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How fun is this Player Next Door mock poster by @narimanabuzeid?  Thank you <3

Chapter 66: Symbol of urgency

Passed out on the couch, on the floor, on the carpet. None of us had made it to bed. We all lay sprawled across Chad's living room when the world came to life around us.

The sun shone brightly over us, creating a glow on the little puddle of drool beside Chad's mouth.

His housekeeper and chef tried to work quietly around our sleeping bodies. I woke up to the sound of a phone ringing. Bianca was lying on Cearra's purse and kicked it over to Cearra so she could stop the noise.

Cearra went from tired to panicked when she saw the Caller ID. She clambered to her feet and answered the phone, "Mom?!"

I'd fallen asleep next to Luke. I rolled over so that I faced him. His eyelids opened slowly and drowsily. I saw his bright blue eyes sparkling in the sunlit room. He slowly sat up on one arm and his other hand gently rested on my hip.

His touch was sending shivers through me, though he didn't realize it.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked him, finding myself smiling simply because he was.

"Because she's f*cked," he said, glancing at Cearra pacing the hallway, lying to her mom again.

"Don't say that," I answered, putting my arm over him. I wanted to hide from the sun in his arms. "How do you look so fresh in the morning?"

I dropped my head against his chest and groaned. I wanted to know the secret. My limbs don't function naturally without coffee.

*15.05*

Coconut water, electrolyte drinks and green smoothies were all over the place. Everyone had their own hangover cure.

Eventually, we had all gotten off the floor. Bianca was lathered in tanning lotion on a sunbed. Austin was skateboarding around the pool area.

I was sitting under a giant parasol doing some math. Joe had emailed me some math puzzles for practice, so I figured I could dabble in it while everyone was doing their own thing.

And if I thought that was weird, I reminded myself that my boyfriend was working out on January 1st.

Austin skated into the pool, diving off his skateboard and into the water. The splash he made caused Bianca to freak out, sit up and throw a magazine at him in the pool.

"Everyone!" Chad's dad yelled out through the open glass door, "Gather in the living room!"

I put my pen down and obeyed. Oma was already in the living room and Cearra came out of her bedroom. One by one, we gathered in the living room. We were missing Luke, so Chad went down to the gym to get him.

I watched Austin sit next to Bianca on the couch. She exclaimed, "Ugh, you're so wet, Austin!"

He smirked, "That's what she said."

That's when Lara walked in, sucking a lollipop. She didn't have a change of clothes here, but she'd borrowed a boy's shirt. I had a feeling it was Austin's.

"She's killing that look," Cearra muttered, pointing out the obvious.

The white button-down shirt was large on her. She'd rolled the sleeves up to her elbows and left the first few buttons undone, revealing her gold necklace. She may have been wearing shorts under the shirt, but they weren't visible. She'd even borrowed Oma's brown belt which she'd wrapped around her waist, to bring shape to the shirt.

Luke and Chad joined a few seconds later, so Chad's father could begin his announcement.

"I'm glad to see you had a fun night last night," Sir Chadwick Senior said, "As you can tell, the staff are working again today. However, I am not done with your punishment."

"I know your flight home is today, but I've arranged for one more activity once we get back," he announced, "Something that will toughen you up."

My expression was so blank that I looked like my college application essay.

Empty.

**

I packed my duffel bag, taking extra attention to fold Nicole's clothes carefully. She had been kind to lend them to me. It's been a whirlwind week in Chad's villa and a total escape from reality. All my worries had melted away in the Dubai heat.

We piled ourselves and our baggage into two cars and drove to an art museum.

"Sorry, where did you say we were going?" I asked Chad, "Because it sounded nothing like the airport."

"We're visiting an art museum on the way to the airport," he answered, "I promised Austin a cultural visit."

I sat back in the seat with the biggest smile plastered over my face. 

Austin was keeping his promise to Cearra's mom, back when he pretended to be the Swedish Roland Chadwick Senior. Adorable.

I caught Luke glance at me with a look I couldn't place.

A few minutes later I had another question: "OK, but since you said art museum, why are we stopping at the marina?" I asked, staring at all the boats lining up on the pier.

"Because of her," Chad said, pointing at Lara stepping out of the other car.

She waved goodbye to us and walked towards a speedboat docked at the marina.

