Strong | H.S

Chapter 1

Astrid

"Blair, honey? Wake up. We've got to go to Aunt Perrie's house, remember?" I try to wake my four year old daughter, Blair.

I'm Astrid Genevieve Reynolds and I am 22 years old. My ex- boyfriend Mark Richards got me pregnant when I was 17 years old. I broke up with him, four years ago when I found out he was doing drugs. I really miss him. Being a single parent isn't easy at all. I am not going to say I'm poor, but to afford so much money for Blair and I, is difficult. I work in a boutique. I get plenty of money from that job, but that isn't enough. So, I also have a part-time job as a singer in a café.

"No! Mummy let me slweep" She whines.

"Baby girl, wake up. Please?" I pout.

"Okay" She huffs and sits up. She's exactly like her Dad, he was not a morning person, so is she. Blair also gets angry quickly, like Mark. Blair's hair is messy and tangled. It looks like a bird nest. A very grumpy, mood takes over her. I laugh and shake my head.

"Do you need help to brush you teeth?" I ask.

"I can do it, myself. I am a big giwrl" She stomps her foot.

"Oh, I am sorry. I forgot that you were my Mum" I tease. Blair whines. I laugh. Her small feet pad to the bathroom. I walk to the bathroom to see what she's doing. I see her brushing her teeth, like an adult. I smile and decide to leave her alone, or she'll blow up. I tie my hair in a high ponytail. I wear my boots and go to my room. I take Blair's outfit out from the closet. She likes wear onesies. They are her favourite. So, I take a green onesie out for her.

She walks out of the bathroom. I brush her hair and put them into two little ponytails. I help her put on her onesie. She puts her shoes on and we walk out of the house. Blair holds my hand. We walk into the elevator. We reach the ground floor.

"Hello, Steve" Blair and I wave at our security guard.

"Hello, girls" Steve waves, back.

Blair and I get inside my car and I start driving.

"Mummy, can you twurn a One Diwection swong?" Blair requests.

"You love them so much, don't you?" I smile. She nods, eagerly. I turn, Where Do Broken Hearts Go, on. It's Blair and I's jam. We sing along, till we reach Perrie's house. Perrie and I grew up together in South Shields. I am British. So, I am basically her best friend.

Finally, we reach her house. Blair and I jump out of the car. We ring Perrie's doorbell. The door opens to reveal a smiling Perrie. Blair squeals and hugs her tight.

"How's my favourite niece?" Perrie asks.

"Great" Blair answers.

"Hey, Attie" Perrie hugs me. I hug her back. I enter her house and take my shoes off. Blair starts running around the house. Typical. Perrie and I sit in the living room. Blair sits next to me.

"So, what did you wanted to talk about?" I ask, Perrie.

"Right....So the Little Mix girls and I are going to USA for some of our shows. Also, we got invited to Harry Styles' 23rd birthday party" She explains.

"That's great"

"I was wondering, if you'd like to come with us" She bit her lip.

"What? Pez, are you serious?" I nearly shout. "I-I can't"

"Attie, please. Blair would get to see America" Perrie insists.

"I-"

"Mummy please, can we go? Pwease, pwease, pwease?" Blair pleads.

"I don't know..."I sigh.

"Astrid, please?" Perrie requests.

"Okay" I nod.

"Yay!" Blair and Perrie squeal. I laugh and shake my head.

So, I am going to America. Guess, it is not going to be that bad, or is it?

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"Mummy, is America a beautiful cwountry?" Blair asks. I laugh at her accent. She picked up my Geordie accent. Blair's eyebrows scrunch up in confusion. "Mummy, why you laughing?"

"I am laughing because, you talk exactly like me" I laugh, again. "The way you say your name, is the same way I say it. Bla-eh"

"Oh" She nods.

"Oh, what genius?" I raise my brow.

"I understood that I am a Geordie now. Like you" Blair tells me.

"Champion" I smile. Champion is another for great in Geordie.

I start packing. Our flight is tomorrow morning. That means 29th January 2017. I put all of Blair's clothes and also mine. I plop down on the couch and watch TV. I have nothing to do today, because it is Sunday. But I do have to go to the café, today. Because, I have to sing. Blair is still in Perrie's house because I don't have enough money to hire a babysitter so, she insisted Blair to stay in her house. After, couple of hours I start to get ready. I wear a pair of black jeans and a short maroon dress. And on top of that I wear a black leather coat that Perrie gifted me on my birthday. I apply some red lipstick on my lips and wear my black boots and off I go. I get inside my car and start driving. I sing along to 'Starving' on the radio.

I reach the café and get out of the car. I lock my car and enter the place. I see guests all over the place. Today, the place is too busy. I feel a little nervous.

"Astrid!" Someone calls my name. I turn around and see Ricardo. I wave at him. He walks towards me. "You have to go to the stage and sing, right now. And if I say now, I mean now"

"What but I-"

"Go" He pushes me towards the stage. I take a deep breath and step on the stage. I tap the microphone twice and start to speak.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you are having a good time in the Logan Café. I am going to sing a song for all of you and it's called 'Don't Let Go' by En Vogue" I say. I inhale and start to sing as the music starts.

What's it gonna be? Cause I can't pretend

Don't you wanna be more than friends?

Hold me tight and don't let go, Don't let go

Have the right to loose control, Don't let go.

I often tell myself we could be more than just friends,

I know you think that if we move too soon it would all, end

I live in misery when you're not around,

I won't be satisfied till we're taken both vows.

There'll be some lovemaking, heartbreaking, soul-shaking, oh-oh.

The audience starts to cheer and applaud. I also see Blair, Perrie and Jade in the crowd. I get confused for a moment but then I smile at them. They wave and smile back.

Lovemaking, heartbreaking, soul-shaking.

What's it gonna be? Cause I can't pretend

Don't you wanna be more than friends?

Hold me tight and don't let go, Don't let go

Have the right to loose control, Don't let go.

Running in and out my life, has got me so confused

Together we can make it right.

What's it gonna be? Cause I can't pretend

Don't you wanna be more than friends?

Hold me tight and don't let go, Don't let go

Have the right to loose control, Don't let go.

I sing the last line of the song and the audience start chanting, 'Once More'. So, I am forced to sing the song once again but I feel good. Everyone cheers for me and it is great. Blair runs to me and hugs me tight. Maybe I am not a bad singer after all.