Hooking up [KJ Apa]

Chapter Three

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are soon going to land on LAX in Los Angeles. The local time is 10:48 and the temperature is just above 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Welcome to sunny LA." The pilot announces as the seat belt sign goes on.

I install myself back in my seat when I feel the plane descend underneath me. There's a certain joy going through my body when the plane hits the ground and I release myself from any thing except my belt. I slide slightly forward, with my feet a little bit in the air. A giggle escapes my mouth. I used to do this every time when I was younger.

The plane gets taxied to the gates while I gather my stuff around my seat. I ready myself mentally for the hassle outside the baggage claim while I get off the plane as one of the firsts.

I enter the baggage claim, but don't linger around with my hand luggage. The only things I need are in there.

I get a slight déjà vu feeling as I walk through the doors to the arrivals hall. It's only been 2 years, maybe less, when I arrived at Wellington Airport and Bree was standing there with my name on a card. Now, instead of Bree, I search for another person. My smile widens as I make eye contact, and his smile exponentially grows as well. I run towards him as I engulf him in a bear hug.

"I've missed you!" I exclaim, not caring about the people looking at us.

"Aw, I've missed you too, little sis." He whispers in my ear.

He lets go of me and takes the handle of my suitcase out of my hand. I follow him outside where the usual paps are taking pictures to leave a trail of where my brother and I are. It sometimes sucks to be famous.

"How's your music going?" I ask as we enter his car.

The 1980 Porsche 911 I chose for him to buy with his first paycheck, roars before it starts moving. My brother turns up the radio, as I recognize his newest song blasting through the speakers.

"It became number three in Q Music's top 40 yesterday. Quite an accomplishment, as I say so myself." He smiles proudly.

"That's great, Freddie. And to think mom and dad hated our ideas of going abroad." I grin as I lean my head against the window.

A whole 4 days with my brother that's four years my senior, in sunny LA. It's that moment when work doesn't feel like work anymore. I sing along to his song as I tap my thighs. His songs are so catchy that it boosts his popularity so easily, and it doesn't hurt that teenage girls swoon over his 'sex appeal'. But honestly, I don't know how they think of that when I only know him as the lanky kid he used to be.

He drives towards Sunset Boulevard since he has a house over there, and opens the gate of a rather big mansion. The white outside walls make it feel like you've just arrived in Spain or Italy and as if the world around you doesn't exist anymore.

Freddie stops the car and gets out, as I do so myself. He leads me inside, where I can immediately hear all notifications stream in on my phone. Ah, home is where the WiFi connects automatically.

"At what time do you have your shoot?" He asks as I follow him to the kitchen.

He opens the wall-high fridge and takes some cut cheese out to put between us while talking. We sit down across from each other at the kitchen island as I put my phone, with the screen turned down, next to me.

"I have to be there at 3:30." I answer while nibbling on a piece of cheese, "I saw the art concept for the pictures and it actually looks amazing."

He puts his hand up and I high-five it. It's something we always do, high-fiving for each other's success.

"Have you heard anything from mom and dad yet?" I ask sad.

They have always seen Freddie as their favourite, and when I almost permanently moved overseas, they started letting things know less and less. I personally hate it, not hearing from them, but it's their own choice if they don't want anything to do with me anymore. I have Bree and Freddie as my family.

"They're coming to visit me the weeks you're in New Zealand for the wedding." He replies carefully as I roll my eyes. He knows the whole situation.

"Oh, well. Tell them I said hi when you see them." I say bitterly.

"Gee..." He puts his hand over mine, "You know that I would cut ties with them for you. Any day, any time. You are the only family that really matters."

"Dude, you don't have to do that. You know that. It's just a fact that they like you more than they like me. Besides, I will be having so much fun with Bree on her bachelorette weekend and her wedding. Oh, my god." I roll my eyes while smiling, "I called her yesterday and we were talking about her wedding, and you know what I have to arrange now?"

"What?" He smiles.

"Belgian chocolate to make the desserts."

He starts laughing and I join. One thing I miss about living far away from each other, is moments like these. Just the two of us having fun and not caring about the world around us.

"And what is the plan for her bachelorette weekend?" He asks when he's finished laughing.

"Five days of Fiji with the two of us, and Lilo is coming after for 2 days." I explain, "We're going diving and snorkling, a little partying, tanning, and just relaxing to be honest. She'll need it. Even though I know that marrying Manu won't bring her stress. It's her family that she's worried about."

"I can imagine. Hopefully they won't ruin her day."

"Yeah, fingers crossed."