Fate

Chapter Six

"How was your date!?" Ari questions me as soon as I knock on her bedroom door. I've already showered and changed into my pajamas, wanting to get out of my dress as soon as possible. I sit on her bed criss cross, and go over every detail of the evening I had with Harry.

"He's adorable!" she comments after I tell her how he kissed me. I blush awkwardly. I have to admit, he is adorable.” So are you going to go out with him again?"

"If he asks, yes."

"Well if he doesn't then you ask him!"

"Yeah I guess, I'll message him tomorrow."

"That's my girl!" she says, pulling me down to lie next to her.

"So when are you going out with Liam?" I ask, turning the conversation to her.

Tomorrow night, he still won't tell me where we're going though," she shrugs.” I don't mind , I think it's cute."

"Yeah it is," I agree.” Where do you think he'll take you?"

"I have no clue; we can't go anywhere too public."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. What could we do then? If I'm going to ask Harry to do something he has to be able to go there. I wish we were back home," I sigh, missing the small town where no one would bother us if we were out in public.

"I guess he'll have to think of it since we don't know any places around here."

"Let's watch Netflix, yeah?" I ask, already reaching for the laptop. Ari agrees instantly, already scooting over so I can place the computer between the two of us.

***

 
We ended up watch 90210 for the rest of the night before falling asleep in Ari's bed yet again. When I wake up Ari's standing in front of her mirror in her bra and a pair of jeans, searching for a shirt to wear. I roll over and slide out of the bed, saying good morning then walking into my own room. I hear Ari call to me before I get the chance to get changed.

"Lau, let's go to the gym?" I sigh, not wanting to work out after I just woke up, but knowing we should go.

"Yeah sure, I'll be ready in a few minutes." I search my drawers for my workout clothes, then change. After meeting Ari in the living room where I see her on her phone.

"There's a gym about 10 minutes from here," Ari says, grabbing our gym bag and heading to the kitchen. Ari and I cut up a bowl of fruit, and then eat it quickly. On our way out of the house, we see uncle Rob and Aunt Kathy sitting in the living room cuddled up on a couch, Rob with his arm around my aunt.

"We're going to the gym; we'll be back in a bit." I tell them.

"Okay girls, maybe when you get back we could all do something together?" Aunt Kathy asks.

"Of course, we won't be gone long," Ari says. We leave then, me driving while Ari reads me the directions. Half way through the drive Ari tells me Harry texted.” He asked what you're doing," she reads the message.

"Just say going to the gym, what about you." I tell her after asking her to say a hello back to him.

He replies again as we're walking into the building, saying he's spending the day at his mom's house a few hours away. The pit of my stomach fills with butterflies like when I was 13 and I had my first real crush. I can't help but have a smile on my face as I send a message back to him. Ari laughs at me each time I grin at my phone, poking my cheek with her finger.

We pay to get into the gym since we don't have a pass, then head our separate ways, Ari to the stair climber, and me to the treadmill. I jog at a brisk pace for 30 minutes while still texting Harry, then meet Ari in front of the weights and exercise balls we passed on the way in. I notice the amount of people in the gym has grown. The five people that were here earlier has tripled to 15. A few people stand in front of the weights like I am, trying to clear a spot to work out. 

A roll an exercise ball and two 20 pound weights to a corner, Ari following behind me. We do our routine abs and legs workout, and then finish with stretching. When I'm finished, I wipe my sweaty face and arms with a towel from our bag, then drink some water, Ari does the same. Once we're recovered from the workout, we walk back to the car, climbing in and driving off. I let Ari drive  this time, wanting to text Harry myself. He says he's enjoying seeing his "mum" as he calls her, and sister, along with his other family. I'm glad since he said he hasn't gotten to see them very much. He also said that he'll be back tomorrow. I sent the text now asking him if he'd like to hang out. Ari stops the car in the driveway, getting out and strolling inside.

"You can shower first, but hurry because Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rob want to go out," I tell her, going to my room while she goes to the bathroom. A few minutes after I hear the water go on, my phone vibrates with a text. I read the message from Harry," sure thing, mind if we stay in? I've been a bit overwhelmed with the fans lately and don't want to go anywhere to public.x" I reply back saying of course I don't mind, just as Ari steps out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped tightly around her.

I grab a towel for myself then turn the water on, stepping out of my sweaty clothes and then under the water. I wash myself quickly and then dry off, making my way to my room. I get changed into a half decent outfit, letting my hair air dry wavy with the help of some product. After I'm dressed, I walk upstairs to find Ari dressed in a similar outfit. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rob sit at the kitchen table, talking with Ari. 


"We ate lunch a little while ago, I could make you something if you'd like," Kathy says in her slight accent.

