If Only

Chapter One: Home

Welcome to chapter one of my first novel, I really hope that you all enjoy and I'd love to hear ways to improve my writing.

Sitting in the front seat of my Aunty and Uncle's white Subaru I get lost in my thoughts as I watch the lights flash by. I think back to the amazing holiday I just had. I stayed with my Aunty and Uncle while my mum moved everything to our new house, it took her three months. I am mad at my mum for the fact that she is making us move all the way down to Melbourne, it's far from the south coast, I'd lived there for as long as I can remember. My mum has this boyfriend, well fiancé that I haven't met yet but she really loves him and if my mum is happy, then so am I.

My Aunty announces our arrival snapping me out of my deep thoughts. Oh God, I'm really nervous, what's he like? My little sister Gemma jumped straight out of the car and ran into my mother's welcoming arms, she was standing in the doorway with who I'm guessing is Damien.

I get out of the car reluctantly and slowly grab all my bags out from the boot, facing my new house I take it in, modern looking, white cement, two stories. Damien must be loaded if we can afford this.

It was during the six week holidays my mother and Damien decided to move in with each other. I had no objections to that but I definitely didn't want to move down to Melbourne.

Damien and my mother awkwardly stood on the front porch waiting for me to make my way up. I did. My mother greeted me with a warm welcoming hug, it felt really nice.

"I'm so glad you came." She admitted to me with excitement as she started crying from joy.

"I missed you so much," I said back, now I'm crying.

I step back from the hug and examine my mother. She's short, a bit chubby and has thin red hair with brown eyes. Her weight and thin hair were a side effect of all the medication she was prescribed over the years.

I go in and hug her again and soon retreat so I can formally introduce myself to Damien. I turn to him and study his features, black hair, green eyes and a square jaw. His body is quite thin and he is moderately tall.

"Hi, um, you must be Damien," I had no idea what to say, it was a bit awkward.

"Yes that's me, you must be Isla?," I gave a quick nod and turned back to my mum. I know it's a bit rude but I don't do well in awkward situations, but I'm glad I came to my new home, this feels good.

"Let's head inside, I'm sure Gemma is checking out the house and trying to pick out the best room," my mother says with a laugh, something I haven't heard in a while.

"I'm going to head to the hotel I booked for the night," My aunt informed everyone.

"Don't you want to stay here for the night? There is plenty of room." My mum Leanne offered. I know why my Aunt doesn't want to stay due to some history that they have they haven't been the best of friends.

"I really just want to head" I could see the hurt in Leanne's eyes, she tried hard not to show it. She turned around and called for Gemma to say goodbye. She came racing out in like five seconds and said her final goodbyes and ran back inside. She never really ever had too much to say, it was all about living in the moment for her. I wish I was like that.

I turned to the person who had been looking after me for the last six weeks, as well as being there for me most of my life. My mother and Damien had followed Gemma inside to give us some privacy. I couldn't help it, I started crying, again.

"Thank you, thank you so much for everything you have done for me, I love you so much and I promise to stay in touch with you," I say through the tears.