The Start of Something New

On the same road where the accident occurred 16 years ago, a black Mercedes Benz was driving in the cool showers of spring. The wild flowers had just begun blooming, and the butterflies where beginning to appear.

I looked at the blue Morpho butterfly I was drawing and decided to add some finishing touches. When I was done, I raised it up to admire my art piece in the sun's rays. Satisfied, I placed my sketch pad back on my laps.

" Did you know that L.H.A has two Olympic sized swimming pools?", my Mum asked, as she looked up from the magazine she was reading.

"Mum, it's just a school. What's the big deal?", I asked, like I even cared.

"Big deal? Okay, if you didn't know, the school ranks up among the top five schools in the world.", she told me.

"Really?", I asked, indifferent to the news.

"That's right.", she responded.

"Okay, but nothing is changed. There is still going to be teachers, there is still going to be tests, there is still going to be homework, and there is still going bullies. Like I said, nothing is changed.", I told her.

"Chels, you seem to not see the value of having the opportunity to school here.", Mum said.

"Yeah, I really don't.", I muttered under my breath.

"Look, Chels. We both know how difficult things have been for us since your Dad passed away. But thanks be to God, HE brought your wonderful stepdad our way. I mean, look at our lives now. Couldn't you at least appreciate it?", she asked me.

"I do appreciate it, Mum.", I told her.

"Good. Then let's thank God for this beautiful Sunday he has made.", she said, then tuned in some music.

She played '10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman' and we sang our hearts out. As I got deeper and deeper into the music, I realized that what Mum said was right. God has indeed been gracious to us. Things had been very difficult for us since Dad's passing; both emotionally and financially. But God used what looked like a disadvantage to give us an opportunity. He brought Henry our way.

Mum's initial plan after Dad's passing was to never remarry. Her reason being that, she wanted to focus more on raising me. She and Henry met about three years ago. The two started of as friends, but from the way he looked at her and sometimes cared for her, one could could tell that he wanted something more than just 'friendship'.

I literally had to push Mum into dating when I discovered Henry's interest in her. And I was right. Those two were a match made in heaven. Only two months into dating, Mum had changed completely. She started laughing more. That sweet sound I thought I'd never hear again. Henry brought it back. A thought crossed my mind which made me giggle.

" What's funny?", Mum asked.

"It's nothing. I just was just thinking about how it took you three whole years to figure out that you were in love with Henry.", I told her.

"Do you want to know a secret?", she asked.

"Tell me.", I said, then leaned in.

She took a deep breath then begun, "It actually didn't take that long for me to fall in love with him. I loved him from the time we met. I just didn't know how you would take it if I remarried and brought another man in our lives."

There was a bit of silence, then I told her, " No man, no matter his wealth, or how handsome he is, could ever take Dad's place in my heart. But you deserve to be happy, Mum. Look at you. You're beautiful, still young, only 41. Not every man was as lucky as Henry to come across someone as kind and compassionate as you. You don't have to be lonely for the rest of your life. All I want is to see you happy."

I could see Mum tearing up.

"Awww! Not every mother was as lucky as me to give birth to a child like you, Chelsea." , she said, and leaned in for a hug, which I gladly gave her.

I felt her hand stroke my hair and she whispered into my ear, " God is working things out for your good."

Still holding her, I looked out the window to find a butterfly flying outside. To me, butterflies always meant good luck. I smiled to myself, believing in my heart that this was indeed the start of something new.

....

The giant black gates pushed open and the car drove through. I gasped in awe as the car drove through the bright green lawn, decorated with beautiful flower bushes with well trimmed hedges.

I looked behind at my Mum who wore a bright smile as she watched me, giving me a look that said, 'I told you so.' I couldn't help but to smile back. When she told me that Henry's house was huge, she was not kidding.

The car drove round the water fountain, which was springing up with water and stopped at the front of the long staircase.

At the end of the staircase, stood a blonde middle aged man with blue eyes. He wore a bright smile as he watched the chauffeur get the car door. That was Henry. Mum's new husband and my stepdad.

With him stood a young woman, who was either in her late 20's or early 30's. She had short curly brown hair which she tied into a ponytail. It complemented her brown eyes. She wore a black silk floral pattern dress with a pair of matching heels.

