The City of Angels.

After we all got back from Vegas my popularity had sky rocketed after all the articles and websites generated the buzz between mine and Austin’s outings together. Although I was generally flattered with some of the things that were being written about me, I was haunted by others. I had never realised how nasty people could be until I was in the public eye.

I tried taking it all with a pinch of salt. I knew I was going to have to deal with hatred once my clothes and my brand were discovered by the general public. A lot of unhappy fans of Austin would write about how I was using him and his fame to become a designer and to help my brand. The people who I really cared about, however, knew that I had been working towards creating my brand since the age of 15. That was all that really mattered to me.

The Of Mice boys rounded up their American Dream tour around the states and had a little time at home to relax. It was the middle of April and I was getting ready for my summer line photo shoot. Tal had been true to his word and contacted his photographer to help me out. I had no idea what to expect. I decided to go ahead with shooting in the park as the weather was warm and it could show the clothes off best rather than in a studio.

I had contacted my sister, Dee, in Ireland as I had always promised her that she could be my model when we were growing up. She was just turned 16 and she was already standing at 5 foot 9 inches. She was every part the model. So for her 16th birthday present I booked her a ticket out to stay with me in LA for three weeks and gave her her first modelling gig. She was elated.

While looking for a male model to wear my men’s range, Austin had volunteered himself and the band to model in order to cut down on costs. I couldn’t have been more conflicted in saying yes. I was more than happy to have them on board, but I was also dreading what the demons of the internet would say about me. However if it was going to benefit my brand and thus my career, I couldn’t say no. Not to mention the boys were more than eager to be a part of Irish Threads.

I had passed my driving test a few days after we returned from Vegas. I stuck with the manual licence as automatic cars made me feel lazy when driving. I needed something to keep me occupied on the enormous highways here. I bought myself a black 6 year old Volkswagen Golf to get me around the place. It was a little beat up when I bought it but after some cleaning and sprucing, it looked as good as new.

The day before the shoot came around in the blink of an eye and before I knew it, I was on the way to LAX to pick up my little sister. I was more than excited to see her. As I pulled up to the arrivals area I could see her stood outside, her luggage by her side and her earphones in her ears, as always. I was so happy to be the one that got to treat her to her first trip to America. Just like me before I moved here, she had never been to the states.

I pulled over and screamed to her out of the window. Once she spotted me, I saw the grin appear on her face. I got out of the car to pull her into the hug I had been waiting 3 months to give her. I had never been away from her for this long before.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOU LITTLE SCUT!” I shouted as I pulled her to me. “I realise your birthday was like 3 weeks ago, but now you’re here!” I sang at her.
“I am, I am. Thank you so much for this. I am so excited to see LA and where you live and your new clothes and AUTSIN!” She said at a speed that was almost inaudible.
“Well hop aboard my cruiser and we shall get this underway!” I said, motioning to my car.

As we drove to my apartment Dee and I caught each other up on life. She told me all about how life at home was going. She told me all about the hardship of living at home with our mother, all of which I was too familiar with. She filled me in on school and her friends. I told her all about the clothing line, work and Austin. Dee, being an Of Mice fan, scolded me for not telling her about him. She read about us on twitter the night of the Young Hollywood party. I found it all more than amusing to see her reveal her jealousy, yet her happiness for me.

Once we arrived at my apartment, Tadhg came down the stairs to be the gentleman he is and carry Dee’s luggage into the house.

