Exploration
By
Anna and Sonja
Summary: New. Joan Watson liked new. It was always exciting to see and experience new places.
Chapter One: New House
New. Joan Watson liked new. It was always exciting to see and experience new places. She had known her family was going to move for months now. Mummy had told her that when they would move to the country, they would be a proper family again. Joan almost believed her, but she didn't feel they would be; not without Dad. Still, Joan was happy that they were finally on the road to their new home.
Harry, however, wasn't happy at all. Joan's brother sat beside her in the backseat of the car. He was slumped down in the seat, his arms crossed and his heated face glaring into the rear-view mirror. Harry had pitched a fit before they got into the car. Joan tried to calm him down, telling him that everything would be better when they reached their new home. Harry didn't believe her, but Mum forced him into the car either way.
When they reached their neighborhood, Joan's nose pressed against the passenger-side window. Her blue eyes soaked in everything. They passed by many beautiful houses. Each one was unique and pretty. Joan couldn't wait to see if they housed other kids her age. She fell back into her seat with a smile; she decided she liked this neighborhood already.
It was then one home in particular caught Joan's eye especially. It was a bit further down the road, perched on a slightly taller hill. It was two stories, painted a brightening white, and had a large yard. She hoped her new house was just as pretty. At that moment, the car turned into a driveway. As soon as the car came to a stop, Joan unbuckled herself and sprung out of the car.
The house was a humble one. It was one story, and made of brick. It didn't have as large of a yard as the other, but Joan didn't mind. "It's perfect!" She shouted to no one in particular.
Her mother emerged from the car and smiled, "I'm glad you think so, dear." she said.
Joan heard Harry as he pulled himself out of the car, "It looks stupid." He said.
She paid no mind to Harry. Joan liked the house. It was good enough for her.
Mummy was yelling again. No surprise. She had done that a lot recently, especially in the evenings when Papa had forgotten to lock the windows. But for the past week, she had actually thrown fits in the morning as well, even going so far as to burst into Shirley and Myrtle's rooms to see if they were still there. Or something. It was really annoying.
Today had been one of those days. Shirley had gone to sleep late the night before because she had wanted to see some stars, but nothing had shown. So when Mummy had barged into her room the next morning yelling her name and swinging some kind of battering object into the air, Shirley had of course shot up awake instantly. Mummy had then proceeded to do this in every room of the house (and there were plenty of those), so there had been no hope of going back to sleep.
So. Shirley Holmes was irritated. She had sulked the entire morning and until noon and refused to talk to anyone, especially Mummy. She just wanted the yelling to stop, and for Mummy to stop being so scared all the time. Papa wasn't scared, so why was she?
"Shirley?" she suddenly hear Myrtle's voice coming from her door. Shirley only grumbled in response. "Dad says you have to come to lunch."
"Not hungry," Shirley mumbled into her sheet, turning away from her sister.
"Come on, you haven't even gone out of your room all day," Myrtle said, clearly not wanting to bother with this kind of behavior today. "At least have some juice or something. Please?"
"No."
Myrtle huffed, "fine. Starve to death for all I care. Oh, and just so you know, Mummy's annoying me too. She's annoying everyone. You're not the only victim here, Shirley." She then closed the door shut and Shirley could hear her swear in the hallway. Whatever.
Stupid Mummy. Stupid Myrtle. Shirley just wanted to be alone. Why didn't anyone understand that?
"Are you sure you can carry that, Joan?" Her mother asked.
Joan struggled with a box of her toys, the weight was almost overbearing. But Joan was persistent, "Y- Yeah." She replied as she took a shaky step towards the house.
"Joan, let your brother get that." Mum told her as she went through the doorway of the house with her own box.
Joan was determined to take in her box to the house. These were her toys, and they were her responsibility. That was the end of the discussion. But by the time she had made it to the door, her mother stood in front of her. "Joan, that box is too heavy for you." She told her.
"N- No it's not." She lied.
"Yes it is." Her mum replied as she took the box from her.
"But mum!" Joan whined, "I want to help!" she said as she followed close behind.
Her mother laughed, "But you've helped so much already! You need to help get your brother of his bum and take a break." She told her.
Joan pouted, but she went to do as she was told. She wandered the house until she found Harry in his new room. He was sitting on the floor against the wall. Joan leaned in, "Mum wants you to get off your bum and help with the boxes." She said.
Harry let out a huff of air, which Joan interpreted as 'fat chance'. Joan rolled her eyes, "You're unhappy about all this, we get it Harry. But would it kill you to stop thinking about how much you don't want to be here, and just open your eyes? We're here now, so get used to it. We're not going back." She told him.
"I could go back." He mumbled.
"What?" Joan asked.
"I could go back and live with Dad." Harry told her.
Anger swept through Joan, "Yeah alright! Go back, then! Go on and stay with the man who ignored you in favour of a beer. Go back to the city and good luck to you!" She shouted.
Joan slammed his door and pivoted around. She stomped away and out of the house. Anywhere was better than being near her brother. Joan stopped when she reached the pavement; she turned her head towards the beautiful house on the hill. Her curiosity was beginning to boil over. So she headed out towards the house.