"Elizabeth! Over here". I turned at the sound of my name being called and saw my Dad and some woman I didn't recognise. I smiled at them and then walked over.

"Hi" I said.

"Hey honey. It's so good to see you" Dad said, giving me an unexpected hug. I hugged him back awkwardly and then stepped back to get a good look at the woman. She was just a bit shorter than Dad but still taller than me, she had short blonde hair, a pretty face and nice eyes. I gave her an uncertain smile and she grinned at me.

"Hi Elizabeth, I'm Carol. It's so good to finally meet you. Your Dad's told me all about you"

"It's nice to meet you to..." I said.

"You've grown up so much! Look at you, you're beautiful!" My Dad exclaimed.

"Well it's been three years, so of course I would have grown up" I said. There was an uncomfortable silence between us.

"Should we get going? You must be tired after your flight" Carol said to break the tension. I shrugged.

"I slept a lot on the plane... I'm actually really hungry. What time is it anyway?" I asked, directing my question at Carol. She checked her watch as the three of us started to walk towards the baggage claim area. Dad reached over and took my carry-on bag and carried it for me.

"Oh it's about three-forty five... by the time we get back to your Dad's house, you can have a rest and then if you're up to it, we can all go out for dinner" She said. I nodded.

"Okay". So far, I liked Carol. There wasnt a ring on her finger (yet) so she wasn't my step-mother. I assumed she was Dad's girlfriend. Things between Dad and I were strained but Carol covered up for that by asking me questions about home and the flight and by telling me about the high school I was going to. We got back to my Dad's house and Carol showed me my room. It was nice. Not to big and not to small. The bathroom was right accross the hall from me and I had a huge window with a window seat. I had a double bed and a walk in wardrobe. Dad's house was a lot bigger than my house in Australia. I was left alone for the next few hours so I unpacked and then fell asleep. I woke up feeling groggy and at first had no clue where I was. I looked at the alarm clock. The time read 2:15. My curtains were shut so I didn't know if it was day or night. I got up and peeked outside. It was daylight! I'd slept for nearly twenty-four hours. After showering and making myself presentable, I went downstairs and into the kitchen. I was starving and craving junkfood. I was staring into Dad's fridge when someone entered the kitchen.

"Hey there sleepy head. How do you feel?"

"Hungry" I said, shutting the door. "Where's Dad?"

"Oh, he had to work today. I told him I'd stay here until you woke up" Carol said, sitting down at the table. I sat down across from her.

"Don't you work?" I asked. It must have sounded so rude, but that was me. The words usually spilled from my mouth before I actually thought about what they were or what they sounded like. Carol nodded.

"Yeah, but I'm a writer, so my hours are flexible."

"What kind of stuff do you write?"

"Novels, horror novels mainly."

"Cool... I'll have to read one sometime"

"Yeah, you'll have to" Carol said, smiling at me. I smiled back at her.

"So you're like, Dad's girlfriend?" I asked.

"Ahh, I wondered when this question would come up... yeah. I'm your Dad's girlfriend."

"How long have you been together?"

"A little over two years... dont worry, neither of us are planning on gettin married anytime soon. Your Mom just re-married didn't she?"

"Yup... he's an asshole..." I said. "Oh. sorry.. didn't mean to swear". There I went again.

"Oh no, its okay. I don't like it all the time, but occasionally you can let a curse slip out" Carol said. I smiled. "You wanta talk about your step-dad?"

"Not really... nothing to talk about where he's concerned. I just wish Mum didn't marry him. Her last boyfriend before Jeff, he was great.. I liked him a lot. Then Mum had to screw everything up by cheating on him with Jeff.... he thinks he has authority over me when he doesn't. I've got no respect for a man who picks his nose when he thinks no one is looking."

"He does that? ewww.... thats disgusting!" Carol exclaimed, laughing. I laughed as well. Carol was really nice. She was a lot like my Mum in the way that she was so easy to talk to. There hadn't been an awkward moment between us since I'd met her the day before and if she was going to be around for the next year, then it wasn't looking all that bad. I yawned and Carol smirked. "You're still tired?"

"Oh, no.... just yawing for the hell of it."

"I'm sure... listen, do you feel up to going out? Shopping maybe? We could grab some lunch somewhere and maybe start getting you some school supplies."

"Okay... that sounds alright" I said. It was Wednesday, and I wasn't starting school until the next Monday, so I had basically half a week to get used to my surroundings. Later that night, I was sitting in my room, writing to Sarah.

Hey Sarah!

I slept for nearly twenty four hours! Can you belive it? I've definately beaten your record of fourteen hours straight... so far this place is okay. I haven't spoken much to Dad but he has a girlfriend! My Dad... has a girlfriend... the thought isn't all that appealing but she's actually nice. Her name is Carol and she's a horror novel writer. I haven't read anything of hers yet but when I do, i'll let you know what she's like.

No friends yet. I don't think I'll meet anyone until I start school... then they'll only talk to me because I'm asking them where the toilet is or where my next class is... *sigh* I really miss you! While you're off enjoying your summer holidays, I'm stuck in the freezing cold winter (it's actually snowing here! How cool is that! I wish I could send you some) and still going to school. Technically, I've finished year 11, but I still have to complete it here and then go into year 12. I can't believe I wont graduate with you guys! Once I finish school here, I don't have to go back to school when I get back in Adelaide. I miss Australia so much. I miss Vegemite! I forgot to bring any with me and I can't find it anywhere yet... I'm still gonna look though.

Where are all these cute American guys you said would be here?? So far, all I've seen were two but they were holding hands and a bunch of them in the "mall" but with an even bigger bunch of girls surrounding them. So unless I find one for me, you can forget about me bringing you one home. *grin* I cant wait to get back home. Can I live with you? I'm serious Sarah... I hate Jeff, you've met him... you know how much of a fucker he is. There's so many of you at your house, your Mum and Dad wont notice another one will they? I doubt it. Ohwell. What I'm scared of is going home and seeing that I've got a new baby brother or sister... that wouldn't be the end of the world, but they'll have part of Jeff in them... ugh. No thanks.

Well, seeing as I've been here for only two days (if that) I don't have anything even remotely interesting to report to you... sorry about that. What's Mark up to? Is he coping with out me? *grin* like he even knew I was around in the first place... He's so gorgeous though! I miss him... I sooo wish that I took a photo of him when we were at Belindas party.. hey! can you get a photo of him for me? And send it to me? I'll be your slave for life if you do that... honest!

Okay, I'm gonna go now. I think Dad wants me to spend some time with him... BORING!

Write back soon okay? *HUGZ*

Love Lizzy

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