A silver mist of silk fell over London the next morning. It was the first thing I noticed when I woke up, stretching my toes out.
My phone read, ten to six.
I could already hear my mom faintly move about the practically non-existent kitchen. I can't remember the last time mom slept in. I could bet that Emmett and Madison were both still sound asleep on the floor or sofa, after spending the end of the night fighting over who sleeps where. Obviously, Madison won after I heard Emmett groan before I fell asleep.

By 10 a.m., all four of us were walking through the bright colors that was Convent Gardens. It was unusual cold for a September day.
Emmett was behind me, as if he was herding sheep.
Suddenly the shift of the wind, and there he was, standing perfectly beside a taller man, older but wise.
Of course Corey had another three blondes beside him.
His personal groupies.
It's as if he sensed I was staring over towards his direction, suddenly, his eyes met mine.
I panicked, reaching for my mother's arm a little too tight with my nails, causing her to whelp in pain. Madison jumped with fright.
Along with the shock and horror, they all turned towards us as the noise travelled over the gardens. Mom being Mom at that moment had to say a little too loudly
"Hey! Watch it Antoinette. What is the matter with you!"
I felt my cheeks turn bright red, as I tried to use my hair as a shield, letting in fall around my shoulders as I turned my head away from him. I wanted to run away and hide from the embarrassment.
That was his queue, of course it was!, Corey, with his arms behind his back and a soft ese –walked towards us. My cheeks felt hot again, turning more red, my mouth going dry, as I nervously flicked my hair to the side. The liquid scarlet was not helping my cheeks at the moment as I cursed Joesph's genes.
"You know; this is the second time we have met. If you wanted to talk to me. You could start with Hello"
My cheeks felt flushed again. I could feel myself turn bright red with embarrassment.
"Hello. Nicole Kriwszki-Tóth" Mom said, reaching out to his hand. She was matching his formal stance.
Since when has she used Joseph's full surname?
"Corey Meckle" He whispered back. Corey was smiling at my mom, very charming as always, and I couldn't help and wonder if that was meant for me?
"Meckle?" mom butted in.
Corey strengthen back up "Yes. I know, an unusual surname."
Mom being my Mom, smiled like a little girl as Corey stood beside me. She saw something and this time, I was hoping she was right.
I glance up at Corey. His height was impressive. I could feel an electrical pull and before I knew it, he matched his glance with mine – his eyes were mirroring mine.
Blushing, a little embarrassed that he caught me staring. I turned away, hands behind my back but secretly thanking god that I looked better this time.
"I wouldn't mind if I joined you on your strolled through the gardens, would you?" Corey whispered to me, his voice in my ear.
I shook my head. I actually didn't mind.
He turned towards his groupies, "I'll be walking with Antoinette and her family. I'll catch up later with you ladies"
Of course you will I thought to myself, a little jealous.
The blondes looked engaged and shocked, as if they had been all slapped in the face with a fish. Their eyes like needles and directed at me as they turned towards the exit.
Corey smiled at me as we walked side by side, Mom, Madison and Emmett walking a few paces behind us.
"Maybe we could go to Calla House? It's very beautiful and their food is to die for.... I read" Mom said, her voice travelling behind us.
Corey turned to her, polite and calm.
"Sounds good to me Mrs. Tóth. Please, lead the way"
All four of us merely followed the excited woman as she charged ahead.

The wind whipped around us as we made our way, I quickly pulled my jacket closer to my body. Mom was in front of me, pulling the door to Calla's open as the warmth greeted us.
The hostess straightened up, smoothing out her aprint as Corey walked. A Normal reaction? and I was starting to click on.
"A table for five" Corey said, reaching his hand up in the air, making a five motion.
The hostess batted her eyelids, looking all doe-eyes towards Corey. He ignored her as she personally led us to our table. It was cozy – with its emerald wallpaper with gold panels and plain wooden chairs.
Very 1920s – Calla was the at high of English society back in the day. Even King George V of England dined here with his wife.
The hostess handed us menus' and quickly left.
My nerves were getting to me, I couldn't look at him, just stared at the menu in front of me. – the noise around us of chat and teacups clinking did not help me focus
Suddenly I noted the table to the right of us an older gentleman staring, his much younger wife was pointing at us with her fake press-on nails.
"Are you famous?" I whispered, leaning towards Corey. He glanced back towards the staring patrons. Suddenly he was nervous, looking down at his tea.
"Of sorts, well my family is" he was very vague – it annoyed me, I don't like the lack of information.
"Whose your family?" I tried not to sound eager, trying to causally look down at the menu for the third time in this minute and focusing a little too hard on the section of salads.
Before he could answer, the waitress came by. She was doe-eyed and preppy as we ordered. I made a mental note to now call her Little Miss Skip.
I felt self conscious about ordering a vegetarian burger and fries. So I just ordered a caesar salad and a Diet Coke. Mom noticed, rising her eyebrows towards me as Corey glanced his eyes down at my now clean fingernails.
I thought I saw his month switch in a soft smile as he ordered a cheeseburger and fries with a beer. Emmett tried ordering the same, minus the beer with Mom quickly scolded him.
"The fries we can share. I'm a good sharer" Corey leaned over towards me. I couldn't help but smile as he winked back.
He was very good at making me feel like it was just us two in the whole room.
"Where are you from Corey?" my mom finally chimed in. She was obviously now acting as my chaperone.
Corey turned his head towards my mother, his hand brushing my thigh ever so slight. Madison's eyes widen. She listened with genuine interest as she turned her attention away from her phone to Corey.
"I'm from a small country in Eastern Europe" he was very vague. I noticed he was almost careful.
I wanted to ask more but Little Miss Skip came our way with our food. Edward placed the fries between us with one fluent moment as he smiled, quickly grabbing a fry and popping it in his mouth.
"Not hot?" I giggled taking a bite of my salad.
"Not at all" he smiled, but hinting of a little uncomfortableness.
"Liar" I giggled again, taking a slip of my drink.
He beamed at me as I continued eating, letting the chatter around us fill in the silent comfortableness.

The afternoon continued and I found myself walking side-by-side in Hyde Park. Mom, Emmett and Madison had gone to the Tower of London for a visit.
I had no interest in going. Corey offered to walk with me around the park.
"So where are you from Antonia?" Corey said, looking over towards the low sun
"My father's family is from Hungry. I was born in England. Norfolk to be exact but I've lived in Cornwall since I was seven. It's just my mom and my siblings now. Joseph left years ago" I said, a bit nervous. I was screaming on the inside, knowing I overshared.
"Interesting family" he said, his attention on me. I shrugged, feeling awkward. 
"I'm from a broken home too. Mom in Germany and father running the family business with his new wife. I have a lot of siblings"
I smiled. I knew he was trying to rebound my over share.
"Well we better get going. I need to get ready for class tomorrow" I whispered, feeling meek under his glaze. He thought for a second
"Ok. I guess I'll see you around campus. Come, I'll walk you to the train station"
I smiled as we walked together, Corey easily keeping up with my strides as the cool September evening winds swirled around us.

I arrived home to a ambush of Mom leaning against the hallway. She was eager as her voice followed me around the room. She wanted to know everything about after they left, so much so, I soon realized she might have a crush on Corey himself.
My lips were sealed for the rest of the night.