Moving In

Chapter 18: One picture was all it took

I cry choking on my tears falling down my face,how could this of happened?And why do people like to ruin other people's lives?

* 3 Hours earlier *

I walk in out of the plane smiling,with Josh beside me,I can't believe I'm a actually in New York.I see Joe walking behind me with Penny and Tara by his side,Penny is still trying to convince him to go out with her,he's just doing this make me jealous ,I should really apologise to him but what did I do wrong I just told him the truth,but it really wasn't the truth was it? I really like him but I can't just say to Josh that we kissed and I actually didn't pull away I guess the hardest part is actually telling the truth.

Miss Palmer  runs up to the rear of the class shouting and cheering."Okay everyone we are about to depart from the airport soon,everyone needs to get a taxi to Rose-crescent hotel,so get in groups of four" she explains to us.Everyone mumbles and shifts to their friends.Harper walks over to me smiling, "Is it ok,if I come with you guys" she looks at me her eyes shining. "Of course,that will make us a group of four" I say smiling I look at Lexie and Josh who are talking to each other.

We walk over to the airport exit, "I'm so excited" says Lexie grabbing my hand,I squeeze tight because I know I am as excited as she is right now.I feel the crisp November air but my face and the bright lights of the city blind me.
The bright yellow taxis line up all lined up at the edge of the road.I knock on the window of the taxi,the window goes down,and I see a man driver smiling at me his hand on the wheel. "Hello,Rose-Crescent hotel" I say questioning him, "yea I know where that is" he says smiling. "And by the way welcome to New York" his American accent literally makes me feel at home,and makes me feel welcome. "How did you know we were tourists?" I say laughing, "Your posh British accent gives it away" he says laughing.

I laugh and get in the back of the car with Harper,Lexie and Josh.I buckle my seatbelt ready for the ride of my life in New York City.I get my camera out and open the window,taking pictures of  everything I see,I gasp as I see Times Square and the Empire State Building looming above the taxi.Harper gets her camera out to take pictures too out of her window.Josh and Lexie sit in the middle watching me and Harper take all the pictures. "Send me all the pictures" Lexie says licking her lolly pop. "Same" Josh says laughing.

I look out the window wondering how Joe is,if he's even thinking of me.No doubt he won't speak to me for the rest of the trip now which sucks to be honest,when I consider him as my best friend.We come down a dark road,and the trees sway in the window,we must be pulling up to our hotel soon.The driver pulls into a car of a hotel that looks like an old Manor House from like the 1700s or something. "Nice choice for a hotel,they could of picked something more modern and closer to the city" Josh says shivering from the cold. "I love it,it's so historical and beautiful" Lexie says smiling at me.

I slowly get out of the taxi.Getting my suitcase out of the boot.The driver walks up to us smiling and helping us with our luggage, I give him $20 and he smiles. "Have a nice time,in New York" he says getting in his car. I shout "thank you" happily back to him as he drives away until he is out of sight.I turn back to the group who are all standing there grinning,we take our suitcases into the entrance of the hotel,the the silver grand chandelier glistens from the ceiling,beams of light dancing around the room.

We walk up to the reception desk,the lady types in her computer frantically.I cough to get her attention obviously not knowing we were standing there right before her. "Hello,are you the school trip" she asks taking off her glasses. "Yes we are" I say motioning the rest to come forward. "I've been given instructions to make you wait in the reception area until the rest turn up" She says smiling.

I take a seat next to Lexie on the sofa in the reception,Lexie smiles up at me,suddenly Josh jumps in the middle of us trying to get cosy. "Hey" I shout as he takes up all the room in the sofa.He kisses me on the cheek and then proceeds to check his phone to see where the others are. "Ollie,says he is pulling up into the car park right now". Josh says getting excited.I see Ollie come through the door with his suitcase,Josh runs up to him and gives him a hug. "Bromance" says Lexie giggling with me.

