One Plus One Equals One

Chapter 7 - Gwen's POV

During the past three days, the Kefalas family has introduced me to more American sights, took me to my first fast food restaurant, and I met some more of their family. Laurene's father and brother, Lucas, with his wife Poppy and their three children Rosabella, Juliette and Theodore all came over for a barbecue Saturday night on Ellison and Laurene's private beach. They were all very sweet, and it was most wonderful to meet them. Ellison's sister lives in New York with her family, but apparently, they are due a visit from them, as well as Ellison's parents, so I may be able to meet the whole family one day.

I heard from my mother for the first time last night, which I was surprised yet pleased about. We only had a brief talk, but she reminded me to be safe and enjoy the experience, and informed me the rest of our family is doing well. Nothing has changed, as usual. Laurene also told me her and Ellison's love story, which was very endearing, and I hope that one day I will find a love as strong as theirs.

However, today is Monday so there is no time for love – only school. I am really excited, although Susanne looked at me as if I was a foreign species when I told her that. Of course, along with the excitement is an ocean of nerves – will people like me? Will I make friends?

For school I have left my freshly washed curls down, and applied a little mascara and lip-gloss as Susanne suggested. My outfit consists of a knee length white denim skirt and pretty embroided floral top paired with nude sandals, since the dress code is 'modest and smart-casual', although Susanne warned me that many of the girls try to break this rule. I usually only wear skirts when forced into them by my mother, but when I saw you could buy skirts made out of my favourite material (denim), I just knew I had to get every colour! Anyway, Susanne has already decided that 'Rayne Woods' will be a girly girl, even though she has to wear designer fake glasses. At least they make me look more sophisticated!

For breakfast, Maple the cook made me a nutritious bowl of Weetabix and fruit with natural yogurt, as well as Manuka honey. It was delicious, and simply melted into my taste buds. Something rather odd did happen at breakfast though. When I first arrived into the room, Cohen was in there on his phone and eating some scrambled egg on toast. I have not really seen him the last few days, as he went to school to collect some work on Friday whilst Susanne stayed home with me, and he was staying at a friend's house on the weekend according to Laurene. Personally, I wondered how he could miss out on the barbecue with his family. I could not imagine my own doing anything like that, with everyone relaxed and having fun together whilst the waves crash up onto the beach and the breeze flits through your hair. Anyway, when he noticed me he mumbled a hello in greeting, before letting his eyes shamelessly trail down my body, leaving a fire everywhere he looked. He stared for an especially long time at my legs, which I think is rather odd. I was paranoid that my legs were hairy, although I did just shave last night, and I did not think it had grown back already!

He left a few minutes after I arrived, which I was thankful for since we were sat in an uneasy silence, sometimes stealing a look at each other. Once I had finished breakfast, I went upstairs to collect my bags, nearly knocking Susanne over as she rushed to the bathroom. She had gotten up late, as usual. Cohen agreed to drop Susanne and me off to school since we are all in the same place, and I sat on the stairs whilst Susanne rushed around like a mad thing trying to look presentable. Her mum and brother ended up shouting for her to hurry in the end! By the time she was ready, nearly falling down the stairs whilst stuffing numerous books into her Louis Vuitton bag, Cohen was in an awful mood and nearly left without us.

"I'm so sorry about that, I must've forgotten to turn on my alarm!" Susanne apologises as we slip into Cohen's sports car.

"Forgotten my ass, you're just a lazy brat who can't be bothered to get out of bed." Cohen retaliates, causing me to gasp.