Hey, people! Please listen to the song 'Enchanted' from the very movie by Taylor Swift while you read this chapter. It's in the playlist. The feels while reading the chapter is amazing! I couldn't believe this song was so apt for my chapter! What luck! Love you guys!

Enjoy!

[The link of the video is from YouTube and it's made by MusicLife1010].

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Chapter 8: Big Ben Ticks

****Caroline's POV****

"Honey, you okay?" Mom glanced at me worriedly. I grimaced. "Yeah, I'm fine, mom. It's just that...shifting is a little tough for me. I'm going to miss my friends, my school, the people here and..." I trailed of...Kevin. "I totally understand what you're going through. But try coping up, dear. Anyway, you'll be in London for two whole years. Plus, you'll be attending some crash courses for a month that'll help you get to University. It's going to be really good. I promise. And hey, you can visit your friends in the US during the holidays." Mom whispered while clutching my hand reassuringly. I smiled at her. But still, would everything remain the same?

"Ladies and gentlemen, kindly fasten your seatbelts. We're about to take off..." The Cabin In-charge called out as I peeped outside the window. JFK airport looked so vast with all the people boarding different flights. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking..." I huffed and fidgeted with my fingers. This was going to be one long flight. Flight duration, 7 hours and 30 minutes. I pulled out Jane Austen's book, Sense and Sensibility from my bag. This was how I was going to spend my time, I decided. The flight took off and I immediately closed my eyes. I felt my stomach squirm as the plane speeded up. Soon, the flaps were open and we were now gliding in the air. I peeped to see New York in the night. The sight was mesmerising! The skyscrapers, now, absolutely tiny with the streets and miniature cars going on them looked so pretty! Light shimmered from all over and it seemed that the scene was nothing but another galaxy beneath me!

I settled myself comfortably. While reading the book, I couldn't help, but think about Kevin for the rest of the time. It actually got pretty saddening. After we had kissed, I really felt like the luckiest girl on the planet! The guy who liked me was not only breathtakingly beautiful but also absolutely caring, loving and good natured. Plus, who cared if he was blind! He was as good as a normal person to me! Way better than how a normal person was, actually! Unknowingly, I touched my lips and smiled at the memory of what had gone by. After all those years of crushing on him like crazy, I was ecstatic that he liked me the same way too! But what happened after that? We had to part ways!! Why did that happen?! Why couldn't we spend more time together?! Were we not meant to be?? I made sure I would break through all the obstacles to get to him because I wanted him and loved him more than anything!

The question that played on my mind was, 'When am I going to see you next, Kevin?' With that thought, I dozed off to sleep.

+ + +

Constant tugging and calls made me wake up. I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the light and my gaze fell on the piercing grey eyes of my brother. Rubbing my eyes, I slowly sat up and yawned. "And Sleeping Beauty has finally woken up! Thank you, my Grace!" Aaron bowed mockingly and I slapped his head, laughing. "Where are we?" I asked. "We've reached your kingdom, my Grace! Welcome to London!" He teased as he rubbed my shoulders and pointed towards the window. London Heathrow was classy! It was glassy and huge! One of the best airports I had ever visited! This was the first time I was here and I guess I immediately fell in love with the place. The infrastructure was too good with aircrafts lining all over. The dome was perfect and everything that I was seeing gave out the aura of dominion, power and royalty. I was absolutely awestruck!

"Way beautiful it is, isn't it?" Aaron whispered. I nodded in agreement. I couldn't wait to explore London! I was so excited! I looked towards my right and saw passengers getting down the plane. "This is it." I stated, looking at my brother and mom. "Yeah...this is finally it. Dad's waiting for us at the apartment in Kensington High Street. I heard it's awesome!" Aaron chirped. He was definitely as enthusiastic as me but his sentiments towards New York were very limited and long-forgotten as soon as we stepped into this place. I stood up and removed my luggage from the cabinet. We joined the line and got down.

The airport was crowded with tourists swarming all over. While we were retrieving our other baggage at the conveyer belt, my phone suddenly rang. I squealed in delight after I saw the caller ID. I swiftly walked to a private place and as expected, was received with a curious glance from Aaron. "Hello?" I whispered, my adrenaline rushing beyond my imagination!

"Hey, Carol!" The sexy, manly voice replied. I blushed tomato red, if that was even possible. "How was your flight?" He asked after a moment of silence. "The flight was pretty comfortable and I was reading half of the time but then...the thought about you saddened me..." I whispered, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. "I'm to be blamed. I was thinking about you all the time. Maybe that's why you were forced to think about me. I'm sorry..." He replied, regret evident in his tone. My eyes widened immediately. "No! NO! Don't blame yourself, Kevin! In fact, I'm missing you terribly that it actually makes my heart ache..." I shut my eyes and smiled. I was being so cheesy and open! If I had to tell him all of that on his face then I knew it would've been difficult to keep contact!

"Gosh, I like you so damn much and I just don't understand why this bloody thing had to happen! For me to stay away from you! This is not fair at all! The night we confess our liking for each other, the very night we break apart, like poof!" I exclaimed in shock. He chuckled softly on the other line. "You sound so cute, Carol! Gosh! I'm seriously going to miss you! Even I've been thinking about this for quite some time and let me tell you, I've got all sorts of evil plans stocked up in my head." He said, slyly.

I could sense him smirk. Giggling, I asked, "Like what?"

"Well, don't be surprised if Spider Man comes climbing to your apartment window and beckons you to come with him because that'll be me." I laughed.

