Accidentally Yes Read online

  Accidentally Yes

  Copyright © SL Walders, 2020

  First published 2020

  Published by Amazon KDP

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a database and retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the owner of copyright and the above publishers.

  Accidentally Yes

  Walders, SL

  For Bub.

  Thank you to my amazing followers and friends from Chapters-Taptales, Wattpad and Inkitt. I would never have had the courage to publish this if it wasn’t for you.

  CHAPTER ONE

  ****************

  You know those moments in life, where someone is talking to you and you just aren't paying attention? Your mind drifts to thoughts of work, taxes, will the interest rates go up, do I really need those shoes I bought today, is that hot guy checking me out or does he have a lazy eye? You get the drift. But, the person keeps talking, not knowing that your mind is somewhere else entirely, and at the end they ask you a question. A question you have no context for, a question that requires an answer you aren't equipped to provide. And, that's when you realize that you hadn't listened at all. So, not wanting to appear rude, you simply smile and nod in agreement, hoping that's the right reaction to whatever they were talking about.

  We've all had those moments, and they are mostly insignificant. It was one of those moments that put me in the position I am right now. It was, in that moment, that I rolled a dice with fate and nodded my head in agreement to a plan I didn't understand. A plan I NEVER would have agreed with had I just been paying attention. A plan that would turn my world upside down and I would come out the other side, either battered or bruised, or a better version of myself.

  My name is Cassandra Wiltshire, Cassie for short. 21. English. Aries. Too polite for my own good. And, this is my story.

  ****************

  SIX MONTHS AGO

  "She's always late." I groan into my third skinny cappuccino as I gaze at the door for the thousandth time. Veronica Stanford. Ronnie for short. 21-year-old Gemini. A close friend of the family. Self-centered, unapologetic and thrives on attention. We grew up together, our parents being the best of friends. Our grandfathers fought in the war together, that is World War II, and bonded in the skies over Germany. Their sons, our fathers, grew up together like brothers, and we were expected to follow on the close friendship for the next generation. And, we were best friends for a time, when we were younger. Inseparable, our parents always said. And, it was true, until we started high school and Ronnie changed. And, I guess I did too.

  Ronnie took an interest in boys, fashion and everything girly. While I was into fast cars, sports and everything tomboy. I was still interested in the boys; I just didn't feel the need to throw myself at them. Or, have the confidence to do so. And, I didn't see the point in painting my nails every single day to match my outfit. My nails were often chipped and dirty anyway, from working on cars with my dad. Ronnie and I became polar opposites, although not enemies. Our families are too close for that. We are more like sisters that only get on because we are family, not because we like each other all that much. We are stuck with each other for life.

  The door opens and Ronnie walks through in stiletto heels, a skirt way too short for the snowy weather outside and what could barely constitute as a top. Her flowing blonde hair perfectly styled, her makeup applied to thick perfection. Granted, it makes her blue eyes pop, but hardly appears natural. I've always been jealous of her stunning blue eyes. My boring hazel eyes matched with red hair, paling in comparison to her classic beauty.

  I glance down at my fitted jeans and comfortable sweater with doc Martin boots. I know, it's not the 90s anymore, but I like them, and they are comfortable. Looking at my watch as she approaches the table, a massive smile on her face and not a care in the world. She's only two hours late.

  "EEK, it's so great to see you!" she squeals dramatically. I stand from my chair and give her the customary two cheek air kisses she basically forces me to do before taking my seat. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long." She said with a fake pout of her ruby red lips. I wave her off and give her a smile.

  "Not at all." I lie. Did I mention I'm a people pleaser? A fault that I always say I will work on, but I never do. Another opposite between Ronnie and myself. Ronnie is all about instant gratification. She doesn't care about others, or more so, she doesn't notice how her actions affect others. If she can't have it there and then, then it's not worth having. And, I'm too nice to point it out. Ronnie orders a coffee with a list of additives and subtractions that I could see was giving the waiter a headache and then turns to me.

