Something Like Fate (editing)

Chapter 9 - It's Like I'm Backstreet Boys And He's 'N Sync

To say it was a beautiful day was an understatement. The sun was out, despite it only being early February, and so I decided to take advantage of this rare bit of good weather by wearing my bright red maxi dress, despite the assertion of the girls from the club that red was so not my colour. I don’t think I’m going to be taking fashion advice from a girl who’s so mentally unstable that she would go around boasting about sleeping with Drew. You got a hormonal teenage boy to sleep with you and I hardly think that counts as a meaningful achievement you can stick on your CV.

I decided to walk all the way to Lindon Park in order to enjoy the cool breeze blowing through my hair, which for once I decided to leave down, and had to side step all the pushchairs and people who had taken a day trip to the posh part of town. Lindon Park was renowned for being in an area where houses had large, menacing gates outside to stop us common folk from barging in and was just so quintessentially posh that it probably confirmed foreigners’ misconceptions about us. You know, because we all pop into Buckingham Palace on our day off for tea and crumpets with the Queen and go on dates like the Made in Chelsea poshos to art galleries where we stand around going ‘yah…his work was fantabulous…yah,yah’ – you’re lucky if he buys you a bag of chips around here.

As I walked into the park, following the stream of the clear blue river, I took in the tall trees which provided shade for visitors and the line of excited children that stood at the ice cream man’s van while unrecognisable music played in the distance. I was unsure of how I was going to spot where Drew was due to the fact that the park was as big as Kayne West’s ego when I saw a tall figure sitting near the gardens that were adorned by the most beautiful and colourful flowers. As I neared I realised it was Drew, who was sitting on a ragged blue blanket that looked worn out, and I had to stop because it was such a strange sight - Drew was sitting there, his feet planted in front of him and his hands at his side holding up his body, with a serene expression gracing his face as his eyes were shut. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking about that caused him to let down, what I assumed were his defences, for one moment.

I awkwardly cleared my throat to make him aware of my presence and his eyes snapped open. His green eyes looked over me and once again I hate how self-conscious his scrutinising gaze made me feel. I stayed up half the night watching old episodes of The Inbetweeners (who in their right mind would change the channel?) and I knew I didn’t have bags under my eyes, I had suitcases. I steeled myself as his eyes met mine and I wasn’t surprised when he smirked. It was getting more awkward by the moment as neither of us said anything, almost like there was an unspoken challenge.

“Hi,” I said carefully sitting down on the blanket and turning over to look at Drew.

“Hi,” he said at last. “Thanks for coming.”

“It’s ok,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair because I was sure it was all over the place. “So tell me what you want to know about Dina.”

Drew laughed. It was a proper laugh, not his usual condescending chuckle. “I see that you’re straight to the point as usual.”

“Better than wasting time by forcing conversation,” I said rather unwillingly as it made me sound all stuck up.

“Well then, I suppose you think that sharing these chips I got would be a waste of time,” Drew decided, revealing a bag of chips next to him that caused my mouth to water. I could see him smirking as I gingerly put my hand forward to grab one. The temptation was too strong as the golden, crisp long rectangles called out to me to devour them and I was more than happy to oblige.

“No, I can make an exception,” I said as I took a big bite of the salt and vinegar soaked chips that made my mouth sting.  

“If you’re sure that you can handle it,” Drew teased, grabbing a chip and putting it in his mouth, as he placed the bag in between us. As he popped in the food into his mouth, I couldn’t help but notice as his face morphed into that of bliss and how his tongue licked the remaining taste from his soft, pouty lips.