LEILA {ongoing}

7.

Here's the Tea cafe has that homey feel to it. Couches, armchairs, booths and small tables are scattered around the place along with mismatched cushions. Plants litter the shelves, allowing for the vines to crawl there way up to the the ceiling.

I can't help but hope the coffee tastes as good as the café looks.

Mum and I spent the rest of the afternoon here, catching up on the last couple of weeks. You would think living together would mean we wouldn't need these moments, but alas, my parents are busy people.

Both my parents work full time as teachers and sport coaches. This means most Saturdays are taken up with sports, leaving me to my own devices. The saving grace, they get all the school holidays off.

Both my parents actually work for Westwood High. I've purposefully not told people my surname, with most of the teachers knowing to only use my first name. Dad, Coach Robert Hale, coaches the football team while mum, Coach Victoria Stevens, coaches the swim team.

When they first considered getting married they decided that mum wouldn't change her surname. They were both studying to be teachers at the time and assumed that, one day, they might end up working at the same school. They thought this would be best.

Westwood High is the second time they've been able to work together. Some couples may consider working with their spouse to be a nightmare. As mum and dad still act like newly weds, it's safe to say they are pretty happy with their current circumstances.

"How's the team doing, mum?"

"So good! Colin is a machine and Lexie keeps beating her time. I think we're in for a real shot at placing this year... But I don't want to talk about school, unless it's about what you're up to. So, how's my amazing daughter going in Austin?"

"Really good mum. Surprisingly. I've made a few mates from a couple of cliques. Mr. Heckles keeps sending me on his love sick errands but other than that, nothing amazing to report."

"How about boys?"

"Mum, geez. No."

"Oh, come one. It's not like there aren't attractive young men at Westwood." Wiggling her brows at me. ''You're 18 now chicken, I know it's been a tough few years, but it might be a good time to atleast consider it.'

Deeply sighing I hang my head back. "Yes, mum, there's a bunch of cute boys." I groan. "But none I'm keen on. In that way. I've made friends with a guy named Mica, he's seems really friendly."

"Mica? Is he in the footy team?"

Our conversation centers around the people I've met, what they're like and how they treat me. Mum is aware of most of them, being in the athletic bubble.

When I let her know about Tara and the music group, she's pleased that I'm widening out so soon. I guess she was worried I'd stick to one or two people, like with Kelly and Stacey back home.

Every so often, Mum brings up boys again. After repeatedly denying my interest in any of them, we decide to head back home.

As I was driving into the driveway, dad's just getting out of his truck. He has practice with the team every Monday and Wednesday. "How was practice dad?"

Rolling his eyes, "Ugh, that Mica boy wouldn't shut up about you. I had to send him on laps three times." He huffs. Laughing at dad's whinging, we head inside and help mum with dinner.

"Hey dad, can we look for a car soon? It's getting a bit nippy in the mornings now and I it's only going to get colder."

"Why don't we spend some time on Sunday looking, ok. In the meantime, have a think about what kind of car you would like."