Please Remember Me (Jai Brooks)

Meeting him - again

Skylar's POV

After an excruciatingly long drive, we arrived at an ordinary looking house which was adjacent to another identical house. I sheepishly got out of the car to gaze at the house; Mum and Dad said this is where I grew up.

Some vague memories entered my mind about this bricked structure: getting into trouble with the neighbours for being too loud, climbing and falling off the trees, riding bicycles and skipping ropes. It seemed like I had the time of my life here - well, Sydney wasn't so bad either.

"Oh, thank you so much for helping your mother and I carry your bags, Skylar!" Dad huffed as he heaved my suitcases inside.

"No problem." I cheekily grinned at them.

I went inside the house and wondered around trying to dig up any more memories that may be lurking within the labyrinth that is my brain. Running up with some bags, I found myself walking into a bedroom with lavender walls. I gazed at the single-sized bed and carelessly dropped my bags on the floor so that I could explore some more.

I brushed my fingers on a chest of mahogany drawers with a strong inclination to feel the smooth surface, dust collected on my fingertips during the process. A high chair was tucked between the legs of a plain white desk which was marked some childish doodles of all colours.

"My old room," I gasped.

Someone hugged me, sobbing onto my shoulder and I shrieked with the thought that I was going to get kidnapped; as ridiculous as it sounds, it could happen to anyone - maybe I've been watching too many of those creepy documentaries that are on TV on Saturday nights.

"Jesus Christ, mother, you scared me!" I said gently pushing her off me.

"My little girl's all grown up," she sniffled, "I'm sorry, look at me getting all nostalgic."

I sighed hugging her, "I'll always be your little girl mum. Well, I'm almost taller than you but still metaphorically I will be your little girl."

It seems the older I get the more frequently this happens; but I didn't mind, I liked it when we told each other how we feel.

A comforting silence filled atmosphere during the hug and, after she finally let me go, I sat on my old bed; it was smaller than I remember it being - I guess that is a good thing, otherwise it would mean that I hadn't grown one bit.

"Hun? You can sleep in the other bedroom, it has a slightly bigger bed since it seems you've sort of outgrown this room. You can decorate it properly in a few months or so, after you're all settled," her words triggered me to smile in appreciation.

I saw her turn around to leave but before she did, I asked, "Mum? When does school start?"

"Tomorrow, I'm afraid. But don't worry, Penola is an great school."

"Ugh, it sucks being the new girl joining at a random point in the year. Everyone probably have their own friendship groups by now," I groaned in dismay. Whoever invented cliques has clearly never felt left out in their entire life.

"Don't be so pessimistic, Skylar. You'll make friends in no time. Besides, your old friends Jai and Luke Brooks go there. Do you remember them?" she asked with hope, "you used to be very fond with especially one of them."

"No..." I sighed then a shot of panic surged through me, "Mum, what if they recognise me?! What do I tell them?" I stuttered. 

I hate it when I can't remember people - it just makes me feel like a horrible person. When I woke up on a hospital bed surrounded by strangers I screamed bloody murder at their faces; after realising that they were my family, I felt incredibly terrible.