Chapter 26- Ohana (Mikaela's POV)
I sit outside, alone, watching the soft sunset. Seeing the beauty reminds me of my mother. She would say something like, "It's so pretty. If only I had the time to paint something like this," I would prefer to capture a beautiful photo, though.
I guess my mother is the one who influenced my passion for photography. Something about memories and images have always been important to me. With photography, you can capture an amazing moment even after the person you're with changes.
I guess you could say I'm a somewhat homesick.
Okay, a little homesick.
Maybe really homesick?
Before I can stop to think what I'm doing, I dial my mother's number. I just want to talk to her. She picks up on the second ring. "Hello?" She asks, confused. I instantly smile. Parents with technology is one of the funniest things ever.
"Hi mom, it's Mikaela," I smile.
"Mikaela!" Mom chirps.
I laugh. "I love you, mom!"
"I love you too, sweetie!" Mom replies, "How's California?"
"California is so beautiful, mom! Oh, I wish you could see it someday!" I smile. "Cameron recently scheduled us to stay in a nice resort in LA, so I was able to see the Hollywood sign! I even got a photo with it!"
"LA huh?" She smiles, "That's lovely!"
"Thanks mom!" I smile, "Everyone had fun,"
"Speaking about the resort..."
"yes?"
"What were the sleeping arrangements?"
I groan.
Typical parents.
"Don't worry, mom, it's not like we all did anything while we were there," I roll my eyes, playfully, "Austin made sure that the boys slept in the main room while us girls slept down the hall away from the boys,"
"Did you share a bed with anyone?"
"Amanda,"
"Who?"
"Oh sorry, Amanda is my new best friend! She's Cameron's cousin,"
"I'm happy you girls are friends!" Mom chuckles.
"How's Kansas been?"
"Well, I've been thinking about college for both Brayden and Addie,"
"So it's official, Addie skipped a grade?"
"Yes, I'm so proud! She's in the same grade as Brayden,"
"Oh they must love that," I laugh. Brayden is protective of Addie, and she's the same way with him.
"Well, I need to go right now," Mom sighs, "Your father and I are going out on a special date tonight since the two teenagers in the house will be busy,"
"What will they be doing?"
"Going to a party tonight at a friend's house, but don't worry it'll be safe,"
If only she knew...
"Well, goodbye mom," I smile, "It's nice talking to you,"
"I love you, Mikaela, and can't wait till you come back home!"
***********
I was raised as a tomboy. This wasn't because of my parents, it was because of Brayden. Addie and Suzie always had a special connection since they were younger, but Brayden and I were always really close.
He didn't really see me as a little sister. I mean, with Addie he saw her as a little girl who needed protection. He also saw Suzie as an innocent girl who needed extra protection. With me he saw me as one of the guys.
Literally, he gave me his old clothes for hand-me-downs.
He's always so shocked with boys like me, since I'm "one of the guys".
I dial my brother's number, wondering what we're even going to talk about. He answers on the second ring. "Hello?" He asks, in a rushed voice. I wonder what he's doing right now...
"Hey bro," I smile.
"Ayeee it's Mikaela," He laughs.
"Yea buddy, what's up homie?"
"Not much, what about you?" He laughs.
"Just missing you," I smile.
"Awww, you're homesick," He chuckles, "How's Cali?"
"It's nice! Cameron actually planned for us to visit LA this past weekend. We just got back," I say, "I got to visit the Hollywood sign and see a movie--it was so fun! We also went to a nice restaurant,"
"You're living the life," He replies.
"What about you, how's Kansas?"
"Well, I tried getting Meghan but she wasn't ready,"
"Oh,"
"So now I'm thinking about being with Tiffany,"
Tiffany.
Tiffany?
"But I like..." He looks into my eyes. "Someone else,"
'"Who?" I ask.
"Her name is Tiffany," Carter smiles.
"You should ask her to Spring Fling," I mumble.
"We're going," Carter smiles.
They never ended up going together. I mean, he asked her in everything, and yes she agreed. She said that it'd be better if they met at the Spring Fling. Carter showed up, stressed yet well dressed, but Tiffany never showed up. It ended up that she was busy partying at some other party and stood him up. Then he was sad, with a broken heart.
I hope someone puts his heart together.
"You shouldn't go for Tiffany," I blurt.
"Why?" Brayden asks.
"She's a slut,"
"What?"
"Yeah, she stood Carter up just to go flirt with a bunch of guys at a party,"
"Man...maybe I shouldn't go for her,"
"You definitely shouldn't," I agree.
"Thanks sis, you're the best," He smiles.
"Nah, you're the best bro ever!" I smile.
"When you get back we need to hang out,"
"Totally," I agree, laughing.
Brothers aren't a pain after all.
*********
"Hey sunshine, what are you doing?" I turn around and see Austin walking towards me. I smile, happy to see him. I shiver a little, kind of cold even with my coral LA sweatshirt, white short shorts, and coral Vans.
"Just thinking," I sigh. He sits down next to me as we look up at the sky. "I'm honestly homesick for Kansas," I laugh, "Which is weird because Georiga is supposed to be my home, but Kansas is honestly my home,"
"Kansas is a great place," Austin smiles. "I'm happy that your family ended up moving to Kansas and going to Catholic school," He brightens. Somehow his eyes seem to be brighter now as he talks and his smile...don't even get me started on the smile!
"Why are you so cheeky?" I laugh.
"Cheeky?" He raises an eyebrow.
"Yeah, cheeky!" I wink. "You're so smiley and bright-eyed,"
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"No, I just want to know why,"
"I'm happy because my life before was horrible. I mean, my foster parents abused me and hated me so much. They were so angry they needed to get their anger out someway, so they used me," He sighs. "I tried getting in trouble so that they would leave me alone, but they never gave up on me.
"When that person tried stealing Suzie's iPhone, I knew it would be a major risk trying to save it," He smiles. "He twisted the story and my record shows a bad reputation of me. I dislike how my file isn't me on paper...outside of paper I could show them how I truly am.
"Anyways, Suzie convinced me that I should be part of your family. I'll admit at first I didn't want to because I liked her. After all, she was cute and sweet, so who could resist her?" He blushes a little. "But then I realized that she's perfect with Nash and all that.
"I realized that even though you're cute as well and nice, you were meant to be my pretty sister. Same with Addie and Suzie; all you girls are amazing sisters," He smiles, "Brayden is the best brother ever! I've always wanted a big brother, and now I have one.
"The blessing is your parents. Your mom loves me like I'm her own son, which really touches my heart. Your dad didn't trust me at first, but now he loves me like his own son," His eyes are watery. "I'm just happy because I finally have a family.
"I actually feel wanted.
"I feel loved," He smiles.
My heart warms at his words. I can't imagine what he had to go through during his dark past just to fet to his beight future. I guess everyone has a mission in this world, and mine must've been to be an awesome sister. He changed my life in so many ways, though.
"Austin, you've made me realize that I actually change people's lives," I say, "I used to think that Suzie was the only one because she's always been popular. Since we're twins I just tagged along naturally. But you speak of me as if I'm unique,"
"You are unique," He smiles.
I smile.
"I finally have a family," He says, looking out into the distance.
"Ohana means family," I choke out, tearing up, "And family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten,"
***********
This chapter is dedicated to my best friend @i_luv_kittens ! Her birthday is tomorrow! Happy birthday to my troublemaking best friend! Together we've had great memories during class and throughout our lives.I will never forget you, and we will always stay in touch. What can I say, youre my sister ♥ Love you girl! (I'll DM you the full thing lol!) Happy Birthday to the best singer ever ♪♪♪