A/N - Hello, been some time, hasn't it? This is just a trial run, the first chapter, to see if anyone would be interested if I was to continue this. So review and tell me what you think! :)
Rated M for later chapters.
Joey's POV
From an early age, my father, Phil Mitchell, always told me he would be the best father to me. He would tell me stories about his own father, my grandfather, and the mistakes he made whilst bringing my father up. He would promise me every night that no matter what, he would never let me down. He lied. It's not the fact that he told me those things and let me down, it's more so the promises he made not to turn out like his own father, that made my walls crumble down. I can only hope that I don't turn out like my ancestors; that I am the complete opposite of those alcoholic thugs.
Let me explain what happened.
I was brought up thinking my parents had the perfect marriage, but evidently I shouldn't trust my own evaluations. After being married for seventeen years; since the year that I was born, my mother found my father taking drugs two weeks ago.
We had all previously been aware of his downward spiral regarding drink, however this was a new found low, he was beyond help. My mother realised it would be best if she moved out and took myself and Ben, my brother, with her. Not for her sake but for ours. Shortly afterwards, a mere ten days after the drug incident, she found him with the local alcoholic, in their bed, having sex. Shirley Carter was well known for her one night stands and imprudent behaviour and my mother had always despised her for this. Although my mother almost succumbed to my fathers empty promises and pleads, this was so far past the line that for the past three days my mother, Ben and I have been living in a bed and breakfast somewhere down south.
My mother was devastated, heart broken, but my father was no longer the man she fell in love with. Me, I've never been a fan of love, after my fathers behaviour the last few weeks or so I cannot see myself being so heavily involved with one person. It isn't very appealing. I fear I might turn out like him. So I won't allow myself to. One night stands are what I'm used to now. Even before my father's whereabouts 'love' hadn't been my thing. I now know for certain I won't be pursuing anything along those lines in the near future.
It is safe to say he has let me down and as of right now, the best father is far from an accurate title for him.
That leads us to right now, my mother and I have just finished packing our suitcases whilst my three year younger brother has arrived back from saying goodbye to our father. He has always been the apple of his eye. Favouritism. I don't feel I'm missing out though. I don't need his low vibes radiating onto me any longer. He's long gone.
"Ben, get yours and mum's first suitcases, will you, eh?" I said to my younger brother, frown lines in my forehead prominent due to the harshness of the overpowering sun.
Ben just nodded and mumbled something to himself. I don't understand him; he doesn't seem at all effected. He is so delusional sometimes.
We are now on the way to Tanya Cross' house. Tanya is my mothers friend, she has two daughters. She is also divorced and lives in Walford, only half an hour away from my father's house. She has kindly allowed us to move in with her, which I find very considerate and for which I will be eternally grateful to her. She currently resides with her two daughters, one whom is Ben's age and the other whom is a year younger than myself.
The last time I saw Tanya was not too long ago, she has always been so amiable towards me. Abi, her youngest, was with her. Abi seems quite helpful, might be able to wriggle some favours out of her in the future. I haven't seen her oldest, Lauren, for about seven years though. Our mothers used to take us to the same summer group. I was ten and Lauren was nine.
From what I remember of her, she was small with brunette hair, has crooked teeth and was insanely annoying. I doubt she has matured; she didn't seem capable of it in the summers gone by. God only knows what she is like now, for all I know, she could be even more annoying. I shivered at the thought. I, however, am a lot more mature now. In my opinion anyway. Lauren's annoying personality aside, I have to be an adult about this to help my mother through this rough patch.
The car came to a halt outside of 59 St John's Road. It was just outside of Albert Square, where we would attend the summer club at the community centre, in Walford. It was only a few minutes away from the tube station too, as I had learnt during a phone call between myself and Tanya.
I looked up at my new home in amazement. Of all of the times I have saw Tanya and her family, I have never before saw her house. This house was huge. It was White with brown wooden doors and window frames, two pillars sat either side of the front door on the wrap around porch. I couldn't actually believe such a beautiful house could be found in this part of London. It's true how they say you learn something new every day.
"Uh, what does Tanya do for work again?" I asked my mum, amazement still in my features.
