Travel 11. Hello London

Vanessa P. O. V

Year : 2014

Location: London. Alternative.

I have never seen so many stars before. The skies were intensively dark, and Orion would appear above me. I could smell the fresh air.

I always knew that Orion is the most common constellation because it's the one that lasts longer over a night. I could imagine him as a very handsome man that could make my desires into reality.

But I needed to be cold headed. I wasn't in the position of dreaming anymore.

She was there, lying in the hospital cot. Her precious brown skin wasn't there anymore. She was about to be yellow. So pale and skinny. Her eyebrows and her hair were part of my fondest memories now. The only thing that I can't control when I'm with her, is pain. The pain of seeing her like that.

My phone rang.

-How is your mom doing?

-She is fine. Why are you calling?

-Could you please, just stop being like this?

-And how does Mr. Stabler want me to be? Flirting? Kind? I told you I'm not interested in you at all, yet you keep stalking me.

-I just want to help...

-I don't need it. I don't need your help.

And I turned off my cellphone.

He is so annoying. I told him million times I don't need his money. I don't need it because I have it. Because I earn my own money. And there's nothing to do anymore. Chemos are not working. My mom is not advancing. Her health is getting worse and so is my whole existance. If she dies, I'll die with her. I don't care anymore.

-You need to sleep. Tomorrow morning is the Royal event- said Ms. Hills, the head nurse in charge of my mom.

I scoffed.

-I can't sleep at all. This is too much for me.

-You know, I always know the solutions to your problems- and while smiling, she gave me a cup of tea. The ones that made me sleep.

I took it and smiled back.

-You need to talk to that guy- she said, looking at my phone and blinking at me.

-I have nothing to tell him. In what can he help me? In nothing. And you know that.

She took my hands and put them in hers.

-He can make that heart beat again. I can see that. You are the only blind here.

I didn't respond to her anymore. She just told me that in two days, it was going to be my mom's chemo session. She needed to sleep, and if I wanted to do a great job tomorrow morning, I must sleep too.

Slowly, I started to close my eyes, thinking about my future. I can't see myself with anyone now. That guy is a top singer. To date a journalist would make me the point of a scandal. And in such a sexism world we're living in, I rather be alone than with him. Besides, he can choose any girl. Literally all of the girls are drooling for him, wishing to marrying him and God knows how many creepy stuff.

Adding the fact that the kid has quite reputation, I mean, he has dated Tanya Sanders and Kaya Jones, and God knows who many more. I ain't getting there.

And I'm getting tired of this because he just got my phone number without me even knowing. My boss thinks that because he is part of some nonsense band I'd like him to have my number. That is so private and yet he had it. It's annoying, completely annoying. As if his popularity attracts me. It makes me despise him even more. I don't know if he is doing this because he thinks I need his charity or what.

The real and only thing I need in my entire life is my mom back. And that's unlikely to happen, ever. And that breaks my heart. What am I going to be without her?

And out of nowhere, I finally fell asleep.

Georgia P. O. V

Year : 2020

Location : London. Reality.

My heart was beating so fast. Delia was sitting on the sofa, extremely pale with big eyes. She couldn't take her eyes off of some girl who was standing next to Oliver. Probably a new girlfriend, I don't know.

Delia started to say so many things that had everything except sense. All she has done was fighting with Sunny, and Alexandra just got in the middle, Delia touched her necklace and puff! They were gone, except that Sunny was in this living room. And, according to Delia, this girl name was Nirvana, not Sunny.

And some sparks would round the necklace.

-I need you to stop watching so much Barbie movies, would you?- asked Harlow, very sarcastically.

This can't happen at all. Alexandra is like a sister to me. I learned to love her a lot, why would she just disappear without saying a word? Her mom has already call the cops but she is nowhere to be seen or heard.

And if something happens, I know Harlow it's going to die. We were all sick worried about her.

-Are you sure you don't have a twin out there? - asked Derek.

Sunny rolled her eyes.

-Yes, I'm very sure about not sharing a mom with anyone else.

Then, Michael and Greg came in the living room, all wet. It was raining.

-So, anything new? - I asked.

-Nothing. We've been looking everywhere. Ms. Viccario went to Alsager with Alexandra's dad but nothing. She literally is nowhere to be seen.

-There are still many cities we haven't gone yet, so there's a lot to do- said Greg.

