Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home

Tasmine’s POV

I grabbed my backpack and followed him into the house, ok cool not bad I thought, he knows how to clean so that is a good thing. He has kept all of the lovely Queenslander period items throwing into the rooms casual comfortable furniture, photos, artworks, and concert photos all over the big walls, wow he knows how to have fun, if he wasn’t my dad I would have said he is cool.

“Come on in I will show you to your bedroom,” Dad said as I followed him into my room as I froze holy crap really? It was pink everything, and very princessy and so not me at all, I think I would be sick if I had to stay in this room. He really was not joking about it being pink and a small bed. I am very glad we had gone shopping before we got here.

“Oh, um wow it’s very pink and small. Also, ridiculously small in size, is there another room I could have?” I asked hopefully, he looked like he wanted to laugh but also have the child he missed back in that room. I get it, but I would feel too suffocated in that room. “Well it was what you had wanted at that age, um yes I do have another two more spare rooms. Why?” He asked.

Wow, how does he not get why?

“Well for one the stuff we have bought will not fit in this room,” I said with a smartass tone to my voice. “Ok, well let’s have a look at the other rooms, you won’t need to paint them at all.” He said.

He takes me just a bit down the hall in front of the lounge room, into another room it’s empty, this room has nice fresh dark wooden floors, with floor to ceiling wardrobes along one wall, another wall has a large window, and the other one has two large windows that open up showing the house next door, it also has a ceiling fan and aircon, plus this room looks large enough for the items we just bought and I really don’t care if I cannot paint it, as it’s nice and bright in here.

“But why is it empty?” I asked, which I found odd, “They both are, because I had cleaned them out and was about to put them up for rent.” He replied matter of factly. Why is he having money issues? We just bought all that stuff, I wouldn’t have gone and done that if he was, “Oh.” I mumbled.

Sensing my worry, he just smiled, “No, money issues sweetie this big house was just getting too big all by myself that is all.” He replied, sounding sad. The other room is a little smaller than the other but bigger than the pink room. It's much darker here, with only one wall of windows opening up to the front yard, it has a smaller cupboard, I have made up my mind.

“Which one are you going to pick?” He asked, I smiled up at him. “Why aren’t you renting them out?” I asked softly, he looked at me like I asked him a stupid question, “Because I am not having strangers in my house just down the hall from my sixteen-year-old daughter.” He said matter of factly. “Ok, I will take the first empty one that you showed me, please,” I said brightly, he smiled at me as he clapped his hands. “Ok, I will go get the air bed set up until your gear gets here, in case it doesn’t arrive later today,” He said cheerfully.

I smiled, and nodded my head. A few hours later all of my gear that was in the car is now in my room. I have unpacked all my hanging clothes and the items I want inside the cupboards. Along with all the flatpacks that could fit in the car are now in my room, wonder where dad keeps his tools so I can put them together, making my way downstairs under the house where dad said he was going to be.

“Dad?” I called out. “Dad?” I yelled out louder this time. “Tas, yeah what’s up sweetheart?” Dad yelled back, I followed his voice. “I need some tools to put the flat packs together,” I said, I hear tools clanking, “Right hold up Tassie, Noah hold that and do not move.” Dad orders someone, I hear him talking to someone else, who the hell is Noah?

“Sure Lee, but first who’s Tassie? Oh, wait don’t answer that Lee, did you mean your daughter Tasmine? Is she here? How? When?” The voice said, sounding confused at first then excited. Whoever that is he seemed to be keen on information about me and I am not sure I like that idea.

“Yes, that is me and you are?” I snapped, dad looked up from his search for tools. “Tasmine this is my second-year apprentice and our next-door neighbour Noah Williams,” Dad said with a different tone to his voice that I have no idea what it means.

A young man pops his head out from under the hood of the car, dark brown curly messy hair looks untamable, beautiful bright blue eyes that a girl could get lost in, dark scruff along his jaw and upper lip, how is someone so young able to grow hair like that? I have not seen a boy my own age this attractive before, should I be having this type of feeling while I am grieving?

While my dad is right here?

“Hi,” I said softly, my anger draining away as I looked into his eyes. I notice his eyes are roaming over my body too, wonder how dad is going to take this? “Hi,” He said with a small smile on his face. “Here are your tools, sweetie, do you need a hand to put them together?” Dad asked, not even noticing how Noah and I were looking at each other.

