Darlin' [Jay Gatsby - Discontinued]

Chapter 1 - There's No Place Like Home

01.| Chapter 1

"Oh Nikki, it's beautiful!"

The eternal burning star flares onto the bonnet of the deep blue Dodge, bouncing off in hot waves, the car shines proudly, chugging its merry way through the off road paths leading to the old, overgrown forgotten groundkeepers cottage, that was now The Carraways. Rose and Nick Carraway sit comfortably in their rather expensive Dodge, both elate with happiness to be rid of the 'family' they had back home. Rose's hands moving with her speech, bouncing in her beige chair as their new home came into view, her legs bouncing quickly in place, barely containing the excitement coming off her in waves.

Nick side-glances his sister, content Rose is happy, but also content in the life they're both building for themselves: a new home, a new car, Nick's bright eyes glisten with gentle tears, a pearly white smile broadens on his lips, a nauseous wave of staggering overwhelm encasing his entire being, raising goose bumps along his skin, a sliver of dark brown hair falling in front of his vibrant blue eyes as he talks with animation with his sister.

Nick slows the automobile until it gently glides in place, the sturdy wheels snapping the aging sticks, twigs and old moulding planks scattered and abandoned on the ground. Immediately, Rose's pale delicate hand clasps the cold, silver handle, pushing the door open smoothly, stepping out gently, her flats meeting the ground with delicacy, her body following gracefully, her pure white dress floating behind her as a warm gust of wind flutters over her.

"Oh my!" She gasps breathlessly in a wistful tone, her hand covering her gaping mouth. "Oh Nikki, it's beautiful!" She continues, glancing over her shoulder at her taller brother, seeing the peaceful smile on his face, he nods with enthusiastically walking closer to the cottage entrance and finally into the cottage.

Rose turns back around towards the mystical garden, her beautiful sapphire blue eyes touching every inch of the wonderland. Snapping branches hung from the ancient trees, the fading leaves from the trees creating a breathless canopy over the top of the overgrown yard. Dark, green vines crawling along the floor, almost as if they were reaching out for Rose. The sunlight breaking through the canopy, beams down onto Rose's face, her eyes gleaming in the light.

"Rosie!" Nick shouts joyfully, finding himself rushing to the front door to find his sister, his feet falling down the small steps quickly, jogging across the overgrown beige stepping stones and around their car to grasp his sisters well manicured hand resting gently at her side.

"Yes Nikki?" Rose giggles, her eye-lids fluttering against the sun, clasping her hand around Nicks fingers, pulling it up to her chest, wrapping her other hand around it, their faces close together, eyes wide in delight. "It's just as wonderful on the inside!" He reveals, hopping on the spot like a giddy child.

Rose's enchanting eyes widen at the newly found information, easily pleased with the freedom, she recently gained, flinging herself past Nick, she pulls him along behind her, her laugh generating a happiness that would last forever. Pushing the door open, Rosie halts in her hurry, her words falling short on her pink lips, Nick bumps lightly into his sister, both almost speechless. Tears spring in the corner of Rose's eyes, she inhales sharply, turning around slowly, she encased herself with Nick, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, her face digging into his neck.

"Oh this is just wonderful Nick! We finally have our own place away from them!" She cried lightly, a throaty laugh reaching from her throat, her emotions fluctuating with both sadness and happiness. Nick wraps his arms around his sisters neck, letting them rest peacefully, hands splayed in between her shoulder blades, gently rubbing her back, shushing her sweetly. They tip back and forth until Rose slowly unwinds herself from Nick, pulling back gently.

"Sorry!" She apologises bashfully, her hands moving up to her face, rubbing under her eyes to rid herself of the tears that had fallen, she sniffles before glancing up to her brother, seeing a small smile on his face. "What?" She complained innocently, slightly uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Nothin'! I'm just glad to see you happy, even if there are tears involved." He chuckles lightly, wrapping his arms around Rose before he turns her around and gently pushes her foreword further into the appealing cottage structure.

Reaching her hand out, Rose strokes the glossy mahogany wood beams stabilising the cottage she stood in, a faint wooding smell fluttering throughout the home, accompanied by a fresh forest smell. Breathing in the scent, Rose sighs in content, dancing gracefully around the furniture, exploring the house with wondrous eyes.

As night fell, blanketing the sky with a thick foggy blackness, the moon gleamed like a large diamond in the sky, radiating safety, protecting the inhabitants below. Stars twinkle gently in the twilight, seeping through the fog clouding the sky, a sparkling sign of warmth twirling throughout the clouds. Rose makes quick, closing her eyes and whispering under her breath, she wishes. Wishing for something grand, something truthful, something beautiful. 

Resting her warm forehead against the cool glass, Rose sighs a sad sigh, her breath fogging up a patch next to her. Ceasing the opportunity, she brings her hand away from the book she'd been reading to the window, delicately tracing a heart with her finger on the glass. A cold chill sweeps through her almost bare room from the small window she had left a jar accidentally on the opposite side of her room.

A large canopy bed sits in the far corner of the room, a soft lavender coloured bedding set neatly presented on top. A small set of windows rest on the wall closest to the wooden door, with a larger seating window, the opposite side to that. Deep mahogany furniture scatter haphazardly throughout her room, a simple bed side table with a small shaded white lamp, a wardrobe to hold her extravagant yet simple clothing and a dressing table with a small rounded mirror placed securely on top.

It wasn't everything just yet, there was still more to be bought and assembled, she needed somewhere to hold the mountains of books she had collected over her years. A shiver creeps down her spine, her eyebrows creasing softly, unsure if she felt the shiver from the cold wind or the bizarre feeling she felt settling over her, as if someone one was gazing upon her.  Squaring her shoulders, Rose stands from her cushioned window ledge, placing her original 'Romeo and Juliet' book in her original place. Wrapping her silk robe tighter around her, pulling the tie into a bow, stalking over to the open window and pulling it closed.

Trotting throughout her new home, Rose makes her way towards the living room, where she knew her brother was up studying and working for his new job. Slouching in an old yellow and golden chair, Nick reaches under the glasses he adorns on his nose, rubbing his eyes furiously. Hearing his sister walking into the room, he glances up tiredly, sending her a small smile before refocusing on the thick red book he held in his hands.

"I'm going to bed Nikki, you should make yourself scarce soon to" She spoke gently, padding over to him, softly kissing him on the cheek. He nods in defeat, watching as his little sister left the warm room and off to bed.