NATALIE'S P.O.V
Why did this have to happen to me? Of all the people in the world, it was me. Me who had to fly halfway around the world for some stupid camp because England 'isn't safe enough for me'. Me who had to leave all of my friends behind because my parents said so. Baring in mind my parents haven't been there for me my entire life. I have... a kind of complicated background. I've never actually met my parents, I grew up with my adopted parents who were so kind and generous and were everything I ever wanted. I had a normal life. I was an average girl. Not too tall or small, not super popular but not a loner either. I wasn't drop dead gorgeous - not by a long shot, but I didn't feel the need to walk around with a bag on my head... most of the time anyway. My friends liked me for who I was and not what I owned.
Then when I was 18 my whole life changed. My adopted parents died in a car crash. I was a complete mess after that. I didn't know what to do with myself. Social workers came and told me that in my parents will they had left me everything – I mean EVERYTHING. The house, the cars, the money, all of it. The social workers helped me sell the house and cars, and told me that I had relatives in New York and La Push (both in America) and my parents had specifically stated in their will that I was to go to this camp-thingy to start with.
Needless to say I didn't want to go.
I stayed with the workers until I had just turned 18, then they decided it was time for me to go to America as they had completely sorted out all of the complicated paperwork and stuff.
I was at Heathrow Airport waiting for some man called 'Mr Brunner' who came all the way from this camp, just to fly back with me… I didn't exactly get the point of that. I was sitting on the bright blue plastic airport chairs drinking my amazing Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks and listening to music on my dad's old iPod, when a middle-aged man in a wheelchair made his way over to me. I didn't notice until he tapped me on the shoulder causing me to jump in the air slightly. I took my earphones out and smiled politely at him.
"Hello how may I help you sir?" My adopted parents had, thankfully, brought me up to be a polite young lady, which I was… most of the time anyway.
"I'm Mr Brunner, I'm hoping that you are Natalie Woods?" He put his hand out for me to shake.
I smiled and told him that I was.
"Ah well we had better be going, our flight leaves in 45 minutes and, as you might be able to tell, it may take a while to get me through the metal detectors." He said with a smile, gesturing to his wheelchair. "Do you have all of your things?"
I nodded. "Yes. I've got 2 suitcases here and my guitar. The rest of my luggage, I have been told is going to a house in La Push." It was a statement but I made it sound like a question, as I wanted to sure myself.
"That is fine and yes your other belongings will be going to La Push, but first you will be staying at camp for as long as necessary." He said reassuringly.
"Ok then!" I said trying to sound positive when inside I was so scared about this. "Lets get going! … Umm would you like me to push you?" I said nervously, not really knowing what to do.
He chuckled and replied, "Yes that would be great thank you Natalie."
I shouldered my hand luggage and my guitar, while Mr Brunner put one of my plain black suitcases on his lap and lifted the other up to me. I thanked him and half pushed him as he wheeled himself forward slightly to help me. All I was thinking was He seems nice. But I have no idea what to expect do I? Dad once got chased down the street in LA when he only tipped 10% not 20… Please tell me that won't happen to me… Who am I kidding I'm not even there yet! Pushing my thoughts aside I set off with Mr Brunner, secretly hoping that we didn't get too held up at the metal detectors.
We ended up boarding the plane via a special route so we would be able to get Mr Brunner's wheelchair on-board safely. I didn't want to even try to squeeze him and my luggage past everyone else's seats! We were then shown to our seat at the back of the aircraft. Yes singular. I had a seat and for Mr Brunner there was a big wide open space for him to comfortably sit in. The flight attendant went through the classic safety measures. I chuckled to myself as I remembered my friends and I when we went to Belgium with our school.
*Flashback*
"I'M IN THE MIDDLE!" I screamed as I ran down the length of the plane with my 2 best friends' right behind me. I avoided the eyes of glaring passengers and teachers as I jumped into the middle seat. Anna climbed over me and sat by the window, with Steph on the aisle – she had a phobia of sickness so she would never actually be sick… unlike Anna who, on the other hand, was as green as a Brussel sprout. I hate Brussel sprouts.
Steph, Anna and I in union acted out the flight attendant's routine in a slightly-to-happy monotone voice;
"In case of an emergency, the emergency exits are here, here and here." We said, whacking each other in the process.
"Well of course, that's why they're called EMERGENCY exits. Genius." I muttered to Steph, who started snorting with laughter.
After we took off, Mr Brunner turned to me while I managed to fish out my iPod and put my earphones in.
"So Natalie, do you have any hobbies?" He questioned.
I thought about it for a minute and replied. "Yes actually. I really enjoy playing the guitar and singing. I don't think I'm very good but I don't really mind. I really enjoy swimming and I get quite competitive with sports and things like that. I like nature a lot as well."
Suddenly his face went from curious, to concern, shock and then horror.
I panicked. "Sir? Are you okay? I'm sorry if I've done something wrong – have I?"
He gulped and then tried to reassure me. "Uhh no you haven't Natalie, it's something that your parents have done I think."
I crossed my arms and then raised one eyebrow. "Mr Brunner are you scared of my parents?"
His eyes widened and he took a deep breath. "Why don't you listen to your music and we will take about this when we are off of the plane."
"Fine," I sighed. "But I think you, and my parents have A LOT of explaining to do."