I Smell Summer

Chapter 1

I was lying in bed. Just thinking.

I Hate it here. I hate it. Its ruining me. Even though I have lived my whole life in the urban area of the outskirts of Sydney, I have always admired the coast. I like the beach and the small towns near them. They calm me and I feel like my soul was made for the ocean.

I particularly admire Yamba. Its where my nana lives. Its located just below the border of Queensland and is quite a small town. Yamba by itself makes me happy. I look at pictures on instagram and wish that i was one of those girls who lived on the beach.

I need a fresh start. I had a fight about 10-12 weeks ago with one of my closest friends. It wasnt just a ignore each other for 1 day, talk it out, maybe cry a bit and be friends. It was worse. It lasted about 2 weeks and there were a lot of things she said to me that I cant forget anymore. We did make up but there were a lot of rocks left un turned. I feel curious to know how I made her feel but she has left them behind and may never tell me. So 10 weeks later I still feel depressed sometimes thinking about the things she said to me.

Im stuck in a rut. I go to school, come home, study and then do the same everyday. There is nothing to do, no where special to go. Im stuck. I want to run away and live with my nana up the coast but i dont know how to tell mum. She will get worried about me that I feel depressed still and she will want me with her but... I cry thinking about the beach. Its my happy place. I cry because I know I cant get there. Sure I could take a 40 minute bus trip to manly beach but its not the same. Yamba has a place in my heart. And honestly. I feel like I dont belong. Because I dont.

I decided I would ring my nana and ask her for advice. I think before I ask to move there I just spend this 6 week holiday there instead. In Australia we have a 6 week beak starting from about December 20 - February 10 or something. And it being Australia means that its summer then so its a perfect time for me to test this out. I pick up my mobile phone from my bed and call my nanas home phone.

*ring ring*

"Hello?" I heard my Nana Joy answer. We call her Nana Joy because my nana on my dads side already is called nana so, to help us recognise who were talking about, we call her Nana Joy.

"Hey nana joy its Kylie" I said chirpily down the phone.

"Hello dear how are you?"

"Im fine thanks. Im happy that its the first day of holidays."

"That's good. Are you going to come visit?" Nana Joy asked

"Indeed I am. But I need you help" I told my Nana Joy about my plan to spend the whole holidays with her and asked her if she could talk to my mum about it. My mum always listens to her. She agreed and I told her I would be there in two days. (Thats relying on mum to agree with this)

I said my goodbyes to Nana Joy and started making a list on my phone of what I needed to pack. I heard the house phone ringing from downstairs and new straight away it would be Nana Joy. I went and sat at my laptop and started searching beachy hairdos to wear at Yamba. I heard Mum mumbling on the phone downstairs and someone making their way up the stairs. I jumped in my seat as my bedroom door was swung open by my 12 year old little sister Claire. She was getting excited to be going to highschool and starting year 7 after the holidays. Me being 3 years older will be starting year 10. One downside of going up to Yamba is that i would miss christmas, New Years, my birthday (January 17) and Australia Day with my family. But ill cope.

Claire leaned against the door frame and stared at me. I was waiting for her to start talking but she crossed her arms and chewed on her gum really loudly.

"What?" I asked her

"Mum wants you downstairs" she said then left. Someone's getting hormonal geez.

I stood up and made my way downstairs. I heard mum laugh to nana joy then said her goodbyes. I walked into the kitchen and watched as mum hung up the phone.

"Morning Kylie" mum said to me.

"Morning" i replied with a smile while getting some orange juice from the fridge. I poured some in a glass and went and sat down in the dining room. Claire went and watched tv and mum sat across from me.

"So Nana Joy just rang. She was inviting you to stay with her" mum informed me.

Playing along i asked "How long for?"

"The whole holidays" she said.

I tried to act surprised by opening my eyes wide and smiling. Mum laughed at my response.

"I'll take that as a yes then." Mum said while cutting up her toast.

"When do i leave?" I asked her. I wasnt actually sure when mum would let me go.

"Nana Joy said two days"

"Okay sure thats perfect. Thank you so much mum. Are you going to stay the first night or...?"

"What?" Mum asked  

"Kylie there is no way im driving you 10 hours up the coast to drive all the way back. You're going to catch the bus up."

Dam. The bus sucks. They only stop 2 times and there's no toilet on the bus. Driving you can pull over whenever to pee but with the bus, you can't. I say thank you to mum again for letting me go.

I head back upstairs to start packing. Yamba watch out. Kylie Richardson is coming your way.