Lost

Chapter 1

"Hip hip hooray!!!" My friends shouted as I blew out the candles harshly.
My 21st birthday... Honestly I didn't think this day would ever come. I mean my family has been struggling for a little while now and I didn't even think they would be able to throw this party.
I look around at my friends, their faces bright and cheery. Then at my mum, forcing a smile on her petite face, much the same as my father.
Now your probably thinking, yeah financial trouble, but that is not the problem of my family.
I used to have an older brother Matt, but as of 4 and a half months now he has been missing. At first my family came together, hoping and praying, constantly telling ourselves it would be ok. But after the first month our hopes merely slipped away and my parents went downhill from there. And that brings us to the present. Me blowing out my birthday candles with a happy group of friends and a pair of unhappy parents.

"Thanks guys!" I say cheerily pushing the image of my parents standing next to me out of my head.
"Presents presents!" My best friend Gracie calls as she runs over to grab them all.
Everyone laughs, knowing that Gracie has a knick for being super proud of her gifts.
"Me first me first!" She squeals.
"Ok Gracie! Calm down," I say as I unwrap the carefully wrapped gift.
I feel Gracie's gaze locked onto my every move and smirk at her intense-ness.
I rip the last bit of sticky tape off and the wrapping paper falls away from a box. I look up and her and her smile brightens.
I slowly open the box, seeing her unsettle slightly at how slow I'm opening it.
'Never keep Gracie in suspense' I think as I continue.
Inside the box there is a small piece of paper. Folded into a swan, but I could see the obvious writing on wings. I take it out slowly and they all breath in.
I slowly dissemble the swan, slowly as not the make the slightest rip.
I straighten the sheet out...
'Dear Amanda,
It has quiet a while since I last saw you and I can imagine your upset with me...'
I look up and see a tear roll down Gracie's cheek.
'... I didn't want this all to happen and I know I have heaps of explaining to do, and for that written on paper is not the best, that is why if you step outside the front door right now I am waiting for a truly needed discussion.
Love your big brother... Matt'
I stare up. A look of concern becomes obvious on Gracie's pale face. The words go over and over in my head 'outside the front door'.
I sat for a few seconds before standing up slowly, without saying a word and walking unstably towards the door. I open it slowly and a man stands before me. His black suit glimmers in the patio light and his shoes sparkle.
"Hey Mandie?" He says cautiously.
I look at him for a minute.
"Matt?" I question feeling faint.
"Yes, I came back. I know it's been a while," he says. "How's it all been going?"
I step forward and slap him in the face!

My eyes open immediately and the darkness of the room engulfs me... I breath heavily and feel sweat drip down my forehead. I get up in a hurry and run to the door. Running down the hallway Matts room. I look in. The flowers and messages cover the entire desk. Just the same as it has been for the past 4 and a half months.
I slowly walk back to me room, feeling tears form in the corner of my eye. I lie in my bed and grab Matts favourite teddy from when he was a kid. I check the time on my phone.
'1:38 am'
I sigh, closing my eyes slowly, in effort to stop the tears, but they leak out. "Stupid dreams," I mutter before clenching the teddy close to my chest and falling back asleep...

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Hey guys!
This is my new story! So please keep reading and leave me some comments of what you think about the start!
Xx Nadia