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Don't Forget Where You Belong
"I can't wait to show you where I grew up." I smile at Louis as we get off the plane.
We just landed at LAX, California. Since the boys have only really been to America on tour and don't know much about what's around, they decided that I would be their tour guide for their American tour.
"I can't wait either." He smiles. I look around and no one seems to notice us, so I lean in to give him a quick peck on the lips. I'm honestly glad the boys know now. At least we can be a couple around them.
Okay, yes, right now we are in public, in one of the most populated airports in the world, but that's almost a good thing. No one is paying attention to us in the crowd of people. Granted they all wore a disguise, but still.
"Okay, well we better get going. We only have a week in California before the tour starts up again, and I have a lot to show you guys," I say, beaming with excitement. I am so excited to show them everything! Not to mention, I haven't been home since I left for college! I'm happy I will be able to see my friends and family I haven't seen in years! I know, I'm horrible for not visiting, but flights are expensive and I couldn't afford the airfare. Not to mention I was busy with schoolwork trying to graduate early.
My mom and my sister did come visit me last year for Christmas, though.
"Okay! Let's grab the boys and get moving!" Louis says, smiling back at me.
We make our way outside where a car is waiting for us.
I hop in the driver's seat since, one: the boys aren't used to driving in America, and two: I know my way around here, while the boys have only been to a few of the spots in LA. They are on my turf now, and I am gonna show them how we California girls do it.
Oh god, that sounded so lame.
The drive from LAX to where I grew up was about an hour with traffic, so we just hang out and talk in the car.
"So, miss local, what are our plans for today?" Harry asks from the back seat.
I look in the rear view mirror to see him. "Well, I figured we may be a bit jet lagged today, so I figured we would do an easy day and I'll just show you around the smaller part of my town. First, though, we have to go to my house and drop off our bags." The boys have agreed to stay with me at my mom's place. We converted our garage into a little studio apartment that's big enough to sleep the boys. There is a big bed and a large corner sofa, so they'll be fine.
"Oh, no. Are we meeting your mother and sister today? I don't know if I'm ready for that," Louis says, suddenly anxious, even though I told him ten times in the last few days that he would be meeting them today.
"You'll be fine. My little sister already loves you, so you are ahead of the game," I assure him.
"Your sister is a fan? How old is she?" Liam asks.
"Yeah, Hailee turned her on to you guys a few years back. And she's twelve."
"What about your dad?" Zayn asks.
Louis looks at me reassuringly from the passenger seat. He knows about my parents. I told him the story a bit ago, so he was already aware of the situation.
"He lives on the other side of the country, so you don't have to worry about him for a little bit."
They exchange weird looks with each other, obviously finding the situation a bit uncomfortable and they aren't sure how to respond. I get that reaction a lot.
"Guys, don't worry, it's not a big deal or sensitive subject you guys have to dance around. Long story short, my parents separated when I was about ten, and got divorced when I was in the 8th grade. My freshman year, my grandma died and my dad went to live in her house in North Carolina to look after things."
"Oh, I'm sorry. That must suck, having your dad live so far away," Niall says.
"Yeah, it isn't the ideal situation, but we have all learned to work with it. We would always just video chat with him on holidays and birthdays and stuff, and send him some stuff in the mail here and there. We did the best we could with the situation."
"Well, that's good for you. That's something hard for a family to deal with, so it's really great you guys were able to not dwell over it and just work with the situation the best you could. It's admirable," Liam says.
"Thanks. That means a lot," I say, shooting him a smile in the rear view mirror. "But, anyways, on a lighter note, my family is really excited to meet you guys. I have been telling them stories, and are excited to see for themselves if you are actually as insane as I've described."
They all just chuckle and nod, showing they're still able to remain proud of their antics.
"How much farther is it exactly?" Harry asks, as innocently as possible.
I roll my eyes, laughing at him. "Actually, we should be there in about five minutes."
"So, we are officially looking at the place you spent your first eighteen years, are we?" Liam asks and smirks, looking out the windows. It makes me smile that the guys are actually interested to see the place where I grew up. Most people wouldn't think much of it, but I guess it shows they actually, I don't know, care about me enough to want to know about who I am and how my life here was. Maybe it doesn't make sense to everyone, but I like it
"Yep," I say, driving down the familiar off-ramp, exiting the freeway.
I take a deep breath as I look around, taking in the familiar scenery. We pass the busy intersection, taking the first left. As I rotate the wheel to the right, turning onto my childhood street, I feel a tear roll down my cheek.
"Hey, don't cry," Louis says, suddenly concerned. He reaches over and wipes away the stray tear from my cheek.
I smile. "It just feels good to be back."
I drive down the small street before circling around to park on the curb in front of my house. I breathe out once more before turning off the car and undoing my seat belt.
"We're here."
I step out of the car and smell the familiar scent of home. The same flock of parrots perched on the telephone wire, squawking. I hear the boys coming out and shutting the car doors behind me, but I ignore their presence for a second. I reach down to open the white picket-fence gate, and begin walking up the short path to my front porch. I reach into my pocket to grab my key chain. I sift through the multiple pieces of metal before my fingers land on my blue-dolphin key. It's the same one I've had since the 5th grade. Although I know both my mom and sister are home, I feel the need to use my own key. It feels just like I'm back in high school, digging around for my key to open the door my mom had forgotten to leave unlocked for me and I was the first one home. I put the key in the knob, and twist it open.
"AVERY!" my little sister yells, running up to encase me in a hug as I stand in the doorway. I wrap my arms around her as she squeezes me tight. Even her being younger than me, she was one of my best friends. I had missed her.
Next, I see my mom come into the living room, most likely hearing my sister's cry of excitement. "Avery! You're home!" she shouts as she walks over to join our little hug-fest.
"I missed you guys!" I say as I look at my little family.
They smile back at me, when I hear a cough from behind me. I turn to see the boys waiting on the porch awkwardly. I laugh and pull out of my family's grip.
"Guys, I would like you to meet my mom, Marie Williams, and my sister, Genevieve. You can call her Gen or Genna, though," I say as I introduce my family. "And this, as you both know, is One Direction," I say, somewhat dramatically and giggle as I gesture to the boys standing behind me.
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Williams," Harry says politely, extending his arm to shake my mother's hand.
"It's wonderful to meet you, too. And please, call me Marie."
"Absolutely, Marie," Harry responds as he steps further through the door where my sister is standing, chatting with her politely as he introduces himself to her as well.
Zayn, Liam, and Niall all greet my mother with similar exchanges. Finally, there's only Louis, standing there awkwardly tense and nervous. I chuckle and reach my hand out to grab his.
"And this, is my boyfriend, Louis," I say smiling as I introduce him to my family.
"Nice to meet you, Marie," he says, reaching with the hand that isn't holding mine to shake her's.
"You too, Louis. I have heard a lot about you from Avery. I'm anxious to see if they are all true." My mom smiled.
"Uh-oh. I'm not sure if I quite like the sound of that," Louis laughs back. I'm glad to see they are getting along well and Louis has seemed to be able to loosen up.
"Oh don't worry. It's nothing bad."
"If you say so."
I smile at the scene before me; Louis and my mom exchanging light banter and the other four boys chatting and laughing with my little sister on the couch.
It's good to be home.