"So when do you want to meet to do this research?" Alex asks me
"I'm free all week... well not this weekend" i say and he nods
"I'm free now" he says
"So am I" i say
"Okay so where do you want to go?" He asks
"Not mine" we both say at the same time
"Maybe there's a cafe or somewhere. I don't know what's around here so your going to have to be my guide" i say
"Okay" he says and the bell goes.
"Let's go"
•
•
Okay this is awkward.
I'm sat in his car as he drives around and my leg won't stop bouncing up and down.
"Can you stop shaking your leg it's annoying" he says
"Sorry, I'm just nervous" I admit
"Why?" He asks
"Incase your some sort of killer" i say and he laughs
"Trust me if I was a killer you would already be dead" he says
"Oh that's reassuring" i say sarcastically with a small smile on your face
"So why are you in America?" He asks me
"I'm an exchange student from London" i say
"What made you want to come here?" He asks me
"I don't know" i say, "I guess part of me wanted to see what life is like in other places and what it's like to live in different conditions. But then again, this is only for a year so it's kind of like a fresh start for a year" i say and he nods
"What about you, have you always lived here?" I ask him
"I guess, I got dumped in a orphanage when I was one. Never known my parents, or real family. Been in and out of homes for years, when you get older no one wants you. It's like adopting a dog, everyone wants the puppies no one wants the old dogs" he says
"I'm sorry that sucks" I say
"It's alright, it's not a bad place to live it. They are all like my family there so it's not bad" he says and i nod
"Have you tried to find up real family?" I ask him
"No, they know where they dumped me if they want me they can find me. Plus if they wanted to see how I am they would have tried, they just don't care" he says
"What if they can't find you?" I ask
"Then it's just not meant to be" he says
"But it's never interested you to take a DNA test or anything?" I ask him
He shakes his head, "I don't care who my family are, and if I do I'll take a test or something when I'm ready"
"Okay" i say quietly and look out of the window
He drives down a small road and turns right before stopping outside of a little cafe.
"This is cute" i say getting out
"My friend owns it" he says and I grab my bag abs shut the door and i fills him into the cafe.
"Alexander!" An old voice says and I see an old woman
"Hello Mary" he says and i smile
"How are you dear?" Mary asks Alex
"I'm good, you?" He asks her
"Very well" Mary says before her eyes land on me
"And who is this?" She asks, "your girlfriend?"
"No" Alex and I both say together
"We're partners on a project for school" Alex tells her
"I'm Ella" i say and she smiles
"I'm Mary" she says, "how about I show you to a table?"
"I love your Cafe" i tell her
"So do I, it keeps me busy" she says
"I bet, I've always wanted to open one myself but never found the time. Then again I'm only seventeen" i say making her laugh
"I love your accent" she says
"Thank you" i say smiling
"My husband was British, he'd make a cup of tea every morning without fail and bring one to me even though I didn't really like it" she says and i chuckle
"Well your husband sounds like he has very good taste is drinks" i say and she smiles
"Oh he did, we built this place together. Just us, he was a builder and I was an interior designer back in the day" she tells me
"Really?" I ask and she nods, "I love interior design, I tried to re-do my sisters room at home but it didn't go very well. At least I can say that I've tried"
"You sound very familiar?" She asks me
"I do?" I ask and she nods
"I just... I don't know where from" she says, "have I seen you on the news or something?"
"I doubt it" i say
My family is on the news all of the time, it's only a matter of time before people figure out who I am by the sound of my voice.
God, why do I have to talk so much?
"Here's your table" she says leading us to a table for two
"Thank you" i say
"What can I get for you? Any drinks?" She asks
"I'll just have a water please" i say
"Alex dear, the usual?" Mary asks
"Please" he says
"It's on its way" she says before walking to the other side of the cafe.
"Your more talkative with adults than people your own age" Alex says
"I just find them easier to talk to" I say and he nods
"So let's get working on this assignment" he says
•
•
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
Luca.
