I secretly believed in fairytales, I'd imagine the handsome and gallant prince that would come to my aid. I had the perfect life, it was my fairytale But I one day everything disappeared, once my dad passed I realised, that fairytales are just dreams that'll never come true.

I'm Elena and this is the story of how I learnt to believe again.

My papa was Spanish, that much I remember, he was fun, and loved us all. We had one big family, me, mom, dad, little Adela, Fabio, Bella, and Lucas. We used to go on holidays together, Sundays pot lucks with the relatives, and it was like he was the one that connected us to Spain, and culture, even from here, all the way in Australia.

One night he was driving home in the rain, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he skidded off the bridge and into the water. We never really got over it, not even Grandmamma. From then, we all fell apart, and had our own lives, and future, even though we had shared the past.

All of a sudden mum decided it was time to change things. One morning she woke us up early and lined us up in the kitchen.

"I've had enough" she said. "We'll never forget your father, but we have to get on with our lives. Lucas, you're in year 11, you should be studying hard. All of you need to freshen up and relax. We need to get on with our lives."

"Elena" she said to me, I feared what she would say - she knew that I was hit hard after papa passed. So I held my breath.

"You need a holiday. Somewhere where there's lots of sun, I'm sending you back to Spain for the rest of the holidays, you need to relax, you can stay with your great aunt, and maybe I can see about sending you their for exchange? What you think? Huh? "

I really didn't know how to answer. A trip to Spain, exchange? It was all too much... But maybe I'd find out more about my dad... Maybe she was right... I needed a break.

"Yeah...?"

"Bella, Fabio get off that game, and Adela, enjoy your holidays okay? Promise me...? All of you, work hard, and enjoy life, but I don't mean that you have to forget your father. Come here"

We all came in for a hug, and I was glad for the comfort of my family's arms again.

A Week Later

I hadn't been on a plane since dad passed. But I enjoyed the view of Australia from up here, it was calming.

I clambered on the plane early, just to make sure that I wouldn't miss it. Mom, Adela, Fabio, Bella and Lucas all woke early to see me off at the airport, and had checked me in. I already missed them, but I was looking forward to the extended holidays that I would get. Mom had also been in touch with Great Aunt Georgina in San Sebastian, where I was now staying.

I nodded off a couple of minutes after take off, and I was woken by one of the stewards at Madrid. I had quite a long stop over, so I decided to make most of the money that Lucas, Bella, and Fabio had given me as a small present. There were a few touristy places, and I found one where the prices weren't too high. I bought a postcard to send to Mom, Lucas, Fabio, Bella and Adela once I landed in San Sebastian. I lost track of the time and only managed to hear the final call for boarding my flight.

The flight from Madrid to San Sebastian was quite short and uneventful. The first thing I noticed from the air was Playa de la Concha - which literally translated as Beach of the Shell. It was a gorgeous beach - a thin strip of white sand lay in a half circle. I remember being there, a while back, maybe only a year before dad died. I wanted to go down there one time, see if I could recognise anything.

1 hour later

Once the plane landed, I headed right through security, out to the departures building. I searched the crowd for a familiar face

I felt a tap on my back -

1"Perdón?Es usted la señorita Elena?ella me dijo que sería el hermoso, de pelo largo y castaño.Lo sientoSoy Felipe. señora Georgina me envió, porque no podía hacerlo. Espero que no le importa. He aparcado allí. "

I turned around to meet the most gorgeous hazel brown eyes that seemed to just never end. I stopped mid motion; he was godly - heavenly - perfect. Tanned, tall, and slightly muscled, I could hear my heart beating wildly.

"Excuse me. Are you Miss Elena? She said you would be the beautiful one with the long brown hair. Sorry. I'm Felipe. Ms Georgina sent me, because she couldn't make it. I hope you don't mind. I parked over there.