Sorry if this all a little sketchy, but go easy on me. Hope you guys like it :) x
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Chapter two
Basically, my mother has just literally ruined my whole imagery of her and my dad meeting and falling in love. I used to think that it was all so magical when I was kid; looking up at them and seeing the smiles they used to give each other. It was wonderful. But now, out of all the things my wildly mother had told me, this is probably the worst of them.
My original thoughts of my parents consisted of gooey romance with picnics and holding hands and gunk, the whole 'love at first sight' sort of thing, but although there was that, there was also the sheer fact that my father was supposedly in love with another woman and due to be married to her, and this other woman just also happened to be my mother's best friend.
Of course, I nearly choked on the fact that my father, sweet old daddy dearest, had the strength to cheat on his fiancé, let alone with her best friend and might I add, maid of honour to his wedding. Neither of them knew at first who each of them were, until it came to two weeks before the wedding when my mother and father were supposed to have met for the 'first' time. It was kind of ridiculous the fact that they'd never met before and they had an extremely close relationship with this particular woman.
What made me laugh the most was the fact that my mother slapped him before he managed two words to her. "Lilian, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Michael" SLAP!! But, that's when it all come out so it wasn't funny anymore.
"If you slept with her fiancé, and continued to date him after they'd split up to the point where you're now married with two kids, why is she coming around again?" It baffled me. My parents had both managed to screw up this poor woman's life, making her lose her best friend and her lover, and now she's visiting just to be reminded of that terrible time. "It's ridiculous!"
"It's not ridiculous, honey. She fell in love with my ex-boyfriend a couple years later, and now she's married with two children. We're just trying to mend what we have. After all, why spend 20 years building a relationship just to give it up after a small bump in the road? If people spend their lives not making any mistakes or taking any risks, they're not living a very exciting life, are they?"
I watch her leave the room with the same dignity as she walked in with, and laughed at her ability to just flick things off her shoulder and be done with them. She doesn't have a care in the world, but I guess from her past, she gained a family, and I love her optimism.
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I circle the room, holding a tray full of small snacks for people to nibble on. I smile and greet people as I walk past, trying to be polite. I peer over at my brother every now and again watching him attempt to be cool and flirt with the girl from next door. He's 22 years old and still can't manage to get a girl. Not like I have anything to show for myself.
I'm 18 years old and I've never had a boyfriend. At least Josh has had dates, I haven't had so much as a first kiss, let alone a measly date full of awkward silences and cheesy compliments. Crushes and relationships weren't really a thing for me throughout my years. No boy has ever really stood out from the crowd for me, so I've never really paid any attention. My friends, on the other hand, definitely have.
Another ring of the doorbell tells us that mum's ex best friend has arrived with her family, if they've come at all. Mother hastily leaves the room to answer the door, and then returns with a taller woman, a man, a boy and a girl. They follow her in a sort of train, the boy hanging back whilst the girl keeps to the woman's side.
"Everyone, this is Jennifer and her husband Mark, and her two children, James and Isabelle" My mother states, motioning between the four people beside her. The boy, James, looked as awkward as it comes, his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides. I've got to admit, I felt a little sorry for him, being thrown into the midst of a load of strangers expecting him to be comfortable. I'd feel rather awkward if I were him.
I sighed and walked over to my mother and looped my arm around her waist whilst hers slung over my shoulder. "I'd like you to meet my daughter, Katherine." I smiled politely at them and outstretched my hand to shake the woman's, Jennifer's, hand and said a little hello. The same happened with the man, Mark, and I just greeted the kids, a handshake seemed too formal for us.
"Hey, I'm Katie" I say to them with a warm smile.
"I'm Izzy". The girl says with a smile. "Ignore him, he's just moody because he's missing his 'lads' night" she adds with a smirk, mouthing the words 'FIFA' to me and rolling her eyes. I watched her brother scowl at her with annoyance and then quickly looked away from the group when his mother gave him a warning look.
"You know, you could invite your friends around if you like. There's plenty of food and drink to feed an army and I wouldn't want you feeling uncomfortable all night. Plus, aren't your friends coming over, dear?" My mother directs the last part at me with a raise of her eyebrows. I bite my lower lip and shrug, catching a quick glance over at the blue eyed boy beside me.
"Lilian, are you sure? I wouldn't want to overwhelm you" Jennifer, her ex-best friend, questions consciously.
"Oh please, the more the merrier. Now come, let's grab a drink and let the children mingle amongst themselves" My mother smiles at me contently and whispers in my ear. "He's cute. Talk to him." I roll my eyes at her and she slowly backs away, leading the adults over to the pool bar to greet my father.
I turn back towards the two kids and smile just as my brother stumbles over and slings his arm over my shoulder. "Hey, I'm Josh" he slurs.
"Seriously? You're drunk already?" I gawk at him. "It's only been an hour"
"I'm 22. I'm legally allowed to drink in the UK and in America, thank you very much." He chuckles and turns his attention back towards the others just as the doorbell sounds.
I tell everyone that I'll get it and leave my brother to humiliate himself in front of yet another lot of strangers. It's a wonder anyone wants to come back to this house.
I laugh to myself a little before walking into the foyer to greet our late arrivals.
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I hope you like the chapter. Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Lauren xo
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Under the stars || James McVey
FanfictionUNEDITED UNTIL COMPLETED SLOW UPDATES "Look up at the stars, they're beautiful. One day, they're gonna burn out. It shows that, eventually, even the most beautiful things don't last." Katherine James was an ordinary girl. She had been wronged, like...
