A New Life

1: New Room

I stepped off the plane and was greeted by a moist heat. I wrinkled my nose. You know that feeling when you really want to be somewhere but then again you don't. Well that's what I was feeling in that exact moment. I just continued moving through all the securities and stuff like a ghost. I didn't know how to feel. Should I be happy? Should I be scared? Should I be angry? I was waiting for my luggage; the thing hadn't even begun to give out bags yet. I was growing weary and annoyed and generally frustrated when it finally started. I scanned the bags coming and finally after about five more minutes I saw my grey suit case. There wasn't much in it anyways. Just a few clothes and books. I didn't own that much stuff... how could I? I had been in an orphanage for the past two years. At least with Fin it was bearable. The last year was pure torture. I got my suitcase and started moving toward the exit. Once outside I scanned the mass of people waiting there. I couldn't see Fin, so I sighed and moved out of the way and sat down on the nearest bench, just to be engulfed in a fierce hug. I stiffened and only relaxed when the guy, who was hugging me pulled away a bit and I recognised Fin. I let out a strangled noise and hugged him back so fiercely that he chuckled and engulfed me in his arms again. He had grown more muscled in the past year, taller as well. He stood at least five inches higher than me now. I pulled back when I heard someone say Fin's name.

"Fin. Would you like to introduce us?" Fin pulled away from me, but kept his arm round my shoulders.

"Issi, these two are Nick and Oliver." He smiled down at me and I looked at him with a bit of a worried expression, causing Fin to lean down and whisper in my ear.

"It's ok, Issi. They are really nice. Trust me. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore." He pulled back and grinned. I looked back at the two men in front of me. One of them was very tall and very muscular. His black hair was cropped short and his eyes were a piercing blue. He had his arm slung around the shoulders of the other man. He was shorter and less muscly. He was still quite buff though. His hair was bleach blond and I wondered if he dyed it. His leaf green eyes sparkled and his smile was evident on his whole face. I extended my hand.

"I'm Isla. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Nick." The raven haired one said and shook my hand; I flinched slightly at the contact.

"And I'm Oliver." Said the blond one and shook my hand too. I went back to Fin's side.

"Shall we?" Nick asked. I nodded and moved to take my suitcase, but Nick had already taken it and was walking ahead of us. I looked up at Fin. He looked happy. I really hoped I could be happy here too.

-

We drove for about an hour. The car ride was mostly spent by me listening to Fin as he ranted about school. The school I would soon be going to. From what I heard, I realised that my brother belonged to the 'popular crowd'. I really hoped I could avoid that. Nick and Oliver also told me that I had a week off school to settle in. Oliver stayed at home most days anyways so he would show me around and everything. Nick would be there for two of the days and of the weekend, although we had to go to see his football match on Sunday. Oh, sorry, I didn't mention. Nick Cooper is a famous football player. One of the best apparently but I didn't really understand most sports except for Rugby, Golf and riding. So I would have to take Fin's word for it. When we arrived at their house, I was pleasantly surprised. Although they probably had the money, the house wasn't at all big. Okay, it was quite big but not too big, as you would expect the house of a famous footballer to be. It was a nice suburban house with white-washed walls and a black roof. There were lots of big windows in the walls and a small conservatory at the back, leading out into a nice garden. By the time I had exited the car, Nick had already got my bag out of the back and was at the front door, opening it. I hurried to follow the others. Fin took me by the hand and dragged me upstairs.

"You can look at the house in a minute; let me show you your room." He was grinning in such an excited manner that I just followed him mutely. He led me to a door at the end of a corridor.

"This is your room. I'm just across the hall." He pointed at the door opposite mine. I opened the door and my jaw went slack.

The room was enormous. Well compared to the orphanage room anyways, I didn't know if this was a standard sized room for 'normal' people or not. I went up into the middle of the room and looked around. The walls were white, with a blue-green stripe running across. There was a queen-sized bed in one corner and beneath one of the windows stood a big desk, with a few sketching pads and pencils on it. I could even see chalk and acrylics; they were so thoughtful, it made me want to cry. I hadn't had this much attention paid to me in years and this was only the interior of my room, I wondered if I could survive this. The wardrobe was directly next to the door and way too big for what little clothes I owned. Then I noticed the curtains and bed sheets. They were the colours of the MacArthur tartan. I turned to see, not only Fin, but also Nick and Oliver standing in the door.

"Thank- thank you so much." I managed to choke out. "This... this is amazing." And to everybody's surprise, even my own, I went over and hugged Nick and Oliver; I let them go just as quickly as I had hugged them but judging from the wide smiles o. I had dreaded coming here. I had been scared and happy at the same time. I was so uncertain of my nearer future and now? Everything was different. I could see how much effort they had put into this room to make me feel comfortable and I couldn't help but be grateful.