I Found a Place In My Dreams (Charlie Jones/Over Atlantic)

3.1

I woke up the next morning at the sound of my alarm clock. 6:30am it read.

I decided to wake up extra early this morning to get everything ready for Ryan's birthday. I threw on a pair of sweats and a baggy t-shirt before making my way downstairs with the presents me and my mum had gotten him. I placed them all in the front room alongside the birthday cards from family members which my mum had hidden in the downstairs cupboard.

I retrieved a few brightly coloured banners and balloons as well before setting up. I managed to fill the majority of the living room floor with balloons as I knew he would absolutely love it. By the time I was finished blowing up all of the balloons and setting up the banners, I checked my phone to see that it was 7:17am meaning my mum was likely to wake up soon, alongside my brother.

I wandered into the kitchen, making sure to be as quiet as possible as began to cook a full English breakfast - Ryan's favourite - for all of us to enjoy.

After a few minutes of cooking, I began to hear the creaking of floorboards coming from upstairs where my mum and brother still were. I presume they've woken up.

"IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!" I heard Ryan chant as banging was to be heard coming down the stairs. They have definitely woken up...

Before I knew it, Ryan had made his way into the kitchen with the brightest smile on his face, smelling the meal which he would soon eat.

"Happy birthday little bro!" I told him, opening my arms widely, inviting him for a hug. He gladly accepted and I took this as and opportunity to pick him up and squeeze him tightly causing him to giggle.

"Go sit down at the table and I'll bring your food over to you, okay?" I told him, putting him down and pointing to the table that was in the kitchen. He didn't reply, but instead ran over to the table and sat down waiting for his food whilst playing with a toy car that he had found.

"You did all this?" My mum asked me quietly as she came to stand next to me.

"Yeah, he deserves it" I told her, smiling lightly.

She didn't reply, just gave me a hug to which I returned.

"Do you need any help?" she asked me, to which I declined and told her to join Ryan at the table.

Once we had finished after food, we made our way into the front room where Ryan opened his presents. Seeing the excitement on his face as he ran around kicking all of he balloons was the reason I did this. He opened his presents and thanked us for his clothes and a few toys but it was clear he was sad, yet didn't want to show it.

He began to play with a few of his new toys as my mum took the dirty plates into the kitchen.

"What's up bud?" I asked him quietly.

"Nothing" He trailed off.

"C'mon, tell me. I can see you're upset about something"

"I love my toys, I do-" he began but found it hard to form his sentence considering he is still young.

"I just wanted a guitar" He told me.

"I know you did Ry, but we can't afford it. I'm really sorry" I told him, feeling the guilt course through my body.

"I'm sorry, Taya" he said sadly, thinking he was in trouble.

"It's okay, Ryan" I told him, giving him another hug.

*

After spending the whole day at the park I was exhausted. Ryan isn't very good at making other friends his age and I couldn't bare to watch him play alone especially on his birthday so I insisted on playing with him.

As we arrived back at home, I checked my phone for the time, noticing that Charlie had text me a few minutes ago.

Charlie: are you home? xx

Taya: just got home, why's that? xx

Charlie: me, the boys, mum and dad wanted to come round for Ryan's birthday. is that okay? xx

A bright smile lit up on my face. This would make Ryan's day.

"Why are you smiling at your phone?" Ryan asked me.

"No reason" I tod him. I decided not to tell him they were coming round as it would be a nice surprise when they got here.

I quickly walked over to my mum who was turning the heating on and quietly asked her if it was okay for them to come round, which she gladly said yes to.

Taya: yeah that would be nice! when are you getting here? xx

Charlie: We'll leave in about 10-15 minutes so well be at your house in just over half an hour xx

Taya: sounds great, see you soon xx

Charlie: see you soon xx

I quickly looked in the mirror to check what I was wearing. I was wearing blue Topshop jeans along with a charcoal grey oversized sweatshirt which I had thrown on due to the cold weather recently. My hair was in two French plaits which were still quite neat to my surprise so I kept them the same as well as my clothes.

My mum discreetly went upstairs to get ready without Ryan getting suspicious so I kept him company in the front room. We played with his new toys until there was a doorbell rung.

"You stay here, I'll go see who it is" I told Ryan to which he gladly obliged.

I quietly opened the door, telling them to be super quiet as they came inside, explaining to them that Ryan didn't know they were coming. Meanwhile, my mum came downstairs to greet Julie and Rik. We all slowly walked into the front room.

"Ryan, some people came to see you!" I said as we entered the front room.

Ryan looked up with a confused look on his face before it was quickly replaces with a happy expression. Beyond happy, actually. His eyes were wide open and his smile couldn't get any bigger.

He's happy.

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Hi guys! I hope you liked that chapter, it was a bit longer than the last update! Be sure to vote and comment what you thought and thank you so much for reading!

QOTC: Where would you like to see Over Atlantic perform?