"Next?"

"Again, you know it's like a disclaimer, 'All the characters in this mission are for real and the one and only Kevin. All damage to get Caroline is completely intentional. Please watch where you're carefully before agreeing. Like, if you're on top of the terrace, I'll gracefully sway you off your feet like Superman."

I laughed heartily and received a few odd stares from the passers-by. I seriously imagined him swaying me off my feet like Superman! It was hilarious!

"And? What else will you do, my Marvel superhero?"

"If you're in the car, I'll pick you up in a jiffy as Iron Man." I guffawed now. "Iron Man? Seriously?" I joked. "Yeah...the car's made up of metal...so Iron Man..." I could sense him rubbing his neck in embarrassment at his lame explanation. He was so cute! Truly my superhero! The two of us chuckled heartily. "Anyway, all I wanted to say is, I wished there was a way I could come see you. You know I'm not socially very active because it's pretty uncomfortable. I really feel like bombarding the airport officials and making a quick run for it to London in whichever flight possible! Well, sadly that can't happen..." He chuckled lightly and I grimaced. "How long should I wait until I see you?" He finally asked.

"I hope to see you during the holidays." I sighed. He huffed. "Fine. But I promise you, no other woman will come into my life ever. You'll always be mine." He swore. I grinned. "I promise too that no other man will ever come into my life and that you'll forever be mine." I sensed him smile. "Did you collect your luggage?" He asked. "Nope. Aaron might have done it for me." I replied. "Aaron?" His voice seemed curious. I giggled. "My brother, you idiot! Jealous already at the mention of a guy's name?" He chuckled.

I heard my mom calling for me. "Hey! I've got to hang up! Mom's calling me!" I whispered in a rush.

"Alright. You go. But listen, you need to promise me something..." I waited.

"I strictly DO NOT want you to ruin your time in London thinking about me, got it? You've got an amazing opportunity out there, so go out, make some new friends, hang around and have the time of your life! I do not want to be the reason for your disappointment every single day! Yes, we'll indeed catch up but don't restrict yourself from having fun and making good memories there." He stated with finality.

"I do miss you, girl, but I can't be the reason for you to not focus on your priorities. When you get time, we'll chat for a long time and you can tell me all about London and your friends and how many guys are tailing around you and I'll device plans on how to punch them straight if I ever meet them...and so on...Is that a deal?" He asked, amusedly. I thought over it and smiled. He cared about me so much! "Yeah...that's nice! Deal." I agreed. "Okay. Bye then. Take care!" He wished. "Bye, Kev! You too!" Saying so, I made the sound of a peck and giggling, hung up.

I walked towards mom and Aaron, smiling ever so brightly. Digging my hands deeper into my jacket's pockets, I asked, "So shall we?" My mom grinned at me somehow knowingly and Aaron looked sceptical. I ignored him but he made me acknowledge his presence by slumping my luggage in my hands. I scowled at him and he smirked like the diva he tried to be. We took the coach to Kensington High Street. The place was crowded with people and it was pretty commercialised. Kensington High Street normally had people working for the London's European Embassies and my dad worked for one of them. That meant that the people here were filthy rich.

The ride was 45 minutes long. We got off at Earls Court Rd. The people here were a beauty! With their blonde and auburn coloured hair, I loved their accent in particular. Unlike us Americans, they spoke slowly and with the most stylish accent. But yes, their way of speaking wasn't as colourful as ours. We walked our way to Kensington High Street. The shady trees swaying with the breeze above the pavement was really calming. We stopped at the apartment called Kensington 103-125. We opened the black gate which was a bit tinted with rust and made our way towards the main door.

Well-chopped gardens lay by our sides and the chirping of the birds was melodious. My father was living in a really comforting neighbourhood! I opened the main door and entered. An antique glimpse of the building welcomed me.

"Ouch! Watch your step, Aaron!" I glared at him. "Sorry!" He whispered and carried his suitcase while climbing the stairs. Sportive as he already was, he climbed really fast. I was no less sportive and towed behind him. I climbed a bit slower to help mom.

Our flat number was 103 and there we stood in front of it with the smell of grilled bacon wafting right from the inside. My mouth watered in anticipation. Dad was always an awesome cook! I knocked on the hook and heard the scurry of feet. I heard the clanging of the chain being unlocked and the door opened revealing a handsome young man wearing a polo shirt and jeans. "Welcome home, family!" Dad pulled Aaron and I for a bear hug and I squeezed him tight in return. "We missed you!" We said in unison, our voices muffled.

He beamed at us, his grey eyes piercing. "I missed you too, loves!" He then pulled mom and kissed her. All of us giggled in joy. "C'mon in. I've been waiting for so long for you guys to arrive and finally you've come!" Dad said as he walked into the kitchen. The house was spacious and it already gave the 'holy-home vibes'. It felt so comfortable like I actually had been living here since Adam! An arm brought me closer and I felt a kiss planted on my forehead. "You like it?" Dad whispered. "I'd. This is going to be good!" I cheered and kissed him on the cheek. "Good. Now, go and get fresh. You need to eat and then...we're going to have some fun!" He chirped, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "Alrighty!" I exclaimed.

I opened the curtainsand looked outside. The view from here was full of lush, evergreen trees. Ismiled goofily at the thought of Kevin. "My Marvel guy, I really really like you!I won't be surprised if you come as Spidey!" Saying so, I laughed and walkedover to my family. I was surely going toenjoy London and fit in just like how it ought to be.