"No, no," I decline.” We can make ourselves something if you don't mind, thank you though."

"Of course girls, help yourselves. We'll be in the living room whenever you're finished." She says as her and Rob walk away.

"I'm craving salad," Ari says turning to me. I laugh but grab the vegetables out of the fridge, dividing the food between the two of us so we can both cut it up. I wash all of the food once it's chopped while Ari grabs two bowls and the dressing. Splitting the portions evenly, I sit down and begin eating. After we're finished, we clean up our mess and join Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rob in the living room. Ari and I both sit on the couch opposite of them.

"So what do you want to do?" Kathy asks us. We both shrug.

"We don't really know what's around here," I explain.” So you guys can choose what we do."

"Well it's quite warm out so we could just go walk around downtown for a bit," Uncle Rob suggests.

"That sounds great, we've really wanted to explore more," Ari says, already standing.

"Are you ready now? We can go now and make it back to have an early dinner."

"Yeah, we just need to grab our coats," I say. Ari appears at my side, handing me my jacket. "Oh, thanks."

"Our car is parked on the street," Kathy says, opening the front door as she pushes her arms through her coat sleeves. She points to a white car on the side of the road, the lights flashing as she clicks the unlock button.

I follow close behind everyone as we leave the house, Uncle Rob locking the door behind us. Climbing into the back seat, I slide in next to Ari. We drive for about 15 minutes, stopping when uncle Rob parks the car in a crowded lot just off to the side of a busy street. We walk around the busy streets of London for at least an hour, talking about our family and how everyone has been. I enjoy hearing everyone's British accents, it better than the way Canadian's talk for sure.

"Do you mind if we go in here?" I ask, pointing to a tourist shop we're about to pass. They agree, nodding their heads and opening the door to allow me to walk in first. I say my thanks, and then walk around the tiny store, looking at all the souvenirs they have. I carry a few items in my hand while continuing to search for anything else I want to buy for myself or my friends.

After browsing for a few minutes I decide I'm happy with what I've picked out. Setting my objects on the counter, I take out my wallet and grab the small amount of European money I keep with me. I watch as the cashier rings in my 10 different key chains. My favourite being the one I picked out for myself, a small red telephone booth. She then placed a sweater that says "I love London" with a heart to signify the love. I also got one for Maya because she likes to collect sweaters like that, and she likes to feel like mine and Ari's triplet, I know Ari will get one. After paying for my things, I attach my key chain to my own keys, letting it swing into place with all my others. Like Maya, I also collect souvenirs, except I prefer key chains and I have a lot more then she does. I stand to the side while Ari pays for the things she picked out for herself.

"Look what I got Maya," I say, holding up the sweater I just purchased. 

"She'll love that, now we can be triplets," she holds up her own sweater as proof, smiling wide.

"That's exactly what I was thinking," I tell her.

"How is Maya doing?" Aunt Kathy asks. It's been a long time since Kathy or Rob has really talked to the family; they drifted once they got settled into the London lifestyle.

"She's doing well, she's in her last year at high school and she has a 90 average," Ari says, not including the part where she regularly joins in on our late night family party's. 

"That's great!" Rob says. He stops to admire a bakery we're walking by.

"We can go in," Aunt Kathy sighs but her expression picks up when she see's Uncle Rob's features change ever so slightly. The straight face he had early is now a small smile. Aunt Kathy pecks his cheek as she walks by, opening the door for herself. I follow her inside, stepping into the line. I'm instantly overwhelmed by the smell of baked goods. The sweet scent filling my nose. 

"Mmmm," I hum, inhaling deeply through my nose.” Are you getting anything?" I ask Ari. She ignores me, to interested in her phone."Ari?" I ask again."Ari!" I whisper shout."Ariella." She looks up instantly. I never call her by her whole name unless we're in a fight or I'm mad at her.

"What Laura?" She asks in a joking tone.

"Are you getting anything?" I laugh.

"Do you want to share that pastry thing?" She points to a delicious flaky looking pastry covered in frosting and sliced strawberries. My mouth waters at the sight.

"Yes," I say instantly, making her laugh again. 

When we get to the front of the line, I let Ari order our tart and a drink, my attempt at getting her to pay. She reluctantly did, coming to stand next to me again with a box in her hand and a bottled water in the other. I lead her to the table where I see Aunt Kathy and Uncle Rob sitting. 

"Oh girls, if I'd known you were getting something I could have bought it for you," she tells us.

"Don't be ridiculous, we have jobs, we make money, and besides, our mom would not be happy if she found out we let you buy us something," I tell her while laughing. I'm joined with everyone's chuckles, and then Uncle Rob's intrigued questioning. 

"Where do you two work?"

