Three Thousand Miles To You

by Delia Longford

  Sophie is home earlier than I had expected tonight. “You are home early?” I say as she walks in through the door. “Dan had some family emergency he had to go deal with so here I am” “how is everything going with you two?” “Everything is great alanna I really like him” “I am pleased to see you so happy” “speaking of happy you don’t look so happy these days alanna is there something going on?” I wish I could tell Sophie everything. “No I am fine” “are you sure? I have never seen you look so pale have you been sleeping ok?” “Not really I takes me ages to fall asleep and when I do I have nightmares” “what is causing you to have bad dreams?” “I am not sure I am a little stressed right now about class and stuff” “are you still in contact with Adrian?” “Yes but we had our first fight tonight” “what happened?” “I did something that he asked me not to” “what did you alanna?” “It was silly and I would rather not get back into it, he hasn’t talked to me in four hours!” “Alanna I know you have feelings for this guy and I know I said I was happy for you but I am getting concerned now?” “Why?” “It seems to me that he is controlling you” “what would make you say that?” “You never seem to go out anywhere anymore you never see your family and you spend all your time with his step brother it all seems a little weird alanna?” “It’s not I have just been showing Michael around and I am going to make plans to meet up with my mom” “even so you have changed it’s like you are someone else with him!” “I am not I am still me I have just grown up more that’s all it is” “I don’t see you growing up all I see Is sadness when I look at you” “I am not sad I couldn’t be more happier with Adrian” “tell me this why don’t you see him?” “he is busy all the time he doesn’t get a moment to himself” “but surly if he cared so much about you he would make time to come and visit” “he would if he could” “you seem like he is the air you breathe I just hope he feels the same way about you!”. I lay on my bed as I hear Sophie run herself a bath. The talk I just had with Sophie has just confirmed that there is no way I could ever tell her the truth.

  Morning arrives and I wake with a jolt out bed to hear my phone buzzing. This time it’s not Adrian but it’s my mom. Before I open her message I check to see if there are any messages on my white phone but there is still none from Adrian he must still be mad. I open the text from my mom to read,

  Alanna I will be in the city today I would love it if we could meet up for a coffee it feels like forever since I saw you last let me know mom.

  My mom is right it does feel like forever since I last saw her so I quickly reply,

  I know it has been ages just text me the details and I will be there all my love alanna.

