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Rhyleigh


"First day of school", Julie hummed, less than two weeks later. While they were still getting used to their house in Carrs Park, they had settled into a routine.

On their very first night in the house, they had received a knock at the door, and opened it to three very smiley, very Greek neighbours. Ben had lit up at the sight of their son, the possibility of a mate to get through the rest of the holidays with. Ben and 'Carbo' (Nick to his parents) had instantly become friends, and with Carbo's help, Nathan had found himself a playmate down the road. The two were constantly in and out of the house, swapping between the 'Calamari Castle' next door (what Rachel had christened the Karandonis house) and theirs.

Rachel, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. She struggled to find a routine within their new town, struggling with newborn Ruby. According to the family next door, Ruby was Dave and Julie's youngest child- not grandchild- and Dave and Julie, while they weren't thrilled with the prospect, obliged and went along with it until Rachel worked up the courage to tell others.

"Have fun, darling", Julie said to Ben, kissing his cheek and making him squirm.

"Mum!" he complained.

Rachel dodged the kiss her mother attempted to plant on her cheek, before grabbing her schoolbag. "Bye, Mum".

"Call at lunchtime!" Julie called after her daughter, as the front door slammed. Ruby jolted in the rocker, looking around with her big blue eyes- the same blue eyes she shared with her grandfather, mother and two uncles. "It's just us now, gorgeous", she said softly, smiling sadly at the little girl. Ruby just smiled toothlessly, making her grandmother break into a genuine smile.


Her first class of the day- English- made Rachel wish that she had stayed at home. While clearly her classmates had known each other since they were toddlers- and all received the book they were reading before school broke up for the Christmas holidays- she had neither a friend nor a book.

"Here", a girl said, grinning and pushing the book towards her, before sliding over to the next seat. "You can share mine, until you get yours".

"Thanks", Rachel said softly, smiling at the girl.

"I'm Libby", the girl said with such enthusiasm that Rachel couldn't help but giggle. "You're new here, right? Your family moved next door to the Karandonis'?"

When Rachel's eyes widened, she laughed. "It's a small town. Everyone knows everyone- I can do something at school and my parents know about it before I get home".

"Okay", she said quickly. "I'm Rachel. Nice to meet you".

"What are you going to do at lunch?" Libby questioned curiously. "No, sorry, that came out wrong. I meant, would you like to sit with me and the boys at lunch? I sit with Jake, George and Camel, we've all known each other since kindergarten- I've known Jake since preschool, actually".

"Camel?"

"Everyone calls him Camel, I don't think anyone really knows his real name". She shrugged, her eyes dancing with laughter. "So, what do you say? Want to sit with us?"

Rachel nodded; overwhelmed by the reams of information she was receiving from the other girl. "I'd like that".

"Great!" Libby beamed, throwing her arms around her. "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship, Rachel... Rachel?"

"Rachel Rafter". Rachel smiled, hugging her back.


For the first time since that day almost a year ago, Rachel felt like she belonged. Jake, George and Camel barely batted their eyelids as she took a seat beside Libby, the conversation continuing from where they had left off.

"What about you, Rachel?" Libby checked. "What did you do this summer?"

"We were just focused on the move", Rachel replied honestly, hoping they wouldn't ask her about her family. "Packing up our old lives, moving here… it was a big job".

Jake nodded, chewing intently.

"What did you guys do?"

"There was the weekly trip to the beach", George said with a grin, his skin showing no signs of being exposed to the sun all summer. While Jake, Camel and Libby sported golden brown tans, George was as white as snow. "And the football".

"And cricket", Jake corrected. "We played cricket every Saturday and Libs came down to support us".

"And work on her tan", Libby said with a grin, running her hand down her leg. "I think I've perfected it this year, you know Georgie?"

"Very nice, Libby".

Rachel just grinned. "My brothers love cricket. They'll be joining up next summer, I can guarantee it".

"Good, we need some new players", Camel decided.

"How was your first day?" Julie wanted to know, answering the door with Ruby in her arms. Rachel skidded down the hallway, setting her bag down in her bedroom before sliding off her black school shoes.

"Mum, can we turn on the air conditioner?" she said, ignoring the question. "It's so hot! I'm melting!"

"School, Rach, how was it?" Julie said, ignoring her daughter's question. "Ruby's about ready for her bottle, darling". She held the infant out to her and Rachel gingerly accepted her, moving into the kitchen to pluck a bottle out of the fridge.

"I met some really nice people". She shrugged, unwilling to elaborate. Sticking the bottle into the microwave, she gave a small smile as Ruby beamed at her.

"Did you tell them about Ruby?" Julie wanted to know, and Rachel's eyes widened.

"Mum, I met them like an hour ago, I'm not about to unload all my problems onto them!" she exploded. Sighing, frustrated, she almost ripped the door off the microwave in order to get to the bottle. "I'm going to my room; I've got things to do".