Rolly Polly

Chapter 11

Harper {Then}

We stand waiting outside the airport, our bags in tow. The wind is blowing and it looks like it is about to rain, even though it is mid-summer. I clutch my jacket closer to my body as an involuntary chill goes through my spine. Caden chuckles next to me. In response I offer him a glare.

"Aren't you from Oregon?" he asks me.

"It's a different cold, okay?" He just laughs in response and shrugs.

"Whatever you say,"

We continue to banter back and forth while we pass the time waiting for our respective rides to show up when a black sedan rolls to stop in front of us. A man in a black suit gets out of the driver's side and walks towards us, but stops in front of Caden and bows his head.

"Mr. Calloway," the man says curtly. Caden nods in response and turns to grab his bag from beside him. I raise an eyebrow and look at Caden questioningly.

"Oh!" he snaps out of it, "this is Gerald! He works for my dad." 

I smile at him, "Nice to meet you Gerald!" I offer my hand for him to shake, which he does. 

Caden clears his throat, causing me to look over at him. Gerald nods and begins to load Caden's bags into the trunk. 

"Would you like us to give you a ride to your host family's, or are they coming for you?" 

"Oh, thank you, but they said they wanted to pick me up. Something about being excited to meet me and all," I shrug. 

"Very well, um... I guess I'll see you around?" He took a step backwards, his hand on the door. 

I bite my lip and look at the cars pulling in and out before looking back at him with his dashing grin. The wind blew his hair into his eyes, but he didn't seem bothered. I offer him a subtle nod to which he gives me a wink and gets in the car. 

With the door shut I can't see him anymore, but I know full well he can see me. I wave at the window as it pulls away and into the traffic. 

Then I realize, he doesn't have any way to contact me...

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I am now all settled in my new room, the Warrick's picked me up shortly after Caden disappeared. They seem to be a lovely little couple. They have a daughter who is about 12 who I don't think likes me very much. But it's only the first day, so we'll see. 

But now that I am semi unpacked and dinner is being made, I figured I should give Connor a call, mainly because I promised him before I left. In truth, I'm exhausted and kind of want to take a nap.

"How was the flight? Did you make it to your host house okay? What's the food like? Is it weird being on the other side of the road?" Connor hounds me as soon as I opened Skype.

I think about the flight and meeting Caden.
"It was good! I met-" I'm about to tell him about Caden, but I stop myself. If I tell Connor he'll tell everyone and then they'll all be asking me about it. I want to keep it a secret for a little bit longer.
He's starting at me with an eyebrow raised, waiting for me to finish my sentence.
"Oh," I laugh. "Sorry. I met this really nice old lady. We talked on the plane for a bit."
"Well that sounds nice," he replies. I nod, feeling a bit distant. I hear a ping and see that Caden has sent me a message.
"Harper." Startled from my train of thought I look back to Connor.
"Sorry C, I gotta go. Susan just called me for dinner" I lie.
"Wait!"
"Talk to you later!" I slam my laptop closed.
A part of me feels bad that it's day one and I'm already lying to Connor. But the other part of me wants to see where this Caden thing goes without the distraction of my American life.

What are your plans for tomorrow?

My phone lights up with a message. When I open it, it says it's from Caden. When and how did he get my number? I look at the clock and see that it is in fact almost dinner time. I should be heading downstairs soon. Caden. 

Idk, I think Susan and Henry wanted to celebrate my arrival or something. But I'll ask them at dinner. What did you have in mind?

I was thinking about a little sight seeing???

The thought of wandering the streets with Caden honestly sounded so good.

I can't wait, I type with a grin. Locking my phone, I toss it on my bed and head downstairs for dinner.