“Jesus Dee, how long are you staying?!” He asked with a laugh. “Feels like you have an entire wardrobe in here.” He finished.
“It’s LA. Never know who you might run into!” she said with a laugh.
“Sixteen and saucy!” I said as I linked my arm with hers and we walked the stairs to the apartment. I had missed my little partner in crime so much. “And she can stay forever if she wants to!” I shouted to Tadhg who was making over exaggerated noises while carrying Dee’s luggage.
“Three weeks is not long enough, don’t tempt me!” she said with a laugh.
“Once you graduate love, you can come here whenever you want. And for however long you want. Deal?!” I asked her, knowing she still had 2 years of school left.
“Deal!” she said, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

After giving my sister the grand tour and showing her where she would be sleeping, I texted Austin to let him know she had arrived. He had helped me in organising a birthday dinner for her. We had both been at the restaurant all day before I picked her up, putting up balloons and banners. Dee was one that could never be surprised. She always sussed things out. This time however, she had no idea that she would be having a birthday dinner with one of her favourite bands of all time. She had been an Of Mice fan ever since the day I played that one song in my bedroom. She told me that they make everything better when life at home gets on top of her. For that, I was eternally grateful to Austin and the rest of the boys.

“When do I get to meet Austin?” She asked me as I helped her unpack.
“Whenever you’re hungry! We’re meeting him downtown for a bite to eat.” I answered with a shrug, trying not to give anything away.
“In that case… I’m starved!” She said, rubbing her flat tummy, a demonic smile on her face.
“Alright, alright. Let me just freshen up and I’ll text him to tell him we’re on the way. Pick out something nice to wear. Like you said, it’s LA. Never know who you might bump into!” I said as I left the room to get myself ready.

As Dee was showering I snuck out to my car with the cake I had made her that morning. I placed it carefully in the boot, hoping to God that it wouldn’t get damaged. Once back inside I picked myself out an acceptable outfit, tamed my hair and applied some makeup.

“Jesus Christ, Dee. Do you ever not look amazing?!” I asked her as came into the kitchen where I was cleaning up while waiting for her.
I took in her pretty outfit, then laughed at the fact that she was in flats and I was in heels, yet she still towered over me.
“You think I’m not going to put in some effort when I’m going to meet one of my favourite people ever?!” she asked me, as if I had nothing between the ears.
“Fair enough. Just get in the car and stop upstaging your big sis!” I joked as I playfully pushed her towards the car.

Once we were in motion, I text Austin letting him know what was happening.

To: Austin;
“Irish clover to bald eagle; we are on the way. I repeat, we are on the way!”

From: Austin;

“You fucking weirdo, hahah. Everything is ready here. Bear in mind, there are a few photographers on the door. They asked me where you are so I’m guessing they will be on the lookout.”

To: Austin;
“Well fuck! What if they ruin the surprise and say something about the band being inside?”

From: Austin;
“Never thought of that. Shit. Keep your head down, you’ll be fine babe.”

Once we arrived at the restaurant, I immediately saw the photographers. There only seemed to be three or four of them so I calmed down a little. I told Dee not to answer any personal questions they may ask. Just be polite and say hello. That was how I had been dealing with them thus far and I hadn’t run into any problems.

We made it into the restaurant without them spoiling the surprise. My vision however had momentarily become severely impaired due to the nonstop flashes we had encountered from the car right to the door of the restaurant. They had mentioned Austin being inside and how I shouldn’t “keep him waiting” They could tell Dee was my sister the minute they had seen her. We were almost twins apart from a few differences. Seven years being the most imminent. The photographers complimented the both of us on how we looked and told us to have a lovely evening. Dee laughed, telling me how she couldn’t believe this was my life now. I told her I felt the exact same way.

After letting a waitress know we were here, she took our jackets and led us to the back of the restaurant where Austin and I had decorated the surrounding area of the large circular table. I let her walk ahead of me.

“SURPRISE!” The boys shouted once we reached the table.
“WHAT?!” Dee shouted in a state of pure shock as she turned around to me and grabbed my shoulders, looking for any sort of clarity.
“Happy birthday, sis!” I replied, laughter coming through my words.

She looked utterly perplexed. Stood in front of her favourite band in a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, California in which paparazzi photographed her entering, pure love emanating from those surprising her, she couldn’t have been farther from home and something told me that was what made the smile on her face grow and grow.

Notes

Feedback?