Page 43 of A Twist in Fate
“Hi,” I say, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. He looks so extremely confused. I just want to run up to him and wrap my arms around him.
“Hi, Ivy,” he says, looking away for a second before continuing. His voice is so quiet it is almost a whisper. “Why are you back? Did you forget something? I'd get Bailey but she's on a walk with Mom and chestnut.”He can’t meet my eyes.
“I didn't forget anything. I'm staying,” I say, confidently, stepping closer to him.
“You're what?” he asks, his eyes widening.
“I'm staying here. I'm not going back home. I'm going to school in Pennsylvania. I want to be with you, if that's okay.” He stands still dumbfounded. My heart rate doesn’t slow for even a moment. I think he is shocked or maybe even expressionless. I'm not sure I can tell. All I know is that this is all I've wanted almost all summer. The ability to stay with him, love him and be with him. His stillness starts to build up my anxiety. I start to ramble to explain myself. “Bailey called me, and she told me that I got into a university here but later than usual and I can start this year. The moment I knew I could be with you, still go to school and follow my dreams, I practically ran all the way here." I stutter a bit as I continue, “I mean I ran through the airport and into my cab. I just want you to know that I want to be with you. The moment I opened that voicemail it felt as if everything changed around me. It was exactly like you had said. It was a twist in fate. I was supposed to go one way back to London, but my fate changed because of you. I am meant to be here, at home. I love you, Lucas. I would do long distance for you, but now I don’t even have to let it cross my mind. You are worth everything and anything," I say, but Lucas starts to stride over towards me. Within seconds he wraps his armsaround me and lifts me up off the ground to pull me closer to him. I laugh lightly in the air, wrapping my arms around his neck, interlocking my fingers.
“Are you sure this is what you want, sunshine?”he asks, looking me in the eye.
“I promise it is. I have never been so sure of anything.” He smiles and pulls me in for a kiss. His lips are soft and passionate as they move against my own. His warmth envelopes me and I feel butterflies radiate in my stomach. His hands lift up the fabric of my hoodie lightly to brush his hands against the skin of my waist and hips, still holding me tightly. He places me down and we break apart, ever so slightly, but he still doesn’t let go of me. It feels as if he is scared to lose me.
“I love you,” I say, through a smile, laughing the words out slightly as he pulls me close.
“Say it again.”
“What?” I ask.
“Tell me again, please.”
“I love you, Lucas Miller. I will tell you that every day from now on." His smile grows wider, and he pulls me into a tighter hug than ever before. “Hey! You have to say it back!” I attempt to pull back, but he only tightens his hold on me if that’s even possible.
“I love you too,” he says into my neck as he holds me, clinging onto my clothes. It is almost muffled but I knew he wanted to say it clearly so I could hear it.
“So, what now?” I am not entirely sure what to do with myself. I probably will be allowed to stay here but I can’t assume until Mrs Miller is home.
Lucas squats down slightly, wrapping his hand round my hips and lifting me up off the ground. I squeal loudly as he moves his hands up closer to waist, walking over to the sofa in the living room. He places me down into the it and moves next to me, lifting slightly, so that I’m lying on his lap. He leans over to the coffee table and picks up the TV remote. Teddy hops up onto the sofa with us wagging his tail rapidly.
“Now, we are watching whatever you want until we either get hungry or are forced to move because when Bailey gets home she may tackle you to the ground out of happiness,” he says and I laugh, like usual.
“What if you don’t like what I put on the TV?” I ask.
“That doesn’t matter, sunshine. I have something better to watch anyways." I laugh again and he looks down at me with a new smile on his face, one I'm not sure I have seen before. It’s more relaxed and relieved.
I meet his eyes, and he whispers, “I am so happy.”
“Me too,” I say, and I wrap my arms around him, putting ‘To All the Boys I've Loved Before’ on the TV. It's one of my favourites.
Within our moment of peace, the door bursts open to Bailey in boots and what I'm guessing is an outfit she rides in. She practically screams my name as she notices us on the sofa. I stand up and walk closer to her but as soon as I do, I am, as predicted, tackled to the floor from a hug. Teddy races up to us, licking our faces the more we laugh. Today has been the best and most difficult day of my life.
I wouldn't change it for the world. I am finally where I am supposed to be.My future has led me here.
EPILOGUE
Ivy
Song 27
Free Now – Gracie Abrams
25/12
I was supposed to attend school 2 weeks after leaving Camp Sylva and I did, but not in London. My parents were apprehensive to not see me often when I told them how much I wanted to stay in Pennsylvania and that while I hadn’t fully planned it out, I knew it was what I wanted. Dad was supportive and so was Mum. They honestly seemed excited.
After less than a week of staying at the Miller house, my parents were standing at the door, holding boxes and bags full of all my things. When they were there, I was handed the letter.
Much like the kiss this letter changed everything. They had spoken to my teachers and I'm not even sure who else because as I had read what it said with Bailey, I honestly stopped listening. “Dear Miss Banks, I am delighted to inform you that you have beenaccepted into the class of…”I was accepted into a medical school, here in Pennsylvania, at a really good school too. I was accepted to go to a college less than two hours away from Lucas and not far from Bailey's school.