I laugh at everyone joking around,but then my smile disappears when Penny,Tara an Joe walk In the room.Joe stares at me and just sits down with Penny over the other side of the room.I need to be happy,nothing is going to stop me from enjoying my trip to New York.

Miss Palmer  walks in happily but a another person is lurking behind,I thought there was no one else going on the trip but I was wrong.She smiles and reveals the figure behind her,I've also bought along my son "Jack,say hello to everyone" she smiles at everyone, he waves awkwardly,before I can keep myself from saying anything I word vomit. "Jack Palmer? The detective" I blurt out. "Oh you've already met Mia I see" Miss Palmer questions. "Yes,I had to help her with a case" he explains reluctantly.Miss Palmer claps her hands to break the awkward silence. "Rooms" she shouts out.

Once the rooms are sorted I make our way to room number 5 which me and Lexie have been assigned to.I use the card to open the door,I slightly peer inside,and see two single beds and a tv,and a good sized bathroom. "This is not bad" says Lexie putting her hands on her hips.

I lie on the bed looking at the ceiling, "Jack Palmer..." Lexie says tapping her lips. "He helped me with the case,about Josh falling in the pool" I explain. "Ohh..and by the way,do you have his number" she says giggling.I throw a pillow at her and she laughs even more.

"But seriously you have his number
right?" 

* 1 hour later *

My phone vibrates on the tv stand in the hotel room.I moan as I get up to walk to my phone, "who's that?" Lexie says as I stare blankly at the screen, "Penny..?" I say confused. "She doesn't even have my number?!" I say to Lexie,but before the call can end,I answer it...

Penny: Hey
Me: Hi....
Penny: Come to our hotel room everyone's here,we are playing truth or dare...!
Me: I think I'll pass...
Penny: That's too bad...cause Joe's here and really wants to talk to you...
Me: Ok

I then hang up,Lexie looks at me confused, "Come On we are going to Penny's room" I say grabbing my phone. "Why?" Lexie asks confused. "I'll explain later I say as we walk out the door.

I knock on the door my arms crossed waiting for Penny to answer,she finally comes to the door wearing a pink silk robe and a pink fluffy sleep mask on her head. "And what are you supposed to be a Victoria Secret Angel" I say looking at her. "Thanks for the compliment,hun,come in" She says motioning me to come in the room,I spot Josh,Joe and Tara sitting on the bed laughing Joe looks at me when in enter.Lexie stands behind me.I roll my eyes at Lexie and Penny proceeds to flick her hair and get near Joe.

"So..." I say waiting for someone to talk, "Well,I've got this" Penny says smiling she hands her phone to Josh,I get confused looking at Lexie for an answer.Josh stands up his face looks concerned,before I can ask him what's wrong he shakes his head at me as a tear rolls down his face. "What's wrong?" I say putting my arm on his shoulder. "Did you kiss Joe?" He asks as he shows me Penny's phone,which somehow has a picture of me and Joe kissing in the Park. "How did you..."
"I have eyes everywhere" Penny says laughing.Josh storms out the room and through gritted teeth says "We're over" I fall to the ground crying,Joe comes over to me trying to comfort me, "Go away" I say pushing him off. I run out the room,Lexie shouting my name,I go on my bed,Lexie walks in stroking my hair, "Do you want to talk about it" Lexie says, "No thanks" I mumble into the pillow,the rest of the night is a blur,falling in and out of sleep,not knowing when the morning will come.

I wake up the next Morning,walking up to the mirror,my cheeks stained red from the tears and I have got the darkest rings around my eyes I have ever had.I open up a message on my phone hoping for it to be Josh,buts it's from Joe.

" Sorry about Penny last night,she shouldn't of embarrassed you like that.And don't worry Josh will soon forgive you I'm the reason for all this mess anyway."

I sigh and put down my phone,I smile at Lexie who is sleepy soundly on the bed opposite all wrapped up in her blanket,at least I've got someone left on this trip who wants to be around me.