Hope you guys didn't wait too long for this chapter! Classes have started this week onwards, which means lesser time for writing. I'm having a hard time understanding the new stuff that are being taught. D: But of course, I'll try to upload at least a chapter for this each week! :)

Let's have a look at how Raine's doing, okay? ^_^

Splat splat!

The tiny raindrops hit my shoulders the moment I stepped out of the car. I shivered at the cold air and clutched my duffel bag tightly. I have arrived in Forks for barely an hour but I was already starting to feel homesick. Everywhere was wet - the trees, the grass, the disgusting muddy patches and puddles of water on the ground. I miss the warmth and sunshine from the comforting sun back in Florida. Because over here in Forks, it was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding behind some dark clouds.

Behind me, the trunk of the car popped open and Aunt Betty took out my luggage from it. She was much younger than Mom by five years. The last time I saw her was when I was around six years old. She and my uncle had joined my family for Christmas. At that time, Mom and Dad weren't divorced yet. So yeah, I was a happy kid with a happy family back then.

"Erm, let me carry it instead-" I started to say but she stopped me.

"It's fine, dear. I'm not an old woman yet." She winked at me. Just like Mom, she has brown eyes with wavy black hair. The resemblance only made me miss Mom even more. The aching feeling in my chest grew. I wanted to spin around and run back to the airport to catch a flight home. Back to my house, back to my friends and of course, back to my mom's hugs and kisses.

We were standing on the driveway and I glanced at my new home. I have got to admit, it was a cute yellow house with a backyard. I have always wanted a chance to live in this kind of house, and apparently, I was getting my wish. Back in Florida, Mom and I were living in an apartment with a small balcony. But nevertheless, it was the place that I grew up in ever since I was born. Too bad that this cutie house wasn't enough to perk me up.

"Don't be shy, Raine. Go on ahead and check out the house," Aunt Betty urged me with a gentle smile. She threw me a pair of house keys and I caught it, almost letting it slipped through my fingers. I walked up to the front porch and paused right in front of the door. Fumbling with the keys, I unlocked the door and pushed it open. I stepped into the house hesitantly, feeling awkward as I looked around. In the living room, there was a big TV, a comfortable-looking sofa and armchair, as well as a coffee table. It looked pretty homey and comfortable. But there was one thing that made me feel uncomfortable.

Family photographs. There were a lot of them placed everywhere - on the walls and the tables. Each photograph showed Aunt Betty, her husband and two little kids beaming at the camera happily.

It reminded me of how alone I was. I looked away quickly before it stirred up any other unwanted feelings inside me. It was definitely going to take me some time to get used to living here.

"Don't hold back and make yourself comfortable here. It's your home from now on too," Aunt Betty spoke from behind me. Startled, I turned around and went over to her to help carry my own luggage. Funny, I didn't remember putting much stuff in there except a bunch of clothes. But knowing Mom, she probably put in heaps of other stuff like my favourite doudou bear plush pillow to make me feel less homesick. Once again, I felt the rising lump in my throat but I pushed it back down.

"Come, I'll show you to your room first."

We headed up to the second floor. She led me into a bedroom that was just right beside the stairs. When we were inside, I was surprised to find it neat and tidy. The slight smell of air freshener still lingered in the air, telling me that Aunt Betty had cleaned up the room for me before I arrived. There was a single bed, a wardrobe and a desk for me to use.

"Thank you." I managed to give her a small smile. She smiled back and stepped closer to me to give me a quick hug. "If there's anything you need, just tell me, okay?" Aunt Betty said. I nodded my head. She was being so nice to me and I felt a pang of guilt for being so moody. But then again, I am probably gonna stay like this for a couple of days, weeks, or even months.

Aunt Betty left me alone in the room, saying that she would make me a cup of hot chocolate. When she was gone, I dumped my duffel bag on the floor, flopped down onto the bed and let out a big fat sigh. I was extremely exhausted, both physically and mentally. I wanted to shower, eat some junk food and take a short nap. I wanted to forget that I wasn't at a place somewhere far away from my home. My real home. But I couldn't. I wasn't at my own house right now to do the things that I wanted. It wouldn't be polite of me to treat this house as though I owned it. I have got to show manners, like what Mom said, and not cause any problems for my aunt and her family.

I headed downstairs a few minutes later. A delicious smell of food guided me into the kitchen. I found Aunt Betty standing before the stove, cooking what seemed to be lasagne. When she saw me, she beamed at me and pointed to a steamy red mug on the dining table. "Drink up while I cook lunch. You must be starving after the long flight," she said. I muttered a "thank you" and sipped the drink, grateful for the warm liquid that loosened up my tense muscles. Oh my, was I really that uncomfortable?

We chatted for a while, mostly talking about Mom. I took the opportunity to ask her about why Mom left Forks, since she never told me. Aunt Betty replied that as Mom grew older, she felt confined living here and wanted to go live elsewhere. She settled in Florida eventually, part of the reason was because she met Dad too. So much for her telling me how much she loved Forks. But she probably said that to make me feel better about coming here.

Loud footsteps outside the house interrupted our chatting and I thought I heard kids laughing. Well, I was right. A few seconds later, two small figures scurried into the kitchen and cried out "Mummy!" when they saw Aunt Betty. She went over to them and hugged them, giving them a quick peck on their cheeks. Uncle John appeared at the kitchen door and smiled warmly at me when he spotted me. I greeted him politely and he hugged me swiftly.

I sat down at the dining table together with Uncle John and my loud little cousins - Daniel and Adeline - as Aunt Betty placed plates of lasagne in front of us. My mood lifted a little because of this lively chattering in the kitchen which I joined in. But I couldn't deny that part of me was upset that I wasn't really part of this ordinary family. I was from another family, one that had fallen apart and was never going back again.

I really wished that one day, this loneliness that I was feeling would go away.