The Missing Pieces

{1} A New Home

***

It's an early Thursday morning. I've been travelling in a car for two hours with a stranger that's taking me to my new home. I'm not thrilled about it. This isn't a case of my parents dying in a terrible accident and now I'm an orphan. Nope. My mum is just an alcoholic that can barely take care of herself, let alone me. Social services took me away from her and for a moment, I thought I'd be shoved into the system and bounced around a bunch of homes until I turned eighteen but apparently, I do have other family.

Brothers. Seven of them to be exact. I don't know why I never knew about them until now, but I suppose not knowing my father either plays an important part in it. Despite my protests, the social worker, her name is Julia, contacted the brothers and they've agreed to take parental custody of me. Why, I have no idea. I'm a stranger to them, all they've been told is that I'm their younger half-sister that needs a home, why would they willingly accept me?

I gaze out of the car window; the sun shines brightly in the sky but it's freezing. Spring has only just arrived, so the mornings and evenings are cold, but the afternoons are warm and beautiful. I sigh softly, watching the cars pass by and the early risers jog down the street. I've got my headphones in, Eminem's newest album blasting in my ears from my Spotify playlist. I don't feel like making small talk with Julia, as much as I appreciate her help, I'm not in the mood.

The streets soon turn to trees as we continue further into the countryside and I feel a smile form on my lips as the sun shines through the trees and various animals catch my eye. I lived in a small village with my mum, my primary school was right around the corner and the supermarket was right opposite us. All my friends lived in close distance to me, no more than a ten-minute walk down the street. We had a park close by but mostly we were surrounded by industrial sites that made the area loud and busy. I've always wondered what it would be like to live in the countryside.

Soon enough, we turn down a dirt road that leads to a large iron-cast gate. Julia slows down further until the gate suddenly opens, inviting us in. I watch curiously as we continue down a smoother path that opens up into a bright green grass front garden and a massive three-story country house. My mouth drops open slightly and I slowly pull my headphones from my ears. This is where I'm going to be living?!

Julia pulls up outside the front of the house and switches off the engine. She releases her seat-belt and turns in her seat to face me.

"We're here." No shit Sherlock. "Are you ready to meet your family?" She asks with a soft smile on her face.

I can't help but grimace slightly. I've never been good at meeting new people, especially guys. Something about the opposite sex makes me nervous. How am I going to cope living with seven boys? Seven!

Before I can answer her, she turns to look at the house and I follow her gaze, seeing the front door open and a man step out. He looks to be in his early twenty's, his dark brown hair shines in the sunlight but his eyes are hard and cold, I swallow nervously when I catch his eye. He must be one of the brothers.

"Perfect timing. Come on Averie, let's say hello." Can we not? I'd rather stay in the car, thank you.

But rather reluctantly, I open the car door with my phone clutched tightly in my hand and step out. I can't be rude; they are taking me in after all. The wind immediately blows my ginger hair in every direction and I struggle to tame it, tucking random strands behind my ears. I gently push the door shut but stay close to the car as I glance at the man nervously. Are they sure we're related because this guy doesn't even crack a smile when I smile politely in his direction? He doesn't look happy to see me which means he probably isn't the one that agreed to this.