LONG CHAPTER BE HAPPY!!!!! took me so long but pretty happy with it.
Kiss You
"I love this smell," I breath and step out of the terminal into the airport. "It smells like home."
"Home definitely doesn't smell like this, love," Louis mocks.
I shove him with my shoulder. "You know what I mean. It smells familiar and, I don't know, good memories."
He laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulders, kissing my temple. "I know, babe."
I smile and wrap my arms around his waist as we walk through the airport.
"Do you want some coffee? I'll text our ride to see if they're here yet."
"Yeah. Let's go find a Starbucks or something."
"Follow me!"
I quickly lead us to small food court and set our bags down at a table. We had decided to just bring our carry-on's so we wouldn't have to deal with luggage pick up and all that, but that also meant lugging our suitcases around.
"I'll go order while you watch the bags. What would you like?" Louis asks once we have suitably places our luggage.
"Venti Non-Fat Hot Chocolate with a shot of Espresso," I order without having to give it much thought. It's my go-to order at Starbucks. Or a Chai Latté. Unless it's fall. Then it's a Pumpkin Spice Latté. Those things are the highlight of the year.
"Isn't that just a mocha?" Louis questions curiously.
"No, a mocha is simply coffee with chocolate flavoring. Mine is like a backwards mocha. It's actual hot chocolate with real coffee for flavor."
Louis looks at me with a blank expression before walking away to get in line. I just shrug it off and pull out my phone to group text my cousins.
From: Avenue
hey you guys here yet? louis and i are sitting in starbucks
Before I can even set my phone down, I get a response.
From: Annieð¶
GET YOUR BUTTS OUT HERE MISSY! we are waiting in the front
I can't help but laugh at the message. Annie is 13 years old, but she's feisty for her age.
From: Avenue
be out in a sec! patience little one
From: Annieð¶
that's stupid.
I smile but roll my eyes as I lock my phone before placing it on the table.
"Hey, did you get a hold of your family?" Louis asks, setting my drink in front of me.
"Yeah. Anne says they are outside waiting."
"Let's go then!"
We both stand up from the table with our bags and coffee and make our way down.
"Aren't you hot?" I ask Louis, taking in his attire. He's wearing a zip-up hoodie with a beanie and sunglasses.
"A little." He shrugs. "It's better than being mugged by fans."
"Well, I mean, this side of the island is pretty small. You should be fine."
"I don't know... what if people see us. I don't want to have to put you in that situation with the press just yet."
"I'm a big girl. Don't worry. And I mean, the boys and my family already know. The only people I'm still concerned about hiding it from are Caroline and Paul. They are easy enough seeing that if the press does make a story, we can just say it was the tabloid's making up lies."
"Yeah, I guess." He shrugs again, but makes no move to strip out of the cover.
"Hey," I say, pulling us both to a stop once we are outside. "This is our getaway. We are taking a break from all of the touring and the work and the fans. This is us--just us."
He sighs in defeat as my lecture takes effect before pulling the hood down off his head and removing the beanie.
I reach forward and run my fingers through his hair, straightening it out.
"There. Much better."
He quirks his brow in amusement. "But see, now I can't kiss you."
I lean in, placing my hands on his chest, pouting. "Oh, come on."
"Nope. Sorry." He smirks.
"Please," I whine.
He rolls his eyes before looking around quickly. He laughs and leans in to peck me on the lips, leaving a smile on both of our faces.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"Yo love birds! We aren't waiting all day!"
I turn around and see Annie standing in front of the car with her hands on her hips. Beside her, my cousin, Katie, and my aunt are waiting with devious smirks on their faces.
I feel a blush creep up my cheeks, and look up to Louis for support. He just laughs, kissing the top of my head before moving ahead to introduce himself to my family while I sit there pouting in embarrassment. I shuffle over to where the four of them are now standing.
"Avery!" Katie yells, enveloping me in a huge hug.
"Katie! I missed you!"
"Hey, don't forget your favorite aunt!" I hear my Auntie Liz say beside me.
"Of course not!" I laugh and move over to give her a hug.
"Hey, cute boyfriend, by the way," she giggles in my ear. I roll my eyes as I pull away.
"Annie! Your turn!" I say as I walk over to the brooding blonde.
"No. You're gross. You smell like plane," she says bluntly.
I just chuckle. She is an odd character, but her quirkiness makes her more lovable, in my eyes. Although sometimes her personality reminds me of a grumpy old man...
"You know you want one!" I say as I move in with open arms.
"Ew! No! Stop that! Get away from me! Meh!" She squirms as I force my arms around her.
"Love you, too, Anne!" I pull away. She reaches up to flick me on the forehead.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just get in the car," she grumbles and gets in the back seat.
"Louis, come sit up in the front with me. Let the girls catch up while they are squished in the back," my aunt says lightheartedly.
"Okay!"
"Avery's in the middle!" Annie yells from her window seat.
"Hey! I'm the guest! Shouldn't I get a window seat!"
