Across the Pond

Chapter 30

I drop mom, dad, and Ryan off to their room down the hall and I take Kira back with me to my room.  

"Manda, we have a guest" I sing as we enter the room.  Amanda pokes her head around the corner.  

"Kira!" she squeals and jumps up to run and hug my sister.  Amanda has always loved Kira and thought of her as her own sister as well.  

"Yes, yes, it's nice to see you too" Kira says sophisticatedly and pates Amanda's back.  I chuckle at her smart-alec remark.  

"So, I'm going to show her around the hotel for a bit, then we're gonna come back and I'm gonna do her hair and nails before we go to dinner tonight with Harry" I tell Amanda as I run my fingers though Kira's long, brown hair.

"Oooh!" she coos.  I set Kira's suitcase down along the wall and take her hand as we head to the door.

"Alright, we'll see you later."   

During the tour of downstairs, Kira asks me sweetly, "So, is Harry really nice?"

"Yes, he is.  I didn't expect him to be at first, but he actually is nice.  And he still works now and doesn't live solely off his money from when he was famous" I tell her.

"He's still very cute" she says proudly and hugs my arm.  

I laugh, "Yes, yes, he is." I agree.  

We walk back to the elevator and Kira asks, "So have you kissed yet?"

"Goodness, Kira!" I scoff, "What has gotten into you?"

"That doesn't answer my question" she sasses and I shake my head with a smile, "And I'm not going to" I tickle her sides.  

I paint her nails a hot pink and paint a small, light pink flower on her ring fingers when we get back into the room.  Then I curl her hair and pin her bangs off to the side.  "Supa' cute.  Now don't touch anything until your nails are dry" I warn, half-jokingly.  I lead her to the bed where we watch TV for the next hour before we have to finish getting ready for dinner.  

As we are getting dressed Kira observes, "Gosh, how is it already night time?  I'm not even tired."

"I know, it takes a bit to get used to" I giggle.  I change into my red high waisted skirt and black short sleeved crop top, black stockings, and my "nun shoes" as my mom calls them.  Kira is already wearing a zebra skirt with black tank top, leggings, and boots.  

We pick up the rest of my family and head out to my car.  I can tell mom has a million questions for me, but she holds back for now probably because Dad is here, and I couldn't be more grateful.  

When we get to Harry's house, Kira's jaw drops, "Woah!"  I suddenly realize how big and shoy Harry's house is.  I've gotten used to it in the past few months, so it doesn't seem as big to me anymore, but I mentally curse myself for not suggesting just a simple restaurant.  Dad has a skeptical look on his face and I don't blame him, but I try to ignore him as we make our way to the front door.  

I choose not to use my key that Harry had made for me and let Kira ring the doorbell.  Mom rubs my back softly and I turn to her and smile nervously.  

My hands are already clammy and disgusting from my anxiety about this dinner.  What if it turns out the same way it did when I met his parents?  

I can't finish my thought because Harry opens the big wooden door and we all file inside.  He is wearing his bakery apron and a gray beanie.  I'm not really in the mood for show-off stuff tonight so I dodge his attempt to kiss me as I walk in the door.  "Could you be any less normal?" I grunt as I pass him.  He smirks at me, then hugs Kira and Mom.