Julianne sighed as she unpacked her belongings. Julianne had moved from her humble home in Ireland to Atlanta two days ago, it was a big change. She missed her home in Ireland, but was excited to start out on a clean slate, in a different country. She was fifteen, but had been through a lot for her age.

Her father, Henry had gotten a promotion, which involved him and his family to move to Atlanta. Henry had bought an amazing mansion, only a five minute walk from the beach. The garden was magical, palm trees lined the driveway and an array of flowers grew around a stone fountain near the entrance of the house. The house itself was far from cheap, but his promotion raised his salary and that also meant Henry's pension fund would flourish. The truth is, all Henry cares about is money.

Henry leaves all of the work of the home to his wife, Aimee, who is the total opposite of Henry. She was gentle, kindhearted and a loving mother to her two kids Julianne and Marcus. Aimee had glossy brown hair to her shoulders. It is always kept in a tight plait at the nape of her neck and today was no different.

Aimee was in the kitchen happily making lemonade with her 12 year old son Marcus. Aimee absentmindedly thought of Julianne upstairs, Aimee had been up there hanging up her clothes when she heard noises coming from down the hall. It was Julianne, unsure whether she could face unpacking. It was obvious that she had been crying, it was her bloodshot eyes that gave her away. After comforting Julianne, Aimee was dragged by Marcus downstairs.

Marcus pulled her back to present time, when he accidentaly overfilled his lemonade glass, it's contents spreading out over the shiny counter top.

"Oh Marcus, be careful dear.."

"Sowee.." was the reply.

Marcus had a speech problems, his main one was his articulation disorder. When Henry first found out about his speech difficulties, Marcus was sent straight to a speech therapist, who if you asked Aimee didn't help Marcus at all. Since then, everyday Aimee helps her son with his speech, he was improving slowly but surely. He didn't need to be treated like an invalid and go to some woman who yelled at him whenever he didn't pronounce something correctly, but she would never express this opinion to Henry.

Aimee had always been a daydreamer and often found herself zoning out, when she was in mid-conversation with someone.

Aimee quickly wiped up the lemonade spill and place all of the glasses onto a tray and carried it out into the back garden.

"Oh Marcus, call your sister and father for their lemonade. Thanks dear." Aimee smiled to him as she sat down on a swing chair.

Marcus did as he was told and called for them. In less then a minute Julianne appeared through the sliding door and sat down next to her mother.

"Hello dear, here's your lemonade.." Aimee warmly handed her the glass.

"Thanks Mom."

Julianne smiled weakly.

"Oh Juls, I know your missing Ireland.. But please give this place a is beautiful, plus the weather is a lot better than rainy Ireland, right?"

"Yeahh, I guess. I just miss everyone back at home. "

Julianne said as she fidgeted with her wavy golden hair.

"Aw, I know sweetie.. I know-"

Aimee was interrupted by Henry's footsteps on the patio.

Henry strolled to the swing chair and ruffled Marcus' hair "Hey there, kiddo.."

Marcus smiled brightly at his father. Henry looked at Julianne, trying to think of something to say to her. When he finally managed to think of something he said "Uh.. Your hair's getting long Julianne. I think its about time you got that mop cut."

Julianne's face contorted as if she had been punched.

"Henry!" Aimee said shocked "Juls' hair is gorgeous. I wish I had it. Don't be so rude. Boys love long red hair.."

Julianne had stunning hair, her loose waves curled down to her lower back like ripples in a pool. Sometimes she straightened her hair with her flat-iron, which also looked beautiful. Her hair was what she got most compliments for and sure enough a lot of boys couldn't take their eyes off her.

Julianne regained composure and ignored her father. Henry said spiteful things to her almost everyday. Like yesterday, he told her to go to a tanning bed to get a tan and that she looked like a ghost. Julianne knew in her heart that every skin tone is beautiful and there was nothing wrong with being pale. She had a few freckles on her cheeks but none anywhere else. Perhaps due to the fact there was not many days it was possible to get sun, in Ireland.. Let alone walk around in shorts and flipflops like she was doing today.

An unpleasant silence passed between the family and Julianne was the first to break the silence "School tomorrow.. Thank goodness I don't have to wear a uniform!"

"Yes Juls, you get kind of a bit of freedom, with what you wear. Just don't go round wearing low-cut tops and Momma will be happy." Aimee giggled.

Aimee was a free spirit and she was only young when she had Julianne, so she knew what it was like to be a teenager.

Julianne chuckled "Yeah, that reminds me I need to go sort out what I am wearing tomorrow."

Julianne sprung out of her seat and skipped off to her new bedroom, without waiting for her Mom's reply.

should I keep going ?