-It's my turn now. I'm taking Anwar and Derek- said Harlow.

-I want to go to- I said, and so did Delia and Becky.

-Me too. If you let me- said Sunny, a little shy.

-The more the better- said Becky. Delia didn't even bother about her.

-Fine. The guys and I are going to Bath now. You can go to Barlaston. I know that she have family there too- said Harlow.

-Call me, Arlo. Please, just call me.

And I kissed him on the cheeks.

Once out, it was cold. Rain wasn't there anymore, but we needed to get back to the house and prepare something hot to drink while traveling. From London to Barlaston is about 2 hours, nearly 3 on train. We must get warmed up.

-Is everything all right, Georgie?- asked me Michael, realizing I couldn't content myself.

-I'm just really scared. What if something bad happened to her? Delia was so delusional with what had happened really.

-Calm down, okay? If Delia knows something, she'll eventually going to say it. She won't shut it.

-Delia never lies when it comes to her feelings and things related to Alexandra. I know her, she is saying the truth- said Oliver, joining our chat when clearly, no one has invited him.

-I don't know if you notice that no one fucking wants you here- I said. -You pathetic teenager who plays around with girls' feelings, making them fighting each other over you. Because of that, Alex is missing now, when you should be the one to get lost.

Michael was surprised by my attitude, and to be honest, so was I.

I know I'm already 30, but the naughty shit he has done to Delia really deserves so much hate.

I have known Delia since she was a little girl, and even Becky is madly angry with her brother.

-This is not my fault in any way... -started Oliver.

-Know your place or I'll kick you out of my house- I said. He gently went himself towards the door.

Greg came from the kitchen with two cups of tea. It was to relax ourselves.

-You were kinda hard on the kid- he said, giggling.

-I really can't stand him. It's immature? Indeed. But I can't help it.

-It's a teen, he doesn't know what he wants yet- said Michael, drinking a little.

-It's time, we should leave now- I said, grabbing my coat while drinking all of my tea. Sunny and Delia were having biscuits, clearly thinking in everything else than in themselves or the fight they had.

It was evening, getting late by the time passing. We needed to grab a train soon. But something inside me was telling me to not go there, that it could be a waste of time.

"I need to try" I thought.

-Are there any news?

My mom just arrived. She has been looking around with Bill, my step dad.

-The girls and I are about to leave London for a while. We are heading to Barlaston, but first, we decided to eat something.

-Why there? Is very far away- said my mom, worried. - And where is your brother?

-He went to Bath with Anwar and Derek. We'll be fine mom, please.

Becky grabbed Delia by her hand, and Sunny and I were the last ones to leave the living room.

Samantha P. O. V

Year: 2015

Location : London. Alternative. Spain under British Kingdom.

"Turn around

Look at what you see

In her face

The mirror of your dreams"

"Flying high, and flying with you". I was reading something romantic, something very meaningful. What does it feels like to have a boyfriend? To have someone next to you? Listening to romantic songs and being in such a hopeless romantic girl is devastating. My heart feels like I'll never have something like that, ever.

I tend to feel bored about guys that approach me, and I think that I might never, ever, stand liking someone for any longer than a month. But with George, everything is so different. He is the only one that I've liked for two years now, besides Hayden Stabler, of course. I have liked that boy since I was like 9 or 10 years old.

But talking about real and possible love, literally it seems that Hayden would notice me first than George. Which is killing me slowly. George is my first love and I'm dying in devotion to have my first kiss with him. However, he wouldn't even look at me, and if he does that, it's only to see me as a little girl. And I hate that. He is just 3 years older than me. I can't believe that in a parallel world I'm not with him but with Hayden. Was that even real?

I hadn't heard of them anymore. I should have accepted to know Hayden. Even if it wasn't him.

-What are you waiting for? Let's go girl!

Sophia was looking good. She always do so.

-Coming!

I put my book down and got off the room. Sophia was wearing a pretty pink jacket and jean. I was with a floral dress. We needed to pick up some guys from the airport. To be honest, I wasn't sure if this was a good idea. I still am not sure.

The guys are exchanged students, and my parents and Sophie agreed on this. I don't like strangers too much, but our house is big and I hope not to be around these boys.

-You know how they look like? - I asked Sophie while in the car.

She laughed.

