Heathrow airport seemed bigger and more crowded than ever. There were people from all over the world. Ginny listened to what they were saying, but, of course, she didn't understand anything, except other Americans, a few French tourists and the British employees.

She was dragging a large suitcase, in which she put only half of her property. The rest would be arriving soon, her parents promised. It was much easier going around with a suitcase. She didn't miss her backpack at all. She was also carrying a bag with her, in which she had put all the essentials, including some extra clothes, in case the suitcase got lost. Luckily it didn't, so she was now heading toward some exist. Any exit would be fine.

Ginny stopped to catch a breath and she caught a reflection of herself in a mirror. She remembered that mirror. It was the mirror she looked at herself when she first arrived in London, almost a year ago. Her clothes were different. She didn't look like a tourist. She looked like a student, maybe even a Londoner. But... her hair was the same. Two braids, making her head look like a pretzel once more. But somehow, the braids fit into the new style. And she had missed them. She realized people were starting to look at her, thinking of her as a lunatic, staring at herself in the mirror, blocking the path. She quickly moved, her face turning completely red.

She saw Richard waiting in front of Starbucks. She almost didn't recognize him. Richard was trying to grow something that would probably in another universe maybe somehow resemble something that could just maybe be a goatee. Surprisingly, he was pulling it off.

He smiled with the warmest smile, and she found herself returning it with the same affection. They hugged and smiled. He took her suitcase and. They made their way toward the cabs parked outside.

" Well… welcome home, I guess." Richard said, while putting Ginny's suitcase in the living room. Ginny looked around, noticing aunt Peg's paintings on the wall, along with a photo of aunt Peg and Ginny. She went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, and found new sets of plates, cups and silverware. She opened the fridge and found it completely filled with food.

" I didn't know what you liked to eat at home, so I took a bit of… well, everything, as you can see. " Richard said, a little embarrassed. Ginny thanked him, took the suitcase and decided to start unpacking. She and Richard had agreed she was to move in to aunt Peg's old room. Richard said he wouldn't take anything out of it, leaving it up to Ginny to keep what she wants.

Ginny entered the room and was suddenly overwhelmed by a familiar and warm feeling. She put the suitcase near the window and sat on the bed. She took her shoes of, and fell asleep.

When she woke up, she realized it was already morning, and Richard had already gone to work. She found a note, saying he'll be home by 5, and that she is allowed to do what ever she wants.

First Ginny took a long bath. When she finally got out of the bath, her fingers were wrinkled like raisins. She went to the kitchen and made an omelet, which is something she hadn't done in years. She turned on the TV, and started watching a quiz. She tried to answer the questions while eating, and talked to the contestants, occasionally calling them idiots. But she was only joking. After about an hour, she realized she had nothing to do. She thought of cleaning aunt Peg's room and redecorating, but she wasn't ready. So she decided to take another tour of London.

This time, not only were there no rules, but there were no cute boys, ridiculous quests and that ugly backpack. It was just her. And this beautiful city she was now calling home.

Ginny was now trying to find her way out of the underground, and toward Westminster, which was her exiting point and the start of her one-woman tour. She was pushed aside by a million tourists, and after about 20 minutes found herself in the street, back turned to the Thames. She was looking at the palace of Westminster and that beautiful tower. She didn't call it Big Ben, because she knew Big Ben was only the broker bell inside it. The air somehow felt fresh. The city was filled with people. She tried to set a destination, but soon forgot where she was going. She wondered through streets, looked at shops, beautiful buildings, mesmerized by the atmosphere and the attitude of the city. Ginny found it classy and cool, which were 2 words most of her lot friends used. Miriam especially. Ginny had already made plans for Miriam to come near Christmas. But it was a long way from that.

Ginny now realized she was in Covent Garden, but didn't really mind. She kept on walking, and soon saw a familiar building. One she didn't want to see. The Goldsmith's college. Keith's college. This was not where she wanted to be. She didn't even remember how she remembered the way. So she decided to find the nearest bus station and go anywhere else. She got on the first bus she saw, and realized the bus was going to the Tower bridge. Which was nice and far away from here and anywhere Keith might be. She sat back and watched as millions of people made their way to who knows how many places.

She knew this was a good decision. Going to UCL. She was more than ready to start a new life. And what better place than London?

As time went by, Ginny noticed drops of rain on the window. Luckily, she had brought an umbrella, knowing the unpredictable weather.

She got out of the bus, and as she got closer to the Tower and the Tower bridge, realized she wasn't in the mood for a tour. Instead, she leaned on the wall new the "Traitor's gate", and watched as drops of rain began their dance on the surface of the Thames. She spent at least 15 minutes watching them. After she finally broke away from the spell, she looked at her watch and realized it was already 5 p.m. She looked for a tube entrance, and decided to rush home, having in mind that Richard was probably on his way back, and didn't want him to worry. She looked at the map and found the quickest way home. She'd have to make a few crossings, but it didn't seem that bad. She took one last look at the streets filled with people and umbrellas before going underground. She was going to come back tomorrow. She had anther three months before university began.

She was determined to learn as much as possible about London. And avoid someone along the way. As she was sitting in a half empty wagon, somebody else crossed her mind.

Oliver.