AFRAID {a.i.}

CHAPTER ONE

Song of the Chapter: I'm Coming Home - Diddy, featuring, Skylar Grey.

"Brooke!" I heard my name being called repeatedly from the other side of the airport. I scanned the room and eventually spotted my big brother. I rushed over to him as fast as I could. It was pretty hard, bearing in mind, I had loads of suitcases to carry. His embrace was comforting and all I needed in this moment in time. It had been a long time since me and my brother had seen each other in person. It was a well needed moment.

"Bradley, I missed you so much!" I fell away from his hug and smiled. His eyes were sad and tired, probably identical to mine. "Where's grandma?" Brad directed me to the door and I noticed her small, little body waiting outside by her car. I left my bags with my brother and ran out. As soon as I came close to her, my grandma pulled me in tight, as if she never planned to let me go.

"Brooklyn, my baby girl! I've missed you... Wow, You have grown so tall." She spoke clear into my ear. Her words were fast, yet satisfying. I smiled, wide.

"I've missed you too Grandma! I can't believe I'm back in Australia again." I struggled to take in the clear blue sky, the sun was way too bright. It was always so beautiful around this area.

"God, you are looking more like your mother everyday." Jeff, my grandmothers husband, called out as he came out from the cafe, which I believe was across the car park. My heart sank when he mentioned my mother, but it warmed me to know I was looking like her. She was beautiful. Bradley gradually packed my luggage into the car and we were soon on the journey back to my new home. With my small amount of energy, I pulled out my phone and checked the time...3pm. I was so tired from the journey that I just I dropped my head on to my brothers shoulder, resting my eyes.

It was an hour later when we arrived back and my eyes barely adjusted to the bright light shining through the car window. It was still pretty early. Bradley pulled me out of the car and I managed to shuffle myself into a massive house I had never seen before. It was incredibly stunning.

"So, you are aiming to start school Wednesday, Brad will drop you off in the morning, and pick you up. Or I will, of course. But, Thursday you will have to walk home. I'm sure that's fine because you will find your way, right?" Jeff explained as he directed me to my bedroom. I nodded, tiredly. Jet lag was a pain. It was all too much to take in.

"That's fine, thank you Jeff. Is it okay I take a nap for a bit?" I questioned. Jeff nodded and closed the door behind him. I studied my room. It was very spacious. My floor was wooden, and the colour made the room feel warm. My bed was central, with a black base. The only thing I could think was, damn that will hurt if you stub your toe. I was lucky to see that my window opened to a balcony. I just couldn't quite handle the adjustment from my other life. It was painful. I strolled out towards the balcony. My view was crazy, the sun was setting along the clear sky and the sound of children laughing lingered through the air. It was beautiful. I looked down over the beach. Parents walked with their children, smiling and laughing. A little girl was almost running through the air, on her fathers shoulders. And her little brother was barely walking next to her mother. I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes.

"You'll get through it B, it won't always hurt you." Bradley leaned on the balcony beside me. I smiled and nodded. His balcony was a lot bigger than mine, yet I didn't even notice it.

"I know, but it's just the jealousy, I wish we had that perfect family Brad. Why can't we be like that?" My sigh was long and sad.

"We were B, but we changed, we grew apart. Plus... They are never as perfect as you see, look.... There's more than what meets the eye." Brad pointed to the couple I was previously looking at. Their hands unlocked and they fell apart. I looked at Brad. "B, it will get better, I promise."