Iridescence

ONE

12 years later.

It’s been 12 years since we left our home, my father, and everything we have ever known. I have never been happier nor ever seen my mother happier since we left. We now live in a small town called Clarens. It has been dubbed “the jewel of the Free State” here in South Africa and it's perfect.

I haven’t seen or spoken to my father since that last morning I saw him, nor did we see any of my mother’s family either. We had basically disappeared without a Trace. The Giant man that came to our rescue is now my mother’s husband. Scheun. He is still a giant man over 6 feet tall with huge burly shoulders and messy hair and deep green eyes. He treats me and my mother with so much love and care. He took us in and has done everything he can to make us happy and feel safe. They also had their own Child about a year after we left. My little Brother SJ. Well not so little, my brother may only be 11 but he is built like a mountain and looks like he is Seventeen or Eighteen. He is just under 6 feet tall with his muscles already starting to form some definition. His skin is fair but not too light he can at least catch a nice tan, but it doesn't stay for too long. His hair is a unique blend of brown and fiery red, and his hands are huge and almost always covered in some sort of grease or oil. He is like my stepdad's double expect he has my mother's soft hazel eyes and definitely her kind personality. I on the other hand have light brown hair, that comes just below my bottom because my mother refuses for it to be cut short. I have Tanned skin and grey eyes. I'm not too short, I'm about 5,6 which is the same as my mother. I take after her a lot more than my dad. I really don’t remember him much.

Life has been good for us, SJ and I attend an awesome school and I get really good grades. I study hard and have an amazing group of friends. I’m turning Sixteen this year and I have been looking forward to my birthday for as long as I can remember. My mom and stepdad have spoken to me about how special a sixteenth birthday is. Especially in our family. They never really elaborated as to the exact reasons why, but they have always said that it will be one of the most special and life-changing things that will happen to me. I didn't really understand. I mean shouldn't it just be another day like every other birthday? But they have built so much hype Up about it that it's got me all giddy inside.

Finally, it was almost here. It was the night before my 16th birthday, and I was so excited. Chelsea, Gemma, Myla, and I have been non-stop texting about my party.

"Oh, my word, so amped for tomorrow, my friend... You going to look so damn gorgeous in your birthday dress... Dylan won't be able to take his eyes off you" Myla texts on the group. "Hells freaking yeah girl” responds Chelsea. " Pffffffft as if, our girl has only got eyes for Conner. You biatchs know that” Gemma adds. I lay on my bed giggling at the banter between my best friends as they go on about the guys, we've all been friends with since pre-school. 

As I lay there with my arms propped up on my elbows and my legs kicking lightly back and forth in the air, I can't help but feel like the happiest girl in the world. Chelsea, Gemma, Myla, Conner, Dylan, and I have all been best friends and pretty inseparable since we were 5. Although we are all rather close, I've always felt just a little out or different from them. 

" What's with all the giggling my Bokkie? Are the girls excited for your party tomorrow?" asked my mom as she passed by my room with a load of washing "Hey mom. Yeah, they seriously can't wait, and neither can I. I have had butterflies doing summersaults in my stomach all week and it feels like they just keep growing” I say excitedly to my mom. Although her face carries a smile, I see a flash of concern across her face, but I shrug it off. Maybe she is just nervous about all the preparations? I think to myself. " Okey my Bokkie I'm glad you are all so excited. But it's time for bed now. It's late and you have. Big day ahead of you tomorrow” she says as she goes to finish up the washing. " sure, thing mom” I say goodnight to the girls on the group and start to get ready for bed. The excitement is just building and the sooner I am asleep. The sooner I can be awake to enjoy my sweet 16.

I walk out of my room to greet my family goodnight. My mom and stepdad are standing outside having a serious discussion, probably about my party stuff, whilst my little brother SJ who is only 11 has an alternator on the floor that he has disassembled and is trying to figure out how to put it back together. My stepdad is a diesel mechanic and has always been obsessed with cars. My brother had picked up on that same obsession. Like father like son, they say. " SJ dads going to lose it if you get grease and lord knows what else messed on the carpet," I say while rolling my eyes at him. It's his funeral because he knows my stepdad doesn't like a mess on the carpets or couches. I walk outside to greet my parent's goodnight. " Hey mommy, Hey dad. Just wanted to say goodnight. I love you guys. Sleep tight” “Hey Bokkie, if they do, catch a few and make yourself a lekker Goga stew." my uncle Scheun says with a big smile. "We love you too my Bok," says, my mom. " You know it dad” I say as I go back inside." goodnight, my favourite little terror," I say as I pass my little brother " Who you calling little?"  my brother exclaimed. He has a point.  I get to my room and close the door. I put on my favourite dark purple pyjama set and climb into bed. All of a sudden, I hear my stepdad and brother shouting at each other and then a loud crack. " Seriously!!!" my mother screams. Then there was silence. a few minutes pass and my bedroom door creeps open. "Who broke what now?" I ask nonchalantly as this is such a normal occurrence in my house. " Dad overreacted about a small drop of oil," he says rolling his eyes. " The new bar stool mom bought got the brunt of his anger". " can't say I didn't warn you" I laugh. " Well, we are both in a time out now, moms pissed. Anyways lekker Slaap Sus" he mutters as he closes the door and sauntered down towards his bedroom. Never a dull moment I think to myself as I drift off, excitement bubbling for the next morning.