The library

December 5th 2003 - Alex

My mum pulled up outside her house. Today was the day. I decided to take a little leaf out of Lottie's book for my outfit inspo. I opted for a pair of black converses I had only recently bought, black jeans, a black and grey baseball shirt and a black coat.

"You stay in the car alreyt? No funny stuff." I pointed at my mum and frowned.

She put her hands up in mock fear and tried to put on an American accent. "Okay, okay whatever you say boss." Emphasis on tried.

I groaned and rolled my eyes before getting out. I brushed my shirt down and straightened out my clothes before walking up to the front door and pressing the door bell. I redid my hair one last time. I had put gel in it for what was most likely only the third time ever - but who's keeping count right? It made my hair stand up at the front slightly... I guess you could somewhat call it a quiff but not quite. My hair was too short for a proper full blown quiff like what the guys on the telly sometimes ha-

Charlotte's aunt answered the door and startled me slightly. "Ohhh hello Alex," she smiled before turning around and cupping her mouth, "Charlotte! Alex is here!" She turned back to face me. "How are you Alex?"

"I'm great, thank you Mrs Baker." I smiled.

"It's actually Mrs Duffy... just call me Alice." She smiled back at me.

I felt my face redden as I nodded and glanced down at the floor.

Noticing my clear uncomfortableness, Alice spoke again. "You excited for t' gig and a weekend in London then Al?"

Myself and Lottie were going down to London to see The Strokes live. I offered her the tickets the night after our terrible show at The Boardwalk. The guys weren't too happy with my decision, Matt saying I had gone soft for a girl I had cheated on but I shut him up with a swift and hard punch to the arm.

The cogs has been turning in my head, trying to think up an answer for a few seconds before I finally decided to say summat. "Buzzin'."

Alice eyed me with what seemed to be a mixture of worry and intrigue before nodding and turning around. "Charlotte! Hurry up!" She nagged.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Lottie called back.

You know. Lottie does weird things to my heart on a regular day. It feels like she makes it do quadruple backflips in my ribcage. But today... today she was aiming to get it up to a quintuple.

I gazed in awe as she stepped down the stairs slowly with her suitcase at her side. At least I remember her doing it slowly. Maybe she wasn't. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me and playing everything in slow mo-

Shut up Alex.

I felt my jaw go slack slightly as she came into full view. She had on a pair of black converses identical to mine, black skinny jeans and a white oasis shirt which was messily tucked into the jeans. Her outfit wasn't the part that left me speechless though.

She had done her makeup fully for once, not that she needed it, and I realised how lucky I really was to have a girl like her.

Her lipsticked lips were a shade of volcanic red and brought out her piercing blue eyes beautifully. Her flowing brown hair fell down perfectly on either side of her head. To top it all off, she wore that tight black necklace thing. She called it a "choker" or summat like that but it made her look incredible.

"Watch out or you might swallow a fly, Turner." Lottie teased as she reached the door.

Fuck, I was staring the entire time. Fucking idiot.

"Fook. I mean fudge! Fudge sorry for staring Lottie." I forced a smile as my whole face went red.

What a brilliant greeting. Fucking idiot.

Alice laughed and shook her head at me. "It's all good Alex, everyone swears."

I just censored myself for no reason. Fucking idiot.

"Erm, can I take that for you?" I quickly offered Lottie, trying to break the awkwardness I had created.

"Honestly it's fine al-"

I took the suitcase off her and carried it down to the car. I glanced back as I walked down the front steps to see Lottie say her final goodbyes to her aunt. Her uncle must be at work. Or not care. I snorted at this thought and prayed that no one heard the utterly disgusting sound that had just left me as I loaded the girl's luggage into the back of the car. I waited for her by the passenger side door and as she finally kissed her aunt on the cheek and said goodbye, I got into the car.

Lottie got in a few seconds later with a small sigh.

"Welcome aboard the Turner express Charlotte!" Nice one mum. I buried my head in my hands as I tried not to scream.

Charlotte giggled behind me. "I'm glad to be onboard Penny. London here we come." Her voice was like velvet and I smiled to myself. This could very possible be the best weekend of my life.

"What you smiling for?" My mum said as she looked at me.

"Oh my god nothing can we please just drive?" I glared at her before sighing and looking down at my lap.

"Ooh ok ok sorry." She chuckled and saw her send a glance Charlotte's way before she pulled out of her parking spot, pressing the horn twice as a goodbye to Alice.

Maybe the prospect of a "best weekend" would have to wait until we got on the train...