Our Stories

Nat's POV -Australia is a beaut. Damn I miss Papa

Kali, Dylan, and I made our way to our seats.

"I call the window seat," I claimed.

I heard Kali whisper behind me, "Dammit." I laughed and shoved her shoulder playfully.

"Oww," she said.

"Hey I have to have some fun on this plane!" She rolled her eyes and laughed. I guided Dylan next to my seat to sit next to me. We sat down and adjusted ourselves to be at least somewhat comfortable in the seats. I mean afterall it was going to be a very long 15 and a half hours. They start explaining safety procedures but I've heard it a thousand times since my family travels a lot, so I put my headphones in and listened to Demons by Imagine Dragons. I love that band!

I slowly fell asleep but was woken abruptly when Kali played one of her stupid pranks on me and popped some sort of bag in my ear.

"Kali!" She high fived Dylan who laughed with her. I punched her shoulder (for real this time).

"Oww bit-" she caught herself remembering that our mom and brother were sitting right next to us.

"I swear if you ever do that again it will be worse than that." I threatened. She whimpered. I checked the time on my phone to see that we only have 1 hour left of the flight, so I decided to grab my laptop and go on Netflix.
~~In Australia~~

We're finally here. It is about 4:00pm U.S. time. I stood up in the plane and stretched. I looked out of the window and felt my jaw drop. I grabbed Kali's arm and pulled. She turned around and stopped mid movement. It was so beautiful here. Being pulled out of my gaze my mom said that it was time to go to our new house. I was finally starting to get excited.

***

We pulled into the driveway of a huge house. I got out of the car and ran to the house. I walked in and immediately called out, "I call the big room!" I ran up the stairs to find it. My new room was baby blue and black chevron on one wall and baby blue on the rest. I flopped on my bed and let out a sigh. I had completely forgotten about California for now. Then Kali came into my room carrying my suitcase.

"Get your own suitcases next time," she set it down and left. I got up and began unpacking. I pulled my clothes out and started to put them away. Then I grabbed my picture frame with a picture of my grandpa in it. I miss him. I set it on the dresser top and began hanging up my christmas lights around my room. I pulled out my Imagine Dragons poster and hung it up. I grabbed my pictures of my twin and I, my family, my friends, etc and stuck them to the wall in a heart shape. Then went downstairs to get my furniture things. I went into my bathroom and set out my makeup, my shower stuff, etc. By the time I was done it was 4:00am AU time. I was awake for I was so tired that I fell asleep on my carpet with my giant teddy bear, Smallz. He's been my "best friend" since I was five. He's the only thing I have left from my grandpa.

***

"Faster papa faster!" I screamed as I rode his back. He trotted so that I felt like I was on a horse. I laughed until my belly ached and then he set me down.

"You can't catch me!" I ran away with my arms spread out like an airplane.

"Neaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam" Papa made airplane noises as he chased me. He finally caught me and threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I kicked but he grabbed me feet and started to tickle me. I laughed and laughed and struggled to get out of his grasp. My mom came out with my twin Kali and she ran to Papa and grabbed his legs as if doing that was going to help me.

"Let go let go!" Kali screamed but papa just laughed. He finally let me down after what seemed like forever.

"Okay you squirrels time for dinner!" My mom called from the porch. I glanced at Kali and we both bolted for the door. We were competitive especially when it came to food. Papa followed behind us and somehow beat both of us. He was athletic even though he was in his 70's.

"HA I win!" he said breathing heavily.

"Not fair you're bigger!" Kali said while laughing and breathing heavily as well.

"OOH grilled cheese!" I exclaimed with my nose in the air like a dog smelling the air. I walked inside with Kali and Papa following behind me. We got our sandwiches and sat down on the couch. Tonight was movie night and it was my turn to pick. I chose Monsters Inc. It was my favorite, and apparently Papa's favorite too!

We laughed and ate our grilled cheese. By the time we were done it was 8:00 p.m. It was time for Papa to leave so he kissed our heads and tickled us once more, said goodbye to mom and dad and left. It was our bedtime so we raced to our rooms to get ready for bed.

**Skip a few years ahead to August 2013**

Papa has been sick for about a week now and the doctors say that he might not make it out. He is hooked up to two machines, a heart monitor and a breathing machine. We are all really worried about him, and Kali and I have been staying at the hospital all week. Going home occasionally for clothes.

Today is August 11th 2013 and Papa is really bad today. He says his chest hurts. That he feels really light headed. Kali and I have been crying almost all day because we know that he isn't going to make it.

August 12th. Last night we got a call from the doctors... Papa had a heart attack. He died at 12:36 p.m. Kali and I are a mess. There is mascara smeared on our tear-stained cheeks but neither of us care. Our parents are trying to calm us down but it's not working.

Kali and I miss papa so much. He was our best friend and the best grandpa we could've ever asked for.