“I should be ok to do it by myself thank you.” I somehow replied, I have been putting all the flat packs together for mum when she was alive, this shouldn’t be too hard to do. “Once I finish here, I am more than happy to help you out? If I am allowed to be Lee?” Noah asked, unsure if I wanted him to help me. “Are you asking for my permission, boy?” Dad said forcefully. “Yes, I am Sir,” Noah said.

Dad thinks about it like I don’t get a say. “Right if you help her the door stays wide open.” Dad snapped, Noah nodded his head as he smirked at me, “Yes, sir.” He replied. I looked between the pair of them, “Do I look like I get a say in this? If I need a hand he can help if not I am good, it was nice meeting you Noah. I will see you later if I need the hand. Just because I am a girl doesn’t mean I am helpless.” I growled out.

I left and made my way back up to my room hearing them laughing. I take it they found my comment funny, I will show them that I am not a girl who needs help all of the time. But I am shocked that dad is letting me have a hot boy in my room. Let’s see how much I can do before he thinks he can help me. A few hours later I managed to build the chair, bedside table, and was halfway through working on my bookshelf when a soft knock at my door had me looking up.

“Did you leave any for me to help you with?” he chuckled, I smiled at him. “Well, I have this one and the desk to go to,” I replied trying not to sound bitchy, but I did anyway, he smiles and it is a nice smile, I like it. “Ok,” He said as I shook my head to try and clear it, I need to be working on getting to know my dad and healing from the loss of my mother instead of developing feelings for the hot boy next door.

About five minutes later I get the feeling he is watching me as I tighten the screw while he’s holding up the wood for me, I look up and he’s smiling at me, having no idea what to do now. “So, are you going to Tully State High next week?” He asked, I looked at him in shock, “Oh, I have forgotten all about school, I think I am if dad has enrolled me. What grade are you in?” I asked.

Please be in year eleven, “Year twelve.” He replied, "Oh ..." I looked down at the tool in my hands, “Oh...” I mumbled out, he moved closer to me, “What?” He asked softly, “I’m in year eleven,” I whispered, he just smiled at me, “Well you haven’t missed much coming into week six of term one should be easier.” He said, I looked at him in shock, “You think? I don’t think it would be.” I said, sounding dumbfounded.

He just looks at me like he can see right through to my soul, “Ok” He said, I looked at him shocked, “Really that is all you are going to say?” I tried to not sound crazy, which I think I failed. He starts laughing, I like his laugh, “You know you look so damn cute when you are angry.” He said around his laughter. I look down and I can feel my cheeks flaming, “Well, um.” I stumbled over my words. 

Where the hell did my words go?

“After this do you want to explore this new town with some locals?” He asked, hmmm, do I want to go out and do that? Would my dad let me? “If I am allowed to, and who are we?” I asked. We kept working on building this bookshelf, while we chatted, he answered. “Myself, you if Lee lets you and three of my friends.” He replied.

Oh, more people than just him, I hope they are kind ones like him, “Who are these three friends?” I asked, Noah smiled, “Two boys and a girl.” He replied that is all he is going to say? Does my dad not like his friends? “Um, ok,” I said, not liking my chances now.

He smiled and nudged me gently, “Don’t worry they will like you.” He said with a smile on his face. I raised my eyebrows at him, “Why? Do you not get new people here that often?” I asked, and he looked sad at that, “No, not since the last cyclone have we had more people leaving than coming.” He said, sounding sad, “Oh,” I mumbled.

We finished after another twenty minutes. I went to find dad to see if he would let me go exploring this new town. He looks up from his work with a big smile on his face, thinking he is enjoying me being home. “What’s up kiddos?” He said, sounding happy. I take a big breath in, here goes nothing, “Was wondering if I could go exploring Tully with Noah and his friends?” I asked. 

Dad looked between the two of us, “Noah would Oliver be with you?” Dad asked, sounding concerned. Noah smiled, “Lee you know we are no longer friends so no he won’t be with me.” Noah replied, sounding pissed off. Dad seemed to like that answer, “Good, where are you planning on going?” Dad asked.

I looked between them both “And who is Oliver?” I asked, they both looked at me and snapped at the same time, “Someone you do not need to know!” I put my hands up in shock, “Lee we are just going to the creek today.” Noah said.

The creek that is all? 

What is so fascinating about a creek?