Beside her stood an angry little British girl of six years old. She wore a cotton white dress with a pair of white shoes. She looked just like her father. Her long golden blonde hair was tied into pigtails. In her hand she held a doll which was dressed exactly like her. The only difference was that her doll wore a smile but she on the other hand, frowned.

Our eyes met and I could tell in her blue eyes that she wanted to strangle me. I got my bagpack and jumped out of the car, followed by Mum. Together, we climbed up the stairs to meet our uhm...new family. That was something I thought I'd never say.

"Good morning, honey." Mum greeted as she pulled Henry into a hug.

"Hello dear", he responded in his nice British accent and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Henry, your place is amazing.", I said as we hugged.

"You already like it and you haven't even seen the inside.", he told me.

He stepped back to introduce the woman at his side.

"Chelsea, this is Jessi, who will be your nanny.", he told me.

What?! I am 15 years old. What would I need a nanny for? I only smiled and shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you.", I told her.

"You too. I have heard a lot about you.", she told me, with a warm smile which revealed her pearl white teeth.

"Don't worry, she is not going to be a babysitter. It is just that on some occasions, your Mum and I will be away so Jessi is going to be the one to take care of you, Brianna and the household.", Henry told me.

"Okay.", I agreed but deep down, I still don't get how this was different from having a babysitter.

As the grown ups conversed, I looked over at the little girl. Her name was Brianna and she was Henry's youngest daughter.

Henry had 3 kids. His oldest son, Harry, was out schooling in one of the top colleges in the world and his oldest daughter, Charlotte was in a special boarding school for uniquely gifted girls. So, since it was going to be just Brianna and I at home, I might as well get to know her.

"Hi, Bri.", I politely greeted.

"Don't call me that.", she snapped.

"Brianna, don't talk like that.", Jessi scolded her.

She sighed then said to me, " I am sorry.Welcome to the family, Chelsea"

She sounded as if she had been forced to say this many times.

"Thanks", I told her.

There was an awkward silence between us. I decided to pass time by observing the huge white mansion before me. I noticed the huge A-framed windows. It reflected the sunlight perfectly, giving the mansion this majestic lighting. A feeling of warmth spread through me. Perhaps that was the atharchitect's main idea. To make it feel like heaven just by looking at it.

"How long will we stand here for? Shall we go in?", I heard Henry's voice ask.

Just before I walked through the door, I felt a tiny foot stomp on my foot.

"Ouch!", I exclaimed.

"Oops, sorry.", Brianna apologized.

"Is everything alright back there, Chelsea?", Mum asked from inside.

"Yeah. Everything's fine.", I told her.

Before I could tell Brianna that it was okay, she came close and whispered to me, "This is my territory. You better watch your back."

And with that, she walked away, leaving me stunned by her words.

...LN...

I stepped into the huge living room. The first thing I noticed was the grand piano that stood on a stage in the corner of the room, right next to the celling to floor windows.

"You play the piano?", I asked Henry.

"Yeah. I was forced into it when I was 6.", he responded.

There was a dinning table that could seat about 15 people. The black curtains that hung over the huge French doors were spread open, allowing natural light to come in, which bounced off to huge crystal chandelier that was hanging up the ceiling, giving the room an extra lighting.

Ahead of us, was a two way staircase that led to the rest of the floors. Everything in the living room was color themed 'black and white'; even the paintings.

"How about I give you a little tour?", Henry asked, but did not really wait for an answer.

"As you see, this is the living room, now follow me.", he ordered and led us to a big black door it the corner of the room.

It led to the kitchen. As the living room, everything in the kitchen was color themed 'black and white.' As a matter of fact, almost every room in the house was color themed that way.

Henry clapped twice and some people came out from the door behind. They were the workers of the house.

"Good morning, everyone. Meet my stepdaughter, Chelsea. She will be staying with us from now.", Henry told them.

"Good morning, young miss.", they greeted in unison.

"Good morning.", I said, with a shy wave.

"You have all already met her Mum, Rose.", he told them.

After the brief introduction, Henry dismissed them and led us through the rest of the house. We visited the backyard, the garden, the library then finally, the garage where I was shocked to see such a huge car collection. I am talking, expensive cars.

But when you think about it, it's no surprise that he is able to afford such things. Henry works for a multi-million dollar company, where he develops and introduces new technologies. I don't really know much about it, but I know that it belongs to the government.

"Now that you've seen the garage, the next place to go is uhm...oh, right! Your room.", he told me.

