Being promoted to a spare bedroom had its advantages; a good night's sleep being one of them.  Brooke woke up from one of her silly recurring dreams, something to do with catching flying objects, and instantly felt uplifted with the sun lighting up the room, complimented by the sound of the sea.  Today would be a good day; she could sense it. 

Kane knocked on the door.  "Brooke are you up? Hot water's on, if you want to take a bath."  He could get used to this brother-sister stuff, it was nice to have someone sane around.  His aunt was from a different generation, and could be a bit eccentric at times.

"Thanks.  I'll be out in a bit."  She grabbed one of her beach towels and chose one of her smarter outfits, a white shirt and black jeans, to wear. She was going to Summer Bay High to enrol and wanted to make a good impression.

"What time is your appointment at the school?"

"Um… about one o clock, " shouted Brooke.  "I'm meeting Kit in the diner at twelve though."

"I'm sure they'll let you in.  I just hope you do better than I did when I was at that school."

"I'm sure I will."  She left the room, her smile fading as she saw Kane's back, covered in scars.  Not sure about whether to be horrified or sympathetic, she stayed silent.

Kane, sensing someone staring at him, turned around.  "Are you okay?"

"Yeah — No, those scars, are they from your dad and brother?"

"I should remember to keep them covered. Not exactly a pretty sight, eh?"

"They must have hurt."

"I just switched myself off.  That's all I could do."

She nodded with understanding.  She knew what it was like to switch herself off when things were getting to her; it was the story of her life.   "Can I use the phone?  I need to ring my mother."

"Of course, this is your home now.   I've got to get to work now, so I'll see you later?"

"Sure."  As he left, Brooke dialled her mother's number on the silver house-phone; she knew that she had to make the first move otherwise they'd never speak.  With a new husband, impending baby and scatterbrain personality, the new Mrs Williams had forgotten to call her daughter.  It wasn't because she didn't love her, far from it, but because she knew that Brooke was used to coping on her own and being independent.  Yet, that didn't mean that Brooke wouldn't appreciate someone worrying about her every once in a while instead of assuming she was fine.

The phone rang a couple of times before it was picked up.  A gruff male voice answered.  "Hello?"

Howard Williams was Brooke's new stepfather.  Her mother, a hairdresser, met him through one of her clients; in fact she stole him from one of her clients.   The former Mrs Williams had never quite gotten over her hairdressers betrayal.  "Howard, it's Brooke.  Is Mum there?"

"She is.  I'll just get her."  They had never really bonded as a stepfamily.  

"Brooke, how nice to hear from you! " exclaimed her mother in a voice, which sounded like she'd just been reminded of an old friend she'd forgotten all about.  "Where have you found yourself this time?"

"Summer Bay."  There was a slight pause.  Donna Williams knew that town very well.  She knew why her daughter was there, but remained oblivious nonetheless.

"What are you doing there?"

"I found the letters Mum.  Why didn't you tell me I had a brother?"

"I don't know, I thought it would overcomplicate things.  I just wanted it to be the four, well, soon five of us, " she said.  "I knew what his father was like, and I didn't want him to meet you.  He treated me badly."

"Well, his son Kane is fine. He's got a job and he's letting me stay with him, which leads to me what else I need to ask you.  I'd like to go to school here."

"Oh?  What's wrong with Perth?"

"I'd like to get to know Kane better, plus I'm starting to make friends here.  I'm going to the school soon, is it alright if I fax the application form over?"

"You've already made your mind up, haven't you?"  Donna sighed.  This would drive an even bigger wedge between her and Brooke.  "As long as you visit the baby when it's born."

"I will.  You should see Kane too."

"When the time is right.  My shift at the salon's starting soon, I'd better go.  I'll speak to you soon."

"Bye."  Brooke hung up.  Now all she had to do was convince Summer Bay High to have her.

***

Kit was glad to get out of the house of madness, even if it was just for a couple of hours.  Soon she wouldn't have to be there all day.  In a strange way she was looking forward to going back to school.

"You look nice, " said Beth realising that finally her daughter had straightened herself out.  "I'm so glad you're going back to school."

"Yeah, well Dad would have wanted it."  Kit smiled feebly as Kirsty, who'd finished her lunch break, ran through the living room and straight out of the front door. 

"Hello?" said a puzzled Beth.  "I wish they'd sort out their differences, I can't stand this tension.  We haven't all sat down together for ages."

"I doubt they will, the way everyone's acting.  I don't know what to think anymore.  Kane seems decent now, and his sister's nice but then what he did was unacceptable."

"I know how you feel.  Tell Brooke I said hi, maybe you could invite her round?"

"We'll see.  Bye Mum."

"Good luck!"

Kit left the Caravan Park and jogged gently to the diner.  She'd tried to look a bit smarter today, wearing black cords instead of jeans, hoping that they'd take her as she was.  It would be weird going back, her being so much older than her class and probably a lot less smart too.  Still, it would be worth it; she could go to uni and get on with her life instead of latching onto her mother.

Brooke waved at a nearby Kit.  "You look smart today, " she shouted.

"Thanks.  Thought I'd make an effort, first impressions and all that."  Kit could get used to all these compliments.

