The bet

Maybe i can be happy here

       Sweat ran down my forehead as my eyes locked on the prize. It was coming, slowly but surely.... If I missed, it wasn't even worth thinking about.... My legs began to bend, getting ready for the jump. My arms curled up ready to pounce out and grab my target. This was it. It was opposite me! My body sprang into action and I leaped forward. My finger tips grazed the side and for a moment I feared I'd missed but no. I secured my fingers around it.....
And pulled my suitcase off of the baggage carousel. Few! I held my blue plain suitcase next to my leg and grabbed the next three I had with me. That's right four suitcases. But everything I owned was in them. Really, it was sad and pathetic that my entire life could be packed up into four suitcases. Shaking my head form the morbid thoughts, I awkwardly grabbed all four handles and started rolling my way to the entrance.
       I was meant to meet Auntie Jamie in the car park; she had a red Jaguar F-Type R that I was meant to recognise her by. After she'd told me this id had to google what the heck one of these looked like and had the printout image in my hand right now to guide me. I sucked at cars.
I hated airports, they were so crowded and loud, And call me a pessimistic, but full of lies. They were full of family's either being rejoined together or stupid naive family's going on a 'happy wholesome family holiday' where the mum would spend most of her time leaving her kids in the day care at the resort and the father drinking in the bar. I'd always found that airports just highlighted how false family's were.
Again shaking off the sad thoughts I walked out the exit, eager to leave the airport, and stopped straight away. There'd been no need to print of the car, as I saw auntie Jamie jumping up and down and waving at me in front of a bright red car Parked directly at the entrance of the airport. Awkward.
I smiled at her and walked forward, keeping my head down and trying not to go bright red. See I loved auntie Jamie so much, she had been my rock since mum died, but she was always so enthusiastic. Like all the time. It was exhausting. Plus right now, her jumping up and down? Let's just say she wasn't overlooked in the boob department and so her gals were just flying all over the place and nearly everyone was ogling. Cringing but smiling I stepped forward and hugged her. I had missed her so much. I hadn't seen her in at least five years. Mum and me had moved to England when I was 9 after she left him and so we didn't see auntie Jamie and cousin Elijah and Hazel hardly ever.
"Oh my gosh sweetie! I haven't seen you in ages, you've grown up into such a beautiful young lady!" She gushed, her hands holding my cheeks and her gaze skimmed my attire. She suddenly noticed my bags and rushed to help me slid them into her car boot.
"Ha thank you aunty Jamie." I replied automatically, I became incredibly awkward when given compliments. "Nice car!" I said trying to change the subject to anything.
" what this old thing? I've had a few years I need a new one soon! Maybe we can go shopping for one together." She started rattling on about different cars and I tuned out; like I said I sucked with cars. Though when I had googled this one I couldn't help but notice the price just under $100,000. And I couldn't help but wonder how I was going to survive in her life style if she considered this old and needing to be renewed. Back in London mum had worked as a waitress with me working at the local shop. Each month it was a gamble whether we'd make rent and pay the bills. I didn't know how I would deal with going from that to all this. It would be nice to not worry about getting enough money to eat though.
"Oh and darling I just love this accent you've picked up!" She laughed as we climbed into the car, startling me and grinned with her. It was true I'd lived in London nearly 8 years now and considered it my home. Not California where I was born.
"Yes, I wasn't really aware I had an accent until getting here." I laughed and looked out of the window. It was gorgeous. Palm trees lined the streets and I could already see the sea. It was a deep dreamy blue that looked stunning. Id left London in the rain and was welcomed here with glorious sun. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad living here.
"So how are cousin Elijah and hazel?" I joked in a extremely posh English accent. She laughed and and switched lanes before looking over at me.
      "Oh they're doing swell. They attend Santa Barbara private high school which is where you'll be attending as of tomorrow! Hazel is looking forward to seeing you so much and wanted to apologise for not being with me to pick you up, it's Sunday so she has dance until 4." She rambled quickly, I had to watch her lips and really pay attention to understand what she was saying.
       "Oh no it's fine! I don't expect her to drop everything for me, I'll see her tonight anyway." I shook my head and turned down the radio so I could hear her easier.
      "Your so nice Frances." She smiled at me and for a moment I saw sympathy in her eyes. She didn't finish her sentence but I could finish it myself 'your so nice Frances, you turned out so well considering everything that's happened'. I shook it off, I hated sympathy but I knew auntie Jamie was just an incredibly caring person.
       "Please call me Frankie," I muttered looking at my fingers.
        "Of course I'm sorry i forgot. Anyway, as I was saying hazel is really looking forward to seeing you and has made me reassure you not to worry about school and getting lost etcetera. Her and all her friends will be with you every step of the way!" She laughed and I just sat there staring ahead at the road. Everything here just seems lighter.
      "Well I really appreciate that but she doesn't need to babysit me." I said trying not to sound rude or bitter, but I'm pretty sure it came out that way. We pulled onto a nice street with giant houses. My mouth dropped open as she pulled up a long tar-macked drive and parked next to the biggest house id ever seen.  Wow a lot has changed in the last five years. It was beautiful. The car stopped and auntie Jamie put her hand on my arm, turning me to face her.
       "Now you listen her Frances," auntie Jamie said in a shockingly stern voice. "None of us here think we are 'babysitting' you as you put it. We are family. This is what family does. We care and help each other. We are just doing what you would do for us I'm sure. Now, smile and let's go get you settled in." Her voice softened at the end and she pulled me in for a hug. "Let's go,"

    "This is beautiful auntie Jamie! This is all mine?" I stared shocked at the room before me. It was bigger than our entire house back in London.
   "It sure is. I'm so glad you liked it, I wasn't sure what colour to decorate and I asked Hazels opinion and we decide to just go for black and white, you know? Keep it simple. If you don't like it, we can decorate again next weekend," she asked concern lacing her voice. I pulled my suitcase into the main bedroom space and pulled one of them onto my queen bed.
    "On my gosh no! I love it so much it's incredible!" I laughed walking over and hugging auntie Jamie tightly. She laughed surprised but quickly hugged me back.
There was a giant white bed in the middle of the room with black painted walls. A giant abstract painting was hung above my bed that I instantly fell in love with! Art was my passion, the only constant in my life and I appreciated auntie Jamie remembering this. White chairs and units were in the corners of my room but opposite my bed were flowy curtains.
I let go then moved over to the balcony. This place had a balcony!? There were lace curtains that i pulled back and revealed two glass doors. I opened them up and walked outside. It was a stone balcony with beautiful flowers on the edges. I gasped looking out on the huge garden. I couldn't believe it. It was big enough to be a golf course.
      "I'm glad you like it Frankie, I think you can be happy here. I'll go make dinner now, it's 3:00pm. Hazel should be back in an hour and a half and I've told Elijah to come back have dinner with us all." She smiled sweetly before kissing me on the cheek and left me out of the balcony. I couldn't believe how sweet she was. Sighing I turned around and soaked in the peaceful garden.
I thought I could finally be happy here too.