Page 32 of Things I Overshared

Me: Headed out to get coffee somewhere!

I make it to the lobby before my phone chimes.

Emerson: Wait, I’ll join you.

It bugs me that he doesn’t ask if he can join me—he just announces his plans. And why would he want to join me? Shouldn’t he be introverting? I reply.

Me: Okay

I’m in the lobby

Emerson: Be down just now.

I flash him a polite toothless smile when I see him approach. He’s got on a similar outfit as before—slacks and a white shirt rolled up—but it’s clear he’s showered. He doesn’t return my smile. In fact, I’m pretty sure he just frowned at my legs.

“You know, you really don’t need to come with me,” I say, even though what I want to do is pester him about his latest thoughts on my outfit choices.

“I do, actually.”

“What?”

“We didn’t arrange security here, Miss Canton. You shouldn’t be flitting around London on your own.”

“Yes, I should. No one here knows me. I’m totally safe.”

“I’m not going to risk it.”

“You’re not my freaking bodyguard,Emerson.”

“No, but I’m not about to let you get nicked on this trip.”

“Nicked?”

“Stolen.”

I sigh so hard, it’s more of a groan. “You would rather be alone, I would rather go do this thing people like to do calledhave fun.Not sure you’ve ever heard of it. So, how about I just share my location with you? Then you can watch me on your phone alone in your room like a creepster, and I can actually enjoy myself. Perfect compromise.”

His jaw flexes as he studies me. “Fine.” He finally grunts, looking relieved.

“Fine!” I storm toward the gorgeous front doors that lead into the hotel’s front courtyard complete with wrought iron gates.

“Wait, your—”

“I’ll send it to you!” I yell over my shoulder.

As soon as I get out onto the sidewalk, I spot a bright red double-decker bus. I let out a shocked laugh. I pull up the maps app on my phone to see my coffee options. A text from Emerson comes through that reads “No location yet?” I resist the urge to send him a middle finger emoji and instead share my location with him. I find a café nearby with amazing food photos and start walking. Focusing on my exciting surroundings, I push my fear of pedestrian accidents out of my mind.

At first, the streets are pretty similar to New York, except where I’m walking, there aren’t any skyscrapers. But then I start to see just how old and beautiful some of the buildings are. There are parts of Manhattan that I thought seemed old. Um, false. These cobblestone streets areoldold. And it’s funny how many of the buildings remind me of the flat iron building, but everywhere instead of just the one.

Also, of course, the cars are on the wrong side of the street. It’s so weird!

Even in my excitement, I feel a twinge of disappointment. I think if I’m honest, I would have rather had Emerson with me. Why? As I’ve practiced many times, I stop and ask myself an important question: Do I wanthiscompany, or do I wantanycompany? The latter. Definitely. I shake it off. I can have fun alone.I can, dammit!

After a snack, giant coffee in hand, I decide to walk to Big Ben, a thirty-minute trek. I steel myself for all the crosswalks, more nervous because I’m not in my home city. Still, London is a walking city like New York.I’ll be fine,I tell myself again and again.

I put one headphone in, jamming to my London playlist, and leave my other ear open to all the city sounds. On the way, I can’t help but imagine the joy of dragging Emerson along with me. I smile thinking of the sighs. Yes, I took a photo of a policeman on horseback with a funny hat. (Sigh.) Yep, took a multitude of selfies in the first red telephone booth I found. (Sigh.) Sure did go down into the underground just to see it, even though I’m not taking the train anywhere. And I most definitely squealed when the overhead voice said, “Mind the gap!” (Double sigh.)

SUNDAY 1:20p.m.