Foreign

Chapter 21

Lizzie and Jack take the bus to London with me. We're making a day out of it. I've decided to go back home for a couple of days and my plane to Brussels leaves tonight. It's a three hour drive but this way we have more time together! Also, the view is pretty awesome. Wales (and England) are so green and beautiful. The train would have been faster but I just love this drive. It also reminds me of when I first took the bus from Heathrow to Cardiff last year. I was so emotional and nervous! I couldn't have imagined how my life would change.

We're walking around in Covent Garden, one of my favourite spots in London.

"I can't wait until everything is decorated for Christmas! I love London that time of the year," Lizzie sighs.

"I love London every time of the year!"

"Yeah me too!"

"Where will you be spending Christmas?" Jack asks.

"I have no idea! I know we get a two week break but Hero and I haven't discussed it."

"Do you think you'll be coming back to the UK or Belgium?"

"I don't know, I guess we'll have to talk about that! Where will you be spending it?"

"We're going to my parents for Christmas," Lizzie says. "And we're spending New Year's Day with Jack's family."

"What about New Year's Eve?" I smile because I remember how it went last year. We had a great night and then Hero showed up out of nowhere after he had been gone for weeks.

"We're throwing a house party, should be fun!"

"Ooohh, I wish I could be there!"

I'm sad that we don't have the time to visit the Harry Potter studios but we get to visit Madame Tussaud's instead. We do a lot of touristy things just because we love them. At Buckingham Palace Lizzie and I talk about what it would be like to marry a prince. We both love Prince Harry and would love to have afternoon tea with the Queen. I've always loved the Big Ben, yes I know it's just a clock, but it's also a reminder of the past. When I see the Big Ben I can almost imagine London decades ago.

After a light meal at the pub near Victoria Bus Station, we say our goodbyes. I need to take the bus to Heathrow. I'm excited to go home for a couple of days. I haven't seen my family for months and I can't wait to tell the news of my graduation. If I'm honest, I'm in no rush to go back to the States. I miss Hero so much but part of me is scared to find out why he hasn't been replying to my texts and phone calls.

My time at home is the best! I have time to visit my grandparents and I get to see my friends. It's very strange at the same time because I have been away so long, their lives have changed and I missed it. Because I moved to Cardiff last year and the States this year I'm not a part of their everyday lives anymore. It's something I noticed in Cardiff as well. Life hasn't stopped just because I went away. I only have three days at home which is way too short. I promise to come back for Christmas, at least for a couple of days depending on what Hero wants to do.

During my flight to America I get nervous. Hero wasn't too happy about my last minute decision to go back home. We're in a strange place right now and I'm not sure why. Being stuck on a plane for hours isn't helping either. I didn't ask Hero to pick me up at the airport but part of me is hoping he'll just be there, happy to see me. I'm more disappointed than I want to admit when I don't see him. Brody is waiting for me instead.

"Brodes!" I yell and I jump into his arms.

"Finally, a decent person to talk to!" he replies. "I've missed you honey!"

"I've missed you too!" We walk to the car and I can't wait to drive to the house.

"Okay, tell me everything!"

"Oh well... same old, same old. Betty is terrible as usual so the schedule is fucked up. We've all been working long days to catch up." My face lights up when I hear this. So this is the reason why Hero hasn't been replying! He was just working a lot and probably tired afterwards!

Brody talks the entire way and by the time we arrive, I know everything that happened these past few weeks. When I ask him about Hero, he avoids the question and distracts me by telling a funny story about Scott pranking Josh. It works so by the time we arrive, I'm very relaxed and just happy to be back. I thank Brody for picking me up and run to my room. I probably should take a shower but I can't wait any longer. I need to see Hero! I take two bottles of beer out of my fridge and walk to his room whistling the new 5 Seconds of Summer song. With the biggest smile I knock in his door.

"Hey ba-" mid-sentence I shut up and my face drops. Melany is standing there, bitchy smile and only wearing underwear.

The bathroom door opens and Hero walks out wearing only a towel around his waist.