I wake up the morning of the 24th, the day after the last day of exams and the day before leaving for Vail. I smile at that thought. I shower, then put on a white hi-low dress, tying a brown ribbon around the waist. I brush my hair then go stand in front of my suitcase. Realization of what's about to happen hits me, and I crouch down, holding my head in my hands, and scream. I stand up and pace my room.
"There is no way this is happening," I say to myself. "This isn't possible. This has to be some sort of dream. Really, Liv. The domains don't align, the numbers don't add up, the ends are frayed. There is no way this is real. This has to be a dream. I'm calling Kat." I pull out my phone and dial Kat's number.
"It's so early, Liv," she moans.
"It's 9 AM..."
"That's so early!"
I laugh. "So are we really leaving for Vail tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Weird, right? The day came so fast. Are you packed?"
"Duh. Do you even have to ask? I've been packed for days now. My list has been checked off. Are you packed?"
"Ha no. Don't forget who you're talking to. Will you send me that list?"
"Only for you, Kittyfish." I laugh, and I hear Kat groan. "And Alli, but I doubt she needs reminding."
"Call anyways. Otherwise I would feel bad because I'm just now packing."
I laugh. "Okay, okay. I'll send you the list then call Alli. Bye!"
"Bye!" I hang up, then take a picture of my list and send it to Kat. I call up Alli.
"Hey girl!" she says. Alli is always up early.
"Hi! How's the packing going?"
"Pretty well. I'm almost done. I keep thinking I'm going to forget something, but all the items on my list are packed."
"Oh my gosh you made a list too? I thought it was just me!"
"Dude... Parabatai..."
"Oh right right. Oops... Compare lists?"
"Yep! I'll send you mine."
"And I'll send mine. Bye!" I hang up and send my list. I get a pic of Alli's list and compare it with mine. I notice a few things she has that I don't and things that I have and she doesn't. I text her with what I found and pack them. Satisfied, I have a quick breakfast. My phone rings with a call from James.
"Hey," I say.
"Hi. What time is it there?"
"Like 9:30... Have you packed yet?"
"Uh... Maybe..."
"So I take that as a no then."
"I don't know what to pack!"
"I thought you did research," I tease.
"We did! I still don't know what to pack."
"Do you want lists from Alli and I?"
"You make lists? Who makes lists any more?"
"Alli and I do, and we haven't forgotten a single item on trips ever. So play nice, or I won't send you the lists."
"You drive a hard bargain, Miss... I don't know your last name."
"Woods, James."
"You drive a hard bargain, Miss Woods."
"I wouldn't get anything out of my trades if I didn't demand something good in return."
"So will you send me those lists?"
"I don't know..."
"Pretty please? I'll be nice for a week and I'll make sure my room is clean while we're in Vail."
"Hmm...."
"I'll make sure the boys have their rooms clean too."
"I'm not sure..."
"And... I'll do the dishes after every meal," he grumbles.
"Maybe." I laugh.
"Aww, that's mean!"
"I know. But you love me anyways."
"Con sure does."
"What?"
"You haven't noticed yet? He fancies you. And I'm not lying about that."
"Really?" I tuck a portion of hair behind my ear, even though he can't see me.
"Yeah, if you can get it through that thick skull of yours."
"I thought he was just being nice."
"Bloody hell, you really haven't noticed! He blushes and stutters every time you say something to him! He just doesn't know how to say it because he's afraid you don't like him back."
"Are you kidding me? He's one of the nicest people I've ever met. His curiosity sparks my interest. His so honest, but never is hurtful when he tells it, unlike myself. I feel like I can talk to him without it being awkward. I want to spend every moment with him, to protect him from the brutalities of the world. But I barely know him."
"Don't worry about that part. That's what Vail is about, isn't it? I don't think that you'll barely know him for much longer. Or any of us, for that matter."
I smile faintly. "I'd like that. Let me send you those lists, alright?"
"You're the best, Liv!"
"I know. Bye! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye!"
"Actually get some sleep."
"No promises."
I laugh and hang up. I send him the lists, smiling to myself. I brush my teeth and put on grey Converse. I lock the house behind me then drive to the mall to meet school friends for the day.
Connor's POV
When James called Liv, he told us to be quiet because he was putting her on speakerphone so we could all hear. When James first brought me up to Liv, I opened my mouth to say something but Tristan clamped his hand over my mouth. I sat quietly, and fidgeted when Liv said what she likes about me. When she hung up, Tristan removed his hand and I jumped up. Which brings us to now.
"She fancies you, mate," says Brad. I shout and dance around the room.
"She does, she really does!" I say.
"You have to step up your game," says James. I stop dead in my tracks.
"No, he doesn't," defends Tristan. "He only has to be himself, because that's who Liv fell in love with." I shoot him a look. "I know love when I see it, mate."
"Liv loves Connor!" James and Brad chant.
"Wait, wait, wait," Tristan says. "Don't forget. Connor loves Liv too!" They laugh and start chanting that too.
"Ugh, guys!" I complain. "I'm right here!"
"Oh, we know," says Brad. "That's what makes this so much fun!"
"You all suck," I say.
I pull up Instagram and follow Liv. I see a new picture of her making weird faces with some of her friends. I like it then scroll through her other pictures, mostly dance stuff and pictures with Alli and Kat. I see pictures of various animals, including four cats, a dog, a lizard, and a hamster.
"Hey guys, come look at this," I say. They crowd behind me. "I think these are all Liv's."
"Wow," says James. "That... Is a lot of animals."
Brad whistles. "That is almost excessive." We all look at him. "What? It's not like we don't have pets too."
"Wait," says Tristan. "Why are you on Liv's Instagram?" I stay silent. "I can't decide if that's weird or cute."
"Anyway," I say loudly. "Are you all packed? I'm not."
"Not to fear," says James. "Liv sent lists."
"Who uses lists anymore?" Brad asks.
"Apparently, she's never forgotten anything on a trip as long as she's had her lists. Plus, we haven't packed yet, and we forget stuff all the time. So we should pack. We leave tomorrow." We stand up and James sends us all the picture of the lists. We part ways and I go home to pack, saying hi to Harry. I pull out a suitcase and start piling things in. When I'm done, I look at the list and admire Liv's work. I like that she's so organized. I lay back on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I turn my head and see my guitar leaning on my wall. I stand up and grab it, then sit back down.
It hits me, what I want to do.
So that's the day before the Vail trip. What do you think is gonna happen between Connor and Liv? And I promise that there won't be another sad moment. Within the next few chapters. Evil grin. Anywho... Hope you're enjoying the story so far!