then ~ RUEL FANFIC~

Alira's POV

I stay up all night booking flights. Dad gives up trying to help me after 9pm and goes to bed.

"Wake me if you need a hand though, love." He adds before retiring for the night.

"I will. I promise." I reply, knowing full well I won't wake him unless I'm on fire.

Finally, at 1:48am, I get the email. 

One way flight confirmed.

DRW-SYD 30/5/20

I sigh, not knowing whether to be happy or not. Maybe I'll fall asleep right now, in front of the chair at the computer.

Although it be 3:18 in Sydney I decide to call Ruel on the off chance he's having a sleepless night like me. He answers after one ring. Although I called with the intention of talking to him the fact he answers surprises me.

"Hi." He says. "What time do you call this?"

"You're the one who needs his sleep. Not me. I'm not working tomorrow."

"Neither."

"Still haven't got a new job, then?"

"No. So why are you calling?"

I take a deep breath, regretting my booking. "You know what, it really doesn't... I mean, don't worry. Nothing."

"Alira, why are you calling?"

"Like I said. Nothing."

"It's 3am. You better not be calling for nothing."

I take a deep breath. "I booked my flights to Sydney."

Silence. Then he sighs. "You shouldn't have done that, you should have talked to me, please, i-"

"Stop. I'm coming, it's too late, and I'll be ok. I'm not  wasting my life having repetitive arguments about this."

"I was going to come to Darwin. Coco and I."

"Well, cancel that, because I'm coming to you."

"Are you going to stay with us? When do you come? What times your flight?"

"I might stay with you for the first week, but I want to get a unit to live in."

The line goes quiet again. "Live in?"

I gulp. "Ruel..."

"Alira, dont-"

"My flight, it's one way. I'm moving back. For good."

"I can't  believe you." He would've sounded angry was his tone not so hurt. "Please, don't do this to yourself."

"I'm doing it and I'm going to be happy."

"When is your flight?"

"In a week."

"What time do you arrive?" 

"3:15pm."

"I'll be there."

"I know."

"And you're sure you want to do this?"

"For the last time, yes!"

"Ok, ok."

"Ill... I'll let you go now. Get some sleep."

"You know I won't sleep?"

"At least try."

"Ok."

"Goodnight."

He doesn't respond and the call ends. I sigh and put my phone down. That wasn't easy.

I turn to leave the study and go to bed. Rocky is standing in the doorway.

"Oh, god, I- Rocky, why aren't you asleep?"

"I don't know. Just couldn't."

"What did you hear?" I whisper, scanning his face for any sign of knowledge.

"I heard you talking about... about moving."

"Yeah. I'm... well, yeah."

"Why are you moving? Don't you... don't you like us?"

I shake my head and stand up hurriedly. "Don't be ridiculous, I love you more than anything, you're my brother."

"You can't go back to Sydney."

"But I have to, Rocky. I don't belong here."

"But... but... I want to come with you."

He speaks questioningly and sounds scared by the idea I won't be there. I ruffle his hair and speak quickly and reassuringly.

"You'll be fine. Dad will be here, you'll go to school, hang out with your friends, play in the river, ride into town, you'll do well. I'm going to Sydney to work." This, of course, is a lie. Hopefully I'll find a job there eventually but that isn't the reason I'm going.

"Ok. Promise you'll call me?"

"Promise."

"And send me letters?"

"Yes, Rocky. I promise."

"And you'll come back, right? One day?"

I bite my lip. "Maybe. But you can visit me every holidays with dad, or I'll come here. I'll still see you. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried. I know Mum will look after you."

He walks out of the office and says a little goodnight over his shoulder, leaving me in alone in the dark, thinking about his words.