  "So, I wanted to talk to you about something." She said an excited hint in her eyes. I take a sip from my coffee. I'm not surprised, we only catch up away from our families when she wants something. "So, we have both graduated from university and I'll be going off to do fashion design and you will be doing.... well whatever it is you're going to do, and our parents want us both to take a gap year..." she rambles quickly.

  I went to university to do my Bachelor of Arts. It's the degree you get when you have no idea what to do with your life but are expected to go to university anyway. Ronnie knows this, and if she doesn't then she's had the past three years to find out. Ronnie keeps speaking and I wonder how long she can go without taking a breath. I hear the record is three minutes can she do that?

  I take in the decor of the cafe as Ronnie prattles on in the background. My favourite cafe in inner city London. Pristine white walls with alternative artwork. High ceiling with exposed beams. The tables are all different, as if they had picked them up from different garage sales. The same as the chairs. A mishmash of styles that is a theme of its own.

  I give Ronnie an obligatory nod and smile, the correct way to engage with a person when they speak without stopping and my mind wanders to the barista behind the large coffee machine. How many times does he get burned by that thing a day? A long black is steaming hot, not that I drink them, but still, that has to hurt.

  "So... what do you think?" I'm pulled back to Ronnie who sits in front of me expectantly. She's full of excitement, her bum barely staying in the chair as she bounces up and down with a smile on her face. I smile back.

  "Sounds good." I say, keeping the smile on my face. That seemed like the right answer, given her sudden screech that had the customers in the table next to us jumping out of their seats and glaring at us, and the way her arms pulled me out of the chair, and she squeezed the living daylights out of me.

  "Oh my god! I'm so excited! I was so sure you would say no," she screeches. Smiling, I wonder what I had just agreed to. And, thinking if she thought I'd say no, that I probably should have. She pulls away and grabs her purse. "I'll make all the arrangements and let you know." She says excitedly. She air kisses both my cheeks and is out the door like the whirlwind she is. Leaving me with the bill. The waiter comes and takes our empty cups and I lay the cash on the table. He gives me a sympathetic smile.

  I'm used to that when people experience Ronnie. She's loud, talks non-stop and leaves this insane energy in every room she's in. It's not a comfortable energy, not for me anyway. While Ronnie is larger than life, and is constantly fighting the current and singing a theme song along the way, I prefer to go with the flow, take in my surroundings and enjoy the peace and quiet. Peace and quiet aren't in Ronnie's vocabulary.

  I smile at the waiter apologetically and leave the cafe, somehow feeling the staff and patrons won't be particularly happy with Ronnie's return. I head back to my parents' house, yes, I still live with them, don't judge. And, wait for the fallout of whatever I've agreed to this time.

  CHAPTER TWO

  ****************

  In the two weeks since I met with Ronnie, I'm no closer to discovering what exactly it is I agreed to. I thought it would be some kind of party, or co-signing a loan. The only hints I have is from the texts I've received from Ronnie. The first being January 16th. And, a lot of excited emoji's. After that appears to be a countdown to that day, with the same excited emoji's. I've dubbed the daily texts my doomsday countdown. I should just ask what it is I have agreed to, but it has been two weeks, hasn't that ship sailed? I'm not sure what the statute of limitations is for admitting that you weren't listening to someone when they talk.

  Ronnie and her parents are coming over tonight. It is January 15th and I know it's my last chance to find out what I'm in for. I stand in front of my standing mirror and practice what I'm going to say.

  "Hey Ronnie, what did I agree too again? I wasn't listening." I say aloud. Sighing, I shake my head.

  "Hey Ronnie, funny story, I hit my head and have amnesia, what's happening tomorrow again?" Could work... maybe.

  "Ronnie, you talk too much and too fast that I never understand you, so I said yes to something I know nothing about." And, nope. There's a quick knock on the door before it swings open and Ronnie walks in.

