Rise Up

Talie

I woke up a little late the next morning. Dad's apartment still didn't feel quite like home. I felt awkward sleeping in late, like I was being rude. I went to the bathroom then wandered out to the kitchen. I reddened with embarrassment when I realized Giles had a couple friends over in the living room. I immediately made an about-face and went back to my room to change and freshen up a bit. I was pretty sure Allie had seen me. How embarrassing.

About ten minutes later, I reappeared, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, with some light makeup on. I made myself a cup of tea, which I'd quickly become addicted to, and made myself some cereal. Giles and his friends were hanging out on the couch. I scrolled through my phone as I ate at the table.

When I was finished, I stood up to take my dish to the sink. Allie got up at the same time to get himself a soda from the fridge.

"Hey," he greeted me in his adorable British accent.

"Hi," I smiled at him. "Want some tea?"

He waved the soda in his hand. "No thanks. I've got a soda."

"Oh," I felt my face flush again. "Of course. Sorry."

"It's okay," he said, snapping the can open. "So, how are you enjoying London?"

"It's great," I said as I put the kettle on for my second cup. "So different from New York."

"I bet," he said. "How'd you like school yesterday?"

"It was fun," I admitted. "If I decide to stay I'll probably go there."

I didn't miss his face light up. "That would be brilliant."

I smiled. "Yes. Brilliant."

"Hey, listen," he said. "We're all going out to lunch in a while. Do you want to hang out afterwards? I could show you around London a little more."

"That'd be great. I love history."

"We have a fair amount of that here," he grinned. "Okay. We'll be back around 1 probably."

I poured my tea as he sat back down. I noticed him watching me from the corner of his eye. I took my tea back to my bedroom to read and relax a bit. My belly fluttered a bit with anticipation. It was strange how everyone seemed to like me here. Maybe I'd just been born on the wrong continent.

Around 1:15, Giles and his friends came back, laughing and joking around. Allie excused himself and walked over to where I was washing dishes in the sink.

"Hey," he greeted me. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "Let me just finish the last couple dishes."

Five minutes later, we were walking out of the building. It was a typical slightly dreary day, but the temperature was at least nice. Allie, which was short for Alistair, I learned, had lived in London all his life. His dad was a banker and his mother was a schoolteacher. We began just by walking around the streets, taking in the sights. I asked him about British things I'd noticed that were different, and he asked me about American things. The conversation never seemed to go stagnant. None of the boys at Hunter were like this.

After we'd been walking for about a half hour, I felt his hand naturally find mine. He checked my expression to make sure it was okay. I smiled and squeezed his hand. It seemed so childish, but it was so nice.

We walked down to London Bridge and around the Houses of Parliament. All the buildings were old and beautiful. I'd already been on the London Eye once, but we went again together. It was really romantic. He stood slightly behind and to the right of me as I checked the map and found the buildings in front of me.

"It's so beautiful," I said, marveling at the sight. He didn't say anything, and I sensed his face closer to mine. I turned my head to the right and saw his eyes dart to my lips. I smiled a little as I leaned in to kiss him. It was short and sweet, but it was amazing. And it was my first kiss. My first kiss on the London Eye.

We pulled away and I giggled a little nervously. "You're so cute," he told me. "I mean, beautiful. You're beautiful."

"Thanks," I giggled again. "You're not too bad either."

He laughed a little and we held hands again.

Time seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, it was dinner time. He took me to the best fish and chips shop he knew of. It was delicious. I had a Coke with it, and it tasted different from the American version.

"I don't know what it is, but it's slightly different," I told him, examining the can.

"I'd love to taste the American version sometime," he said.

"You'd love New York," I told him. "If you ever visit, I'll give you a tour. And I know all the best pizza places."

"That sounds amazing," he said.

He walked me home later and we had another kiss at the door, this one a little longer. I bit my lip and giggled nervously. I was so inexperienced. When I went inside, I sighed as I rested against the door. Alice grinned at me.

"How'd your date go?"

I rolled my eyes as I walked to the couch. "It wasn't a date. He was just showing me around."

"It was too a date!" she countered, ready for details. "Spill!"

I sat down, hugging a pillow, and told her everything. The kiss on the London Eye and at the door. She listened intently and seemed genuinely happy for me. I felt a wave of warmness flush over me. Allie liked me. Alice was my friend. I was with my dad. Was this what happiness was supposed to feel like?