The Old Book Store

The Old Book Store~ 4

*12 Months Later*

Mari (pronounced Mar-e not Mary)

"Hey Mari, your mothers on the phone!"

"Coming," I rushed down the stairs to the home phone. I had been waiting for her to call all day, she said she would.

"Hello? Mum? It's been ages!"

"Hello Maribella. What's all this nick naming? I called you Maribella. If I wanted you to be Mari, I would have called you that."

I rolled my eyes. Mind you, she could probably see that through the phone. She always went on about it, but I was so happy to hear from her that I kept the conversation going.

"Mum, I have missed you so much, I can't wait to see you next."

"Me too honey, I miss your smile. Will you be coming down for Christmas? Only a couple of months away!"

"Absolutely. And ask Aunty Sandra if she needs any help with the RSL Christmas Party. What would you like me to bring for Xmas lunch?"

Christmas in our family, is one of the biggest events of the year. We all gather at one of the houses and have a big lunch and a big leftovers dinner. It is my favorite time of the year, and being 18 now, means I have to buy presents for everyone. I'll do it whilst O'm home, otherwise I won't fit everything in my suitcase.

"Yes, you are on the...wait, let me find my list....it was just here!.....wait, here it is....you are on the Cauliflower Cheese and Pavlova. Is that ok with you? I will bring the meat. And we told you that it's at your house this year, didn't we? Are you bringing your friends this Xmas? They were lovely last year."

"That's fine mum, and my friends can't make it this year, they are with their families."

"Ok honey. I've got to go, but I'll see you next month."

"Bye Mum."

I hung up the phone on the wall. I really do miss my family. I had so many great memories with them, I still do. I walked back into the living room of my apartment. All of the boys were over for breakfast this morning. I mean, I don't live in an apartment by myself. I live with one of my bandmates, Zayn. Mind you, I don't get a choice, but as soon as I am responsible enough, my mum will let me live by myself. Money is not an issue, you have more than enough of that when you're a teen superstar. But 'responsibility' is. I'm more responsible than any of the boys! Ok, maybe not Liam...

I walk back over to the table where we are all eating pancakes. We have the BMA's on next week, so we were mostly discussing preparations for that.

"Alright boys...and girl. I'm off for a run."

A chorus of "Zayn!" and "Again?" were heard.

"You really want to impress this girl don't you?" I commented.

"It's healthy exercise too! When have you ever gone for a run? Hmm?"

"I've run!" I say, defending myself. "Just maybe not this year."

"I'll tell you what Mari. I promise to let you move out, IF, and only IF, you run every morning for the next 10 weeks. It's got to be an hour run. Every day. Or every night, just run once a day for 10 weeks and you can move out," Zayn said.

I thought about it. How hard can it be? It's a run. Once a day. I get fit. I move out. I'm healthy. Win win, right?

"Deal."

We pinky swore it. There is no getting out of a pinky swear.