Home Coming
{Clara’s POV}
This morning was quite an experience. I’ve known about this trip for years, and been saving up every penny for a plane ticket, but I refused to tell my mother until it was time to leave. Honestly, I just didn’t want to argue with her, to say she was angry would be an understatement. She demanded that I refund my ticket, and never speak of this again, but I wasn’t about to give up. I pushed past her, putting my luggage in the cab. “I’m going mum, and that’s final! I haven’t seen my brother or father in ten years because of your pettiness! I don’t care what you say anymore, I’m going to visit.” I said, jumping into the cab. “If you don’t stop trying to control my every move, I may not come back.” I finished, as I rolled up my window and the cab took off towards the airport.
I wore one of my cutest outfits today, a white crop top tank top, with a high waisted pair of jeans, and my pink leather jacket. I pulled my long brown hair up into a high ponytail, and fixed my makeup in soft pinks. My dark green eyes really popped when I put on my eyeliner, making sure that the cat wing was perfect. I wanted to look perfect, this homecoming had been years in the making. I wasn’t able to contact my father or brother until I turned 18, mom kept any contact information for them put away. On my 18th birthday I finally got their numbers, and began messaging them religiously. Finally, now on my 22nd birthday, I was able to afford to fly home, to see my family again for the first time in 10 years! The plane ride was boring, but arriving at the airport and getting my luggage, of course some of the people here were giving me sideways glances. Everyone in American fancies a British accent, or so I’ve been told. I grabbed my luggage making my way to the taxi, and hoping in. My brother is supposed to be meeting me at our father’s restaurant, he’s been running the place since dad fell ill. When the taxi pulled up to the restaurant I could see my brother sitting in our dad’s old beat up truck, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
I jumped from the taxi, grabbing my luggage and sprinting to my brother. He stepped out from the truck, just in time for me to crash into him. “Adrien, I missed you! It’s been way too long!” I smiled, hugging around his neck.
He chuckled. “I missed you too bean! I’m so glad you’re here for the summer!” He said, hugging me back. My childhood nickname struck me for a moment, taking me back to happier times. He twirled me around like he used to when we were young, and I had almost forgotten that we hadn’t seen each other for 10 years. When our parents divorced, our mom took me, and moved back to London.. leaving my bother and father behind. I hadn’t seen either of them since, but now, I had finally saved up enough money to get a plane ticket to come back to town.
“With any luck I’ll be here longer!” I smiled, pulling away and grabbing my luggage. “Can I toss it in the back?” I asked.
He watched me for a moment before chuckling to himself. “Yeah, you can ‘toss it in the back!’” He laughed, putting on a fake British accent.
“I can’t help it! I’ve lived in London for so long that my accent has changed.” I laughed along, tossing my luggage in the back of his truck. “I have to say, I did get a few strange looks when I was exiting the airport, every time I spoke people would stare at me as if I’d said something wrong..” I chuckled, walking around, and getting into the truck.
“Well, be prepared, I’ve got some of our old friends from school that want to come over tomorrow night for a party, they’re so excited to see you, especially Lyra! She’s been asking when you’re coming for weeks!” He said, jumping into the truck.
I nodded. “Well, I will admit.. I’m not a fan of crowds.. but I think it’ll be fun to catch up.” I smiled.
“It won’t be too bad, just a few people!” He said, before taking off towards his house. We had been driving for a bit, when suddenly his phone rang. He sighed, picking it up. “What is it?” He asked. “Now? I just.. my sister is back in town for the first time in a while.. it’s why I asked for a while off.. what about the other guy? He’s sick? Seriously? Fine.. just let me take her home first.. what do you mean now! Fine!” He shouted before hanging up. He sighed heavily. “Okay, I’m sorry to do this, but that was work, I have to go to a clients house and fix something.. I have to go now.. and you’ll have to stay in the car..” he sighed, shaking his head.
I nodded. “It’s okay, I don’t mind waiting.” I smiled, as we took off towards the clients house.
“By the way, I got you something, it’s in the glovebox.” He smiled, continuing down the road.
I opened the glovebox, finding a jewelry box. I opened it up, seeing a charm bracelet, with a rubber duck charm, and a bean charm. “You.. this is so sweet!” I teared up, smiling brightly and putting it on. “Thank you so much Ducky!” I giggled, throwing his nickname at him.
“No problem bean.” He chuckled. “Dad’s excited to see you too, he’s ready for us to come visit him, but visiting hours aren’t until 12:00, so we won’t be able to go until tomorrow.”
“Be honest with me Ducky.. how sick is he?” I asked, gripping my purse that was in my lap.
“I-It’s not looking good.. they said that they caught the cancer pretty early.. but it’s already spread to his lymph nodes.. so it’ll be harder to treat.” He sighed. I looked down at my bag, gripping it until my knuckles turned white, tears beginning to spill from my eyes. “Don’t worry bean.. now with his baby girl back home, I’m sure he’s going to pull through just fine.” He smiled, placing his hand over mine.
I nodded. “I hope you’re right ducky..” I said, placing my other hand on his. “I really hope you’re right.”
