I scream at her to shut up but it’s too late. Aadi clambers out of the pool and charges towards Kalen, his face like thunder. Kalen yells and takes off at high speed in a desperate attempt to escape my brother’s wrath.
“Fuck my life,” I say, shaking my head. Aadi takes off after Kalen and chases him around the backyard.
I take a seat by myself on a sun lounger and watch all of my family and friends having a good time. Smalls comes over and takes a seat beside me.
“There’s never a dull moment around here,” he jokes, and we both laugh.
“That’s the understatement of the year. I’m just glad that I’m done with school, that’s one less stress on my shoulders at least.”
“How are you dealing with the whole Debbie thing? I was shocked when I found out, so I can’t imagine how you’re feeling.”
“I had some time to process it, but we had a long talk the other day and I think we’re in a good place. Camilla being here has helped a lot with that.”
“She’s a good woman, Camilla, I mean. I know the line of work she is in is questionable and I never wanted you to know my involvement, but to start a new life I had to save money. At the time I was doing it for you.”
“Smalls—” I warn. We’ve spoken about this; he can’t sit around and wait for me because I’m never coming back to him in the way he wants.
“Hear me out, baby girl. I’m so grateful that you drew a line on our friendship. I was so loyal to you that I was blinded to anyone else, and I would have loved you forever, but I have something good with Katie now and I owe that to you.”
I wave my hand as I scoff. “You don’t owe anything to me. I’m just so glad that you’re happy. You’ll always be my closest friend.”
“I think that I love her,” he blurts out, and I smile.
“I know. I can see it on your face every time you talk about her. She’s good for you.”
“Agh, save me!” Kalen yells as he runs past us with my brother hot on his heels.
“I’m thinking about moving?” he says. I follow Kalen with my eyes as he runs and jumps in the pool to avoid Aadi.
“What? Where?” I ask, turning to look at him.
“Katie is going to New Hope university next year, she was accepted and…is it stupid that I want to go with her?”
“It’s not stupid. Follow your heart… But I never pictured you going to university.” I chuckle.
“Oh god no, Yasmin’s boyfriend works at a mechanic shop down there, and he might be able to get me a job. I’m good with cars, and it’s a chance to start fresh. Aadi is in no hurry to come home and that life, he’s cut out for it. I promised Chelsea that I’d turn my life around, and you know I owe it to her to make good on that promise.”
“Do what makes you happy, but you better not forget about me.”
“Never. And for old times’ sake?” he says standing and my eyes go wide.
“Don’t you dare!” I warn as my brother makes himself known, sneaking up on me. I try to run but it’s futile, I realised a moment too late what they were planning.
Smalls grabs my legs and Aadi takes my arms as I try to fight them off. They swing me side to side like they would do every summer when I refused to get into the pool.
“On the count of three,” Aadi yells. “One...Two...Three.”
I’m launched into the air, and with a chuckle I hit the water. I resurface with a smile on my face.
I’m content for the first time in so long. My family is happy, my friends are happy, my guys are happy and I’m happy. I never would have imagined when I came here almost a year ago that I would actually be happy here. It’s more than that though, I’m thriving.
I started my journey hating the fact that I was sent halfway across the world away from my home, but today I can confidently say that Iamhome and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue
Amelie
Two Years Later
