Best Friends // lrh

1. Across the Street.

*Flashback, April 2009*

"Dad, I get that you want to go somewhere different this summer, but why Australia, and why am I out of school over a month early?" I asked my Dad. 

"A change of scenery is always good." He said as we walked to our gate. 

"You do realize it's winter there right?" He looked at me like I was mental, "Well, Australia is in the southern hemisphere which means compared to us the seasons are reversed and so are the days and nights because they're in the eastern..."

"That's why you're out of school early, you're too smart for your own good." He laughed at me. 

"It's not like I'll really be able to meet anyone either, they're in school." I mumbled. 

"Well, then it's just us all summer." My dad smiled down at me.

I laughed, "Oh, wonderful."

We sat around for another hour or so, waiting for our flight. I just sat and listened to music and read. It's funny, my dad was the only one out if us two that brought practical stuff for the plane ride while my carry ons included my guitar case and my backpack/purse. I brought my guitar everywhere with me. Considering how many times my Dad and I moved throughout my short, almost 13 year life, it's been to about 10 different states and three countries besides the U.S. 

"Now boarding flight 26 to New South Wales, Sydney, Australia." Someone said over the speaker. 

"That's us sweetheart." My dad told me. 

I got out of my chair and walked over to the lady collecting tickets and checking passports. As soon as we passed her, we walked into first class. We never really flew first class because our flights were never that long, but when you're flying from Miami to Australia, it's pretty long. 

"Dad?" 

"Yes, darling?" 

"Are we coming back to Miami when we come back, or somewhere new?" I asked even though I knew the answer. 

"Change is good. We'll be going to Michigan." 

"Well, that's definitely a change." I whispered. 

"Get some sleep Lacy, it's going to be a long flight." 

With that, I put my headphones in and pulled out a book. I got through about 6 chapters before I finally nodded off to sleep.

***

"Wake up, Lacy, we're landing." My dad whispered while gently shaking me. 

I got up and looked out my window, sure enough I saw the runway coming beneath us. I put my things back into my backpack and pulled my hair into a top knot. We got off the plane, grabbed our luggage and caught a cab to our house 45 minutes away in Riverstone. Apparently we had family here, and they were allowing us to use their "vacation house" for the summer/winter. Despite that fact that it's technically winter here, it's not that cold. My jumper and leggings were perfect for this weather, my dad's shorts on the other hand...

As we walked up to the house I noticed three boys playing soccer in their front yard across the street. They looked about my age, maybe older, but probably not. I couldn't help but laugh as one of the boys took it upon himself to hit the younger looking boy in the back of the head for not paying attention. I gave one last smile to the boys before walking the rest of the way up and into the house.

*one month later*

"Hey, Dad, I'm going to walk around a bit, maybe check out the park or something." I called as I walked down the stairs.