Chapter one-The break up

Shantelle
Sitting around the dining table before dinner I knew something wasn't wrong, something was happening and sure enough someone would be in a lot of trouble. I couldn't help but hope that my 13 year old sister Kate was in trouble although I also hoped that my 19 year old brother Blake was in trouble. Turns out none of us were in trouble.
"Your mother and I are getting a divorce" Dad told us.
"Why?" Isabelle my 5 year old sister asked.
"We've been arguing for some time now and we both figured it'd be best if we spilt up, however your mother would like you kids to move in with her" Dad added.
Running to my room I couldn't believe what I was hearing. First mum and dad are getting a divorce and then mum wants us all to move in with her. Why can't I choose who I want to live with? I mean I'm 18 anyway. Grabbing my surfboard I decided to hit the waves, running outside I reached the beach within no time at all. Sitting on my board I waited for a decent wave, laying down I paddled and paddled and paddled before pushing myself up so that I was now standing on the board.

Running out of the water I crashed on the sand near my bag, just lying there trying to catch my breathe.
"Sweetheart we need to talk" Mum said out of nowhere.
Jumping up from the sand I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder and smiled "Make it quick I have things to do"
"Now I know that this divorce might have come as a shock to you but that doesn't mean that your father doesn't love you just because you're moving away with me" mum told me as I stood there staring at her.
"You don't get it do you? Mum I don't want to leave the bay, I'm staying here whether you like it or not" I smiled before running towards the diner.
I couldn't believe that mum was trying to control my life, why does she want me to move with her? After ordering my usual salad and apple juice I took a seat at a table by myself. Before long Kate walked through the door with a huge smile on her face.
"What are you smiling at?" I asked as she took a seat across from me.
"I met this really amazing guy outside" Kate replied as my food arrived.
"What can I get you Kate?" Indi smiled.
"The usual thanks" Kate smiled before Indi walked away.
"Name?" I asked.
"Xavier Austin"
"You know he's my friend"
"And you've never told me this before?"
"I had no idea you liked him and besides his my friend so that'd be weird anyway you'll be moving with mum soon"
"And what you're not?" she asked.
"I'm staying here with dad whether mum likes it or not"
"Arrgh, why can't I stay? Seriously why does mum want us to move with her? I want to stay here to! Shantelle we need to do something"
After finishing my food I got out of my seat leaving Kate sitting there by herself, she looked up and smiled before jumping up to hug me.
"Geesh don't kill me" I laughed before ruffling her hair and walking away "Cya kiddo" I called as she smiled.

Romeo
It must have been around about 11pm when I reached Shantelle's house, knocking on the door her father Mr Ryan opened the door just standing there looking at me.
"Can I talk to Shantelle?" I asked hopefully.
"It's rather late" he told me "I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow"
Just like that he shut the door leaving me standing there. Turning to walk away I walked until I came across the beach 5 or 10 minutes away from Shantelle's house. Staring back at her house I walked back there again, knocking on the door her dad answered again.
"I really need to see Shantelle" I told him "It's important"
"Hold on" he told me before slamming the door in my face.
Before long Shantelle walked out, kissing my lips softly, at first I enjoyed it. After a while I pulled away taking a seat on one of the two black sits outside she stared at me awkwardly.
"I don't know how else to say this but we should see other people" I told her.
"But I don't want to see anybody else" she told me.
"I'm not comfortable being this close to you, because kissing leads to well more than kissing"
"Did dad scare you? Did he say something to you to make you want to breakup? Romeo you know he won't like anybody else that I go out with" she told me with a heartbreaking look in her eye.
"It doesn't matter about your dad, he's not the point but I'm not ready to have sex"
"I'm not ready either Romeo-"
"I don't know where to draw the line so I'm drawing the line here, I'm sorry" I said before turning to walk away.

Ruby
I watched as Romeo walked across the beach with his head staring at the ground. By the look on his face I couldn't help but wonder if something bad had happened between him and Shantelle. Walking towards him he didn't even look up as I approached him.
"Looks like you could use some cheering up" I told him.
"Yeah" he replied.
"Do you want to grab something to eat?" I asked hopefully.
"Sure" he replied.
Walking towards the diner we grabbed something to eat, Shantelle was sitting at a table with Kate so we headed outside to catch some fresh air.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Nothing" he replied as he stared at the ground again.
"Come on Romeo I know you, last time you looked so glam you and Indi spilt" I told him.
"Since you're asking I broke up with Shantelle last night" he told me as he stared at me.
"I know it's none of my business but why?"
"I don't know at the time it seemed like the right thing to do, but right now I'm not so sure anymore" he replied as we walked along the sandy yellow sand.

NEXT TIME: Shantelle has a serious decision to make! What has Ruby got in store?