Take Me Home

The plane ride from America gave me major jet lag. Which you know... sucks.

I had just jumped into the taxi with all my suitcases when I got a text.

Sophia!! I can't wait to see you, darling!

I smiled at the text from Danielle.

It's been too long! I answered. She agreed and gave me directions to her apartment. I sat in the moving vehicle and watched as all the cool London sites passed by. I had really missed this place. It had been almost seven years since the last time I had stepped foot on British soil.

I've lost my accent now, and replaced it with an American one. I smiled, remembering when Dani and I used to come up with dance routines and plan how our futures would be. We were living those childhood memories now. I smiled every time I thought about it. Everyone told us to give those dreams up, but we refused. It was actually Danielle who finally convinced me to go to school in America. I missed that girl so damn much. With her stupid nagging and girlish efforts to get me boyfriend. and I can't forget her absolute perfect beauty that made me feel like a troll next to her, no matter what.

The taxi stopped and I handed him some cash, "Thank you!" I called as I shut the door.

"SOPHIA," someone tackled me to the ground. I dropped all my stuff to hug my best friend, laughing.

"DANIELLE," we jumped up and down, giggling like schoolgirls, "I've missed you so much!"

"Not as much as I've missed you!" she laughed. I could feel tears well up as I thought about how long it's been since we've hugged each other. We pulled back and I laughed at Danielle's crazy curly hair. She really was beautiful.

"You're all grown up," I smiled.

"We're all grown up," she grinned. Dani shook her head and said, "Here let me help you," she grabbed one of my two bags. My friends back in America whined that two bags was certainly not enough to live off of. I never actually told them that these two bags held the entirety of my clothes. 

"Don't you have more bag?" Dani asked.

"Nope! This is all."

"Well, we're just going to have to change that, aren't we?" We got inside of her apartment and I was sort of in awe of how clean and modern it was.

"Wow."

"I know right?" She dropped my bags in a room that she led me in an plopped on the bed, "So we agreed that you'll stay here until you find your own place, yea?" Dear God, did I miss my British accent.

"Of course, my dear!" I sang.

"Okay, cause I don't think Liam would be too happy if I had a permanent guest..." she looked away with a hazy look over her eyes. A slight smile played across her lips and I knew that she was trying not to giggle. Whenever we would Skype, she would mention little things Liam would do for her. They sounded so cute, it made me jealous.

"So when do I get to meet lover boy?" I winked. She laughed and got up.

"Tonight! He's really excited to meet you and insisted on taking us to dinner."

"Oh, he doesn't have to do that!" I exclaimed while unpacking one of my bags. Although I was secretly whining. My body was still in American time and all I wanted to do was crash.

"That's what I told him, but he's just so stubborn," Dani rolled her eyes. We talked for hours, catching up while she helped me unpack, "Anyways! Back to you! How was college?"

"It was college," I answered in monotone. Dani actually dropped everything to take time laughing.

"No silly! How was the campus? Or how were the Americans? Or how were...dare I say," she wiggled her eyebrows at me seductively, "boys?"

"Well the campus in New York was beautiful, the Americans were... American," I finished.

"And boys?" she pressed.

"The boys were gay," I cried out.

"All of them?!" She was shocked.

"Well when you go to college for Musical Theatre and Dance... yea!"

"Oh darling," she laughed. Unpacking went quickly so Dani suggested: "So lets get dressed, Liam's going to be here any minute now." Danielle said, getting up and puling me to follow her. I was fighting trying not to go to sleep. I knew that if I fell asleep now, I wouldn't be able to later tonight. Then of course, I wouldn't be my best at rehearsals. God, my mom was right. She used to tell me I was an old soul: that I didn't live in the moment like other teenagers. I lied for the future and thought about consequences before action.

Danielle pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans and a see through peach sheer top in which I wore a tank top underneath. She approved and shoo'ed me off.  I lazily threw some make up on and put my hair in a bun. The living room looked so welcoming, so I complied by lying on the couch, waiting. My eyes started to drift and my head started to nod. My brain couldn't form full thoughts anymore, and a blanket of exhaustion rolled over me.

"Oh no you don't!" Dani ran over to me and shook me.

"I hate you," I mumbled.

"I know," I could hear her smile in her voice. Just then the doorbell rang and Danielle jumped up, "That must be Liam!" They'd been dating for over 2 years but she still acted like a little girl whenever he was mentioned. She flung the door open and my droopy eyes could barely make out when someone grabbed Danielle a began kissing her. I rolled over a moaned.

"Eww," I grumbled. They broke apart, breathless, and laughed.

"Stand up!" Dani demanded. I growled "Sophie!" I groaned as I lifted myself off the couch and got up. I walked over to them and smiled.

"Hi, I'm Liam," his hand shot out. I began to see him with more clarity and damn did Dani do well with picking this one out.

"Sophia," I shook his hand, "Sorry, I'm just really tired. I didn't sleep at all during the flight."

"What?!" he turned to Dani, "You didn't tell me that! She should stay here and rest. We'd be torturing her to make her--" Liam worried. She rolled her eyes.

"Liam, it's okay! Some jet lag will do her good!" Dani slapped my back. Liam sighed, but gave in after protesting long and hard. We all left I got a chance to whisper to Dani.

"Hottie!" I giggled. She laughed and bumped me, jokingly.

"Wait till you see his other friends," she muttered.

"Ooooh, friends!" I fanned myself, jokingly.

Dinner was a breeze. Surprisingly, Liam was really easy to get along with. He cracked jokes and Danielle didn't fail to laugh every time, even when they didn't make sense. Again, the jealous monster took over. They were so adorable. I could see they both loved each other. Anyone could see that. Half the people in the restaurant were taking pictures of them, for goodness sakes! I really was happy for her. It didn't take long at all for Liam to earn my approval. Then again, I am a horrible judge of character. But, if Liam made my Dani happy, then he was right for her.

"Are you sure you don't want to eat more, Sophia?" Liam asked, eyeing my plate. I had only eaten my salad and took a nibble at the chicken. Although my taste buds screamed for more, I had to pace my eating habits. If I so much as had one McDonald's burger, I would gain three pounds. I certainly couldn't have that. I took a sip of water.

"Nah, it's okay," I smiled. Liam shrugged deciding not to push the matter, smart boy. We headed back to the apartment and the car ride was agonizingly slow. Any sort of flat surface with a cushion sounded like absolute heaven. Danielle and Liam went to their bedroom when we arrived. I tried not to think about what they might be doing because I might end up hearing it in my room. Yuck.

I was changing when I literally passed out, with my pants at my knees and my tank top at my neck. I barely remember Dani coming in and trying not to laugh as she took off the rest of my pants and tank top and tucking me in. She kissed my forehead whispering something along the lines of, "I'm glad you're back So So," the childhood name brought back happy memories that made me feel safe and at home. Then everything went black.