Lovebug

chapter one

But he who dares not grasp the thorn, should never crave the rose. 

-

I've only seen airports in movies, but now that I'm in one I know they are the complete opposite of cool. The only part I did like was the people, I loved watching them, watching their busy lives waste away. From the business  man running to catch his flight to the little boy staring out the window for the next plane to land. There were so many people in one big room, never would I imagine myself in the middle of it. 

"Roseleen?" That word made me jump, never in my seventeen years of living had I heard someone call me by my actual name.  I turned towards the source of the soft and tender voice that called out my name and became face to face with a woman. She looked about her fifties, wearing a sweater with jeans and greyish hair tied up in a bun. 

"Are you Mrs. Lillie?" I questioned with a shudder, as my anxiety and shyness take over me.

The woman smiled, "You can just call me Lillie dear, I'm so glad I found you right when you landed," I smiled, checking my phone for the time and missed notifications from friends. 

"Roseleen will you help me? My other son just landed from his flight too and I'm trying to look for him. He's wearing a Washington University sweatshirt," I obeyed, scanning my eyes through the crowds of people to look for this one figure. I wish Lillie would've showed me his picture, one description of a sweatshirt will get us no where in here. 

Lillie sighed, pulling out her phone," I guess we'll head outside and see if he'll meet us by the exit, is that all you have?" She pointed down towards my small suitcase. I nodded, giving her a soft smile as we began to walk towards the two sliding doors that lead outside.

"Mom! Mom! Lillie Jenson!" Both our heads turned by the sudden shout behind us. I could tell he was the one by Lillie's smile and embrace she gave him. He was tall, very tall, if he stood next to me he would be towering over me. The sweatshirt he wore was correct by Lillie's descriptions, being accompanied by his blonde locks and tan skin. Lillie turned to me and that's when our eyes met, "Casper, meet Roseleen, the lovely lady who is staying with us this year," 

His blue eyes crashed with my green ones, feeling like waves pushing back and forth against each other, we both smiled catching ourselves in the moment, 

"Roseleen, never heard of that one before," Lillie wacked Casper as he laughed. 

I laughed too, "Washington University? That's a long way from Tennessee," I commented. 

Casper grabbed his bags and walked along side me as we followed Lillie outside, "Makes me miss home more. Trust me, it'll feel like home to you too pretty soon," he smiled. 

We finally reached the car and escaped the cold winds that were starting to pick up. Casper talked to Lillie most of the way to our destination, telling about his grades and asking how things have been here at home. I took the moment to look around, I've never been in Tennessee before, and it definitely did not look like a cowboy rodeo. The trees were in full bloom of autumn, spreading color everywhere like spreading paint on a giant canvas. 

Casper's voice suddenly stopped me from painting, "Hey Rosie? Did you hear Lillie?" he laughed, noticing I wasn't paying attention.

"Sorry no, what was it?" I finally spoke, leaning towards the front of the car and looking at Lillie. 

"Would you like to hear about the boys? They might be a handful when you first meet them," she giggled, looking towards Casper. 

Casper laughed again, make my ears perk up, " A handful? We're not that bad after a few weeks," Then Casper turned to me, "Okay Rosie, let me set the story up. So, all five of us were adopted, or wait, except Calum and Carson, those are Lil's boys. There's Henry, the oldest, currently not here; he works in New York as a doctor. Is he coming back anytime soon mom?"

Lillie smiled, thinking of Henry, "I actually talked to him yesterday. He said he'll be here in a week to visit and to help out with you youngsters while Roseleen is adjusting to our place,"

Even I began to smile, wondering what kind of guy Henry was like, then Casper continued talking, "Then there's me, the next boy in line, I go to college in Washington but you know that. No more about me haha, your other big brother is Heath, he's our big nerd of the house, if you need any homework done- just give it to him," he whispered, giving me a cute wink. 

"And then of course, Lil's boys, Carson and Calum. Quite the energetic duo, I believe they both are your age so, they'll know how to show you around and help you mingle with the other teens. Am I forgetting anyone?" Casper turned the spotlight to Lillie who was still keeping her eyes open as the sun went down in the horizon.

Lillie confirmed a few things with me, saying my room was once the attic but now it was furnished and I had a bathroom up there so none of the boys would disturb me. She also mentioned some classes I could take to see if I wanted to try online college. College, never thought of going there before. We finally arrived at this cozy home and huge yard. After an hour of Casper sleeping and Lillie trying to fill me in on what to do and not do around the boys and her husband we finally made it. 

The car made it through the trees and I got a better view of the beautiful house on the hill, seeing the lights still on and the fireplace going. We parked quietly in the driveway, I stepped out of the car taking it all in of the beautiful home before me. 

"Welcome home Roseleen," Casper whispered, walking past me and entering the house.