  I look over to Sophie’s bed but I see that she has already left. So I get out of bed and go into the bathroom as I look at my reflection and I see that I really look rather bad there is no way I can let my mom see me like this, so I jump in the shower as I feel the hot dripping water on my back I can’t help but think of Adrian and the way he is acting, I know I pushed the boundaries by talking to that man but I really do feel that he is taking it a step to far. I switch of the shower and step over to the mirror once again. I rummage through my wash bags that lay on the counter I find some under the eye dark circle remover I pop on a few drops and begin again to look for more products to make myself even look a little bit presentable. I use some blush and glowing moisturizer and then do my eyes. Finally I blow dry my hair and apply some lip gloss. I get dressed in my best as I don’t really want to hear fashion advice of what I should and should not be wearing from my mom. I put on my best skinny jeans and a black fitted button up shirt and for the first time in ages I put on my loubotins. I grab my bag and head out the door to Michaels room. I knock once on his door and I can hear voices scurrying around so I knock again I still hear the voices but no one comes to the door. I slowly open the door and make my way into the room. I enter the room and what I see I knew was coming but it’s still awkward to witness Right there in front of my two eyes I see Katharine standing over by the bathroom wearing one of Michael’s shirts she is shocked when she sees me and she tries to explain. “Alanna I am so sorry you had to find out this way” “Katharine its fine really there is no need to be sorry” “are you sure I have been trying to keep this from you because I wasn’t sure of how would take this” “Katharine its fine I just came over to talk to Michael for a minute is that ok?” “Of course alanna and thanks again for understanding” “no problem” I say as I take Michael to one side. “Have you heard from Adrian today?” “No I don’t think so but I have been a little busy so I haven’t checked my phone” he says looking over to Katharine with a huge smirk on his face. “You look nice today are you going somewhere?” “Yes I have plans to meet up with my mom that’s what I was coming over to tell you” “can you wait till I get ready?” “You are not coming with me?” “Oh yes I am! After yesterday do you really think I will let you out of my sight again?” “How am I going to explain that to my mom?” “I don’t care but I am coming with you” “no you are not! I won’t talk to anyone I won’t do anything” “I don’t trust you alanna” “please try I need this time with mom I haven’t seen her in so long please let me have this” “you are really starting to annoy me you know that” “is that a yes?” “You keep your phone on at all times you answer all my calls and you text me when you arrive and when you leave is that understood?” “Yes thanks Michael” I say and I give him a kiss on the cheek “go on then” he says a little embarrassed. I see my mom walking in the door and It hits me how I never realized how much I had missed her. With her short blonde bobbed hair witch is never out of place. Her exquisite taste in fashion my mom always wears dresses even when she is cleaning the house or taking out the trash. My mom is always immaculate in everything she does to way she walks to the way she talks even when she is arguing with someone she remains elegant and a full of class. Something I have always tried to take within my being but never have I stayed so cool and refined as my mom. ”darling it’s been so long” she says as she greets me with one kiss on each cheek. “I know it seems like it’s been forever” “how have you been my dear” “I am fine mom and how is dad? And people?” “They are fine although they are missing you like crazy since you moved back to the city Tell me how is college? “College is good” “and Sophie how is she after everything with chace?” “Sophie is great she has a new boyfriend now Dan he is so good for her he is nothing like chace and that’s exactly what she needs” “that’s wonderful and is there any boys on the horizon for you?” “Mom don’t start!” “I would like to see you with someone life is too short to spend it alone” “I am not alone and to answer you previous question there is someone” “really who?” “It’s this guy I met in London “I wasn’t aware that you met someone in London tell me what’s he like?” “He is amazing but different from everyone here”. “Good different?” “I believe so” “tell me more.” ”what does he do?” “He owns his own company” I see my mom’s face light up and a smile is plastered on her perfect face “fantastic and what does he look like?” “You have never seen someone to beautiful” “has he got dark hair or fair?” “His hair is a light chocolate brown his eyes are green and he has the most exquisite skin tone. “Is he tall, short?” “No he is tall very tall in fact I think he is around 6”3” “he sounds wonderful and does he treat you right?” “Mom he is so caring he wants to protect me all the time is like he controls me but in a way that is so UN controlling if you understand what I mean?” “No I don’t really but I have never seen you this way before you really seem like you love him” “I do so much but I have never told him that” “then you must if he is as amazing as you say then don’t let him get away? “Don’t worry I won’t!” I really love this time I am spending with my mom she has a way of making me laugh and not take things so seriously. I can’t say that I feel all that well though as I sit and chat to my mom I get an almost dizzying feeling everything seems to be spinning and I feel so warm. I try to focus my eyes at my mom
but everything is just a daze. My head starts to thump and I can’t keep my balance and I fall to the floor! “Oh my god alanna” I faintly hear my mom say I try to respond but words don’t come out, “help someone help” my mom shouts. “I will call an ambulance miss don’t worry she will be fine” I hear someone say but I can’t see a thing. I try again to speak as my mom gently slaps my face trying to get me to wake up and respond. I still hear the panic in her voice but it’s starting to fade everything is going quiet and slowly I feel myself falling into a deep sleep!

