Rehabilitation

Chapter 32; "It Is Law"

My eyes indignantly remained wide open as i stared straight ahead at THE framed picture of My parents and I at venice beach ...over 10 years ago...

Reaching over to its resting place on my bedside table, i picked up the frame, clutching it to my chest.

I miss you so much.

I miss both of you.

The fact that i hardly even remembered any memories i had shared with my parents tore me apart. I have nothing to hold on to.

Just one picture.

As the thought floated actively in my mind, i instinctively pressed the frame deeper to my chest, embracing it.

Couldnt i at least find out if i had any aunties or uncles or cousins? Did my parents have any siblings? Do i have any grandparents who were alive?

A family? Any family at all?

I pulled the picture away from chest and stared into the scenery.

An anamnesis clouded my thoughts once again.

A familiar picture of my parents and i in front of a car. I was about 7. I was sat on the bonnet of the red volkswagen car with my legs crossed. Mum was stood beside me hardly smiling, the wind pulling her hair back. Dad was grinning in his open shirt and jeans. He looked handsome. They both looked unrealistically young and tall. '7 year old nadine with Lois and Rob. Venice beach day trip.' I remembered the exact words inscribed with a distinctive cursive writing on the back of MY copy. It was the only picture i ever had of my parents. How did it get into Jada's photo album?

That night Jada & Will told me...

"You've always been family. You always will be."

... Not by blood.

I looked back at the picture, two wet marks slowly glided down the glassed frame. Tears...

Once again, i held the frame to my chest again and shut my eyes tightly, trying to reminicse my mysterious childhood.

Nothing.

Gradually, my eyelids relaxed as my mind deepened into a slumber.

One advantage to being a fashion model was the free clothes. After every photoshoot, I was to pick any clothes i modelled to keep. Although i had only done two photoshoots for Teen Vogue, i had a ton of clothing. Going to new york with two luggages but returning back to L.A with four?

I finally felt like i was doing something with my life and my past was slowly fading behind me... And to be forgotten.

The issue of Teen Vogue i was featured in was to be released in 2 weeks and 3 days. A day before thanksgiving...

Willow sat on the kitchen diner on her phone.

"You're back!" She approached me and hugged me.

"We got in late last night. I didn't want to wake you up!" I squeezed her tightly. Damn, she was nearly my height.

"How was it?"

"It was so crazy! I met Cara Delevingne! And the male models! Woo!" I fanned myself jokingly.

"Isnt she the british one?"

"Yeah, she's so cool. We swapped numbers!"

"Oh my God, i wish i came! What male models?!" She sat back at the diner.

"Sean O'pry was there."

"He's beautiful!" Willow gasped. "You look different, Nadine."

"Do i?"