"What's up Luca?" I ask
"What's up!" He shouts and i push my phone away from my face and i smile sheepishly at Alex and i put my phone back to my ear
"What's up Lily! Is that I've almost had mi5 out looking for you that's what!" He shouts
"Why?" I ask
"Because it's half seven and school finished at three and I don't know here you are, oh and the fact that your a princess" he says
"I'm sorry Luca, I lost track of time" i say looking out of the window to see the sun beginning to set
"Where are you? Do you need me to come and get you? Are you alright?" He asks
"I'm good Luca, I'm in a cafe and I'm just finishing up now" I say
"Okay, I'll see you when you get back. And Ahamid is free for a call" he says
I smile, "that's great! Thank you so much"
"The things I do for you" he says and i chuckle.
"Do you mind if I just make a quick call before we finish up?" I ask
"Go ahead" he says
I dial Ahamids number into my phone and step away from the table.
"Hello?" He asks
"Hello! Ahamid it's me, Lily" I say at the other side of the diner
"Oh Lily! Luca called he said you have some questions" he says
"Yes, I was wondering if the villages I visited and helped are okay? Do they need any supplies?" I ask
"They are actually doing very well, the kids have been asking for you. You seemed to have made a great impact on their lives" he says, "the water system is working and your sustainable farming techniques you taught them is also working. They are doing very well"
"Oh I'm glad, I really am. Is there any way I could could out and visit?" I ask him
"No",he says. "Kenya is a war zone Lily. I don't want you risking anything. Last year when your visited was great but now we're at war, I don't want you risking your life. I will give the kids your regards but I'm afraid you can't see them until the war is over"
"Maybe there's a carepackage I can do?" I suggest, "can you give me a list of the things they need and I'll get them to you"
"You've done enough Princess" he says
"Please Ahamid" I beg
"Okay, if it means that much to you. I'll go around and ask them what they need, I'll make sure that you get the list" he says
"Thank you so much" I say
"No, Lily. Thank you, you have improved so many lives here. They will be forever thankful of your work you have done for them here" he tells me.
"Thank you Ahamid" I say, "I better be getting that letter"
"Don't you worry Princess, you'll be getting it" he said and i smile
"Stay safe" i tell him
"You too" he says before hanging up.
I put my phone in my pocket and I sit back down across from Alex smiling.
"What are you so happy about?" He asks me
"It doesn't matter" I say smiling
"Okay, are you ready to go?" He asks me and i nod
"Yeah"
•
•
"Thank you for the ride back" I say
"It's no problem" he says stopping outside of Luca's house
"I better get going, I'll see you tomorrow" i say
"See you" he says and I get out of his car and make my way inside the house.
"Luca!" I say excitedly
"What?" He asks as I rush into the living room
"I can't go to Kenya but Ahamid just told me that the villages are doing really well with the water and farming systems!" I say smiling
"That's great Lily!" Thea says
"I know!" I say, "and he's getting me a list of things that the locals need and I'm going to do some care packages and send them to them"
"That's so thoughtful, if there's anything you need I can help you" Thea says
"Thank you" I say smiling
"Where have you been missy?" Isabella asks
"I've been with Alex working on a project for school" i say
"Wait, Greek God Alex?" Isabella asks
I nod, "that's the one"
"Where did you go?" Izzy asks me
"Just a little cafe" i say
"So a date" she says
"No it wasn't a date" i say
"Did you ask him questions about his past?" She asks
"Well yea-"
"Did he ask you questions about yourself?"
"Yeah but-"
"So it was a date" she says crossing her arms
"It wasn't a date, we got to the cafe and just worked on the assignment" i say
"That sounds boring" she says
"It actually wasn't" i say
"So it was a date!"
"Oh my god" I groan and Thea laughs
"Who's this boy?" Thea asks
"He's called Alex" Izzy says
"He's no one, let's just leave it at that" i state sternly
"Yes your majesty" Izzy says before floating out of the room and i laugh.