Page 22 of A Twist in Fate
“I just want to ask you something. Are you sure you want to go to nursing school next year and all that? I'm not asking you to stay, I just think it sounds more like what your parents want than what you do. You said that they wanted you to go into the profession they are in. I just think it is important it is what you want.” A smile blooms on her face, one that I really did not expect. I had expected this to be an uncomfortable situation. I had expected her to blush and change the topic of conversation.
“Yes, I am sure. While nursing school was not entirely my idea, I love everything I have learned so far. I've loved working for it, and I don't regret it. It is my dream. I think it makes sense where you are coming from, but I definitely want to do this now. It is my choice and I'm happy with it. Did you know from the ages three to nine I asked my parents if I could be a nurse or doctor for Halloween?”
“Okay,” I say, trying to ignore the deep knot forming in my stomach. If she is happy, then there is nothing I can or want to do to stop that. I wanted to be with her especially when I thought that we had a chance because she didn't actually want to go but she does. She is happy. She wants to leave. “This one here is the store. It has everything.” As we walk in, I hold the door open for her and try to turn away the feeling that is holding a weight over me.
“What are we looking for?” I ask.
“Literally just loads of snacks. Charlie asked me to get food for my birthday as they wanted to do something,” she says.
“Okay. Let me lead the way.” We walk down the isles picking up snacks left and right. I am about to take her down the aisle with all the chips, but I am suddenly stopped by the sound of a voice in front of me. Dammit. Angie. I have been able to avoid most people and their ability to snoop into my personal life today but now, I am going through one of the worst.
“Hi Lucas!” she yells, running up another aisle towards me.
“The chips are down there. Pick up anything you want. I'm just going to talk to Angie quickly," I whisperinto Ivy's ear, rushing to get her away from Angie and she skips off down the aisle, blushing ever so slightly.
“Hi, Angie. How are you?” I ask Angie, after she pulls me into the tightest hug of my life.
“I am okay, you know, same old life here. The church service ran on, and I was late for opening and then Jim got mad. Anyways, your mom told me I might see you around here soon and I wanted to talk to you about my niece, Carla.” My mind struggles to absorb all the information I am learning at once. Angie talks ridiculously fast. “She's coming here next week, and you know I always thought you would be adorable together, so I wanted to ask you if you wanted to take her out?” My mind instinctively travels to the brunette scouring the shelves down the aisle as she carefully picks up a pack of popcorn, ensuring none of the other bags on the shelf fall from their space. As if she felt my eyes on her, she turns her attention towards me and gives me a small shy wave that I return.
“Oh, never mind. Your mom didn't tell me you had a girlfriend, Lucas! If I had known I wouldn't even have mentioned it. You must introduce us,” Angie says, and I quickly whip my head back round to her.
“What? No. Ivy is not my girlfriend. She is Bailey's friend. She's just a friend and she's leaving for London inlike a couple weeks so even if I liked her, it definitely would not have worked out." Angie stays silent and gives me a knowing look. “What?” I say, nervously, reaching my hand up to scratch the back of my head.
“You just seem to have thought about that lot. You are blushing, sweetie and that beautiful girl really likes you.”
“It's really not like that.” I feel my face grow redder. This never happens. Ivy is the one who blushes. I do not.
“You say that, but I have known you since the day you were born. Your heart is reserved for this girl, Lucas. Fight for her.”I almost laugh at her words.
“I can’t, Angie. We have to get back to camp so I will see you soon," I say, walking away quickly, trying to escape the same thoughts that have been running through my head, rapidly.
“Hey. Sorry about that. Are you ready to pay?” I ask Ivy, as I meet her side. Her hair is tucked behind her ears with small pieces flowing in front of her face as she looks down at the two packets in her hand. Her waves are starting to come back despite the water that held them down when we left the water earlier today.
“Almost. Chocolate or Toffee popcorn?” she asks. “I love toffee but I have never tried chocolate so maybe Ishould get that.” She looks up at me holding up the two packets and confusion on her face.She looks between the packets again and I pretend to study them.
“I know. Get both.” I quickly snatch both popcorn packets from her and slip them into the basket she is holding, before taking the whole basket from her hands to hold it for her.
“Hey! I can do that!” she says, trying to reach around me to grab the basket.I move it away every time she does.
“I already told you. I know you can carry it, sunshine. Just let me do it. I want to. Trust me, I will not drop it,” I say, walking over to the tills. I was also relentless about paying and gave her the same speech I had minutes before. I want to soak up all the time I have with her while I can.
CHAPTER 11
Ivy
Song 11
Spring into summer – Lizzie McAlpine
18/07 (Ivy’s Birthday!)
Mom: it’s your birthday here! Call me when you can please. I hope you have the best day.
Dad: we miss you so much. Call us soon. Happy birthday sweetie.
“Ivy.” A voice pulls me from my sleep, and I instantly recognise it as Bailey’s. Both her and Abby are squished next to me after she insisted, we have a sleepover for the night before my birthday. I open my eyes to the darkness around me and turn over onto my side to face her.
“What?” I whisper, closing my eyes again but when I do, she kicks me in the leg lightly. “Hey! What thehell? That hurt.”