"She owns her own Salon, sweetie." She proclaimed. I fused my eyebrows together. How she managed to afford this place will forever be a mystery.
"Right" I replied, nodding my head and getting out of the car.
"Joe, help me with the bags please?" Mum asked as Ben walked to the front door and opened it, being warmly welcomed by Tanya and Abi. I smiled over my shoulder as they both waved towards us.
"Yeah, mum, get the smaller ones I'll get the large ones." I told her. I noticed the look of uncertainty on her face. I lifted her chin so she would look at me. "Cheer up, things will get better, won't they, eh? Give it a bit of time, yeah?"
My mother smiled at me and nodded, proceeding to get the smaller selection of bags from the boot of the car. She does everything for me, it's time I start thanking her. I wouldn't say I'm ungrateful, I'm just not the best at showing it. I just don't give my mum enough credit for being the best. I always praised my father, meanwhile I would never pay attention to my mother. I could kick myself for that.
Suitcases in hand, I some how managed to shut the car boot. I looked at my mum who was smiling angelically at me. I smiled back and nodded my head, silently telling her to go ahead as I locked the car. I wondered if she could tell my smile was forced because I could see right through hers.
I followed my mother up the block paved driveway and into the house where Tanya pulled us both into a longed for hug. She told me to leave the cases at the bottom of the stairs for now. The stairs wound up in the middle of a hallway, the door to the kitchen on one side and the living room on the other.
"Hello!" Tanya said, "I am so pleased you chose to come here! It's been so quiet since Max and Oscar left." She added. Oscar was her son who left with her husband Max. They still see Oscar on the weekends.
"Thank you for having us here, Tan." My mum said, forcing another smile.
"Would you like a drink?" Abi asked, a polite and genuine smile on her face.
"That would be great, Abs, what's on offer?" My mum asked.
"Tea, Coffee, Lemonade, Orange Juice..." Abi continued listing drinks. My mother and I both settled for an orange juice. Abi brought them out to us.
"Cheers, Abs" I said. I pulled her into a brief hug.
"Yeah, thank you Abi." My mum agreed. Abi nodded silently accepting our thanks with a smile on her face.
We all walked into the large living room. The beige carpet contrasted nicely against the white marble of the hallway floor. The fireplace was lit with an orange flame. The living room stretched quite far back until you reached a study. On the end of the study was a conservatory. My mother and I followed Abi and Tanya through those rooms into the conservatory which stretched all the way over the back of the house, overlooking the large garden. There was a coffee table in the middle of the hexagonal extension which held many snacks. Ben came around the corner shortly, having been to the toilet.
"Right, make yourselves at home, help yourselves to anything. What's ours is yours too now." Tanya said excitedly. "It will be like college again, Sharon!" She smiled, pulling my mother into another hug.
"I know!" My mother agreed, laughing with Tanya. That was the first time in a while that I have seen her smile a genuine smile.
"I've already spoke to Ben, look at you, Joe! You get more handsome every time I see you." Tanya said, cupping my cheeks and smiling.
I blushed and looked down, scratching my eyebrow, "Thanks, Tan."
"Don't be so embarrassed" She laughed whilst I smiled. Ben and Abi were catching up on one of the wicker swings near the study. "Now, I was about to make Lauren's lunch, she had a very late breakfast so she's only just asked for it. Where is Lauren?" she furrowed her eye brows.
"Want me to go and call her, Tan?" My mum asked.
"Oh, Sharon, would you? Thank you." Tanya said. "Would you like anything to eat?"
"No thanks, we had our lunch just before we came out." My mum proclaimed, proceeding towards the large spiral staircase.
"How about you growing boys?" She asked.
I looked at Ben and he shook his head. Manners. "We're both fine thank you, Tanya."
"Oh, that's fine, lovelies." She smiled. I returned the favour. "I know what boys can be like, you get carried away when it comes to your sports" She and I both laughed. "So when you're outside, don't go any further than the row of woods. That's where the garden ends. Okay?"
Ben and I both nodded.
I heard laughing in the background; must me my mum and Lauren.
