I woke up at 2 AM trying to figure out why my stomach churned restlessly and my heart drummed like the wind.
Then it hit me.
I was going. To Aussie. Back to the place that suffocated me with beautiful memories and friendships.
I felt a lump in my neck. What if Dani and Wanda didn't want me anymore? What is Miss Petunia forgot that I had once been a spelling champion?
My heart drummed. But this time it wasn't happy or excited. It was sick with worry and fear.
At breakfast Mum saw my pasty smile and pulled me into a hug. "You OK, precious?"
"I'm fine Mum, honestly, I just had a bad dream." I stretched my lips into a fake grin.
She nodded but I knew she wasn't fooled.
"We're only going for a few weeks, Orchard." Mum smiled soothingly.
Suddenly Jamaica burst into the room. She whooped, punching the air with her thickly gloved hands. "Five hundred followers! Would you believe that?!" she danced, clearly not understanding we were in the middle of a touching family moment.
Mum congratulated her with a jug of lemon cordial, while I offered my chocolate chip cookie.
Jamaica was family. She was my cousin, mum's nephew, uncle's daughter, so on.
Her family owned a photo studio at the largest mall in the country, so Jamaica learned a lot about technology and stuff.
Her usual outfits were jumpsuits that made her look like she was going to the moon,leather biker gloves, sneakers, thick glasses and headphones.
Dad burst into the room. "All of you packed?" he said, rubbing his eyes.
"Yep," we chorused.
"We're leaving at 10 AM sharp. Is your um..rodent at the petshop, Jamaica?"
"Techno's not a RODENT!" she said, clearly offended. "He's a long-haired rat!"
Dad nodded blearily.
We had a quick breakfast and showered.
Jamaica had a stomach ache from the cordial so we were 15 minutes off schedule.
I texted Hilary before we went off.
Bye! Aus is calling! Laters! xx Orchid