  Chapter 17

  “Where am I?” I think as I open my eyes half and I see a big room with pure white walls there is a smell like chemicals it’s too bright so I close my eyes again. I try to shift myself up in the bed but I feel to tiered and drained that I can’t. Instead I try to open my eyes fully but it’s hard everything I see seems to be filled with a thick haze. I close my eyes and open them again and “who are you?” I say I can’t really see who it is all I can see is a black suit. “Alanna it’s me” I hear in a soothing voice. Has hard as it is to see clearly I can still make out who it is my eyes come into focus and its Adrian I see. “Adrian are you really here?” I have to ask fearing that this is all one of my dreams. “Yes I am here alanna but please try to relax don’t sit up I will go get the doctor” “Adrian please wait, where am I?” “You are in the hospital you passed out while you were out with your mother but don’t worry you are fine you just need to rest so please lay back down and I will be right back” “okay” I say laying down. Not even thinking about me and the fact that I am in hospital my mind spins and all I can think of is Adrian He is really here I am talking to him and he is not just someone on the other end of a phone. I can’t help but think is he still mad at me? Why would he come to New York is he here to tell me that it’s over? Adrian comes back in the room this time he is not alone there is a young woman doctor and she is carrying a black folder. My mom is also with them. “Miss Hart how are we felling?” the doctor says as she walks over to my bed side. “I feel a little tiered and maybe a little drained am I ok?” “Yes you are fine but however you have suffered from exhaustion” “How long have I been here for?” “you came in a few hours ago I need to run some tests and hopefully we can let you go home” “okay” “I understand that you probably want to spend a few minutes with your family so I will give you a moment before I send in the nurse to have a look over you” “thanks” I say giving her a smile. What I see next is so unreal I cannot believe my eyes. Adrian walks over to me and gives me a soft kiss on my forehead Feeling a pang of excitement I quickly glance over to my mom who is standing at the back of the room with her arms folded her cheeks are stained from her tears. I feel so guilty for her having to deal with this. How she must have felt seeing me lying there on the floor of the coffee shop. I remember the panic in her voice the way she screamed out for help. That thought will stay with me forever. “Alanna you really frightened me are you sure you are feeling ok?” “Yes mom I feel fine I am just tiered” “I don’t understand where all this has come from have you been overworked at college?” I can’t tell my mom the truth that I haven’t been sleeping because I am scared for my life. “I guess so class has just been getting a bit much and I have been studying way to hard staying up late and not sleeping much then waking up too early I guess It has just took its toll” “alanna you must look after yourself” my mom says taking hold of my hand. “I will mom”. “Mrs. Hart is it too much to ask if I could please have a moment alone with alanna?” Adrian says staring my mom in the eye. “Off course not I will go get some coffee and phone your father he is going out of his mind with worry”. Adrian gives my mom a nod of thanks and she makes her way out the door. “Alanna I am so sorry” Adrian immediately says. “Why are you sorry you didn’t do anything” “it’s because of me you are here in hospital” “no its not it’s my own fault I have not been sleeping, you mustn’t blame yourself” “but I do I am the reason that weren’t sleeping you were scared and I can never forgive myself!” “You have to listen to me Adrian none if this is your fault” he gets closer to me and he bends his head down to my level. “Alanna can you ever forgive me?” “There is nothing to forgive! How did you know I was in hospital?” “Your mother rang your friend Sophie and she told Michael when I heard all I could think of was getting here to see you!” “I can’t really believe you are actually here I have longed to see you for so long” “I feel the same and your beauty to me is breathtaking” “now I know you are lying I look a mess and you look so perfect” “I am not perfect you only have to look long enough at me to see that” “but you are and I am nothing compared to you” “alanna you are too good for me I don’t feel that I am anything” “don’t be crazy”. “Excuse me miss hart I am Rachel I will be carrying out some tests on you today” the very pretty fire haired nurse says to me all the while she is glaring at Adrian. “No problem” I say keeping one eye on Adrian to see if he is looking at the nurse in any way. But he is not he is just standing next to my bed looking at me I can’t help but wonder what he sees in me after all he could have any girl he wants what is so special about me? He turns to look at the nurse and I see her almost stumble when she sees him face on. “How long do you think alanna will be here for?” the nurse can hardly speak but she manages to pull herself together as she says “I will run a few tests and if everything is clear I will write up the report for the doctor and hopefully she will discharge her as soon as possible” “ok If there is anything you need alanna I will be just outside please take good care of her miss she is my world” Adrian says flashing the nurse a smile. The nurse can barely keep herself standing straight as she watches him walk away. “You are a lucky girl that is the most gorgeous guy I have ever seen where did you find him?” “We met in London” “I have always wanted to go to London what’s it like?” “It’s amazing”.

  After the nurse is done with all the poking and asking me questions I just feel like I want to go home. I have had enough of this hospital I want to get out and I want to be with Adrian. Once the doctor comes back I am up and now trying my best to show her that I am ok so she will let me go. “miss hart your tests have all come back clear however I do feel that you need some time to rest so I suggest that maybe you go away for a few days and take some time to yourself” “I was just thinking about going back to the dorms do you think that would be a bad idea?” “yes I feel that it would after all if that’s the environment that has brought the stress to you then I do firmly suggest that you stay elsewhere for a few days” “alanna would you like to stay with me?” Adrian says trying to sound cool but I know there is a touch of anxiety in his voice as to what my answer might be? “Are you staying here in New York?” “Yes I have suite at the Chatwal hotel you are most welcome to join me!” “I would love to but I would have to stop my dorm to pack a few things is that ok” “off course my love”.

