"REVERSE. REVERSE. AND colour change. Uno!" I exclaim throwing my last card down like a boss.

"What the fuck?" Aaron groans double checking the pile.

"Fifth win, baby. I am unstoppable."

"You cheated." He grumbled tossing his cards up so they fluttered around the room. "Rematch."

"Nope." I pop my lips and give out a faux sigh. "I am a little too tired of winning."

He scoffed rolling his eyes at that. "Don't be a snob."

"Don't be a sore loser." I winked retorting. My legs felt like someone had lodged pins in them. This feeling of pins and needles has been nothing but horrendous. Well this after sleep paralysis of course.

I got up with a grin seeing Aaron still trying to trace the pile. For someone who admitted they did not give a shit about the game they sure do have a grudge.

It was nice of him to relay my mind off the text the blackmailer or whatever the fuck they are's message. I did not want to respond for I could not.

I hope you have fun - Anonymous.

I did not know what that meant or even wanted to know the possibility of damage behind those five words. The five million they want is not easy to recruit without getting anyone involved.

"Hey, Weston?" Aaron called looming against the doorway where I picked up the mess of cards.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to Annabelle's this Saturday?" His words were slow and deliberate and I couldn't help but keep my smile hidden as I straightened up.

"Sorry but I have to go with Liam tomorrow." It was true he keeps me updated every now and then about the day. To be fair his excitement might just be sprinkling a tad bit on me. Free food is always a beautiful moment.

Aaron frowned clenching his jaw. "I don't like his intentions."

I shrugged. "It's just a-"

"Date? It sounds precisely like a date." Aaron grumbled raking a hand through his hair. "He does know we're dating right?"

I chuckled at him. "I think your last scene made that pretty clear. Plus it's just an outing. He knows we are fake dating Well kind of." I wasn't really sure what Liam actually interpreted us but I wasn't going to deny or accept his thoughts.

"Supposedly." Aaron said twisting a ring around his pointer. "I still don't like the guy."

I patted his shoulder with a sympathetic look. I'm just too special for everyone to be shared. Life is tiresome when you're the centre.

Sarcasm was present.

"You know I've been thinking ..." I started.

"Shit." Aaron teased falling on his bed.

I rolled my eyes and flipped him off. "I should start a job. You know they have a cafe in the school grounds and they pay fairly. I could use my salary to load up the account." I explained sighing.

"Or you can just make a Venmo and pay him." Aaron suggested to which I scoffed.

"I'm very capable. I already added one million in with the money my mother left me. Now that four million is going to be a headache."

"I can give you two million, Weston. Seriously I'm loaded enough to not have a dent on my account."

"No. Firstly, you have quite an ego and secondly, I do not need anyone's help but my own. I'm entirely blessed to be able to work and make my money myself. Plus the thought of such loans scares me to death." I muttered knowing I had to pay back my mother one million dollars. I could only imagine paying five million.

Aaron shuffled and sat on his bed his elbows resting in his knees as he stared at me taking a seat on his chair. "You don't have to pay me."

"I won't have to but if I was in that scenario I still would've."

"I wouldn't take it." Aaron smirked.

I rolled my eyes crossing my arms. "I would give it to you to whatever extent. It could be by simply handing it to you or shredding it and ejecting it through needles in your body. Your money is yours."

Aaron let out a laugh shaking his head. "You're something."

"I'll take that as a compliment." I mused switching my phone on. I was beyond surprised to see a message from someone I'd least expected.

Hey Bryce,

I have no idea what I'm writing this for or what I expect to happen when you see this but... I suppose these are times when you take a shot at things.

Miles and I have been going through a rough patch and I just feel entirely lost as if I've lost a lot.

I was never good to you. Come to think of it I was a monster to you and your mother. For three months you've been nagging on my mind and I can't help but feel guilt on how I treated you. It's unapologetic.

I'm sorry. For everything. My mother had left me and my family and made a crease on all of us. I took it the worst because she promised so many things but cut them all out when she cut us off. We went to England to visit her and there I found she was already in an affair two years into my father's marriage.

I broke at that point and I realised just then how the world lied to us. To me. And even then I took my anger out on people who were there for me yet I was still being rude as I was hung upon those who did not.

So I would like to apologise for everything and then more. I was never a good person but I will put my heart on the line for things to come. I will be a stepsister that you need and I want.

Again I feel like a fool writing this. I can't begin to think your expressions or feelings but... I don't know.

- Louis

It took me a whole two minutes to process this fucking message.

Fucking hell.

Louis is pregnant.

The smile that burst through my face could have lit the world. "You look like a fucking Cheshire Cat. What's up?" Aaron asked unsettled as I mulled the text over again.

Shakily I walk to his bed and lay down next to him. A giggle left my mouth. "Louis is pregnant." I whisper.

"The twin yeah?" Aaron asked as I nodded. "That's wonderful. She texted you?"

"Not explicitly but I know it. I know she's pregnant Aaron. No wonder she's been all close with my mom and now this. She and Miles are having a baby." I exclaimed at the reality. I hoped Miles would get his shit together considering he was now becoming the father of Louis's baby. They have been dating for three years now so I have no clue where they stand but he needs to be there for her. "I think I just found out how I'm going to spend my holiday!"

