The Valley of Kings and a Queen

Chapter 5

"May I ask what the hell are you doing here" I yell

Aiden covers my mouth before I can continue my yelling fit. "We could get caught if you continue to yell at us"

"You're really finally worried about that after all of this?"

I'm not sure what happened to the knife and chalice, but at this point nothing can really surprise me.

"We best be on our way now" Finley asserts. We head towards the window we all came through and use the rope to get down. We're running through the grass when an alarm sounds. Are you freaking kidding me? Couldn't the alarm go off at the beginning of this mess? The boys and I hide in a bush as a couple security guards run past. We bolt to where Grey parked his car.

"Wait how'd you get here" Olivier asks.

"I kinda drove your car here" I reply giving him a reassuring smile. He gives me a look that says "keys".

"I'll drive you to Olivier's car. Everyone hurry and get in."

"No I'm not getting into a car with you psychos"

"If you don't, California barbie doll, you might end up arrested. Get in and we can explain later. No time to fight" Grey pulls my arm, and we jump into the car. I direct Grey to Olivier's car parked on another street.

"Where's my explanation"

"Okay barbie and boys, we'll talk tomorrow. It's 3am. Olivier best be taking you home". I look at my phone. Twenty-three missed calls from mom and another dozen from Mr. Chapman. I'm screwed.

"Fine I want to meet tomorrow and talk about this"

"Sure, I'll text you," Grey says.

Olivier gets me to hurry and drives as fast as possible. "Just tell them you stayed out late with Ellie and Kate, my dad will understand. Tell them you went home with them. We had a miscommunication and then I remembered I needed to drive you home so I came to do so"

When we get home, we are greeted by not so happy parents. Olivier explains the situation casually as if it just happened and it's nothing to worry about. His dad was happy he made it home, so all was forgiven.

"Next time just tell me dear" my mom hugs me tightly and sends me off to bed.

I pass out in my bed too tired to even change into my pajamas. I wake up the night morning around 12 in the afternoon realizing my alarm clock had been going off for a couple hours now, but I pressed snooze one too many times.

I wake up head to the shower enjoying the warm water run down my body waking me up. Every drop of water slowly wakes up my memory. Olivier driving me to the party with his Indie music playing in the background. Arriving at the party a little late. Grey's house. The smell of booze and cigarettes. Music blaring. Kate and her posy teasing me. The GQ coming out from the shed clearly a little crossed. Following them out the back gate. The history museum. Scaling that wall – I can feel the soreness in my arms from the climb. My bloody palm. I look down in the shower to see where the cut has begun to heal. The voices coming from the boys. The fight in my own mind. Hiding in the bush. The three am drive home with Olivier silent as the wind that night. That was not a dream but reality. Or was it?

I quickly finish the rest of my shower. I blow dry my hair fast and throw on some ripped jeans, a t-shirt, and my white sneakers. I run to Olivier's bedroom door and start pounding on the door. He opens the door in the process of throwing on a t-shirt. He's still in his boxers and his hair is ruffled. He looks hungover, and I'm sure that's how I looked earlier this morning too.

"Isn't a little early for you be banging on this old chaps door California"

I push him through the doorway, and he clumsily falls back onto his bed. I haven't ever actually been in his bedroom. There's basketball jerseys scattered across his walls. Some Jersey's I don't recognize probably British or European teams but who's to say. The rest are names I do recognize: American basketball stars. Steph Curry. Kobe Bryant. Lebron James. His wall is also decorated with medals from all kinds of sports. He has posters of Ronaldo and Beckham – I had no idea he liked soccer or in his case football.

"I feel as though you owe me an explanation" I say coming out of my daze, "about last night" hoping his memory will come back or did he have too much to drink to even remember the museum part. Or am I just going crazy?

"Oh yeah," he chuckles "I think it's best if Grey explains that to you. He's better at explaining that kinda stuff". That kinda stuff as if this was a normal Friday night for them. What did I get myself into?

"Well tell him I want to have a nice chit chat"

"How about the lads, me and you all meet at four this afternoon at Dulwich park. I'll send the chaps a good ole how's your lovely morn going, wanna grab the tea and crumpets this afternoon with our California gurl text" Olivier jokes. "I'm a little knackered right now, so I think it's best for us all to get some sleep. We can take my auto and leave around a quarter until four"

"Fine"

"Can you shut my door on the way out?" he pleas.

I quietly shut the door as I exit his bedroom, turning around just to see Mrs. Snob at it again.

"How do you do Holly?" I say, pretending to care.

"Heard you left Grey's party a little early. Kate and Ellie were asking me where you went". Surprised they weren't asking where the gents were. Actually, Kate probably just wanted to make sure I wasn't with them.

"Just hung out with the lads for a little while then I went and got some sleep for this lovely day" I say with a pressing smile.

"Well, I have a late lunch to get to. Planning for the cheer season!" hip hip cheerio I think to myself trying to suppress my own laughter.