A/N: Hope you enjoyed Chp 1. Here's number 2 :).
Mia's POV
By the time I emerged from my room the next day Willow had already moved on to lunch. 'Look who's up!' she joked flashing me a smile, 'Well you can either skip breakfast and have grilled cheese with me, or there cereal and bread in there.' She said pointing to a tall cabinet.
'Do you have coffee?' I asked, I knew she did but I still felt like a guest and asked instead.
'Sure, over there.' Following her finger I headed straight to the coffee maker and flip the switch, eager to refill my caffeine levels. 'I was thinking once we're done eating we could go get some more of your things.'
'Yeah sure.' I said now dreading this job. To be back in my house...
Finally the coffee pinged and I poured it quickly into a burgundy mug before taking a long slip. I then poured myself a bowl of cornflakes before sitting down opposite Willow, looking out the window where a few angry clouds hung over us.
Thirty minutes later I was dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a white singlet and purple zip up hoodie, and slowly following Willow back up the car. Willow put the radio onto the classical station giving me a small smile. But then Beethoven's Cello Sonata no. 3 came on and I was suddenly back on the road: snow melting, mum being zipped into a bag, blood, I can't find Teddy! My hand flew to the radio dial, as I tried to shake the thoughts from my head, flicking it to Willow's preferred station. I felt her give me a slight sideways glance before returning her eyes to the road.
Once we had pulled up outside my house - my old house - the clouds decided it was time to dump their load, and rain began hammering down intensely, almost impairing your view. Still I hesitated at the bottom of the porch steps my stomach clenching tightly. Do I want to go in there? As I slowly reached for the doorknob I felt a flood of memories wash over my brain.
Dad coming home with my very own cello.
Reading Teddy 'Harry Potter' as he dosed off beside me. Mum throwing back her head and laughing at one of dad's dodgy signature jokes.
Dad and Teddy flipping burgers on Labour Day, big grins plastered across their faces.
Finally turning the knob I felt tears begin to streak down my cheeks before I wiped them away fiercely with the sleeve of my jumper, pressing the heel of my palms into my eyes.
At the foot of the door the mail had been piling up. The sight of all these unopened letters brought Julliard to the front of my head, finding myself on my knees filtering through each letter one by one...Mr & Mrs Hall, Mister T Hall, the Hall family, Denny Hall, Mrs K Hall, Mia Hall. The list went on and on but no envelope had the Julliard logo anywhere.
'Are you okay?' Willow asked, noticing the baffled look now wore on my face.
'Yeah. It's just...I was expecting a letter from Julliard. It should have come while I was in hospital.' I explained, my level of disappointment taking me a little by surprise.
'I'm sure it was just delay.'
'Maybe.' I said as Willow walked past me into the living room.
Climbing to my feet I shut the door to the foul weather and went over to the kitchen sink where I began to wring out my hair. A spillage of flour still lay scattered on the counter next to an empty bottle of chocolate chips and a stack of 4 dirty plates from mum's chocolate chip pancake experiment. I now understand how people say when you die everything just stops. You don't have time to clean up. Turning away from the faded counter I headed up to my room, passing our old retro fridge plaster with photos of memories like Teddy's first ride on a bike and me and mum at one of dad's concerts, his original groupies. I climbed the stairs quietly, taking in the silence, before turning off into me room. In the far corner sat my old grey cello stand; my bed lay still unmade, pushed up against a wall; my walls were still the same minty blue, plastered with posters and photos; and my favourite pyjamas hung off the back of my chair from the morning of the crash. Turning away I opened my wardrobe and pulled out my big leather backpack before loading in as many clothes as possible. Then on top, I place a photo of me, Kim and Adam; a Yo Yo Ma poster and a framed photo of my family on an autumn walk.
Adam's POV
Rubbing my hands together I sat in Willow's driveway preparing to go in. Finally plucking up the courage I slipped out of the car, the paper crinkling loudly in my pocket. Breathing deeply I raised my hand to knock on the door. A few seconds passed before footsteps began echoing down the hall towards me.
'Adam.' Henry said a few minutes later, the baby resting on one hip, a slightly shocked expression worn on his face, 'Would you like to come in?'
'Um..yes please.' I mumbled awkwardly sidestepping through the doorway.
'Mia's at her house with Willow. Collecting a few things.' he said noticing me looking round for her, 'You're welcome to wait if you want, they shouldn't be much longer.'
'Thanks.' I said following him into the kitchen and perching on one of the dinning room tables. 'Tea?'
'Yes please.' I said beginning the long wait for Mia.
Mia's POV
After about half an hour Willow drove us home, the boot full of miscellaneous items from my old house, a sad icy silence spreading between us. Its was a relief as I heard the tires begin to crunch up the driveway towards home.
I went into the kitchen to find Adam sat at the table opposite Henry and the baby.
'Oh...uh...hey.' Adam said standing up not quite sure what to do with himself before a look of recall spun over his face before reaching deep into his jean pocket. 'I brought you this,' he said pulling out my Julliard letter. So that's why it was gone. 'Sorry,' he continued suddenly shy, 'I hadn't realised you would be going back today.'
The envelope was rather creased but still had it's original seal. I wanted to be the first to open it. 'I'll just be a minute.' I said excusing myself to my room so I could have a moment alone.
Once in my room, I sat down on the bed and stared at the letter. What did it say? Did I even want to open it?
I turned away from the letter momentarily to fish around in my bag for the posters and photos. I took my family photo and placed it tentatively on the dresser, feeling my tears well up as I gazed at it briefly before hanging Yo Yo Ma on the wall beside my pillow. Catching a glimpse of the letter laying lonely on the bed I returned to its side. Breathing deeply I raised it to eye height and slipped my thumb under the seal.
A/N: (sorry didn't proof read) Thanks for reading :)