  As I sit next to Adrian in the cab ride back to Columbia I stare at him so much that I think that my eyes are going to fall out. I knew when I first saw him that he was beautiful but now it’s like I am seeing him for the first time and seeing his beauty for the first time again. his hair so thick and pushed back his eyes green and alight his strong jaw the way he raises his eyebrows when he speaks the way that his lips move he is just mesmerizing to watch and I can’t help but find myself lost in his demeanor. I don’t even think of what his secret may be I am just so glad that he is here. When we walk in through the doors of Columbia it’s to a gaping of everyone in the entirety of the building staring at Adrian. Every girl every boy everyone can’t help but stare at this tall handsome stranger. I pause as I go to open the door. “Adrian if Sophie doesn’t seem happy that you are here then please don’t take it to heart she is just looking out for me ok?” “No problem I will play nice” he says and he can’t contain his smirk. I walk into the room and I am greeted by Sophie Katharine and Michael Adrian holds back until I am safely through the door. “Alanna are you ok we have been so worried!” Sophie says as
runs over to me and grabs me. “Yes I am fine please don’t worry” Katharine also comes over and gives me a hug Michael on the other hand just gives a quick nod and says he is glad I am ok. I break free from my friends embrace to have a look to see where Adrian has gone I turn around to him standing right behind me. “Sophie Katharine this is Adrian” “wow” Katharine says as she can’t contain the smile that has plastered her face I shoot her a friendly glance and turn to look at Sophie who looks like she is going to cry all the while I think she can’t get over Adrian’s looks. She finally manages to tear her eyes away from him to say “I have heard so much about you it’s nice to meet you” “likewise” Adrian says as walks over to her and takes her hand and gives it a little kiss. The look that is on Sophie’s face is priceless. She can’t hold back her smile I am sure she is taking back every bad thing she is ever said about him. “alanna I will leave you a moment to gather up the things you need please take your time I will be just outside, Michael a moment please” “where are you going” Sophie’s says with a worried look on her face. “I will be staying with Adrian for a few days.” “In London?” “No at the Chatwal hotel he has a suite and the doctor thinks it would be better for me to rest there” yes I am sure she does!” Katharine says not holding in her laugh. Adrian and Michael head out the room and I am left with Sophie and Katharine staring at me with disbelief in their eyes. I don’t know if they are thinking good things about Adrian or if they feel that he is not lived up to the hype. One thing is for sure they are just as much under the spell of his looks as I am. “Alanna that is the most beautiful man I have ever seen he looks so wise and strong how old is he?” “twenty five I know he looks older but he has been through so much that it makes him seem older than he is” “what has he been though?” Sophie says I feel out of the two that Sophie will be the one to have something negative to say. “He had a rough childhood his father left him when he was two and his mother wasn’t the best.” “How did he manage to make it as a business man where did he make all his money from?” “He was adopted by Michaels father Mr. Jenkins he showed him how to deal in business and by the age of twenty one he had his own company” “he is so dreamy I just can’t help but stare at him” Katharine adds. “You can’t just look at that what if he was a psycho?” Sophie says with ice in her words. “He is not a psycho Sophie really you have stop doing this” “doing what being honest? You don’t really know him alanna and you are swanning off to some hotel with him what are you thinking?” “I’m thinking that I need to get away I need away from all the pressures of college and this guy that I do know and that I do love his here in New York and I am not sure how long for so yes if it’s a crime that I want to spend time with him then I am as guilty as sin!” “Alanna what has gotten into to? I am just trying to look out for you I am telling you that there is something about that guy that’s weird!” “Sophie I don’t want to have this argument with you so if you will excuse me I am going to get my stuff.” I go over and throw a few things into my carry bag. Why is Sophie being like this? Why is she so against Adrian? Is she jealous? What is her problem? I really can’t handle this right now I just need to get away. I walk back into the hallway and I see Adrian and Michael talking over by the lockers there is a flock of girls crowding them so I make my over and push through them. “Can we go now please?” I say to Adrian not even looking at Michael “is everything alright?” “Yes it will be when I get away from here!” “I will call you later” Adrian says to Michael and we start down the hallway. “Are you are ok?” “Yes well no its Sophie” “what happened?” “She just has to put a negative impact on everything if she is not the center of attention then she is not happy!” “I am sure that is not true isn’t she your best friend?” “She was but now I am not sure a best friend wouldn’t go on the way she does” “what does she do that annoys you so?” “She won’t accept the fact that I am with you she feels your weird and she doesn’t like you!” “You really shouldn’t let that get to you a lot of people don’t like me” “that may be but she is my friend and she should at least make an effort to get to know you before she judges you!” “maybe that’s what’s wrong maybe she doesn’t want to get to know me maybe she feels like you are too good for me the same way I feel” “are you started with that again please if you don’t stop saying that I will kill you and not the people that’s chasing us!” “Wow words of anger I haven’t seen this side to you its sexy!” I roll my eyes “Ha” I let out a laugh and Adrian and I get into the cab.