My face lit up at this. Mum mentioned earlier that my room was going to be the best surprise of all. If there was one thing I knew about Mum, it was that she never exaggerates.

"Jessi, would you mind leading her to her room?", Henry asked her.

"I would love to.", Jessi said and grabbed my hand.

We raced to the elevator, leaving the others behind. We ran up the stairs, down the hall, and finally, we stopped. It was the third door on the left.

"Chelsea, I think you should do the honors.", Jessi told me.

I took in a deep breath, then slowly turned the two handles to the door. What I saw next, took my breath away. It was the most perfect room ever. Exactly how I dreamed it would be.

Color themed white and red violet, huge flat screen TV, soft mattress, huge bean bag chairs, a balcony, a huge bookshelf, LED lights, I honestly couldn't dream of a more perfect room.

"Follow me. This is my favorite part.", Jessi told me.

She walked over to a door in the corner of the room and pushed it open. It was the bathroom. But I didn't get the big deal. It looked like a normal bathroom.

"A bathroom. Cool.", I said, not really impressed.

"Oh, not this", she said as she walked over to another door in the bathroom.

"This", she said and pushed open the door.

It was a walk-in closet but it felt like heaven. It contained beautiful clothes, shoes and bags that were all branded and organized by color. Everything from the LED lights to the wood furnitures were beautiful. If felt like I had stepped into a mall.

"Do you like it?", Jessi asked.

"I-I-I", was out of words.

"I love it!", I exclaimed.

"I'm glad you do. I picked and designed everything in this closet myself.", she told me, proudly.

"Thank you.", I said to her.

"You are most welcome.", she replied.

I came out of my bathroom to meet Mum and Henry sitting on my bed. Brianna was also with them.

"How do like your room?", Mum asked.

"I love it so much. Thank you all.", I responded.

"You are most welcome, Chelsea. Well, your Mum and I will be going down for tea soon. Would you like to join us?", Henry asked.

"I'd love to. Just give me a few minutes.", I replied.

He agreed and headed downstairs along with Mum. Once they were gone, I asked Brianna, "How do you like my room?"

She responded,"My room has a trampoline."

"So?", I asked.

"So that means that I am better than you.", she responded, then left.

I sighed as I watched her leave, wondering why she was being like that.

"You know, you shouldn't let her treat you like that.", I heard Jessi say.

I turned around to find her coming out of the bathroom.

"I know. I just want to build a good relationship with her", I explained.

"I know that but if you want her to respect you, you gotta show her that you're the big sis.", she advised.

I think that she was right about that.

"Come on. Let's go down for tea.", she said as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

The rest of the day went pretty smoothly, I got to unpack and get everything ready for school tomorrow. At dinner, Brianna 'accidentaly' spilled a steaming bowl of soup on me. At first I thought that it was an honest mistake.

But later when I was changing clothes, she came to my room and told me, "This is only the beginning, Chelsea. You better watch your back."

That night I went to bed with mixed feelings. Will Brianna ever give this up? What was her problem with me anyway? Tomorrow will be my first day at Lavender Hills Academy. Will I make friends?; Or at least, a friend? With all these questions troubling my mind, I said my prayers and almost begun my slumber when I heard a knock on the door.

" Chelsea! Are you asleep yet?", I heard my Mum call from behind the door.

"No, Mum", I replied.

"I heard the door knob turn and I turned around to find my Mum walking towards me. She sat on the edge of my bed.

"I just came to wish you 'Good night'", Mum told me.

"Good night, Mum", I wished her back.

I waited for her to leave but instead, she asked, " Are you anxious about tomorrow?"

"Very", I told her.

"Don't worry. You will be alright.", she encouraged.

"Thanks, Mum.", I told her then gave her a hug.

"Oh, and by the way, your cousin Cassy would be coming over tomorrow.", she informed me.

"What?! Why?", I asked.

"I knew you'd be anxious, which was why I asked her to drop by and take you to school tomorrow", she explained.

Urh! But why her though?

Reading my thoughts, my Mum asked,"What's the problem? Aren't you excited to get to see your cousin after such a long time?"

"I am", I lied.

"Good. Now, try and catch some sleep, you have school tomorrow.", she told me.

With that, she left. I sunked into my bed and pulled the blanket over my head. Why do I get the feeling that tomorrow is going to be a very long day?