  "Were you talking to yourself?" she inquires, her nose screwing up slightly. I simply shrug and blush. It's not the first time I've been caught talking to myself, and it probably won't be the last. But, Ronnie doesn't give me a chance to respond. "I can't believe it's tomorrow! Oh, my god I'm so excited! Are you excited?!" she asked with a squeal. This is my chance to tell her I wasn't listening, to ask her what is happening.

&n
bsp; "I'm excited." I chicken out and put on my biggest grin. She squeals and grabs my hands, forcing me to dance around the room. I can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. She stops and scans her eyes around the room.

  "You haven't packed yet?" she panics, her eyes large. Packed?! I think to myself. As in a suitcase? Where the hell am I going?

  "I was... ah, just getting to it." I lie. She smiles wide.

  "Awesome! I'll pack for you! This is your chance to be not so... you." She grimaces as she glances over me with disgust.

  She grabs my largest suitcase from the top of my wardrobe and opens the trunk at the foot of my bed that houses my summer clothes. Everything I own goes into the suitcase, well everything summer, none of my winter clothes make it apart from a few pairs of jeans. She throws in my shoes next, mostly my strapped sandals, but also my runners. My underwear drawer is emptied into the suitcase, and then she ducks to the bathroom grabbing my toiletries.

  "Where is all your makeup?" she frowns, as she pops her head out of the door. I shrug my shoulders

  "I don't own any." I say, I never have. I've tried it of course, what girl hasn't, but I hated the feel of it on my skin. Ronnie rolls her eyes and sighs dramatically.

  "You'd actually be pretty if you put make up on." She tells me. I simply nod and smile, ignoring the sting her words cause. I'm not beautiful like Ronnie, I don't have guys falling all over me. I'm Miss Plain Jane. No point trying to be otherwise. "What are you wearing tomorrow?" she asks.

  "Um... I hadn't decided yet." I reply honestly. She smiles and I know she's looking at me like I'm a doll she can play dress up with. And, I let her, because apparently no isn't a part of my vocabulary. Thankfully, she isn't too horrible with her selections, choosing a pair of jeans, tight tank top and long cardigan complete with a pair of flats. It makes me even more curious as to where we are going.

  Ronnie grabs a backpack from my cupboard and throws in some underwear, a change of clothes from my summer wardrobe and my passport. So obviously, we aren't staying in England. Once, everything is packed we head down stairs where our parents are drinking in the living room. At the bottom of the stairs, our parents' voices filter through the house.

  "I am a bit worried about this trip." I can hear the concern in my mother's voice. I'm worried too mum, and I don't even know where we are going.

  "The girls will be fine, Cassie has a good head on her shoulders, and she will keep them out of trouble." Ronnie's mum Amanda seems confident. I'm not. They don't know of all the things I've done because Ronnie wanted to. All the things we've covered up. Well, I've covered up. Ronnie just leaves a trail of destruction. We walk into the living room and all four of our parents glance up.

  "All packed?" Dad asked as he spies us walking into the room. I nod and smile at dad as Ronnie slumps down into one of the armchairs.

  "Yep! We're all set to leave in the morning!" Ronnie said excitedly. Dad smiles up at me.

  "Are you excited pumpkin?" Dad smiles at me. Excited isn't quite the word I'd use. Anxious. Nervous. Filled with dread.

  "Very." I lie. I smile at dad, and he eyes me strangely before shaking it off. I've never had much of a poker face where dad is concerned. Mum I can play like a fiddle, but dad... well dad sees right through me.

  I take a seat in the only free armchair and listen in on the conversation, hoping to gain a clue as to where we are going and what we are doing. But, none come. After a couple of hours of general chit chat, the Stanford's leave, telling me they will pick me up at 3am. 3am?! I glimpse at the clock, it's already 11pm. As we close the door, I glance to mum and dad. Dad pulls me into a hug.