"Nope! I don't want to sit next to Katie!"
"I thought you said I smelled gross," I challenge, folding my arms across my chest.
"But you're better than Katie," she shrugs with an irritated expression, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Love you, too, Anne!" Katie calls to her sister.
Annie just smiles wide in antagonization.
"Just get in the car!" Auntie Liz yells in amusement from the driver's seat.
I laugh and hop in next to Annie and Katie slides in beside me.
"So, how was the flight?" Auntie Liz asks as she pulls out.
"Good. We just kinda hung out. First class was very nice, though," I answer.
"I want a rich boyfriend!" Katie groans, jokingly.
"It does have it's perks. Right, love?" Louis teases, turning around in his seat to face me.
I scowl at him. "No. It just gives him another excuse to pay for anything."
He just laughs and turns back around with a smile.
"Dude, don't complain about free stuff!" Annie cries.
"Yeah, I mean, you may as well. We all know he has enough," Katie laughs back, not helping.
"He's a gentleman, is all that means," my aunt corrects.
"Thank you!" Louis nods at Auntie Liz in agreement.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's cute, rich, and perfect. I got it," I grumble in feigned annoyance, given away by the smirk on my lips.
"Aww! You think I'm cute?!" Louis taunts, looking back at me once again.
"Hey, she said it, not me," I clarify, pointing towards my aunt.
"Avery!" my aunt gasps, jokingly. "I did no such thing."
"You know you love me!" Louis smiles cheekily.
I shoot him my pouty look, and grumble, "Dammit."
"See!" he shrieks and bounces in his seat, turning around, before looking over his shoulder one more time. "Oh, and I love you, too."
I smile at him and shake my head in amusement.
"You guys are too cute!" Auntie Liz teases, giggling.
I bite my lip to contain my smile as a blush, once again, floods my cheeks.
"No, they're gross," Annie grumbles, her lip turned up in disgust.
I just laugh, squeezing her shoulders. "I missed my grumpy old man."
"Stop that! Meh!" she complains, petting down my face.
"Are you petting her face?" Louis chuckles.
"Oh, don't worry. She like this," Annie coos and repeats the action.
Louis turns to look at my questioningly.
"Don't ask," I grumble hurriedly.
He laughs and turns to my aunt who had been asking him a question I wasn't paying attention to.
"So, how long are you here for?" Katie asks me.
"Good question. Well Louis has to fly back to LA for a few days on... Friday? I think? And it's Monday, so the two of us will be here for a week, then I am gonna stay here while he goes back and then he and the rest of the boys are gonna fly over here because they have a concert in Honolulu next Saturday," I explain, while still working it out in my head.
I notice Annie stiffen at the mention of the boys visiting. I smile down at her as she keeps her focus out the window. She's trying to hide it, but I know her secret.
"We're here!" Auntie Liz calls from the front seat.
I look up and notice us driving down the familiar gravel road. We pull up beside the house and climb out. It looks just like I remember. I stand on the porch and look out at the five acres of land in front of me. The banana grove and palm tree farm are visible behind the wooden play set, but hide some of the land behind their tall leaves. A medium sized tree with low branches stands directly across the driveway; a swing hanging off one of it's limbs. Finally, further down the driveway is another house, where grandma and grandad live.
I take in a deep breath and close my eyes, enjoying my surroundings.
I feel two arms creep up around my waist, and Louis' head against my shoulder.
"Are you alright, love?"
"Yeah. I'm perfect." I smile. "And I am so glad I get to be in this place with you."
He tilts his head and kisses my shoulder. I can feel his smile against my skin, and it sends butterflies through my stomach.
"People! We aren't gonna do everything for you!" Annie yells from the car, where they are unloading the bags.
"Sorry!" I smile guiltily and start walking over to get the luggage before Louis reaches out to pull me to a stop.
"No, babe, I got it. You go on in."
"No, it's fine, really."
"Nope. Not up for discussion. Go," he demands and points to the door.
"Okay..." I grumble and walk through the front door and up the stairs. The only things downstairs are my aunt and uncle's offices and bedroom.
I reach the top and slink over to the couch against the far wall, collapsing across it.
I can't help but let my mind wander to the previous day. My wrist has already scabbed over, and I believe that it really was just a one time moment of weakness. But deep down, I think I know that it is something that will never be impossible. It will always remain a possibility that I will go to a blade for healing, as strange as that may seem. I'll always have that urge somewhere in my mind. And then, what about my family here? I don't think they know about what happened yesterday, or if they do they haven't said anything or acted like it.
Will they find out? Will Gen tell Annie about it? How will they react? And then, when I finally do have to go back to California, will I go see them? My entire family has been calling and texting me since we left, but I've ignored them all. I'll have to talk to them eventually, but I need a little space from that right now. That's why I'm here; to take a break and escape.
Well, I'm going to take advantage of the rare opportunity while I have it.
"Hey, thanks for your help," Annie grumbles when she comes up the stairs with my backpack in tow.
