Returning to a New place to call home
Gabby P.O.V
Water and Sand , That was all I can see while driving past the welcome to Summer Bay sign, it doesn't look as good as Mangrove River usually does on a summer weekend but it has to be better than the city. I had finally gotten to a point where I couldn't take the inner suburbs any longer, waking up every day to a dirty street of old Terraces houses and homeless people lurking around the neighbourhood was about to kill me. So that's why I've decided to come back and live with my brothers in this new town they have decided to call home. Just by the people I can see hanging around in groups as I look outside the passenger window, I knew that it was defiantly not Mangrove River, but I am not going to be quick to judge the place since I haven't even gotten out of the car and walked around yet. Besides I have a lot of painful memories in Mangrove River, maybe leaving them there and starting new somewhere else was all that I needed.
" So your brothers really don't know your coming, do they?" Jake asked as we both got out of the car and walked up to the little beach fence allowing us to really look at the beach in front of us, that just kept stretching along until disappearing around the hill. I know I shouldn't even be near Jake since he isn't on the best of terms with my brothers, they used to be, used be best friends actually, but ever since Jake started his own gang they haven't gotten along. My brothers used to tell me he was dangerous and not to get involved with him, but for as long as I known him he has always been nice and caring, he even picked me up from that stupid boarding school that I have been at for nearly a year and a half. But don't get me wrong I still have my eyes open and guard up just in case he decides to use me as bait or revenge on my brothers.
" Nope, haven't seen them since they dropped me of at that awful place" I replied not bothering to even look at him because I was so captivated by the beach which I haven't seen in so long. You see, just over a year and a bit my family thought I needed to go to this rehab for teens, that helped dealing with things like eating disorders, depression, suicide and anxiety, which in true honest back than I did need help with a few issues, but what I hated the most was my mother didn't honestly give a crap about me she still doesn't , but she was still the one who got to decide where I went and for how long without even really understanding the struggles I was going through.
" Well, they are defiantly going to be surprised. " he commented while also looking at the amazing beach. I was so happy to be out of that rehab place, even if it did help me a lot with my issues. Back in the day, I wasn't like the way I am today. I wasn't this tan, skinny girl with long blonde surfer hair who stood up proud and with confidence, I was actually the total opposite, I couldn't leave the house without thinking someone was making a nasty comment or judging me by my weight I used to be ,which was over 20 kg heavier than I am today.
After entering the rehab for Depression about two months later of getting arrested , I decided I wanted to change my visual appearance and lose that weight, hoping that being skinny would help me with my confidence and actually help me love myself again, but as the weight kept coming of me, for some reason my low confidence stayed a lot the same and my insecurities still ruled my life. That's when I realised it had nothing to do with my body, it was all in my head. The only way I was going to be a confident, smart woman was I needed to start thinking positively and start loving my body.
" Just remember not to mention my name, when they ask how you got here" he whispered while leaning down close to my ear, by the tone In his voice he was trying to scare me and warn me a little bit and honestly It was giving me a few chills of fear up and down my back, as he continued to talk like he was threatening me for silence or something.
" I promise" I replied ,smiling softly at his threatening attempts against me while walking back to his car, leaving me standing here alone in front of the beach. I didn't actually mind the peace and quiet which was helping me think about what I was going to say to my three brothers, who I haven't seen in so long.
You have no idea what its like going from being super close with your brothers, to being shipped of nearly an hour away so you can be taught how to control these demons inside your head. But I can't stand here all day and complain about the past. Because the past is the past, we have to learn from our mistakes and move on. That's the only way of surviving in this world.
I didn't have to stand there much longer before spotting one of my brothers, it was Casey to be exact. He would have been just another random teenager walking home if it wasn't for his little turn allowing me to see his face and smile. I know straight away it was Casey and from the female holding his hand, he obviously finally has a girlfriend.
Just watching them on the beach, I knew I couldn't wait any longer to go see my brother again. Casey and I have always been the closest, maybe because he is only one year older than me, Or maybe it was because we found security in each other. Heath and Brax are both leaders of the River Boys and well Casey and I have always been misjudged because of our older brothers, causing a lot for Casey who was trying to fit in and find his own pathway in life.
I watched the young girl with brown hair leave Casey's side before walking up towards the surf club, allowing me to finally surprise Casey.
" you know I prefer that uniform rather the other one" I yelled while I was walking towards him, I was trying to remain calm and collected but all I wanted to do was jump on him and tackle him to the ground, squeezing him so tight that it was hard to breath, but instead I went with the cool and calm idea.
After hearing a voice come his way I saw Casey look up at me and letting our eyes finally connect for the first time in so long. I could tell it took him a few seconds to actually realise it was me since I look so different from last time he saw me.
" Gabby" he stuttered trying to find other words to say, but all I could see was shock on his face as he continued to stare at me. I wanted to say something as well, but it just didn't feel like the right time so instead I answered him by smiling, hopefully showing all the happiness and excitement that was building up inside.
" NO, bloody way" he shouted not being able to control the huge smile that appeared on his face while running and picking me up in his arms.
" what the hell are you doing here, I thought you had another couple of months" he said while gently placing me down, but still keeping me secure in his arms. I love seeing all the high spirit within him being unleashed as he finally held his sister again. I am used to being held in my brothers arms, protecting me like it was his only mission in this world, he has been doing it since I can remember, whenever our father got drunk Brax would take Heath, Casey and I to the beach knowing it was the only safe place, where we used to hug each other for warmth and protection.
" I was over it. I missed you guys" I replied, hoping he didn't hear the lie within my answer. I want to tell him the truth but no yet, I need time to get comfortable here.
" We missed you too" he said, cupping my cheeks with his cold hands and stepping back so he could check me out to make sure it wasn't a dream or anything.
" You look so different, Incredible and amazing but I hardly recognised you at the start" he comment as he looked at me, studying every inch of my new look. I don't think I look any different but as I said before its all In my head, but I know I have changed a lot since leaving. I lost 20 kg, toned up a lot, died my hair blonder than it was before, got a nice tan and also got a few small tattoos that weren't that visible to everyone knowing Brax is going to freak when he just sees the new piercings I got on my ear and belly button.
" thanks, I decided to lose all that stupid weight I had gained" I smirked giving him a little twirl but never dropping my smile. The main idea was I had to show my brothers and prove to them that I was all better and I was happy and that I didn't need to go back to that place, even if I had to pretend to be happy, which I usually do anyway.
" you were still pretty back than, but I am just happy I have my sister back" he joked before pulling me into another big hug and showing his affection. The affection I have missed so much and have been thriving for.
" same here" I mumbled as I rested my head on his chest, hearing his heat beat so fast from all the shock and surprises that he had just witnessed. I love feeling the warmth finally come back and that hole that was in your heart starting to heal knowing you were back where you needed to be, and you could finally start to feel a belonging again.
Ruby P.O.V
There I stood watching my boyfriend hug the life out of some trashy girl wearing mini shorts and a singlet that didn't even cover all her tummy. How could he cheat on me just minutes after me leaving to go home. I was feeling so betrayed and hurt that he was doing it so publicly, it was like he was rubbing it in my face or he just didn't give a shit.
I honestly just kept standing there not really knowing what to do. I did want to march down there and rip her from his arms and warn her to back off but for some reason my body wouldn't move.
Tears began foaming when realisation started to hit me, but I was still confused as to why I was crying. Was it because I realised Charlie was right, the Braxton Brothers cannot be trusted or was it because just watching the way he hugged her and smiled at her made me realise whoever she was he really cares about her, probably more than me.
