Chapter Two

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I heard the front door shut and thought to myself 'showtime'. My suitcase was downstairs prepared, the few items I'd used this morning were packed away. I was ready.

Looking in the mirror one more time I gave myself a once over. My brunette hair I'd come to love, was straight and fell perfectly just beneath my shoulders. I wore my best comfortable black jeans, great for a long journey but also for still looking good. Companied by a white t-shirt, khaki jacket, and black and white check vans.

Gemma had tried to suggest more 'fashionable' items but as I looked at myself in the mirror I felt happy with my choice. This was me, and as much as I wanted to fit into my fathers world, turning up in 4 inched heels seemed a step to far.

I threw my backpack over my shoulder and headed towards the stairs. As I got outside of my room I could hear my brother's voice and instantly started to get nervous.

Everything was going to be okay. I was going to spend the summer with my family and it will be the best experience. I'll get to know my dad and form lasting memories Jake. 

Life had given me a second family, and I wasn't going to mess this one up.

Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the top of the stairs.

When I reached it Jake looked at me straight away. He wore a white pair of trousers, complemented with a white shirt that laid open at the chest revealing no hairs but a medallion. A pair of sunglasses hung where his shirt parted. 

Jake screamed money. The only indications he'd just landed from a long flight over from America was his slightly messy brown hair and the tired look in his blue eyes. Nevertheless Jake smiled at me anyway.

"How's it going, little kiwi?" Jake said as I neared the bottom of the stairs.

"Why do you call me that?" The phrase had been something he's called me a few times now, but never explained why.

And I wasn't sure I liked being compared to a kiwi. They were hairy and sharp. But it did make me feel... closer? to Jake. I mean, nicknames were a term of endearment right?

"One day I'll tell you... when you're old enough to know." Jake winked at me the same way as Chase. When he did it, happiness bloomed within me.

All of the Cotton siblings I loved and admired for their different personalities. Gemma was the princess, being the only girl with four older brothers meant she'd learned to get her own way.

Jay was the peacemaker. Great at getting people to find a middle ground and compromise. Roy was the goody two shoes out of them, he did everything by the book which could be boring sometimes. 

And Samuel, he was the leader but also a loner. Being the only Cotton without a twin probably hadn't been easy. When Samuel was around, they all listened though he never stayed long. At the moment he was travelling the great outback. Mr and Mrs C missed Samuel a lot, sometimes when she wasn't looking I'd watch Mrs C stare at Samuels picture. She had to much love for each of her children.

Did Robert stare at my photos like that? Doubtful, and sort of creep if he did.

All that being said, Chase was my favourite. He was the older brother that Helen's son had never been. For one, Chase was nice to me, he'd do brotherly things like mess my hair up before I went out, or help me with homework I didn't understand. Chase had a way of making everything easy.

Although Jay was the one who'd convinced me to try living with the Cotton's once he'd found out about the abuse. It was Chase who'd made me stay. A number of times I'd tried to leave, each time Chase would track me down.

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