"My pleasure!"
They all make their way up eventually and we all stand in the living room, waiting for whatever comes next.
"How about a quick tour?" I suggest.
"Yeah!" Katie says, excitedly. "Follow me!"
She leads the way over through her room, first. The walls are a tan-ish beige, and one wall is a mural of a world map that my grandma painted years ago. Scattered across the ocean we each have our own imaginary islands that she painted in just for us. Mine--aka 'Avery's Island'--is right between the California coast and the Hawaiian Islands. When I was little I said I wanted it there so I could be close to everyone I love. Gen's is right between Japan and Australia because it was alway sunny and at the time, her teacher was Australian, so she said she wanted to visit him and their cute new baby. Annie's is next to the North Pole because it's the coolest there, and Katie's is off the coast of LA because... she says LA's awesome. You can see we put a lot of logic into our geographical planning.
We walk through, and for some reason, we aren't smart enough for only one person to go through at a time, and decide to all shuffle into the narrow bathroom together. Things get a little awkward.
We move quickly through to Annie's room. It's covered from ceiling to floor in posters consisting of a variety of things like Hello Kitty, Hannah Montana, and Jonas Brothers. I look over to Annie in question. I remember these posters from years ago when we were kids.
Katie must have noticed as well. "Anne, why are your kid posters on the walls? You replaced them a while ago with-"
"Shut up! Idiot!" Annie cries and covers her mouth with her hand.
Katie begins struggling against Annie to free her grip on her head. While they continue their bickering, I walk farther into the room with Louis' hand in mine, dragging him in with me. I come to a stop in front of a poster of iCarly, and pluck the corner off the wall.
"What are you doing?" Louis whispers in my ear.
I ignore him and continue peeling the paper off the wall, until what is posted behind it is fully visible.
"NO!" Annie cries and lunges toward me, but it's too late.
"Soo... you're a Directioner?" Louis asks with a smirk on his face as he reaches to peel the top poster off the wall to reveal the 1D poster underneath.
I look over to Annie who is as red as a tomato with eyes that could kill demon kittens with one look.
"Aww! Someone has a crush!" I coo.
"Shut up! IDIOT!" she screams through her teeth.
"Don't worry love. You are actually very calm for a fan in this situation," Louis comforts her. She seems to cool down a bit seeing that he isn't freaked out by it, but still embarrassed.
"Who's your favorite?" Louis asks, moving the conversation along.
She looks down at her feet before mumbling, "Niall."
Louis throws his head back in laughter, catching us all off guard.
"Okay, one sec," he says once he calms down enough to speak and pulls out his phone.
"What are you doing?" I whisper over his shoulder, but he just waves his hand dismissively.
He types something and brings the phone to his ear. I can hear the quiet ringing before someone picks up.
"Okay, here," Louis giggles and brings the phone down to the center of the circle we have formed in Annie's room.
Annie, Katie, and I look equally confused before a voice comes from the device.
"Oi, Lou! What the hell, man?! Where are you?" Niall's voice says.
Annie's eyes nearly bulge out of her head when she realizes who is on the other line.
"I'll explain later, mate. But I happen to be here with a very special fan who has just informed me you are her favorite member," Louis speaks into the phone.
"Oh. Hello love! What's your name?" Niall says, perking up immediately.
"Hi," Annie squeaks weakly. It's interesting seeing her so flustered. She's so confident and blunt that this meek and timid version of her looks foreign. It's cute.
"What's your name?" he repeats nicely, probably used to girls getting shy around him.
"Annie."
"Hi Annie! How do you know Louis?"
"Um, I'm Avery's cousin."
"Wow! Where do you live? Is she with you right now?" Niall questions, now seeming to put some sort of pieces of what was going on together. I panic and quickly reach forward to press the end button.
"What?! What was that for?! I WAS TALKING TO NIALL FREAKING HORAN!" she screams and starts pounding her fists against any part of me she can get her hands on.
"Hey, hey, don't worry. He will be over here soon enough and you can meet him in person. I'll even give you his number so you can chat whenever you want," Louis negotiates, trying to pry her off of me.
This catches her attention and she takes a step back from me. "Promise?"
"Pinky swear!"
"Okay," she agrees, and pulls back fully.
I chuckle and straighten from my defensive position.
"Can you guys give Avery and I a minute please?" Louis requests the girls.
They shrug and walk out, closing the door behind them, leaving the two of us in the room alone.
"So, what do we tell the boys?" I ask as he walks back over to me.
"The truth," he shrugs, wrapping his arms around my waist. "We flew to Hawaii a few days early to just get a break, and we will see them soon."
"Okay," I agree, easily, and wrap my arms around his neck.
"Can I kiss you?" he smirks.
"Yes, please."
He laughs softly and leans in to meet my lips with his before Annie's screeching voice from the other side of the door ruins our cute little moment.
"Not in my room!"
I roll my eyes and look back up to Louis with a smile.
"Aloha, Louis Tomlinson."