M A T I L D A
THE EVENT OF THE year has finally arrived. Excited is an understatement, I am beyond excited. I've been waiting for this day since my very first day at Bells Academy. No, I don't mean the final surf off. The weeks leading up to this particular date were excruciatingly long. I can't begin to comprehend how Hamish and Jodie must have felt. But the wait made me appreciate and look forward to this moment even more.
Scott and Beth have let Justin and I have a week off from training and school for the wedding. Justin is coming as my date, although, he had been sent an invite of his own. I am overjoyed to see my family once again after so long. The academy rules were that we are unable to visit home whilst attending the academy, however, if our families were in the area, they were more than happy for us to catch up. Knowing my family's constant busy schedule, I knew that they wouldn't have the time to visit me, and I was right. I have gone nine months without seeing my family and I couldn't think of a better way to see them than to celebrate Hamish and Jodie.
Justin and I caught a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane earlier today, before jumping onto a bus to reach Byron Bay. Justin has organised for his friend Julia, and her boyfriend Jackson, to pick us up from the bus stop so I can surprise my family with an early arrival. I had told my family that the Scott and Beth only allowed me to have a few days off, allowing me to arrive the day before the wedding.
"I'm so excited!" I exclaim, practically jumping in my seat.
"Really? I would never have guessed," Justin says, rolling his eyes sarcastically. It was late afternoon when the bus finally pulled into the bus stop at Byron Bay. From the bus window, I can see Julia and Jackson waiting for us.
"Is it weird that I'm a little nervous to see my family?" I ask as we begin to make our way off the bus.
"Don't be nervous, they're your family! They'll love your surprise, I'm sure," Justin reassures me and I nod. I know he's right.
As soon as I'm off the bus, I drop my bags and run to give Julia a hug. I have become quite good friend with Julia. She's came to the academy a few times with Justin's siblings and we'd kept in contact online. I greet them both with a hug as Justin places our surf boards on top of the car. We were only here for a week, but we couldn't hold back from an opportunity to surf back home. It also gave us some time to catch up on the training we'd be missing back at the academy.
We arrive at Justin's house and unload our luggage. I'm staying with Justin because Jodie's family and the rest of the bridal party are staying with my family in our house so there wasn't enough room for me. I think it's a fairly good excuse to stay with my boyfriend since I was going to ask my mother anyway.
After unloading, Justin and I venture our way across the familiar street to my house. Butterflies stir in my stomach as I approach the front door. I would usually go through the back, but the glass door would give away the surprise. I look back at Justin as I reach for the door, he gives me a quick nod of encouragement and I quietly turn the handle. I open the door as quietly as I can, wanting to be able to enter the house without anyone knowing. I hear voices coming from the lounge room so Justin and I make our way towards them.
"Long time no see, hey," I say, entering the lounge room. Everyone turns to face us, checking to see if what they are hearing is true. Their faces are priceless. Just the reaction I was hoping for. Jodie's the first to react, only a few seconds after my entrance. She squeals and throws are arms around me, hugging me tightly as we laugh.
"What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here for another few days!" she asks, still hugging me tightly.
"What can I say, I was dying to see my soon to be sister," I say, breaking away from her and flinging myself at my big brother.
