City of Angels - K.L

FIFTEEN

When we exit hand in hand, the most embarrassing and night-completing thing happens. A round of applause in our honour as we re enter the party. I blush and laugh, pressing a hand against my face shyly. Heath approaches us, a valley girl voice on
"No no honey, don't act all shy now. We heard how shy you were a few minutes ago and let me tell you- you wasn't that shy."
I laugh, shoving him.
"I don't know what you're talking about Heath."
David points, his vlog camera pointed at us
"Then you must have been up there with a vampire."
Kian and I look at each other's necks, eyes both widening. We truly did do a number on each other.

I wake up in his bed the next morning, beside him. I'm in his white button up shirt from last night, facing him with my arm across his waist as he faces the other way. I smile, remembering the night before. I kiss the back of his shoulder, then notice the tattoo on his back. The Serenity Prayer. He is so poetic and beautiful, he has a prayer tattooed on him for God's sake. He's an angel. I sit up, and move to the edge of the bed to get dressed. He doesn't let me, humming and rolling over, catching me and pulling my back against his chest with an arm around me. I giggle
"Kian, I have to get up, it's eight thirty."
He huffs
"Oh yeah, breakfast with your parents at ten."
I nod, craning my head to kiss him and slipping out of his arms. He sighs and sits up, rubbing his eyes. He is adorable when just waking up. Pouted lips, rubbing his eyes, scruffy hair, deep sleep voice. I gather my clothes, stating
"I'm going to go borrow Franny's makeup, be back in a few."
Before I make it to the door, he calls
"Zi baby?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you in my shirts."

Downstairs, I find all the guests passed out around the place. On top of one another on the couches- inside and out- on beds made out of pillows, at tables, love sacs- everywhere. I tiptoe around them as to not wake them up and into Franny's room. I hug her when I find her already awake, and thank her for helping put the whole party together. By the time I'm done, most people are awake. Before we leave, Kian and I say goodbye, especially since I know this is the last time I'll be seeing them for a while. Lucky I have all their contacts and social media, and know I've made some good friends.

Breakfast is at a place Kian suggested knowing I would like it. My parents are already there, at the table Kian had reserved. He's really gone all out. The place he takes me is called the Sycamore Kitchen, and the smell of coffee hits me as soon as I walk in, enticing me further. The ambiance is perfect for me too, exposed brick walls, exposed wooden rafters in the ceiling, wooden tables and stools- a combination of industrial, mid century and modern. Now to test their food, and of course the coffee. But I can judge that just based off the smell, it's good. My family is sat in the outdoor dining area, and stand when they see me. I'm enveloped in a hug between my mother and little sister. Mum whispers
"My baby's eighteen. My baby girl."
She squeezes me and steps back, looking over me
"Happy birthday darling... you even look more grown up since yesterday. How?"
I kiss her cheek, and crouch down to cuddle May, who then skips off to Kian, he lifts her for a hug and walks her back to the table. Luke and him shake hands, before mum goes over to hug him and hug Luke. Once seated, mum asks
"Did you like Kian's surprise for you?"
I pout, looking between mum and him, taking his hand under the table
"It was the sweetest thing- and amazing. I had so much fun."
Luke clears his throat, commenting as he looks over the menu
"Not too much fun I hope. You're still very underage in America."
I roll my eyes, and reach for a menu to look at with Kian. It's easy for me to make my choice, knowing what I feel like instantly. A dirty chai with an extra shot of espresso and the almond brioche french toast, and I can't pass up a piece of their creme fraiche coffee cake. We speak about a lot of things over breakfast. Yesterday, the party, ice skating, my new friends- all that's left is the concert really, and Luke brings that up.
"How was Blink? I bet they were insane."
Kian nods
"Pretty insane, yeah."
"They were amazing. Cool concert."
"You're a lucky one, Zaya."
Mum asks
"So it was a big night huh?"
I laugh
"It was, even without a tonne of drinking. At least on our behalf."
Kian casually states
"Our friend Zane broke one of our glass tables in the house, and Tana got into a fight with Trevor because he was acting like a diva, and Corinna fell off the kitchen island dancing, but Heath broke her fall."
Mum smirks
"And did you fall, Kian? On your neck?"
His eyes widen, as does his smile as he laughs, I blush instantly and drop my forehead against the tabletop. Mum giggles, reaching over and touching my hand
"Don't worry darling, happens to the best of us. When nan saw the work I did on my first boyfriend she drove me straight to church."
I lift my head, suggesting
"Topic change? Anyone?"
Luke does, stating
"Your mother and I have decided we aren't going to roll out on rout 66 tomorrow, because we want to be in New York for New Years and it'll take too long to do. So we're going to be flying out tonight to Aspen for Christmas and then we'll be flying to Texas on the twenty sixth, then to Chicago on the twenty eighth, then making it to New York on the thirtieth for New Years the next day."
I didn't hear or understand most of what he just said. Everything sounded like it was under water after her said 'tonight'. I repeat for clarification
"Tonight?"
Luke nods, finishing he last of his bacon
"Flying out tonight. White Christmas in Colorado."
I blink at him, then retort
"We weren't meant to be leaving until the twenty seventh. I thought we said we weren't going to do New York for New Years anymore because May's too little yet."
He explains
"That was before your mum decided she really did want to see New York for New Years. And May wouldn't like driving for two weeks across the country anyway," he notices "you're not happy... I didn't realise you wanted to do rout 66 so badly."
I deny under my breath
"It isn't that."
Mum assures me
"It's okay darling, I've already got you all packed up. You can spend the whole day together."
I feel my heart sink to my stomach, and my chest tighten, my nails bite into my palms. I nod, and stand from the table
"Excuse me a second."
I walk back into the  inside of the restaurant, and out the entrance.