts that I had waited so long for. She laughs and picks up her speed towards the exit of the airport, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with her.

                When we get out the front, our ears are ambushed by the sound of screaming girls. I quickly reach up to cover my ears.

“Alright, ALRIGHT,” a cop comes out the doors after us, trying to shout over the ladies out front. “They’ve left now girls- got out a back exit. It’s time to clear out- CLEAR OUT.”

I continue walking with Reese, lowering my hands.

“What’s that all about?”

“You didn’t hear? There’s this huge boy band coming back to town today. They’re huge here, but they were in America for a short time, recording.”

“What band?”

“One Direction.”

“No shit?” I look at her, shocked.

“Yeah- have you heard of them? I know they’re not too huge in the Americas yet.”

“Well, you’ll never believe who I was sitting to on the plane…..”

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                The ride home from the airport is spent explaining the odd flight- which now seems like a distant dream- to my aunt, who in turn points out different tourist attractions.

                After a 30 minute car ride, we finally arrive at Aunt Reese’s apartment. I hustle all of my stuff into the elevator and we make our way up to her loft on the 7th floor. As we open the door to her apartment, my jaw drops.

                The loft is, to put simply, total sex. It’s all designed to be a very cozy styled apartment. It opens straight into the living room, whose walls are tall and brick. To the side is a large, open styled kitchen, with sleek, rustic looking countertops and tall wooden stools.

                The living room is set against a short hallway, which leads to a bathroom and a beautiful master bedroom. The living room itself has a giant fireplace, which plays host to one of the biggest flat-screens I’ve ever seen. The floor is covered by a gigantic plush rug. And wrapped through the living room is a long leather sofa- the kind with the kick up seats and cup holders.

                Towards the back of the living room is a smaller portion of wall, where a slanted bookcase supports a small set of steps with a hand rail. After I’ve sufficiently fangirled over the beauty of the apartment, Reese gestures towards the small steps, which I quickly run up.

“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.”

                I couldn’t see before, but a loft bedroom sat above the living room. In the center of the huge balcony lay a queen bed on plush carpeting, and all around the walls hang different cheesy quotes. It has a fairly large bathroom. The loft looks like it belongs on the cover of a magazine, and I am instantly enamored with it.

“So,” my amazing aunt comes following me up the stairs, “do you love it, or do you love it?”

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I explore my room a little bit more before heading back down to the living room, where I can smell the pizza Reese ordered. I grab an extra-cheesy slice and move to sit with my aunt on the sofa, where she’s watching sappy TV.

“So, chickita,” she says, mimicking the poor actress on stage, “what’s been going on at home?”

“Well, Alec is fantastic- as usual- but spending way too much time off campus.” My words suddenly get harsher, “Matty and I finally broke our silent game, and we left with fantastically cruel words. Mom is…. well, you know.” Aunty Reese scooches closer to me for comfort.

“Your mom…. Well, let’s not even get started with your mom. But sweetheart, you’re in a new country. This is your chance to start over. When everything happened with your dad, you were so bogged down with everybody’s guilt that you allowed yourself to be convinced that his death was your fault. But it wasn’t- it couldn’t have been anything further than that. Everything that happened to you, however, was all traceable back to that horrible man. You just can’t let what everyone says get to you- you know that.”

I look away from my aunt, and try to hold back the tears. This is what I’ve been dying to hear. I can’t let this convince me- I know better, and this is all wishful thinking.

“I know, love, that you don’t believe me, and that’s okay- with time, you will. But for now, you’re in a beautiful new country. You’ll be going to a new school, with new people. You’ve already met the most popular band in town- who you must get in contact with. And I noticed your guitar and piano- we’re going to get your music station set up in your room, and you WILL get back into music. That was my one condition for letting you stay here, and it stands. It’s time to face your demons, girl, and you know that music is the best way for you to do that.”

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Authors Note

Hey lovelies- I just wanted to quickly say a few things. First, I'm aware that this chapter was almost completely filler, but it was well needed. At the end it did give you a little further insight/hint into Ally's father and what's going on there. 

I'm so glad because it seems that I have a few really steady readers! So here's the deal: comment with a quick thought or a little bit of feedback, and I'll make sure to follow you. Thanks! 

But anyways- I'm really loving this story, and I'm praying I won't hit writers block with it. And btw, I would be open to taking direction from my readers, so if you have anywhere you want the story to go, let me know, and maybe I'll put it in(;

Lots of love!