Sunlight filtered through the crack in my curtains, right onto my face. Groaning, I rolled over and raising my head slightly, looked at my alarm clock. 9:45am. It was Sunday. I dropped my head back down onto one of the many pillows I had. I had woken in a strange mood. And hungry. I decided to go into the kitchen, make myself some breakfast and retreat back to my room for the entire day. I thought about getting a start on some homework, then figured that writting back to Sarah was higher on my priority list for that day. Pushing back the bed covers, I slowly sat up. Grabbing my glasses off of my bedside table, I got up and walked into the bathroom across the hall from my room . After using the toilet and washing my face, I padded down the hall way and downstairs, headng towards the kitchen.

"Give her some time... she's only been here for less than a week. You can't expect her to jump into your open waiting arms after 3 years of no contact do you?" I heard Carol saying, obviously to my Dad. I stopped outside the doorway and listened. I knew it was wrong, but curiousity got the better of me.

"I know.. but I thought she would have come around by now.. she talks to you more than me. We used to be so close Carol.. she was my little girl... now she's so distant towards me. It hurts you know.."

"I know honey.. but think of things from her perspective. She's just moved to another country to live with her father, whom she hasn't spoken to for three years.."

"You keep pointing that out" My dad interupted sourly.

"John..." Carol said sternly. "Let me finish. She wont be seeing her mother, who she's very close to and who has married someone she dislikes, for a year... of course the girl is going to want to spend some time alone to figure out whats going on exactly. This must be all very overwhelming for her. Having to make new friends, leaving friends behind that she's known since pre-school". Pre-school? Oh, she must mean Kindergarten. I was still getting used to the difference in the languages. Even though they were both English, they were very different. "Don't push her is all I'm saying."

"Who said I was pushing her? All I want is to spend some time with my daughter! I'm not pushing her!" My Dad exclaimed. This was my cue to enter the kitchen. I know adults. Most of them don't like arguing infront of their kinds. Especially if the argument is about the kid.

"Morning Dad, Carol." I greeted them cheerfully, walking through the doorway. I acted like I hadn't heard a word of what they had been talking about.

"Morning sweetheart.... sleep well?" My Dad asked, kissing me on the forhead. This is something he has done all my life. Well, the part we spent talking and being together. I had missed it for three years, and was glad he automatically did it when I arrived.

"Yeah... I love having a double bed... it's great!" I said, pulling a bowl down from an already open cupboard. After fixing myself some cereal, I excused myself and walked back into my room. Placing my breakfast down on my dresser, I opened my heavy cutains and sunlight flooded my room. Looking out, I saw it was a surprisingly clear day. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, but the ground was blanketed with a fresh batch of snow. It must have fallen last night. I thought. Picking up my cornflakes, I ate, enjoying the slicence of my room and the crunching sounds I made when I chewed. It suddenly struck me then that I hadn't heard from my Mum. It had been nearly a week since we had talked to eachother. Oh well, she'll call soon I thought, not really beleiving it. Finishing up with my cornflakes, I picked up my towel and stepped into the bathroom. Half an hour later, I emerged, squeaky clean. My long wet hair was wrapped up in a towel. I was dressed in a new pair of dark denim jeans and a light blue, wool knit jumper, which was also new. The phone started ringing, but I didn't make a mad dash to answer it like I would have at home. I was still funny about things like that here. I had only just started getting myself food and drink without asking for it first. A knock on the door instantly told me it was for me. "It's open!" I called out. Carol poked her head through the slight opening between my door and the wall.

"It's for you... it's Danielle." She said, holding out the portable phone for me to take.

"Thanks.". I waited for Carol to leave and then brought the phone up to my ear. "Hey Danni! Whats up?"

"Liz! Ohmigod! I had the most incredible night last night!" Danielle said excitedly into the phone. I laughed, and listened patiently while she told me every little detail of her previous night with Taylor. "Liz! He kissed me! I couldn't believe it! I swear, I nearly melted right there in his arms..." After a while, I got sick of hearing all about a night that should have been meant for me. Deep down though, I knew that if Taylor had any remote interest in me, and by chance actually asked me out, then I would have to decline the offer. Danielle liked this guy a lot. I was not going to be one of those girls who pretends to be happy for you that you've snagged the guy of your dreams and then steals him right out from under you. Nope. That wasn't me. As long as Danielle liked Taylor, I would stay away. We talked for a little while longer before Danielle had to get off the phone. Making plans to meet up at school the next day, we said our goodbyes. Seconds after I hung up the phone, it rang again. Seeing as it was in my hands, I figured I better answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is Elizabeth there please?". My heart began to beat faster at the sound of his voice.

"Speaking."

"Oh, hi Liz.. it's Taylor.."

"I know."

"You do? How?"

"You just told me." I said, smiling even though Taylor couldn't see me.

"Ha ha.. very funny smart ass..". I laughed.

"That sounds strange coming from an american..."

"What does?"

"Smart ass... where did you hear that?"

"Ah.. You forget that I've been to Australia a number of times. You tend to pick these things up." Taylor reminded me.

"Oh yeah... I forgot about that. Anyway ... how did you get this number? As far as I know, my Dad keeps it unlisted.."

"I have my ways.."

"No, seriously... how'd you get it?"

"You really wanna know?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise..."

"I raided Danielle's cell phone for it. I figured that she'd have it... and I was right.". I could tell Taylor was smiling.

"Ah... I see. And I supose you have a point for calling?" I asked.

"Yeah... certainly is. What are you doing tonigh?". I couldn't believe my ears.

"Um... nothing."

"Wanna go to a movie?" He asked. Wow, american guys were forward.

"I can't."

"Huh? Why not? You just said you were free." Taylor said, confusion in his voice.

"I know... but I can't go out with you the night after you go out with my friend."

"Why not?"

"Taylor! I've only just gotten off the phone to Danielle.. she's estactic that you took her out. She thinks you two are a couple now."

"No she doesn't."

"Taylor.... I just talked to her. Trust me ... she does."

"Well.. so what if she does. We aren't. Truth is, as much as I like Danielle and think she's a great girl... I really wanted to take you out last night. Not her.". I sighed.

"Look... I can't go out with you. Like I told you at the party Friday night, Danielle is pretty much all I've got at the moment, and I don't want to do anything to bugger that up."

"Bugger?"

"Stuff it up then.."

"Huh? Liz, what are you talking about?"

"I don't want to fuck things up between me and the only friend at school I've got." I exclaimed.

"Oh... well... why didn't you just say that in the first place." Taylor said. I groaned. He laughed.

"I'm frustrating... aren't I?"

"Thats the understatement of the year if I ever heard it." I mumbled, but it was clear enough for him to understand.

"Hey, come on now... I'm not that bad.."

"You think?"

"So.... what time should I pick you up tonight?"

"Have you even been listening to me?"

"Hey... calm down.. it was a joke. Anyway, I understand about Danielle. I'll wait until things blow over between us and then I'll just have to try again with you, wont I? I know Danielle. She'll get bored with me sooner or later." Taylor explained.

"Yeah, well... as long as Danielle is interested in you, I'm staying away. Okay?"

"Can we at least be friends? There's nothing wrong with that." Taylor reasoned. I thought for a moment.

"Sure.. friends is fine. But no funny business. We're friends... and thats it." I told him firmly.

"Yes Ma'am." Taylor said. I could almost see him soluting. We talked for a little while longer, then said our goodbyes when Isaac wanted to use their phone.

Six
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