Lean on Me || Jill Roord

22. An Outside Look

Australia's warm air was a refreshing change from England's chilling winters. When I got out of the car, the feeling of home filled my body as I walked towards the porch of my childhood home. The neighbourhood hadn't changed much either as I glanced around, wondering if the same people still lived in the houses.

I took a deep breath before knocking on the dark stained wooden door. After a few seconds, I heard shuffling, and soon enough, the door swung open. It revealed my mother, who was maybe an inch or so taller than me, and the look on her face was priceless. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face and the warm fuzzy feeling that raced through my body.

When the initial shock of my presence passed through my mum, I was wrapped in a bear hug that I felt so safe in her arms. The same safety I found in Jill's.

"Caroline? What—what are you doing here?" My mum pulled away, holding me at arms length, analysing me. I couldn't help but grin; I had missed her dearly.

"Thought I'd visit," was all I replied with. Though it was enough for her to raise her eyebrow in suspicion, a concerned look flashed across her face, and of course I caught it. "I'm fine," I said with empty reassurance.

"You telling me that tells me you aren't fine, Caroline." She stepped back to get a better look at me as she crossed her arms. My facade finally began to falter, all the emotion that I had been bottling up since the beginning of my injury. It all surfaced once more as my mum's face softened when she realized. "Oh, my sweet Fleura," she cooed as she wrapped me in a loving hug once more. One that pushed me over the edge and let my emotions spill over.

I cried. I balled my fucking eyes out.

I cried into my mother's arms like a young child would when they scratched their knee for the first time. Letting it all out felt so good, and I wasn't sure how long my mother and I stood there in the doorway. At some point she shuffled us inside and closed the door softly behind us, but I didn't really notice as my head was buried in her shoulder. She wasn't much taller than me, just like Jill.

The sun had set long before my eyes were finally dry again, all red and puffy from the endless crying. My mum made up my bed as I sat on the floor of my childhood room; it hadn't changed in the slightest. It still held all my memories, ranging from all the sports I played to academic achievements to photos of friends and families. Just sitting on the floor and looking around made me feel slightly better. I was already a bit better due to the fact I had just cried out everything. I had nothing left to give.

"Mat doesn't have work tomorrow, so he'll probably be up when you wake up." My mum informed me as she finished up my bed. She worked the early morning shifts as a nurse, meaning she couldn't get much sleep before her shift now because of me. I got up off the floor and flopped on to the bed, clearing the thought from my head.

"Caroline, I just made it!" My mum whined, and I smiled into the comforter. "Sorry," I mumbled out.

I felt her lay a hand on my shoulder as she spoke, "I'll see you in the afternoon tomorrow; I'm glad you're home, Fleura." I knew she was worried for me; I hadn't exactly told her why I was here. She knew we'd talk when I was ready; it's not like I can hide things from my mum very easily.

Waking up in the morning, I felt exhausted, as if I hadn't slept at all. Even if I just got the best sleep of my life. I rolled onto my back, stretching my limbs, and wrapped myself back up into the comforter that was tossed to the side during the night.

It was rather bright in my room due to it being on the east side of the house with a window the sun shone directly into. Though as I glanced around my room, beams of light bounded around my various trophies and medals, making them sparkle in the light. A faint clattering sound drew my attention away and towards my door. I raised an eyebrow, realising it was probably Mathias, who was an unusually messy cook, and decided to roll out of bed.