I stared out the plane window; what else was there to look at? We were 10,000 feet up in the air; sitting with my mum, and brother wasn't the best thing in the world. Both seemed to occupied with sleeping and playing air guitar while listening to his favorite band; however I was missing home. We had lived in Australia for 18 years, now all of a sudden we have to move? I remembered what my mum had said the night she announced we were moving:
"There will be great opportunities in America." She said, "Meeting new people, going to a great college, and over all trying a whole new life style. It will be great for us." She smile but behind that smile I knew exactly why we were moving.
Dad was only 39 when he got the news about his cancer; and for unlucky people like my dad, the cancer was spreading to quickly and there was nothing they could do about it. Being 16 at the time I didn't know what to think, and before to long the cancer had taken away what it wanted more than anything..my dads life. It had been a tough two years without him, and I guess this was mums way of not only helping us "move on" but her as well. Everywhere we went it just reminded us of dad, and I think she needed a new start more than anything. Sure I wasn't kicking and screaming as we packed up and left Australia, but I wasn't so happy about it either. I sighed and looked down at the book I had been holding on to so tightly since we boarded the plan.
Miracles happen you know?
I read the title over and over again; this was the last book dad had read before he passed away. Yet why didn't a miracle happen for us? Was he waiting for one too?
Some people smoke, some drink or take drives. Others run while I read. It's a strange way to cope; reading books made me feel as if dad there with me. At one time I thought if I read enough books that maybe just maybe dad would come back. Some miracle that'd be huh? So book after book, chapter after chapter; sentence after sentence and word after word I felt peaceful. However, my brother coped differently then I did. Something changed in him since dad died; he's not the same and I'm not the only one who notices. Mum does too; she just doesn't know how to deal with it anymore.
"No more tattoos young man!"
"No more piercings!"
"I found two bags of weed in your room; you are in trouble now!"
"What are used condoms doing in your room?"
Same old, same old. The thin walls couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice, nor could it hide the fact that through his actions my brother was screaming for help. But how could I help him when I couldn't even bother to help myself? I tried playing the "read a book" card, and all I got in return was a snicker and a slam of the door. I had to keep reminding myself that this is what dad would have wanted; he would have wanted us to live our life's and be successful. I was planning to do so; my brother on the other hand was willing to trade the successful life for the failure life.
I looked over at him; his head was leaned back against the head rest, eyes closed as he taped his thumb to the beat. My mum jolted awake as the flight attendant announced we'd be landing soon.
"Thank God.." She mumbled, sitting up slowly and stretching.
14 hours of hearing snores, watching boring re-runs, and people munching on peanut brittle you'd being thanking God too. America here we come..
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I placed the third box I had filled with books in my small bedroom. Mum managed to get a decent apartment in down town New York. Not too bad; yet this room was a lot small than my last room. I had just enough room for my bed and a dresser, and maybe I could squeeze my book shelf in here. I had a window on the far side of the room; there was no blinds yet so I decide to see what kind of view I would have. I looked straight ahead to see another brick apartment building; many windows with curtains of all colors, and blinds blocked me from seeing anything else. I looked down at the street below seeing my mum and brother fusing about something; I looked else where to see many people wondering up and down the streets. Cars driving up and down the busy road. Life was so much different here than in Australia. There it was so peaceful and quiet: here there's always noise. Horns honking, people yelling, even in the building itself you could hear the faint sound of music. We were in the fifth floor, and to be honest I didn't mind. I had a decent view and was perfectly happy knowing I had a room to myself again. I turned away from the window knowing I had to get back to unpacking. I walked through the slightly empty apartment; I opened the front door and to my surprise a girl was siting down. In front of a door that read Apartment 478. Her dark brown hair fell lazily over shoulders; her shirt hang off one shoulder so I could see a bit of her tan skin. Her legs, hidden away under grey sweatpants, were crissed-croosed, and I couldn't help but notice the book in her lap. Her head was in her hand as she read over the page; soon turning it to the next. I couldn't stop staring at her; she just so...good? All of a sudden she looked up at me; showing off her black think glasses. Her mint green eyes narrowing as she took her glasses off; looking up at me. My eye widened cause I had been staring at her for far to long, but how couldn't i? Oh no. I can't be developing a crush. Not now at least.
"Can I help you with something?" She said, her accent taking me by surprise. I wasn't use to this yet.
"U-uh I-i" I stuttered trying to find at least some words.
"Well?"
"I-I'm sorry I just couldn't help b-but see you're reading a b-book." I managed to finally say.
"Yes. I'm reading a book, or I was till I felt you looking at me," she said as she stood up. She pushed the glasses up the bridge of her nose.
"Sorry.." I muttered; looking down at the ground and scratching the back of my neck.
"The fault in our stars."
"What?" I asked looking at her; she chuckled and handed me the book.
"I'm reading the fault in our stars. I mean you were staring at me reading..might as well tell you what I'm reading." She said as I handed her back the book; my cheeks warming up slightly.
Before I could say anything I heard a ding; I looked over to see Robert coming out of the elevator with a box in one hand and a cell phone in the other.
"Hey Luke you have a ton of shit down in the car; go get it." Robert rudely said as he came up the few stairs looking down at his phone.
He looked up from his phone and noticed I was talking to the girl; or if you want to even call that talking. He smiled and put the box down by the door, taking his lip ring between his teeth as he grabbed one of her hands. Placing a soft kiss on it as he looked up at her.
"Hello there; didn't expect to see someone like you living here." He said as he shoved his hands in his pockets; I was frustrated already.
She smiled at him; her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink as her grip on the book and glasses tightened. How could he make girls do that? She looked at me then at him. Yes we were twins, and yet we were totally different.
"I'm Robert, this is my brother Luke," he said looking over at me then rolling his eyes a bit. "We just moved her from Sydney, Australia."
"I can tell from your accent." She giggled a bit; looking no where else but Roberts face.
"Well for me you're the one with the accent, which is cute." He said winking at her cause her to bite her lip.
"I'm Alexis but you can call me Alex." She said reaching out her hand. Robert took it and shook her hand.
"Or if you gave me your number I could just call you," He said, it was so cheesy yet seemed to win her over. She smiled and tucked a strained of hair behind her ear.
"Nice meeting you babe, but if you don't mind we have to get back to packing. See you later yeah?" He said giving her another wink before turning away and grabbing the box he had set by the door.
I watched as her cheeks turned a darker shade of pink; she turned away walking back into her apartment. She turned and smiled at me as she closed the door. I groaned in frustration; how could I have let Robert come in and ruin my vibe I had going there!
"Dude you have to work on your game; it's weak." Robert said as he pushed pasted me; jogging for the couple of steps till he got to the elevator.
I could already feel this was going to be war between us; a war that I know I was going to loose. The war to win Alex's heart and sadly I was prepared to loose. I was a loser who read books for fun while he partied for fun. He seemed like her type while if it wasn't for awkward stares or occasional bumps she wouldn't even know I exist. I sighed as I made my way down the few stairs to the elevator. It was terrible knowing you were about to loose a battle that hadn't even begun.