Aaron furrows his eyebrows perplexed.

"I'm going to London." I announced sitting up. I always wanted to go to London. The city of double deckers and old stoned houses. I loved it just by thinking about it.

"You've going to... London?" Aaron said more or so to himself then me. "As in 24 hours away from here?"

I nodded with a grin. "I mean I need to be there for her. Emotional support and all. Miles needs to get a hearing or two from me. And- and I'm going to be an aunt. I think." I scrunch my nose thinking about the family systems.

"But you're going to come back right?" He asked staring at me.

"Yeah. I'll stay there for two weeks of the vacation and make it just in time for school." I rambled. "I should start packing and find a ticket ASAP. I don't think my mother or Jake know about this." I said getting up and texting Louis that I'm coming to London.

Aaron got up slowly and confusedly. "When are you leaving?"

I looked up from my phone with a smile. "I'm just checking that right now." I murmured scrolling through possible flights. "The nearest one is tomorrow at midnight." I told him. "I'll book that one."

"Should I come?" He asked peering over my shoulder.

"It's alright. I wouldn't want to bother you with anything." I sincerely said. I did not think he'd have any fun or anybody in that matter in London. The only person he'd remotely have is me and I don't think he'd appreciate being locked in the same room as me.

"Alright. Then let me help you pack." Aaron smiled at me but I felt a weird guilt of sorts fill in me seeing as it didn't meet his eyes.

...

"Are you sure you don't need a spare toothbrush as well? I have three." Aaron shouted from his room.

"No I'm good." I half laughed at his worry. It was honestly a change from his ignorant ass but I would not complain.

I folded a coat and warmer dresses seeming as London would be rainy and cold throughout autumn. I chucked in some sweaters, lingeries and necessities in for two weeks.

Louis was beyond grateful and excited for me to come to the point where she paid for my ticket. Both of them. I had honestly lost it but I let it slide. Progress of sorts right?

"Your shoes. Both sneakers and slip ins." Aaron muttered stuffing them in making me roll my eyes.

"I think we're good now. I'm only going for two weeks, Mercer." I drawled sitting on my pudgy suitcase and fiddling with the zipper to shut it close.

"That's fourteen days, Weston." He told me. "Which is a lot of hours."

I poured at him squishing his face in my hands. "Aww is Aaron Mercer going to miss me?"

He swatted my hands away and straightened his hoodie. "No. I'm just going to be pissy that no one will be here to give good coffee and movie recommendations. That's all."

"Sure, Mercer. Sure." I flicked his nose. "Though Owen can help you out with that."

"The only thing that guy remotely watches with interest is those Irish peppa pig videos." Aaron muttered exasperatedly.

I laughed out loud at that. It was true. Owen kind of extracted an accent from the swearing too. "Reuben's there."

"He'll make me listen to some violin music and sat there depressed and peacefully with me."

"How is that awful?" I arched my eyebrow at his grumpy face. "Come one they're your best friends."

Aaron rolled his eyes in turn. "I suppose. Yeah."

"In the bright side you'll have the whole dorm to yourself so Ava or whoever you get will have the whole treatment." I winked chuckling. "Just not in my room please."

Something in Aaron's eyes shifted. "Don't worry about that. Nobody will be here."

I shrugged. "Cool. You can go to there place too. No biggie." I plopped down from my suitcase pushing it back so I had enough room to lay down and under the blanket.

Honestly Aaron could do whatever he wanted when I wasn't here... technically. It didn't matter, right? I don't care on what he wishes to do. We're fake dating so... yeah.

"Right." He said tightly looking at me as if I was supposed to say something. I just gave him a thumbs up.

Perfect save.

"London is going to be magical." I sighed smiling into the mattress. "I always wanted to live there ever since I was little."

"Why?" Aaron asked perching on the corner of the mattress.

"Hello firstly the weather there is exactly what I like minus the sad side of having no sun. But the buses and the fish and chips sound awesome. To me personally. It's Harry Potter's hometown plus have you seen the boys." I gushed thinking about all the hot people. I could list them all off and off.

"Boys?" Aaron piped up. "Why? They all are bland."

"Says you." I scoffed. "Have you seen Harry Styles?"

He rolled his eyes. "You're going to London to look at its boys?" He chuckled.

I smirked up at him. "Who says I'm only looking?" I mused. I mean it could be them looking at me too.

Aaron tensed at my words and I immediately regretted them for making him feel uncomfortable. But wasn't he already...

An awkward silence gaped between us like thin ice. I felt like squirming but that would just and more awkwardness. "So..."

"So...?" He said back swallowing.

"Tomorrow it is then." I smiled knowing exactly what I'm going to do after Liam's dinner. Probably get drunk and listen to London Boy by Taylor Swift because it is everything. I could not wait to see Louis. It would be months now. "Well now farewell my friend I need my good sleep." I shooed Aaron away who grumbled and walked away.

I immediately slept into my soft pillow rejoicing the fact it was an afternoon and no school was there so I could sleep.

And then I slept dreaming about a certain someone who I would rather regret having dreams about.