String of Fate

Chapter Twenty One

"That's a perfect idea." She replied, smiling at me as we tried planning this weekend. She seemed really interesting in coming and it would be great to have my best friend there on my birthday. Especially considering that it was my sixteenth, so, it was a really important one.

My mother replied quickly, giving me a really good message. I smiled at Olivia. "She said you could come if your parents agreed to it. It's a little short notice but can we ask them?"

"I'll message my dad now. He should be free." She answered, grabbing her phone and messaging her dad really quickly. She did a quick sketch before her phone buzzed in her lap, looking a little disappointed at the response that she had gotten. "Dammit. My dad says I can't go because his cousin is coming this weekend for a visit and I have to be there to entertain his kid. This is going to be horrible."

"That sucks. Hopefully the weekend won't be too bad for you with them." I said to her, giving her a sad smile. She looked devastated. It seemed like she had really wanted to come to Scotland with me this weekend. "It's going to suck for us both. We're both just going to be stuck with our families. We're just going to need to be glued to our mobiles to message each other and make sure that we actually keep sane this weekend while our families annoy us to death."

"When you get back, though, Layla, we do need to meet up and go and do something for your birthday. At least next week is half term, so, we could go out and do something on Tuesday to celebrate." She suggested. I nodded, thinking that it would be a good way for the two of us to get over the weekend. "How about we go and see that movie that you wanted to go and watch? That comes out this weekend, so, it should still be showing."

"That's a great idea! We'll have to check the times that it is showing when I get back and go from there." I added. "Friday can stay away for as long as possible, though."

"I know, but it is Wednesday so we've still got a bit of time until half term." Olivia pointed out, making me feel a little better as the bell started ringing to signal the end of the lesson.

Two days later and it was the weekend. I hugged goodbye to Olivia while my parents, older sister, her boyfriend and younger brother piled into the car for the journey to my grandmothers. I was put in the boot as usual, so, I got comfy by slouching and putting my earphones in for the three hour journey to visit my grandmother.

For most of the journey, I either stared out the window, read or slept, making sure to keep my earphones in to listen to the music. To me, the journey didn't seem that long, but, then again, I did sleep most of the way through the whole thing. It didn't seem like long until we got to my grandmothers, who seemed to be waiting for us as she was outside before we had even parked the car in her driveway.

I passed the time in my gran's big cottage by sketching. Well, trying to sketch out my designs into a sketchbook that Olivia had given me. Sometimes, I took my gran's bear of a dog for walks to sketch some of the scenery when the dress designs weren't seeming to be working well for me. The two of us enjoyed it when we went out for a walk. I also took some pictures so I could try and sketch some of the scenery when I got back to my gran's and would give up on the dress designs. I also needed to improve my artwork before my GCSE exam, which I was regretting because I could not draw to save my life.

Finally, Sunday came and I woke up on my birthday with a red string leading from my left hand. I got out of bed and wondered who could be at the end of my string while I got dressed from my suitcase. For some reason, I immediately thought of Olivia being at the end of my string, but that probably wouldn't happen because Olivia would be with someone who was much better than I was.

I finished dressing and headed out of the cottage, sitting on the bench and staring out at the view before me. My gran had a lovely view from her cottage. I could see why she put this bench here. I was out there for a few minutes before my gran came out of her cottage and sat next to me. "Happy birthday, Layla. I have to ask, do you have a string?"

"Yes." I answered simply, not sure of what else to say.

"And you are worried about who is at the end of it." My gran noted. I nodded, not sure of what else to say. It was daunting and I was probably going to worry about it until I knew who was at the end of my string. "Look, I worried that your grandfather wouldn't be at the end of the string because I really liked him, even before the string appeared. When the string did appear, the both of us were extremely happy and I knew that it was perfrect. You will be happy with your destined person. I just know it."

"Thanks, gran." I replied, reaching over and hugging her.

"Now, come inside. Your mother is making breakfast." She ordered, the two of us getting up and heading inside.

It wasn't until the following afternoon, when I got home that I realised that I wanted to follow my string. I dumped my bag in my room as quickly as possible, not even bothering to unpack, and headed back down the stairs. I reached the bottom step, seeing both my parents still in the hall and wondering how I was back downstairs so quickly. Usually, I unpacked in my room and brought the washing down about half an hour later. "Is it okay if I go out for a bit? I want to follow my string."

At that moment, the doorbell went. I glanced at my parents. We weren't expecting anyone today since we had only just gotten back. I went and opened the door, seeing Olivia standing there. Out of curiosity, I looked at her left hand, seeing the string there. I couldn't help it, I smiled. I was extremely happy. "Hey, Olivia. How was your weekend?"

"Could have been so much better. My dad's cousin is so annoying." She answered, walking in and noticing my left hand. She smiled, too. Without saying anything else, I hugged her. Olivia's arms came around my shoulders and she kissed the top of my head. "I love you, Layla."

"I love you, too, Olivia." I replied immediately, knowing that it was definitely true.