Royally Normal

18

Being back in London was a weird feeling but also good.

I wasn't even going to be here for a week but I was excited to see my family again.

I worried a lot about Cole. 

He had a lot on his plate and I just wanted him to feel like Cole again.

"I wish you were staying for Thanksgiving." Cole commented as he helped me pack my bags.

"Are you saying that because you're getting surgery tomorrow and you won't have anything to do?" I questioned him.

Cole and his parents decided it was best for him to get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or more commonly known as an ICD.  The whole purpose of the ICD was to correct life-threatening heart arrhythmias so he wouldn't die.

For four to six weeks he couldn't do activities that strained his upper chest/arm, no heavy lifting, no strenuous activities, and his mom got him an engraved Apple Watch medical band that stated that he had long qt/an ICD. 

"Partially," he admitted. "I can't fucking drive until May."

I gave him a look. "Good thing you live in New York City."

"I know but when we go back to California, I can't take late-night drives or anything." he complained. "Unless you come to pick me up."

"Of course." I agreed. "Can you text me when you get out of surgery and let me know how everything went?"

Cole nodded his head. "Yeah. What time are you leaving tonight?"

"Eight and I'll land in London at eight that morning. Then at ten that morning I have tea with my grandfather." I informed Cole. "So you're getting your surgery at noon London time so I can call you at eight London time which is like three o'clock here."

"That works." he agreed. "I'll probably be bored out of my mind. What time do you come back on Sunday?"

"One in the afternoon," I answered Cole's question. "Probably going to be jetlagged as hell for school on Monday."

Cole zipped up my suitcase. "I'll catch you up on everything."

Not gonna lie, I was really going to miss him. Even if I was only going to be gone for a few days. 

"Do you want to go to that acai bowl place before I go?" I asked him.

Sammy was on a study date with Quinn, Stella was helping her parents with Thanksgiving meal prep, so it only felt right.

"Yeah." Cole agreed. "I just gotta get my coat."

We both grabbed our coats, walked to the juice shop, ordered acai bowls (Cole paid even though I invited him out), and sat down as we ate.

"Are you ready for the ball?" Cole asked me.

"I am. David won't give me any sneak peeks at my dress though but I know it's going to be amazing." I responded.

Cole frowned. "Do you at least know the color?"

"He told me Cinderella blue." I replied.

"Funny because I'm wearing blue too." Cole winked.

I gave him a smile. "Great minds."

"I was thinking that after my surgery that I'd get a tattoo to cover up my scar." he brought up.

My jaw dropped. "Really? Mr. my body is a temple wants a tattoo?"

Cole rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. "I've had a spiritual awakening since my near-death experience."