Just For Once// Luke Hemmings (on hold)

Chapter 3

I look at my watch and see we're twenty-five minutes late. I open the door of the cab what is to be our new house. House, not a home. I was beginning to feel nervous before I entered. What if I don't belong in Australia? What if I don't fit in at the new school? So many thoughts were going through my mind so quickly. As I let Alex out of the cab, I see Jaden leaving the house towards us.

"Calysta! Alex! Welcome to Australia guys." he says loudly on his way towards us. Once he reaches us, Alex runs and jumps on Jaden for a hug. As soon as Jaden puts down Alex, he comes over to me and attempts to give me a hug as well. I give him a quick side hug, not trying to linger any more time than really necessary.

"Nice seeing you Jaden." I say rather blunt.

Jaden gives me a look as though he knows why I'm acting this way. "Calysta, I'm sorry for everything that's been happening to you and your family this past month. It must not have been easy, especially while taking care of this little guy." he says as he pets Alex's hair.

"Look, your mom and dad were amazing people. But I'm sure they don't want you pushing people away. Especially the person who's going to be taking care of you for a while." he continues.

"Yeah." I uttered. I begin to look around the neighborhood pretending to be distracted by observing my surroundings. It's actually a rather nice neighborhood.

I hear Jaden sigh in disappointment of my unwillingness to hold up a conversation. "Well follow me into the house." he said trying to seem somewhat cheery. Alex and I got our luggage as Jaden paid the cab driver and then we made our way up into the house.

Once we got inside, Alex and I stood by the doorway awkwardly, not knowing where to go into the house. Jaden looked at us and smiled. "Guys, this is your home now. You're really not restricted to move around."

I walk a little further into the house and that's when I hear voices of other boys. "Ashton, stop changing the fucking channel and pick something to watch." I hear a voice say.

I look over at Jaden a bit panicked. I really have enough to take in with the new house. I really don't need to be meeting people at the moment. "Don't worry, they're harmless. But you don't have to meet them right now if you don't want to." Jaden declares.

I shake me head no to meeting them. He understood and nodded, leading Alex and I upstairs and in a hallway to our bedrooms. "Calysta, your room is on the far end of the hallways and Alex, your room is on the other end. My room is downstairs if you ever need to find me." Jaden explained.

I nodded and begin to walk down the hall to my roon when I hear Alex begin to yell. "No! Lyssi, where are you going?" Alex cries.

"I'm going to my room and unpacking my stuff. Why? What's wrong?" I ask worriedly.

Alex beings to run towards me and hugs me. "Don't leave me." he begs.

"Alex, I'm not going anywhere. I'm just going to be down the hall." I tell him.

"Everyone's leaving. You can't leave too." he whimpers.

Jaden gives me a confused look, and that's when I come to the realization that he's scared something's going to happen to him or me. Scared I'll leave like mom and dad. Or Alan and Richard. I'm really all Alex has. And he's all that I really have. I kneel down to his height. "How about this?" I offer. "How about you sleep in my room with me for a couple days, and when you feel ready, you can move into your own room?"

Alex's face brightens up a bit and he nods. I tickle his stomach, hoping it'll brighten him up a little bit. This kid is the only light in my life at the moment.