Kiwi

Chapter One

Jo's POV

It's too hard to get all my swim suits in this stupid suitcase but I've gotta try.  The hot pink and black polka dot, the jungle print, the geo shape one that's 80's inspired, even my old tankini with boy shorts has got to fit in there, I can't possibly leave any behind.  

Next comes the shoes.  Oh god what do I take? The strappy mules that are sooo comfortable, the trusty Black Haviana Flip Flops that go with everything, the cute heels that look like Christian Louboutan's  but where waaaay cheaper or the Tan Espedrilles that look on point?  Damn it I'll take them all.

I'm only away for a month but the rate I'm going I'm packing for a year.  My Mum comes in to remind me about sun screen and I roll my eyes as I've already packed like three bloody bottles of the stuff.  "Don't want you getting burnt Jo, the Jamaican sun is different to our sun".  "I know Mum" I reply, "I've packed three bottles see"?  I show her the plastic bag and she nods happily saying that's shes pleased I remembered to be suns mart.  Anyone would think I was three years old not 23.  I love my Mum to bits but sometimes ugh she really just grinds my gears.

I throw a beach towel into my case and the last little bit of my make-up.  "Jake" I yell to my twin brother.  "Need you for a sec".  "What the f"? He looks at me with his mouth open.  "Jo, your only going for a month, why do you need all this"?  "You know me Jakey".  "Yeah unfortunately I do" he sasses giving me a flick on my leg.  "Sit on my case will you, I can't get it to close".  My lovely brother sits on my suitcase whilst I zip it up.

"Done, thanks bro I really appreciate it".  He pretends he's a big tough guy but really I know better.  "No probs Jo Jo, happy to help my little sister".  "Hey" I yell as he takes off out of my room before I can give him a flick on the ear.  "I'm older than you, buy two minutes boy!" 

I head downstairs with my case, guitar and  backpack.  Mum and Jake are waiting for me looking at their watches reminding me that we need to leave like now otherwise I'll miss my check in. I've got a reasonably big journey ahead of me and I want to prepare myself as I'm not the best at flying.

Jake hauls my stuff into the boot of the car and Mum drives.  It's been good to have Jake home as he's studying at a different University than I am.  I decided to stay in Manchester near Mum and home comforts whilst Jake took off to London as he's always been a big city kinda guy.  The Summer seems to be going so quickly and I don't know where the times gone.  Jake will be staying with Mum another month then back to London so I probably won't see him again for a few months.  Even though we give each other shit he's my rock, my confidant, my best mate. He's looking at me with a weird look as I'm smiling to myself.  "You alright Jo Jo" he asks me "Looking a bit weird there".  I laugh back at him.  "Just thinking I'm gonna miss ya face ya big dork and when I get back you'll be back in London".  "Yip true, but ya know ya can come up whenever, Dave would love to see you".  He's laughing now and I want to punch him in the arm.  Dave is one of Jake's friends that I went out with for a while but it didn't really work.  He's a nice guy and that's just the problem.  He's nice.  I want sexy, rugged, mysterious, tattoos, someone like Harry Styles.  My friends give me shit about Mr Styles a lot as  they think its sad.  When we were sixteen not so much but now we're older they think I should be a bit more mature.  Secretly I think they still lust after him as well, they're just to cool to say.  I laugh "Agh yes Mr Brownlow, how is Davo"?  "Heart broken, still pining for you Jo, you know he talks about you alllll the time"? "I highly doubt that Jake" I reply back.  "He does, always goes on about how gorgeous you are, your hair and other shit".  "Oh well" I reply "Just another broken heart that I've left on my travels". Jake and Mum laugh muttering something about being a smartarse.

We arrive at Manchester Airport and Mum drops me off.  "We can't stop Jo, so we'll just say goodbye here ok love"?  Jake jumps out of the car and grabs my stuff for me.  I get out of the backseat and take my case, Guitar and Backpack  "Thanks Jake".  I give him a huge hug.  "No probs Jo Jo, be safe yeah, no wild parties or hooking up with randoms yeah"?  He hugs me tight back.  "I won't Jakey promise".  I lean through the window and give Mum a quick hug and a kiss.  "Be safe darling won't you, and for goodness sake don't forget to put sunscreen on ohh and ring me when you arrive in Kingston please".  "I will Mum, I promise".  I grab a trolley and wheel my suitcase over and drop my backpack in the top.  "Byeeeee you two, love you loads".  I blow kisses to my nearest and dearest and head into the terminal to check in, I can't wait to get on the plane, even if I am a little stressed.  I've been looking forward to this for months and I thoroughly deserve it.  My study has been relentless and I'm looking forward to just chilling with some ridiculously named cocktails, my Guitar and a good book. 

I'm making my way up to the checkin grabbing my Passport when I see a flurry of cameras, press and a guy walking almost running with a massive entourage behind him.  "Harry, Harry, over here, where are you flying to, when's the album coming out, how's Kendall".

Poor guy he never catches a break.  I feel so sorry for him as he's lived his life in this massive fishbowl since he was 16.  I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for him and I really don't want to.  Wherever he's going I hope it's somewhere nice away from all the shit and dramas that seem to follow Mr Styles.  

I smile to myself as I think how cool it would be for him to be in Jamaica the same time I am but the chances of that are highly doubtful.  I'd love to meet him just once and tell him how great he is, without being too fangirly or stupid.  I'd have to be chill as he's sooo damn cool.  Just his vibe is so hot.

I hand over my passport and departure card to the lady at the desk and she informs me that I've been upgraded.  "Wow" I say "thank you so much".  "Business class to Kingston is not full today madam so we are randomly choosing people for an upgrade, have a lovely flight". I take my Guitar and Backpack and find a quiet spot to sit and strum whilst we wait to board.  It doesn't seem like a long time and our flight is being called.  I scan my phone and am handed a boarding pass.  Walking down the airbridge to the plane is always my favourite part, so much anticipation about what's to come.  I hand my boarding pass to Luke  the lovely head Flight Attendant who ushers me to my very lush business class seat.  I could get used to this for sure.  He pops my guitar and backpack in the overhead for me then offers me a glass of bubbles.  I'm not turning down bubbles so I politely say thank you and wait for the rest of the plane to board.