"Maybe I miss the sound of your voice and the way you used to look at me with those loving eyes. Maybe I miss your charming smile and your laugh. Maybe I miss the way you remember all the little things. And maybe I miss you.. just a little bit." - I. Toledo
Chapter Twelve
-
THE LONDON EYE. Looking at the time on my phone that was shining in white bright numbers, I saw that it was half past one. The travel to London Eye took me an easy thirty minutes because there wasn't any traffic.
The London Eye was empty. Well at least from my point of view it is. The lights were shut off, and only a few dim bulbs were lighting up the site. I looked around and Zepher, the motorcycle Corbyn and Zach had was nowhere in sight.
I hopped off the motorcycle, heart beating against my ribcage as I anticipated what was to come.
I hooked the helmet on one of the motorbike's side mirrors. I let out a puff of breath, the air turning white was a clear reminder of the cold weather.
I stuffed my hands into the hoodie pockets. I internally cursed myself for not changing out of my biker shorts. A pair of sweatpants would have been nice.
It was already fall. It wouldn't be long until we would be exchanging presents underneath the Christmas tree again.
I felt a pang in my chest as I remembered how different the circumstances now were from a year ago, and the possibility of me having the same Christmas as before was very low.
Last Christmas, Federigo and I were doubled over in laughter, making fun of our two straight best friends who were forced to kiss each other- on the cheeks of course- because they were underneath the mistletoe.
My lips twitched upwards at the memory.
It just sucks I'm going to miss Christmas at home this year.
"Help!"
I was snapped back to reality when I heard a cry of help from.. above me?
I stopped in my tracks and looked up, in desperate search of the familiar voice that cried out for help.
The London Eye was unmoving. I squinted my eyes do it would adjust to the dark properly.
"Help!" The familiar voice cried out again.
My eyes widened in recognition of the voice that's been crying for help.
"Zach?" I called out to him.
Suddenly, a series of bangs from one of the glass booths resounded across the empty streets.
"Lotte? Is that you?" He called out again.
I finally spotted the glass booth. It was the fourth one from the ground, on the left part of the eye.
"Yes!" I shouted.
"How did you get up there?!" I asked loudly.
"Corbyn and I split up to look for you and Jack! I don't know where he went but I accidentally got locked in here when the Eye closed!" He shouted in reply.
So that means Corbyn isn't with him.
I wonder where he could be at this late hour.
I shook my head.
I will worry about Corbyn later.
For now, I should find a way to get Zach down.
I looked around for any way to help the guy. Once I spotted the operator's booth, I grinned.
"Don't worry Zach! I'll get you down!" I ran towards the booth and it was surprisingly unlocked. Geez, London should really start using locks.
"Hurry Lotte!" The boy pleaded, "I gotta pee!"
I shook my head, laughter bubbling up my throat.
Only you, Zach. Only you.
I looked at the machinery in front of me. Buttons upon buttons and levers upon levers were displayed in front of me.
I groaned out loud.
I'm having a very beautiful- note the sarcasm please- day.
After a good two minutes of being crazily confused, a green button caught my eye.
A big ON was printed on it in bold white letters. Beside it was a red button with the word OFF on it.
It was like my day did a complete 180°. I grinned in delight as I pressed the button.
The London Eye immediately turned on, lights suddenly flooded the previously dimmed place.
"Yes!" I cheered ad the light shone on my face.
I waited for Zach's glass booth to arrive at the bottom and when it did, I hit the red button sending the machine to a stop.
His booth's glass doors opened and the boy immediately ran towards the London Eye public restrooms.
Wow, not even a thank you?
Jk.
When you gotta go, you gotta go.
I made my way over to my rented motorcycle and waited on Zach. A few minutes later, the 19-year old boy came out the restroom with relief flushed over his face.
"Where's Corbyn?" I asked, no longer beating around the bush as the absence of the boy disturbed me in more ways than it should.
Zach walked over to me, "I don't know but he took Zepher."
I gaped, "What?"
"I said, I don't know where he is but he took-"
"No, I mean.." I trailed off. "He can drive?"
He nodded, "Yeah."
"Oh." My mouth formed into a small 'o'. Well that just adds to the long list of things I don't know about Corbyn.
"Do you have any idea of where he could be?"
"I honestly don't know." He shrugged.
"He said something about you getting distracted and forgetting about us. By the way-" He looked at me.
"Where were you and Jack? I tried to contact you but my phone died. I thought Bean already found you and forgot me 'cause he has battery life."
"We were at the London Amusement Park." I scratched the back of my head. "Locals here call it the London A, you guys must have confused it for the London Eye."
"Well, your accent does make it sound like Eye instead of A." He laughed.
"Whatever." I pouted, getting on the motorcycle and putting on my helmet. "I'm gonna go and bring you to the hotel."
"You're gonna go find Bean after?" He asked, getting on behind me, wearing the spare helmet I brought.
I nodded, "Yeah."
"But it's like, one in the morning." He argued just as I started the engine. "You should rest. We'll just ask security to find him."
I shook my head no. "It's my responsibility."
"No it isn't." He argued.
"Well, we were supposed to tour London today but I insisted that we go to the London A. I messed up and forgot that I had a stupid accent that made you think it was the London Eye. I lost the both of you." I ranted as we zoomed through the streets of London.
"You were stuck in the London Eye and now Corbyn is God-knows-where!" I snapped at myself.
"It's my fault Zach." I let out a shaky breath. "You were my responsibility and I.."
"I fucked up."
I felt him stiffen from behind me. "Lotte..you.."
Realization set in.
After being clean for months, I did it again.
"You cussed."
I shook my head, chuckling underneath my breath as the cold wind of November hit my face.
"I only cuss when needed." I managed to say.
I felt Zach's chest vibrate in laughter and he clutched onto my waist for safety. "Well was it necessary to cuss just now?"
I smiled as Zach's distinctive fresh chamomile tea scent wafted through my nose in the cold wind of November. His friendly scent made me momentarily forget about the trouble I just caused.
"It was pretty damn well necessary, chamomile."
-
Question of the Day:
How's the weather?