I sighed at the mirror impatiently. Getting ready on time had never been my strong suit. I quickly threw my shiny blonde hair into a high ponytail and swiped some eyeliner and mascara onto my charcoal coloured eyes.
"Charley!" My cousin's deep voice called from outside of my apartment. "Charley Brown!"
"I'm coming." I rolled my eyes at his infantile nickname for me and opened the door.
"You look nice." Austin smiled.
"You know you always do. So many girls in love with you." I grinned. "Where are we going?"
"I need you to help me shop for clothes." He led me out of the apartment.
"Austin Carlile!" I cried. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-five. Please? I need your expertise." He begged. I raised my eyebrows. "Charley, you're the prettiest girl in the whole world and Alan has a crush on you and I'll even buy you pizza."
"Only for the pizza." I took his arm as we strolled down the London street. "How are the boys?"
"They miss you. You haven't been round in ages." He said.
"I've been quite busy. How many twenty-six year old supermodels do you know?" I asked.
"You."
"It was hypothetical, Austin." I rolled my eyes.
"There's a party at Alan's in a couple days, you know." He said.
"I know! I got the invite. I'll be there, I promise." I grinned.
"How have you been? Eating lots?" He asked sternly.
"Yes, yes. Forty days clean." I smiled.
"Only forty?" He frowned.
"Even the best fall down sometimes." I reminded him.
"I know," Austin sighed. "It was just so hard to see you hurting so badly. I love you, you know? You're like the little sister I never had."
"You had an older one who beat you up all the time." I gigged. "Here, go shop. I'll give you my approval."
I was left to my thoughts as Austin wandered around the store. Forty days. Forty days without harming myself. Forty days without starving or puking. It was a landmark. Nearly six months ago, I'd made the decision to recover from my eating disorder and self-harm. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made.
"How do I look?" Austin came out of the dressing room.
"You look like an idiot." I rolled my eyes. "I should have known better than to trust you! I'll go pick some things, okay?" My life as Austin Carlile's cousin sure was strange sometimes.