  "Before you duck off to bed we have something for you." He tells me. He pulls away and I watch him curiously, as he walks to our small kitchen He comes back with a credit card and a wad of cash, shoving it into my hands.

  "What's this?" I ask as I hold out the card between my fingers.

  "We know you have your own money dear, but we need to make sure you are OK. Keep the credit card in case you need it, the cash is yours to exchange when you get there, save you trying to find an ATM with jet lag." Mum smiles. Jet lag? Mum wraps me in a hug and I hear her sniffle into my neck. I wrap my arms around her.

  "We will be fine mum; we aren't going away for that long." I tell her. I'm hoping we aren't leaving for that long, a weekend? Possibly a week? Mum pulls away and cups my cheek

  "I know baby girl, I'm sure the time will fly by." She tells me. Her comment doesn't give me any clues on the time frame.

  "Get off to bed pumpkin; we will see you in a few hours." Dad said. I smile and give both my parents a kiss on the cheek before saying goodnight. I walk up the stairs and collapse on my bed. Setting my alarm for 2:30am, I close my eyes, willing myself to get a few hours' sleep. I'm going to need it for however long with Ronnie. But, sleep never comes.

  ****************

  HEATHROW AIRPORT -- LONDON

  At 3:45am Heathrow airport is a bustle of sleepy people arriving and departing. I wonder if there is ever a time it's quiet here. Maybe in a blizzard, although even then those who have had their flights cancelled or delayed would be in the airport. Ronnie grabs my arm and pulls me over to the check in counter, our suitcases rolling behind us. She yanks my passport out of my hand and gives it to the lady along with hers and our tickets. I peer around the airport, seeing the people hug hello and goodbye and I can't help but smile. It's like I'm living my favourite movie, love actually. I wonder if Sam is running through the airport.

  "We need to go to gate 5." Ronnie yanks my away from the counter as I watch my check in luggage leave through the plastic straps. Yet again I wasn't paying attention, I never heard her conversation with the check in lady, where no doubt our destination was spoken. We make our way through security as Ronnie prattles on about how long it took her to find the right nail colour for this trip. Not the entire trip of course, just for the flight. She didn't want her nails to clash with the airline decor We take a seat in gate 5 and I glance around to see if I can gauge our destination. Not that it really matters at this point; I'm committed to this trip.

  "I am so excited! I can't believe we are doing this! It's going to be such an adventure." She squeals loudly, earning a glare from the surrounding people. I smile in agreement, adventure it definitely will be. "And so many hot guys! I can't wait to get to the beach to see all the talent." She says, clapping her hands.

  "Me neither." I utter. I give her a big smile, trying my best not to let my mind wander and stay engaged in our conversation. Ronnie screws up her nose, as she looks me up and down.

  "I'll have to teach you how to apply make-up, and get you a new wardrobe." She states. I frown down at my clothes, which Ronnie picked out. I think I appear fine, I may not be wearing a skintight dress and heels like Ronnie, but I'm comfortable. "This is your chance to completely change! You can be anyone you want to be! You could actually have guys wanting you instead of repulsing them." She continues. Her words sting. I like who I am. Do guys really find me repulsive?

  "Sounds like a good plan." I agree with Ronnie, there's no point in arguing with her. It'd be like standing in front of a freight train.

  "Oh! That's us!" Ronnie pulls me from the seat, and we grab our carry-on bags. I was so distracted by Ronnie that I didn't hear the announcement. I still don't know where we are going. Ronnie hands both our tickets to the attendant at the gate and pulls me towards the plane.

  We get to our row and I take the window seat. Ronnie likes the aisle seat, another opposite to me that I'm grateful for. She still hasn't stopped talking although gives it a break when the flight attendant starts to announce the safety rules. I listen carefully to the instructions.

  "Good morning passengers and welcome to QANTAS flight 8679, direct to Kingsford Smith airport, Sydney, Australia." The flight attendant says. AUSTRALIA? I'm going to Australia? With Ronnie freaking Stanford.