Perfectly Imperfect

A New Beginning

The shrill of my alarm clock made me groan, as I hit the snooze button, and buried my head under my pillow. Today was moving day. It's only been three days after my parents funeral, and I cannot get over the fact that we would be leaving New Brunswick for Maine in less than three hours.
My brother, Quinn, had left two years ago to live in Maine after accepting a job at the Eastern Maine Medical Center. I remember crying as he made his way to the car, to start his new life as a doctor. I kept bagging him to stay, how I wouldn't be able to stay here without him, but he left anyways. I suppose that's why we all feel bitter towards him. He would only visit during Christmas break, and that was if he didn't receive a call to come back into the hospital. Quinn was the serious one out my four brothers, as he thought it was his duty to protect us and ensure we had everything we needed to feel comfortable.
Tarak is twenty-one, and the quirky one of the four. He is always cracking jokes, trying to lighten up the mood whenever there was drama about to begin. He could bring a smile to anyone's face, no matter what they were going through at the time.
Deene is nineteen and probably has the biggest heart out of all of us. He definitely takes after our mum in personality. He's the one I confide in when something is bothering me, and he's always there to listen, not judging me like my other three brothers would.
Andreis is seventeen and has quite a temper, even though he can be quiet at times. He doesn't have a filter, and can be pretty hurtful at times if you do something to him he doesn't like. Luckily, he has a soft spot for his lovely sister. I'm the only one who is able to calm him down when he goes into a rage.
Then there's me, innocent Audrielle, or so my brothers think. I am the baby of the family, and I surely get treated like that. Even when my parents were alive, my brothers didn't allow me to do anything. Going outside by myself? Don't even think about. Dating? They would have my head on a stake if I tried that shit. I can only imagine what it's going to be like once we arrive in Maine. Complete lock down Audrielle, complete lock down.
"Audrielle, sweetheart? I hope you're awake in there," I could hear Tarak banging at my door as he barged in.
"TARAK! GET OUT!" I screamed, covering myself in my blanket. They all knew I slept in my underwear, but always damn well barge into my room like they own the joint.
"I just wanted to make sure you were awake," Tarak covered his eyes, stifling a laugh.
"Of course I'm awake. Wouldn't want to be left behind." I jumped out of bed, stretching before putting on my robe.
"We could never leave our vulnerable, little sister behind," he smirked and pulled me into a bear hug.
"I'm not vulnerable, I can protect myself," my voice was muffled from his shirt.
"You? Protect yourself? That's what we are here for?" Andreis walked into my room, arms crossed against his chest.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a fragile China doll. I'm not going to break that easily." I unwrapped my arms from Tarak and sat back on my bed.
I could hear my two other brothers shuffling down the hall, towards my room.
"That doesn't matter, Aud. That's what we are here for, that's what brothers do." Andreis exclaimed.
"Andreis is right Audrielle. Especially since we are moving out of Shediac and to Maine. The rules there will be a lot more strict than here." Quinn stared at me, as I played with my hands.
"But Q, that's not even fair. The boys get to do whatever the hell they want, and I can't do anything except sit on my ass at home, and stare out the window." I said with frustration.
"I don't care. I'm not having anything happen to you on my watch, do you understand? Quinn walked closer to me, I looked away.
"When are you guys going to stop treating me like a baby? I'm sixteen! Andreis didn't even have a curfew at fourteen." I was becoming more frustrated as I tried to explain my side of the story.
"This discussion is over. Your brothers will drive you to school, and back when school is finished. If you need anything, you ask me or one of your brothers, and we will take you, alright?" Quinn placed his hand under my chin and pulled my face to look at him.
"Understood." I mumbled, pushing away from him.
Quinn sighed. "We leave in two and a half hours. Get the rest of your stuff to the SUV." Quinn started walking out the door, followed by the rest of the boys.
I arose, heading to the washroom to get ready. Turning on the shower, I adjusted the heat before undressing and stepping into the hot shower. There's no words to describe standing in the shower on a cold morning. Canada's winter was never welcoming. Between the countless blizzards we endured, to the weather being in the low negatives, this was the one thing that soothed me.
I finished showering and stepped out, wrapping a towel around me before making my way to my room. I had my grey sweatpants, and navy blue Pink sweatshirt laid out. I might as well be comfortable for the ride, I thought to myself. I changed into my clothes before looking in the mirror again. My long curly blonde hair was still wet, my emerald coloured eyes stared back at me. I looked so much like my mother, it frightened me.
After packing the rest of my things, I walked downstairs into the kitchen to get breakfast. The boys were there devouring their bowls of cereal. They really did eat like animals. I poured cereal into my bowl and sat down next to Deene.
"Are you excited for this new chapter, Aud?" Deene looked up at me, face beaming.
"You know I'm always up for anything new Dee," I smiled back at him. He was always so positive, I don't know how he does it.
We finished breakfast and started to pack the SUV up with boxes of our things. I was getting anxious about the whole trip. What if people don't like me? What if I don't make any friends? Thoughts were racing in my mind as I got into the family SUV. Quinn would be taking his Audi with Deene in the passenger seat, Tarak taking his Buick, and Andreis driving the SUV, with me in the passenger seat. We pulled away from the house, watching the house become smaller as we drove further away. I looked up at the, "Welcome to Shediac." sign as we drove away from our small town. It seemed like all of the problems started to disappear the further we drove. I put my headphones in, staring out the window, watching a few flurries hit the ground.
This was it. A new chapter in our lives. A new beginning.