It Started With You + Me

Chapter 32: A wake up call

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Nika was now sprawled on the couch that we had previously slept on, wrapped snugly in a thick warm blanket, in front of the lit fireplace with a boiling chicken broth steaming before her. Anyone would think she was stuck up with a cold, but Nina had pushed her into, a very comfortable looking, forced bedrest. The only signs of her accident was a few bandages on her palms and a pack of ice to cool a welt on her head.

"See you guys, sorry I have to leave now. Get better soon Nika." I yelled around the corner and walked toward the door, being closely followed by Chris, who was still here from driving us home last night. I watched as he opened the door lazily and stifled a yawn. He nodded at me and I nodded back stifly, feeling the awkwardness settle in. "I'll see you around man..." I nodded yet again. Though I barely knew the guy, he seemed like a decent fellow, however we were yet to be properly introduced after the first time when he was so close to my 'beloved' kinda, which pissed me off.

Now I was clad in Chris' oversized raincoat and someone's gum boots. The weather was grim, drizzly and excruciatingly cold. I shivered uncomfortably and trudged through the rain that showed no signs of letting up. It seemed that even the weather knew something was wrong with the world, hence the heavy downpours.

I shook my head, letting the small droplets fly around my head in a watery halo. I wasn't able to get a word in edgeways after Nika had fallen from the stool and broken the plates she had grabbed from the highest cupboard which touched the ceiling. But just before she fell, I had been talking to Nina, ready to say goodbye to her. The fact that it had been my older brother Patrick that had called on mum's cell phone meant she either, couldn't be bothered to call me herself, which was highly unlikely, rather something really serious had happened. Personally, I initially suspected it was something to do with the furneral arrangements or whatever. But what really bugged me, was that both my brothers had flown down to see us. In my mind that signalled the end of the holiday and that we were going to leave the country sometime soon. I wanted to say my goodbyes to all my newfound friends, especially Nina. God knows when I would be able to see her again...

Mesmerized in thought, I hadn't realised I had already walked halfway to Cory's place without thinking of taking a taxi, with one heavy foot in front of the other I continued the strange ambling in the rough direction of the house. The rain still bucketing over my weary frame. 

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"SHEA!" A loud scream met my ears as the door was flung open. Mia ran out both arms outstretched anticipating a giant bear hug, but stopped a few centimeters short, carefully inspecting my attire. Recoiling with a slightly disgusted expression she retracted her arms from her embrace and awkwardly patted me on the back. "Your mum's been looking everywhere for you!" She exclaimed exasperated. Quickly ushering me inside, she suddenly turned around and smiled grimly, not letting the sparkle reach her eyes.

"Just so you know, we're leaving soon." She nodded off in the direction of the kitchen, then motioned to go.

Tentatively I took a small step forward into the room, carefully eyeing the half packed suitcases pushed to the side of the corridor along the wall and watched everyone turn to me in slow-practiced-motion. Half expecting they would suddenly chorus, 'we've been expecting you'.

"Late!" Charlie taunted from behind the table, looking up from the process of untangling his headphone wires.

Patrick and his naturally calm aura took charge as he stuck out his hand and showed me the spare chair. Without questions, I assumed it was better that way, I plonked my tired body onto the hard wooden surface and gave them the signal that I was listening attentively.  

"Something's happened Shea, and..." Pat stated hesitantly in a very fatherly tone, pausing either as a breath, or for effect I couldn't understand, but before I could open my mouth to ask him to elaborate he continued, his voice softer this time.

"Its safer not to explain right now. But dad's funeral will take place in..." he paused again, but this tine to check his watch, "roughly 26 hours".

I just stared, baffled.

"So go get packed mate! We leave here in two hours! We've got a flight to catch, and a funeral to get to, half way around the world."

I stood up, both legs trembling thinking over the time. I knew inevitably this would have happened, but it came sooner than expected. I had two hours to say goodbye to Nina. Two measly hours to get ready, emotionally and physically, two strained hours to hope, against all hope that I would see her again. The clock was ticking...

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Thanks for reading!

Loads of love.

-LG