Two guys in the exact same nautical themed outfits were waiting in the speedboat. I guess that was their uniform. One was at the steering wheel while the other extended a hand to help her hop in. She stepped onto the boat easily and without any hesitation. 

"Nice boat," Oma commented as the engine started and the boat weaved out of the marina, picking up speed.

"Boat?" Chad asked, "You mean yacht."

We looked out at the direction the speedboat was traveling in. A massive white yacht was in the open water, glimmering above the royal blue sea.

Oma asked, "Who is she?"

Seriously, I feel like we've been asking this question since we met her.

"Her family is mega influential. They're practically a dynasty," Chad said and checked his phone, "OK. Museum."

*16.35*

We arrived at the museum and were given a guided tour of the modern art. 

Oma took some very artsy photos and Chad adored the artwork. He was up front with the guide, exclaiming oohs and ahs at every piece.

Luke and I trailed behind with our hands intertwined. I liked admiring the art, but I couldn't quite understand it the way the art lovers could.

We stopped at an interesting piece of art that covered an entire wall and even part of the floor. It went for its own dimensions, that I wasn't entirely sure where the art ended.  Maybe that was the point.

"The fish's journey takes on a life of its own, amplified by the changing color scheme of the river," the tour guide explained, "But look deeper at the symbols. The artist has placed modern day symbols to convey-"

"the timelessness of our worries," Chad nodded, obnoxiously finishing the guide's phrase for him.

"And that apple," Oma pointed to a round, red apple on the wall, "That shows temptation?"

"Yes," the guide agreed, "Very astute."

"And is that toilet sign a modern symbol of urgency?" I asked, pointing to a sign at the corner of the wall.

"No," the guide answered, "That's a toilet sign."

"So can I go to the toilet?" Austin asked.

Chad sighed, disappointed by how the conversation had devolved. Austin told him to lighten up on his way.

**

We were running out of time. The plan was for us to leave the museum in a few minutes to head to the airport. It felt like the final countdown to an amazing experience.

Slowly, Luke and I separated from the others. We walked by some artwork, throwing out guesses on what they represented. The further we walked, the closer I got to him. My hand was wrapped around his waist and I leaned against him.

"Minnie," Luke said, taking my attention away from the artwork, "There's something I didn't want to tell you."

"What is it?" I asked, feeling a wave of dread spread over me.

He exhaled and he didn't look comfortable admitting this, "I'm not into big romantic gestures, but I got carried away on this trip. I planned something for you, the same night we had that fight."

"I'm not telling this to make you feel bad," he reassured me, noticing my entire body stiffen, "In fact, I didn't want to tell you at all. Austin pushed me to, but I thought that if I did, it would make you feel bad."

"You cancelled the plans because of our fight?" I asked, saddened by that thought.

"It didn't feel right to take you there crying," he answered, looking down, "I'd messed up and the tone wasn't right."

I didn't want to relive that night, but it hurt even more knowing that he had faced an argument with me with a surprise reserved in his back pocket. He must've been so excited for that night and I unwittingly destroyed it.

"Sorry," I whispered, looking down just as his blue eyes raised to meet mine.

"I realize now that I want to show you how much you mean to me. Time goes by and I do want to make romantic gestures. I want you to know that. I can change and I have."

"You don't need to change."

"I know," he answered, resting his hand on the cape of my neck and gently brushing a loose strand of hair. "We change for ourselves but we can support each other through the change."

Change together, instead of change apart. 

"We haven't had time alone on this trip," Luke added, "But that'll change when we're home."

"It'll be your senior spring," I pointed out the obvious. I was thinking about the future, but so many changes were in store for us. "It'll be your last few months before you leave.  We've been neighbors for so long, but I feel like you're moving out too soon."

There wasn't enough time.  We had only just met.  Really met.  

Where would he be when I had my senior prom a year later?

"Before we get on that plane," Luke said, "I make a promise to relive this experience when we land on the other side. I want to show you how much I care."

"I promise to show you how much I care too," I said.

A/N: Short chapter BUT the next one will be out on Thursday. And it'll have more Luke - Millie time.

Wattpad writers! Tips on 'How to create characters' are now posted on my Instagram. I've also posted tips on writing humor and getting inspiration. Let me know if you have any other requests! I hope it helps.

And please vote :) 

<3 Natalie

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