The house was only a two-minute walk from the station. As we turn the corner of the street, my steps falter when I see my childhood home.
Izzy remains quiet for a few seconds. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “It’s just strange seeing my home for the first time in so long.” With a sigh, I pull myself together. “Come on.”
I put the key in the lock and we walk inside. The familiar smell of home assaults my senses. I had grown up in this house and I have so many happy memories. I leave my case in the hallway and silently walk into the front room. It is empty now, aside from two sofas and a small television. All the ornaments and things that made it home had been packed into storage after the funeral. At the time, I was not in a place where I was ready to go through it all and decide what to keep and what to throw. So it is all there waiting for me, for when I’m ready.
“It’s so light in here.” Izzy says as she takes in the room. “I love that wallpaper.”
I smile, following her eyes towards the chimneybreast that is decorated in a grey and mustard pattern. My mum and I had shared a love of interior design, we loved nothing more than spending our weekends browsing the home décor shops. We had loved going to antique fairs together and finding furniture that we could up-cycle and paint.
“Come on, show me your old bedroom.” Izzy urges me excitedly.
Walking into my old bedroom feels so strange. It was my safe haven for all of my childhood. In this room, I spent hours devouring books and dreaming about my future. All the things that made this room mine are away in storage but there are still some posters on the walls, one is a poster of one of Dominic Sherwood from one of my favourite television series’ and the others are posters of places around the world I wanted to visit.
Izzy silently takes in my bedroom before throwing herself down on my old bed. “Even though most of your things aren’t here, I can imagine you in this room. It has that Everly feel to it.”
I furrow my brows, smiling. “Okay. I’m not sure what you mean, but thanks.” I gesture to out onto the landing. “You can use my mum’s wardrobe for your things. There’s no bed in there, so I thought we could both bunk down on the sofas in the living room.”
“Perfect idea.” Izzy says with a soft smile. “I’ll go unpack then and leave you to it for a while.”
I silently thank her for giving me some space. This is my first time back here since I packed up and moved down south. I’m hit with a roller coaster of emotions since arriving. A mix of both happy memories and those more dark and sad. I keep expecting to hear my mum shout me down for tea or hear her singing as she washes up in the kitchen.
A few weeks ago my dad asked me if I’d had any more thoughts about my plans for the house. In truth, it is something I have avoided thinking about, but now I am here, I realise I can’t just keep leaving it here feeling empty and unloved. I have a few options. I can rent it out, I can sell it, or I can move back here once I finish college and go to a local university. I know I need to decide and soon, so I’m hoping being here this weekend might give me a sign of what I should do.
After we unpack, we head out and make the short walk to the supermarket to stock up for the weekend. I text Grayson to let him know we have arrived at the house. I also give my dad a quick ring and let him know we arrived safely. I roll my eyes and share a smile with Izzy when he advises me on making sure we lock up before we go to bed. I think my dad is nervous about my first trip away from home, and I love him for it.
Just as we are leaving the supermarket, my phone rings and I smile when I see Courtney’s face on the screen.
“Hey Court.” I greet, balancing my phone between my chin and my shoulder.
“Are you here yet?” She asks me, her tone full of excitement.
“Yeah, we arrived about an hour ago. We have just been to the supermarket and are heading back home now.”
Courtney screeches down the phone. “I can’t wait to see you! I’m going to make my way over and then we need to plan the weekend. We are going to have an amazing time.”
I chuckle at her enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to see you either. I’ll see you soon.”
“Laters,” she replies before hanging up.
When we arrive back at the house, it is to find Courtney already sitting on the doorstep waiting for us. As soon as she sees me, she throws herself at me, making me drop the shopping bags to the floor. I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tight.
“You cut your hair.” I observe, as I lean back to take her in.
She nods. “Don’t you think it makes me look sophisticated?”
I chuckle. “You look cute.”
She pulls her face. “Cute is not what I’m aiming for. I want to attract older, more mature men now, not school boys who talk about nothing but football and gaming.”
I tug gently on one of her chin length dark waves. I have always been envious of Courtney’s olive skin. Her mum is white British and her dad is Indian and she is the perfect blend of the two. She
