FAKE

PART VI: FUTURE

VI: reunited

The past two days have been super busy with signings but we are close to the end. Today is a free day though and there's nothing I have to do. Ashely's coming today and I already have an Uber ready go pick her up. She gets here in a few hours so Andrew and I are just going to hang out in the swimming pool, walking around the hotel, and eating here waiting for Ashely. We don't want to leave the hotel and for her to arrive, not knowing where in the world. We are all going to be reunited. I can't wait to run around New York with Ashely and Andrew. That's going to be so much fun, just thinking about it makes me excited.

I swim several laps back and forth in the swimming pool. Andrew walks around and gets us drinks. He hops in the pool and starts shivering because of how cold the pool still is. Even though it has a heater and it's indoors, the impact of the water has a cool effect on your skin. Andrew comes next to me and I dare him to race laps with me to see who is the fastest. Obviously, he's going to win because he's so much more fit than I am and built. He winks and we start racing our way to the other side of the pool. My hands slicing through the wave and I can feel the force of my legs push, and push to accelerate. Andrew reaches the end in a matter of seconds and I reach the end, panting. I smile and kiss him, tasting the pool water on his lips. I ruffle his wet hair and laugh. He takes my head in his hands and kisses me delicately on the lips. I hear footsteps and turn around. Ashley arrived. She smiles when she sees us and I step out of the pool. I am super excited to see Ashley, I've missed her so much theses past couple of days.

I take a towel and dry off, then walking over to Ashely to give her a big giant hug while trying not to soak her clothes. She hugs me back though.

"I've missed you!" I say and she tells me the same. Andrew gets out to pool and hugs Ashley too. We walk back to the hotel room and get some room service ordered to the room. We eat a bunch of food, drinks, and random snacks. We spend the rest of the night just watching random shows on tv and I lay down in between Ashley and Andrew. I feel protected and happy.

I wish I could stay here forever, with Ashley and Andrew. I wish we could live here, far away from the mess that is our town. I watch some tv with them while they are laughing and still eating. I just feel cozy between my two favorite people. That's what I am enjoying. Everything else is just an unnecessary blur. Ashley gets up at around midnight and walks to her room next to us to go to bed. Andrew turns off the tv and he kisses me goodnight. His soft lips soothe me to sleep.

"Tomorrow will be exciting," he whispers and that's the last thing I hear before I doze off.

***

I wake up at around six even though this is another free day where I can sleep all day if I want to. I just can't I'm so excited for today. Andrew is already up and he ordered coffee for both of us. Ashley is still sleeping in her room and I don't blame her. She must be exhausted from that flight just like I was. Flying is not my favorite thing, I would preferably just not go on a plane. But then again, I don't like driving that much either. I am such a picky person, I guess. Andrew greets me and hands me the coffee. I sip it and realize he ordered a special peppermint mocha for me because I didn't see that on the menu when I was ordering food last night. There are no words that describe how special he is to me.

"What are we doing today? I ask and he looks at me, then smiles. I ask him again and he tells me that it will be a surprise. I try to get it our of him but he not tell me. After a while, I gave up and just want back to bed. He climbs in bed again with me and tells me that it will be a pleasant surprise and that I will like it a lot. He said that I deserve it. I roll my eyes again and laugh. He orders me breakfast over the phone in the room and goes downstairs to pick it up. I smile and turn the tv on. I realize that I am on the tv. It's kind of fun sometimes seeing your book and yourself on the tv representing a positive message. Being known because of something good you did. My book signing was on the news and they were talking about how I was going to do three more stops before heading back home. Tickets were selling out fast and that it was the last chance to get theses tickets. They have been helping me gain popularity too. All the reviews and support I'm getting from news companies and such is so great for my book's sales which I haven't paid attention in such a long time. I think they should be doing good since my book is still on the New York Time's Bestselling List. On the next print of my book, the paper back copy, which will release later this year, has the title "#1 National Bestseller" already in the works. I am so excited for that and I know I will start crying literal tears. Andrew comes back with a plate of eggs and cereal. He places the tray on the bed and smiles at me.

"I love you," I say and lean over, kissing him on the cheek.

He hops on the bed and starts eating an extra order of bacon and I laugh. He's such a goofball sometimes but I love it. I wish everyone was like Andrew. Honest, wise, and supportive. I wish the world was like that, but it's not. We still have long ways to go to reach to that. I'm lucky to have Andrew.

We watch the rest of the news and then get ready for the day. I really am anxiously excited to find out what that whole surprise is going to be. I have no idea or guesses. I'll have to wait and see.