Make You Smile

He loves me. He loves me not.

June 15th

It was already time for Lizzie to go home.  She was sad.  She'd really grown to love this place and the people too.  Especially Travis.  Their blossoming relationship had surprised no one more than Lizzie herself. Travis had offered to drive her to the airport which I thought was incredibly sweet. They'd even swapped numbers and addresses to stay in touch. 

Lizzie had gotten her summer of fun even if not in the way she expected. She'd promised to call as soon as she got home and I'd be seeing her as soon as I flew back at the end of August. But I didn't want to think of that yet. 

My family all hugged her tightly in our doorway.  They'd grown to love her too like she was their daughter/sister. They knew she was my family in England. That she'd made me feel at home even when I was so far away. And they would always be grateful to her for that.

I wrapped my arms around her tight.

"You call me the second you land. I put books in your bag for you to read on the plane. I love you."

Lizzie sniffed and nodded.

"Promise. Thanks.  Love you too. And you better get your arse back to England for August 20th or I'll come out here and get you. I know where you live now. Be careful...with Mark yeah?" She said with a raised brow.

I blushed. My family were right behind me. 

I nodded.

"Promise.  Now go or you'll miss your plane."

I hugged Travis briefly and said I'd see him soon. Mark had invited me to a party their record label was hosting for their signed acts on Friday. I sort of hadn't told my parents about that yet. 

We waved until they were out of sight.

"So. Mark?" 

I cringed slightly as I turned to my mom guilty.

"Uh- we're not dating or anything we're just...uh-"

"Laura. Don't interrogate her."

My eyes widened at my dad's reprimand. 

"What?" I asked in confusion.

My dad blushed awkwardly and shrugged.

"You seem happier again...if that's because of Mark then I'm ok with...whatever's going on between you two." 

My mouth fell open and my mom drew him a similarly shocked look.  

"Um are you feeling ok honey?" Asked my mom.

My dad rolled his eyes at her.

"Look I just saw how sad you were before and you know Lizzie told me a little about boys you dated in England...I never thought I'd say this but Mark is better for you.  I just want my daughter to be happy more than anything in the world and if that means Mark's back in the picture. I'm ok with it." 

I smiled and hugged my dad tightly. That was honestly one of the sweetest things anyone had ever said to me.  We'd had our ups and downs in the past.  But more than anything my dad loved me no matter what. And that was all I ever needed to know.

"So you guys would be ok if Mark took me to a party in L.A at the weekend?" I asked.

My dad's face hardened slightly.

"What kind of party?" He asked. 

I smiled and shook my head. I knew my dad knew guys in LAPD that had to break up crazy Hollywood parties with drugs and call girls.