Summer Overseas ➸ a.i.

➸Chapter One

"So you have your passport-"

"Yes Dad, for the fourth time,"

"And you boarding pass-"

"Oh my god Dad yes!"

"Your two suitcases are checked in and Liz and the boys will be there to pick you up when you land,"

"Dad stop we've been through this a million times,"

"Your flight leaves in an hour and a half, make sure you know what gate your leaving from,"

I sighed loudly and finally he stopped talked. Honestly, I was terrified but adrenaline pumped through my veins and a smile was sewn onto my face. In less than 24 hours I would be in Australia. Constant sun and nothing on my agenda but to relax and enjoy my summer.

"Charlie you know I am only making sure you haven't forgot anything." He said pinching my cheek. His actions were playful but I knew he was upset. His sadness radiated from him. I took a step back before I got infected.

"Dad, I'll be fine. I pinky swear to call you if anything goes wrong-" He frowned. "-which it won't of c-course, nothing will go wrong!" I stammered, correcting myself. I took a deep breath before hugging him.

"Well I guess this is goodbye-" Nickelback's Rockstar starting playing out of nowhere. My dad pushed me off him and reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, started at the screen before answering it.

"Hi Megan, yeah no I'm just dropping her off now, I'll be there in a few-" I stood there, my eyes gaping.

"Nickelback?" I whispered to him only half joking, half angry that he had shoved me so hard. "Your ring-tone is Nickelback? Who even are you?" I laughed to myself but he shushed me. Alright then.

He hung up and put his phone back in his pocket, a new sense of urgency to his actions. Of course though, I'd be a fool to think he's put me before his wife.

"Megan's waiting so I better go. Ring me when you get there. Bye Charlie!" And with a wave and a wink he was gone. My hand was still half lifted in a lame attempt to wave back. I was only slightly shocked. Things like this happened all the time, him missing school shows in favour of parties with Megan, date nights instead of birthday parties. I just thought the fact that I was going half way across the world would have been slightly more important than her.

I had brushed him off but that doesn't mean I wanted him to rush off as if he had better things to do than say goodbye.

I decided not to dwell on it and made my way towards security. Going through all the security procedures took less than twenty minutes as there was only two people ahead of me. I pulled my rucksack onto my back, slipped my wristwatch back on before looking at the time. 8:40am. Way to early for me to be up on Sunday.

I hadn't had time to have breakfast at home so I walked towards the food court. I almost ordered something healthy like toast and an apple when I remembered that I was on my own with my own money and newly issued credit card for my father. Needless to say I ordered pancakes with extra syrup.

That is one thing my dad was good for. He had given me a credit card and promised to top it up with a $100 allowance every week. He was also paying Liz money towards rent, electricity and food. I wasn't complaining though, not in the slightest.

I then strolled aimlessly around the stores in Dublin Airport's Duty Free until the gate for my flight opened. Gate 5, which was lucky on the same side of the airport as I was standing. I took a seat and waited for boarding. I pulled out my iPod and put in my headphones, drowning out the drone of chit-chat.

Three Hozier songs later we began boarding. I ended up sitting beside a five year old named Sally who got me to play go fish with her. I didn't mind though, we had 20 hours to kill so we may as well play a card game. Other hours were spent reading a book, and thereafter finishing said book, eating disgusting food and trying to sleep on the hardest pillow ever made.

Although the weather in Ireland had been too cold, I am grateful that I wore my denim shorts because getting off the plane, a wave of heat punched me in the face at the door of the airplane. My hair began sticking to the back of my neck with sweat.

My converse were soundless walking along the long tube-like corridor that connected the airplane to the airport. Once in the main building we walked along more sterile looking corridors before coming to the carousels. I went and got a trolley for my suitcases and after a short wait, I had both beside me. Just as I was turning away from the carousel I saw Sally. She waved hesitantly and I couldn't help but smile and wave back.

I then wondered if my sister would ever be like that, cute and cuddly and extremely adorable. I doubted it considering it was going to be half Megan.

Megan Hemmings neé O'Connor is the woman who split up my family. She came along seduced my father and my mother was left at home, pregnant knowing her husband was having an affair. Instead of running however she decided to wait until I was born so she could leave me in the middle of the mess to rot.

"Charlie!" I hadn't realized I had wheeled myself into the arrivals area. I saw Jack running towards me. I barely had time to brace myself before I was lifted off my feet into a hug.

The last time I had seen Jack, not over Skype, had been three years ago for Christmas when they had visited us in Ireland. He had been 14. All I could say now was he was definitely not 14 anymore.

He was definitely more than 6 feet, his body towering over my 5"4. His blonde hair was now longer and styled up will gel as opposed to the buzz-cut he once had. His green eyes stared into my matching ones and I could help but beam up at him and hug him back just as fierce as he was hugging me.

"All right, don't kill her Jack. Chars come her and give me a hug." Only one person called me Chars because I only let one person call me Chars. I pulled away from Jack and turned towards my godmother Liz. 

I pounced on her and hugged her. There was a lump in my throat and I wished not for the first time that me and Dad lived in Australia. Liz Hemmings, my aunt by marriage was honestly the closest thing to a mother I had and I had missed her. I don't remember being taller than her the last time I saw her but then again, the last time I had seen her was pre-puberty therefore pre-growth spurt.

 "I missed you guys so much." I said after I had let go of Liz, my Irish accent sounding much more prominent in contrast to their Aussie ones.

"Jack, will you get Charlie's cases? The cars just out the front. Let's go home, get you settled in." Liz said already turning towards the exit. I turned to Jack and laughed at him struggling with the suitcases.

I was looking forward to getting to their house to see uncle Andrew and Luke, but mainly, because finding a comfy place to sleep was the only thing on my mind.