After a quick bit at the diner, the girls made their way to the nearby school.  It was quite quiet, as lessons were still going on, and it was an eerie feeling entering school corridors again.  Sure, Brooke had never been here before, but they all smelt the same; they all told the same story.  It was as if one blueprint of a school had been copied, all over the world.  They followed the corridor down to the staircase, and were faced with the agonising dilemma of turning left or right.

"You'd have thought they would have signposted the place, " laughed Kit.  "Where are we supposed to go?"

"Left looks good."

They turned, but to their disappointment were greeted by a broom cupboard at the end of the corridor. 

"Guess I was wrong, " said Brooke.   "I didn't think it'd be this hard to get back into school."

"Maybe I can be of service, " said a voice from behind.  Brooke quickly spun round.  A blonde boy of about her age greeted her.  "You must be Brooke."

"If you say so."

"And Kit — nice to see you again."

"Likewise, " smiled Kit through gritted teeth.  "We're looking for Mr Burnet's office. "

"You both coming to Summer Bay High?  How much did they pay you?"

"Quite a bit, " she said.  "So where is his office?"

"I'm Nick Smith by the way, " he held out his hand toward Brooke.  "I guess we'll both be in Year 11 then."

She shook his hand, sensing that there was something about him.  He seemed the cheeky type, and Kit was acting strangely towards him.  Perhaps there was history between them.

Nick tried to make conversation as he led them to the opposite end of the corridor but it was proving increasingly difficult with Kit there, biting back with her sarcastic comments.  However, Brooke seemed interesting, if a little challenging. Who would have thought a trip to the bathroom could have so many possibilities? 

"Well, here we are, " said Nick greeted by silence.  "I'll just get back to class then.  I'll see you around."

"Bye, " said Brooke after him.  "Did something happen between you two?  You seemed frostier than usual."

Kit knocked on the door.  "Yes and no.  Something happened but it didn't really happen, if you know what I mean."

"I think so."  The door opened, to reveal a tall man who looked far too young and modern to be a principal.

"Brooke and Kit, how good to see you, " he said shaking their hands.  "I'll have to interview you separately, go through all the admin stuff.  Brooke shall we start off?"

"Sure."  Brooke gave a slightly apprehensive smile at Kit as she waited outside, though her nerves were probably unnecessary.  Mr Burnet seemed like an easygoing sort of guy, not too judgemental.  A good thing, with her past.

"So Brooke, your mother rang me this morning and faxed your details over.  Why have you chosen somewhere so far away to live?"

"Well, you might know that Kane Phillips is my brother."

"I do, yes."

"I only discovered this a couple of weeks ago, and I'd like to get to know him a bit better.  I also thought it'd be a good time to go back to school."

"Of course.  Your mother was a little vague as to why you left your old school in Perth, she said you had an accident?"

"Sort of, " said Brooke feeling a little embarrassed.  Trust her mother to gloss over the truth.  "I was a bit messed up then with my schoolwork and stuff.  They wanted me to take some HSC exams earlier, and then take more exams after that and with my Mum's problems I just felt out of control.  I did take an overdose, yes, but I'm coping now, my Mum's sorted out and I'd just like to get my academic life back on track."

Paris Burnet was slightly taken aback.  "Well, I'm sure that Summer Bay can help you do that, and I've no problems offering you a place.  I understand you've taken some exams already?"

"Yes, Maths and English.  I was halfway through the other courses, but then you-know-what happened."

"Well, I'll contact your old school to see if what you've already done can be submitted as part of your HSC.   I'm going to put you into Year 11, but if that doesn't work out I'm sure you can move down."

"I think I'll be fine in Year 11, " said Brooke thinking of Kirsty and Nick.  They seemed like good people to know.

"I can get your timetable worked out by the end of the week, I suggest that you come in on Friday to meet your teachers — I trust you know some of the students?"

"I do know a few."

"You'll also need a uniform, we have a strict policy.  A dress can be bought from reception, or they could organise a second hand one.  I look forward to seeing you settle in here, " smiled Paris.  "I think you could be just what this school needs."

"Thanks, " said Brooke shaking his hand and leaving the office.  She said goodbye to Kit, and made her way out of the school.

The once silent corridor was now full of noisy, uniformed students, grabbing books out of lockers, chattering, being told off; Brooke stuck out like a sore thumb.  The students parted as she walked down the corridor, some giving her some strange looks.  Seeing Kirsty and Jade at some nearby lockers, she approached them, with one twin smiling and the other frowning.

"So you're serious about coming here then Brooke?" asked Kirsty.  Seeing her reminded her of her secret engagement to Kane, and how she had to tell people soon.

"I suppose so.  Hello Jade."

Jade faked a smile.  Her being Kane's sister wasn't the only reason to hate her; she didn't like how Brooke had just appeared and landed on her feet. 

"Well we'll make sure you settle in, won't we Jade?"

"I feel like I already have, " said Brooke looking Jade straight in the eye.  "Nick was very nice to me."

"Oh, was he?"  She tried not to show her contempt, but it was difficult.  No matter what Nick did to her, an important part of her still loved him.  Not that she felt threatened, of course.

"I'd better be going, it'd be silly me hanging around when I don't need to be.  Tell Nick I said hi."  And with that Brooke left, feeling that maybe her life would finally get back on track, and a more interesting one at that.