Diana: 4 months in the UK

(1)

Songs of the chapter: 
 -Get Along by Guy Sebastian
  -Won't Go Home Without You by Maroon 5
   -Stay by Mayday Parade
    -Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie

Tears spill down my mother’s face as I gather the last of my things. I try my best to avoid eye contact so I won't break down. I tell myself that I am only going to be away for 4 months but it will feel like a millennium. 

Loud thumping against the ground echoes through the hallway. The footsteps approach my bedroom door. 

The thumping increases and the footsteps quickened into a run. I wait for the owner of these footsteps to come to a halt and see that it is my 8 year old sister, Gracie. 

She's wearing a white singlet with denim shorts. Her hair is a spider web of brown curls and her brown eyes are glistening like the ocean. I stare at her for a few seconds before she bolts towards me, chucking her short arms around me while sobbing. I promised myself I wouldn't cry but seeing my little angel so sad makes the waterworks go off. We are both crying in each other’s arms.

After one too many sniffles and hysterical coughing, we face each other. "Dee, you won't forget about me, right? Her voice is slightly breaking and she looks like she is about to burst into tears again like myself. 

I take her hand and put it in mine. "No Gracie, I could never forget you. You're my #1." I squeeze her hand lightly and look at her. "Be a good girl while I'm gone." She nods her head as she wipes away hidden tears that have escaped. 

"I'll get you something while I'm gone, something to look forward to, yeah?" A smile dances upon her lips and transforms into a wide grin. "A soccer ball, please. My old one got stolen." 

"Okay, a soccer ball it is." The deal is on. 

"You and I, Dee?" Her pinkie is hanging loose in the gap between us, a promise that we will always be together. I hold out my pinkie and connect it with hers. 

"Yeah, Gracie. You and I forever." My weak voice breaks, saying goodbye to her is the hardest thing I could do. I hug her once more, embracing her more than ever, never wanting to let go. She doesn't deserve to be alone after what has happened in the past year. 

"Dee darling, it's 5 o'clock." said the calm voice of my mother. I break free from the hug and walk over to my bags. My mother tows my suitcase and I follow with my carry-on bags in one hand and Gracie's hand in the other.

I walk past the walls of my childhood that hangs the pictures of my past upon them. A young Diana beams at me with an ice-cream in her hand with my brother, Dustin next to her. I was 4 and Dustin was 7. It was my last day at kindy and we had gone to Ollie's to celebrate. Dustin's arm is around me, he is smiling like he is a proud brother. 

Another picture of Dustin, Gracie and I. Dustin is 16, I am 13 and Gracie is 2. Dustin is holding Gracie on his lap while I sit next to them. My facials show that I am laughing cheerfully as Dustin makes a face at Gracie who is crying.  

The last picture shows my dad. He was a commander in the navy. He wears his uniform with glory and pride; his hands behind his back and his posture is flawless. He is standing at flag pole that hangs the New Zealand flag at half-mast. He is frozen as he salutes. His face is worn and tired but ambitious. He died last year. 

I take a deep breath and exhale loudly. Pull yourself together, Dee. Dad would have wanted you to be doing this I tell myself. I shake my emotions and continue down the hallway to a clean-shaven, Dustin. 

Immediately I drop my bags and Gracie's hand and run towards him. I haven't seen him in months, not since dad had died. Dustin had been doing duty in Pakistan since he graduated and visited close to 3 times a year if we were lucky.