"Hi darling." Tanya said, looking past me and smiling. We had moved into the kitchen. I was leaning in the doorway of the conservatory. The conservatory has three doors; leading to the study, dining room and kitchen.
I glanced over my shoulder to get a look and my eyed widened when I saw her. Is that Lauren? I turned my body fully to get a better look. I kept calm, making sure my eyes wouldn't widen any further and my jaw wasn't dropping to the floor. Clearly that didn't work.
"Close your mouth, you'll catch flies." Her angelic voice proclaimed, smiling wittily. This made my Mum and Tanya laugh.
"Leave the boy alone, it's only normal" Tanya said in between laughs.
"Yeah, thanks Tan." I smirked, following Lauren's eyes as she walked past me. I was now turned back towards the kitchen. I saw Lauren staring at me. Let's just say, puberty was very nice to me.
Lauren's style was very different, her teeth were straight and she had lost her baby features. Her brunette hair had grew and it now hung down her back in light curls. She's not nine any more, Joey, of course she's going to look different. I just didn't think she would look this different. She's petite but curvaceous, she's wearing a very short pair of shorts and a loose flowing crop top in pink with the word free in white on. She had also grew a magnificent pair of breasts. Very attractive. I smirked at her again, my thoughts running wild.
"Hi, mum." She sighed, walking towards her.
I was mesmerized, but that doesn't mean anything. She may still be that irritating little girl I used to know. I've never been one to judge a book by it's cover, but damn. Just because she's the most beautiful girl I have ever lay eyes on doesn't mean her personality has changed.
"Haven't seen you in a while. Last time I did, I pushed you off of that trampoline in summer and made you cry." She said, clearly amused by her statement.
I looked at her wide eyed. Now I know why I wasn't too fond of her back then. Not only was she annoying, she was a little brat.
"Yeah, I forgot about that actually." I said, awkwardly scratching my neck. I shrugged my shoulders.
"Well I apologise. I know I was a pest when I was a kid, but I've matured now." She assured me. Tanya let out a little laugh.
"I guess I'll have to wait and see about that." I said, giving her a flirtatious smile.
She smirked and raised her eyebrow. "I guess so."
"Well, it's good to see you, anyway." I said, smirking and looking her up and down before pulling her into a hug.
"You too." She walked towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck for a few seconds before letting go and resuming her previous position. Her arms were crossed now, exaggerating her cleavage.
I gulped and mentally face palmed. Why does she have to be so attractive.
"Abi, Ben, come in here a second please." My mum called, giving Tanya a knowing look.
Ben and Abi came in laughing and once it had subsided, Tanya started. "Kids, if we're all going to be living together, we need some ground rules for you four." She said.
"Ground rules?" Lauren and I asked at the same time. I smirked at her.
"Yes." My mum said, smiling at us. "There's only really one rule and it only really goes for the elder duo, since Abi has Jay and Ben is gay, but we thought you all should know. The mothers exchanged looks again and nodded.
"You two can't date." They both said firmly.
Lauren and I looked at each other for a moment before we burst out laughing.
"Me and him?" Lauren said giggling, "You don't need to worry about that.
"What's wrong with me?" I asked mocking a defensive tone.
"Nothing!" She answered quickly, holding her hands up in defence. Ben and Abi stood awkwardly. "Why would that be a rule, though?" She added, directing the latter to our mothers.
"Well..." Tanya said, looking hesitant.
My mother looked at Tanya and then to Lauren and I. "You're at that age where hormones take over and–."
"Mum!" I said, screwing my face up. "Please, no sex talk. There will be no dating, okay? I'll treat this one like a sister." I draped my arm around Lauren's shoulder, pulling her into my side.
She nodded her head in agreement but made no effort to wrap anything around me. "Always wanted an older brother." She forced out.
"How sweet." Tanya said, looking between my mother and us. "Lauren, show Joey his room, will you? Then you can have your lunch."
Lauren nodded and began to walk away, her hips swaying as her long tanned legs walked away. "Come on." She said impatiently. I smirked and shook my head, following her.
It's going to be hard not trying anything with her.