-Girl, they are Koreans, how do you think they'll look like?

-I know how Asian people look! But anything... You know, distinctive.

-Well, I just know their names. And I'm pretty sure there won't be many Asian people in the airport. Is not time for tourists yet.

-Have you seen pictures of them?

-Social media is quite huge. I indeed searched, but I don't know who they are. A lot of dudes have the same name as them, so I don't really know how their faces are.

-And do you think they'll be pretty?

Sophia looked at me.

-Sam, are you going to try hitting on them if they are good looking?

I raised my shoulders.

-I could try.

And we both laughed.

-They are older than us, probably in their legal ages. So let's not have problems.

I was only 13. Sophie was 17. So if they were between 18 years, and even though we like them, given the case... It will still be illegal.

Hold on. I am trying to keep away from them. Because I don't like strangers at all.

Suddenly, Sophie's phone rang. She forgot her ear phones, so I got the call and put it on speaker. It was my mom.

-Honey! Come back again. The guys are already here!

We looked at each other, surprised.

-What do you mean, mom?

-They arrived in here since they didn't want to disturb us from picking them up to the airport. So just come back.

She hang and Sophie was a little annoyed.

-They indeed disturbed me my making me drive.

She hated to do so. She just have driver license because my dad obligated her. And in 3 years, I'm also going to drive too.

-I even got pretty and all. What a waste of time- said Sophie, still complaining about it.

-Well, the guys will see us soon, and of course they'll realize how pretty and charming you are- I said, smiling.

Our relationship was the best. Of course, our fights are historical, but overall we really get along. We are far from being the perfect family, but at least we are a happy one.

When we arrived at the house, it seemed that we were the ones who they were waiting for. Like if we were the students.

I felt something inside me when I saw the two boys and my parents, all together in front of the house.

It looked like the boys belonged in this family. Sophia also realized that. Her expression was of confusion and at the same time, of... Cuteness?

We got in the house, and the Koreans just gave us their hands. Both of them, in my opinion, extremely handsome.

-Hello! My name is Gwon Yung, really nice to meet you - said one of the guys. He wasn't that tall, but he had a beautiful smile. A gummy one. And his eyes were extremely... Slanted.

-And I'm So Joo, very nice to meet you- he said, this time, he stretched his hands.

So Joo was a little taller, his lips were red, even more than mine. Maybe he was wearing lipstick? And his whole mouth had the form of a heart. His eyes were round. I found him very... Pretty. But for some reason, Gwon was even prettier in my eyes.

-They wanted to greet you girls, and as I said, they didn't want to disturb. Let's head to the table now. It's lunch time- said my mom.

-In the meantime, girls, you can show the boys their room- said my dad, to which we agreed.

-How was the travel? - asked Sophia.

-How old are you guys? - I asked.

-Does any of you has a girlfriend? - asked Sophia.

And we laughed. They look at each other, a little confused.

-Not so fast. My English is not that fast- said Gwon, a little ashamed.

-It's fine, I can help with that- I said, and smiled. Sophie noticed that and I know it won't be long for me to have her in my back.

-I'm 19, and he is also 19, but I'm 3 months older- said So Joo.

-And we don't have girlfriends- added Gwon.

-Neither do we- I said, and Sophie kicked me.

-She meant that we don't have boyfriends. I'm 17 by the way, and she is 13.

-Thirteen!- exclaimed Gwon, and So Joo told him something in Korean. * -Too young- whispered.

-Is Korean a difficult language?- asked Sophie.

-For them is the easiest. Maybe because they are Koreans- I said sarcastically.

-It's very entertaining once you know how to romanize.

They started to unpack their things. The room was made for guests, and many family members had stayed there. It was a big room, with lightblue walls and white stripes. It had two beds, a big closet and a television. Also, a round desk, so that they can have space. They were meant to stay here for a year. For some reason, I think it's going to be more than that.

-Guys, lunch is ready! - exclaimed mom.

We all went down to the dinner room, and we promised the boys we would help them to organize their stuff.

*In the dialogue, Gwon exclaimed Sam's age because he thought she was older by her looks. So Joo told him "She is thirteen years old (그녀는 열세 살입니다 - Geunyeoneun yeolse salibnida (pronunciation-romanization)", since he thought that maybe Gwon understood the number 30. He perfectly understood the number 13, but he was just surprised.