The Brooks Boys

Chapter Two

That was one of the weirdest things I have experienced in my life. It was bumpy yet smooth, scary yet relaxing. It wasn't that bad and honestly, I wouldn't mind doing it again. But not today I of course, even though I slept for almost all of the journey I am still pretty jet lagged and can't wait to get to our new house in Melbourne.

The are so many people here, mainly in business suits. Our bags and passports are checked, closely. And my dad frowns at the way they begin to poke and prod our luggage. My mother stands there wearing her politest smile, but I know that she is just as fed up and tired as me and my dad. Thats the thing about my mother, she never likes to show her emotions. She is very hard to read if you don't know her as well as me and my dad. Especially when shes upset, angry or tired. Her life motto is "Anger and fatigue are the banes of beauty." I giggle to myself as imagine her saying it to my father as he yawns. He would respond by smiling and rolling his eyes at her.

After customs have finished chucking our bags around the place we are finally ready to pack the car. It is raining lightly as we carry our luggage out of the airport. I almost forgot that Australia gets a proper winter. I know that sounds weird, but i've always pictured Australia to be sunny all year round. I'm not sure why though, thats how I see it in the movies. I'll have to make sure I get a lot of winter clothes, when I go shopping with my mother next weekend.

I'm so grateful that the car has good heating. I sit back in my seat as my dad tells the driver where our new house is. The drive to the house is filled with my dad my making small to talk with driver about the weather, sports and other 'manly' things. While I stare out of the window and let my thoughts flood in about my first day of school on monday. I'm frightened but excited all at the same time. I wouldn't say I am the most confident person, but I'm defiantly not shy. I love meeting new people and helping them with their problems. This is one of the reasons that I want to be a councillor. My dad says I was made for the job. When I little I was very, very observant. I would take in a persons every facial movement, down to the last eyebrow twitch. Just to read what they are thinking or feeling. So now I guess I can just read people really well.

I wonder what the school will look like. I hope it's not old. Like, as in mouldy walls old. I don't know why but I feel that I can function better in a modern school. Where teachers that aren't amish. I search through my hand bag to find my notepad and pen. I embark the words, Hello my name is Eleanor Clove and I go to Penola Catholic High School, onto the first page. The thought that I have just moved half way across the world and that I am starting a new school in two days still hasn't sunk in.

We finally pull up to a large drive belonging to a massive house. Wow. This is a lot bigger than our old house. The sides of the driveway are lined with grass and daisies. The huge house is white and baby blue. It looks like something that belongs to the kardashians. But instead of pink it has highlights of baby blue and instead of being fabulous its neat and classy.

"We're here!" My dad proclaims, waving his hands as he states the obvious. I am beyond tired, I feel like i'm going to pass out anytime soon. And I can tell my mother is also trying her best to stay awake. There are already two cars in the driveway, I presume they're ours. We only have one neighbour and their house looks a lot like ours but their roof linings are light green. And our drive way is much bigger. I hope they're nice, our old neighbours were. Their daughter was one of my good friends. I miss my friends already. My mom keeps telling me that i'll make new ones and I know I will. But they'll never replace my other friends. Especially Autumn. I don't think I can ever hold a bond that strong with anyone else, other than her. We were like sisters and now I feel lost without her. She was the sister I never had.

As soon as we walk through the double-glazed glass door, I gape in awe. This house is beautiful! The luxurious front room is almost as big as my old house's kitchen and living room combined. The huge glass chandelier hanging from the cream ceiling makes me gawp even more.

When we have unpacked the car, It's finally time for me to see my room. I've never moved house before. And it's more fun than I thought it would be. I just hope that the people in Melbourne are as nice as the people back in London. I look up in wonder at the polished oak staircase and make my way upstairs to see my room.

I love it. Everything about it. The theme is my favourite colour, purple. Every detail is perfect! From the white bookshelf on the wall and the fuchsia pillows on my bed. My bed. It's so soft to touch. It feels as though it was made from pure linen. I'm so happy I could burst.

I can sleep! In my perfect bed. I have waiting or this moment for nearly twelve hours. My shoulder blades feel like knifes slashing into the muscle beneath them. I don't think I have ever been this tired in my life. I think I should go back downstairs and thank my parents, but to be honest the only thing that I want to do right now is throw myself onto this bed and let sleep pull me under.

"Autumn, honey!" My dad calls from downstairs. Well sleeping is not an option now. I love my dad but once you get him talking, it's hard to make him stop.

The time is now 3:45 AM and every pot, pan, dish and plate has been put into its correct place. The house was already furbished so I have no idea how it took nearly 3 hours to put away some dishes and fold some clothes. We didn't have many clothes to pack away because my mom had already ordered new wardrobes to the house. I wouldn't say that we're rich but, both of my parents are full time doctors so we do have quite a bit of money. Their jobs are the only reason that we moved to Australia anyway. I know having wealthy parents may sound fun but they both work full time so I never get to see them. As they come back in the morning I leave for school. Like three passing ships, we only have enough time for hello's and goodbye's. I think it's finally time for me to go to bed. I'm beyond exhausted. I kiss both of my parents, say good night and make my way upstairs.

This mattress feels like i'm sleeping on clouds. The move has gone exactly how I had hoped it did. All I need now is for meeting the neighbours tomorrow, or later today seen as its four in the morning and school to go well and i'll be fine.