"We're both waitresses at Uncle John and Aunt Ella's restaurant," Ari tells them.

"How long have Ella and John owned the restaurant?" Aunt Kathy asks.

"Four years is it now?" I ask Ari. 

"This May," she says, nodding her head.” It’s really small though, they thought of it themselves, completely local."

"A lot of the recipes are Nan's too," I mumble just loud enough for them to hear. They laugh loudly and open up their packaged food. I do the same, and break the pastry in half.  I pop a piece in my mouth and savour the taste. Pastries have always been my favourite sweet. 

It seems as if I've devoured mine because minutes later my plate is empty and everyone else isn't even half way finished theirs. I sit in my seat awkwardly for a few seconds until my vibrating phone causes a distraction. I pick my phone up, grateful to whoever it is that has texted me. It's from Harry. My stomach instantly fills with butterflies and my cheeks heat up, my lips pull back into a smile as I read his message. I try my hardest to restrain myself and force my lips down into a small smirk.

Harry:
We still on for tomorrow? I was thinking we could do a brunch
at mine around 11? Oh and where your pyjamas .xx ;)

Excitement starts within me; I nudge Ari to show her the message. She looks to me with a huge smile giving me a quick nod then returning back to the conversation she was just having. I wait another minute and then type my reply, adding a weird x, although I still don't know what it means.

Lau:
Sounds good! What are the pyjamas for? Can't I
just get dressed?x

When I'm finished replying I slide my phone into my back pocket. I turn to Ari , but she's already standing and picking up our garbage, I guess they finished. My phone vibrates but I leave it for a second before I check it.

"Why don't we go back to the house now? You two can hang out while I make dinner if you want." Aunt Kathy suggests. 

"Sure," Ari and I reply simultaneously. While walking back to the car I open my message from Harry.

Harry:
Do not get dressed, don't get ready at all! Brush your teeth
and then put on your shoes, it will defeat the purpose of what
I have planned. If you're dressed I will not be happy!

I hide my laughter, instead smiling at my phone again like an idiot. Ari rolls her eyes at me but smiles too, she knows she does the same thing so she can't make fun of me. 

Lau:
Fine! But if you're not in your pyjamas
than I won't be happy!

I send the message, deciding to just go along with whatever he has planned for us. I like that he took the time to think about what he wanted to do with me while we're together. 

We're at the car now, Ari and I both slide into the backseats and buckle our seat belts. Aunt Kathy turns the radio on to Pompeii. Ari and I automatically start singing along, much louder then our aunt and uncle probably liked. Eventually Aunt Kathy catches on to the words and starts singing with us. She twists the knob of the volume turning it up much higher so I'll can hear are the lyrics and Ari laughing and all I can feel is the base. I laugh loud, my head tilting back and my eyes closing, the way I only do when I'm really laughing. 

When the song ends, uncle Rob turns it down to a more normal volume, giving me a chance to catch my breath from all the laughing I just did. After listening to a few more songs and laughing a lot more, we finally stop in the driveway of my temporary house. Carrying my bag from the tourist shop, I climb out of the car and walk into the house.

"Dinner should be ready in an hour," Aunt Kathy says as she heads to the kitchen. I nod and then go to the basement with Ari. I flop onto the couch next to my sister, kicking my feet up onto the coffee table.

"What should we do?" I ask Ari.

"Let's see if Maya is on Skype, we can show her the sweater we got her."

"I got," I correct her.

"Shut up," she laughs back at me. Ari leaves the living room for a second then comes back with the laptop in hand. I watch as she logs into her Skype and clicks the video call next to Maya's name.

"My favourite twins!" Maya yells as soon as we can see her face on the screen.

"My favourite cousin!" I say back.” And look what we got our favourite cousin while we’re with all the British people!" I hold up the sweater we just bought, showing it off to her.

"Yes!" Maya says, running out of the view of the camera for a second. She comes back carrying a pile of sweaters, all being the same. Saying "I love" and then whatever city.” It will look great right on top of this pile." 

I laugh to Ari, whispering, "God she’s weird sometimes." Ari cracks up; Maya looks clueless on the other side of the camera.

***

After talking to Maya for over 30 minutes, she has to go out with her mom, so we say our goodbyes and promise to talk to her again sometime soon. We sit in front of the closed laptop for a minute before deciding to upstairs and help Aunt Kathy cook.

"Need any help?" I ask once we're in the kitchen.

"If you want you can make the salad, Ariella why don't you help her. I'm almost finished with everything it just needs to cook, thanks girls."

"What's the time?" Ari asks me while cutting the vegetables.

"It's 6:10; after we finish eating I'll help you get ready."

​"Thanks Lau," Ari replies.