“Ok be back by four-thirty.” My dad said I was shocked he is allowing me to go, Noah had a big grin on his face. “Ok, thank you.” He sounded like it was Christmas. “Really? Cool, I will go find some togs to wear.” I said happily.

I headed back into my room, I found a set of togs, and a beach dress to go over the top of my togs. I know I have never worn these as my mother had picked them out for me and she seemed to enjoy putting my body out on show, but she started to listen to me and cover more but every now and then she would buy items that showed off one part of my body.

They are black with bright coloured flowers, high waisted bottom and the swimmer’s bra pushed my breast in a way to make it look like I had some. This is my mum’s way of trying to pass on her taste in clothes onto me. My dress is white it has long sleeves, it stops just above my knees, with flowers going down the centre of the dress and around the hemline around the bust.

Once dressed, I put my beach towel into my bag along with a clean set of clothes to get into. I walked out into the lounge room Noah looked like he could pass out soon, dad on the other hand I couldn’t read his look at all. “You behave young lady!” He yelled out. “Gez, I will dad, do I need to cover up more or something? If so, that is so unfair even mum would have worn less than what I have on!” I snapped at him.

He shakes his head, “No, it’s fine, you just look so much like her.” He replied, I look down at my feet in shock, wow never thought I would be told I looked like her, “Oh, um.” I mumbled, he clears his throat like he’s trying to stop himself from crying, “Right, be home before four-thirty, ok Tasmine we need to leave if you want to enjoy yourself.” Noah said, breaking the tension, “Ok, bye dad, see you soon!” I called out to him. “Ok, see you soon, be back by four-thirty please!” He yelled out as we headed out, I yelled back, “We know!”

Racing down the stairs we head towards Noah’s house as he raced upstairs to get his towel, he didn’t take long before racing back, leading the way off to the side in between the two house’s we head towards the back of his house and up a road for about a few minutes before we came across a creek than followed the creek up towards the voices we can hear.

“Oh, wow this is so pretty!” I said, it was crystal clear water, with rocks and boulders all over the place, I have never seen a creek this beautiful before. Noah smiled over at me, “Wait until I take you to the gorge.” He replied, I smiled brightly at him, which sounds like fun, “Cool, I cannot wait.” I told him.

“Wow, bro thought you had ditched us?!” I guy who looked like Noah yelled out, is that his brother?

Or are they just friends?

Then a guy with sandy blonde long hair, he is cute but he looks friendly.“Hold up, who is this little cutie?” Blonde hair guy said. I do my best not to blush, I am not used to boys talking to me like this and so freely. The blonde female near the one that looks like Noah’s brother just glares at me, what the hell is her problem.

“Hi guys, this is Tasmine Kelly, my next-door neighbour,” Noah said with a big grin on his face. I can see the boys are thinking while the female has a bitchy look on her face.“No she’s not, Lee is your next-door neighbour.” She snapped at Noah.

“Wow, you know so much about me already, hey? Sorry sweetheart but Lee Kelly is my dad, did you fail to hear that Noah had said, Tasmine Kelly? So yes, I am his new neighbour!” I snapped back at her and the blonde boy had a big smile on his face. “Told Jamie! Hahaha, that is what you get for being a bitch!” The blonde boy said loudly.

She glares at him, “Fuck off Jackson!” she snapped back at him. “Why are you even here?” He asked like he was a small toddler. “Leave her be, would you? For once can’t my girlfriend and my best mate get along for more than a few seconds please!” The other guy snapped.

Noah looked like he wanted to say something but chose not to, instead he looked back at me, “Right, Tassie, that blonde is Jamie, she is dating Mason and the long hair boy is Jackson.” I nod my head, trying to remember the names he just said.

“Ok, thank you,” I said softly. I walk off to the side pulling my dress off and putting it in my bag and putting the bag down away from the water next to Noah’s top, which he had just thrown down with his towel. I turn around to find Noah in his boardies only, wow he has a fit smoking body to boot. “You right there?” Noah said with a big grin on his face, “What?” I asked.

“You are full on drooling sweetheart.” He said with a big smirk on his face. He starts laughing, “No, I am not!” I said loudly, he laughed and shook his head, “Keep telling yourself that.” He chuckles.

Not sure what to do so I leave him laughing walking into the creek heading towards Jackson as he waves at me. “Over here little thing!” Jackson yells at me, as I get closer and deeper I can now see how tall he is, I lay down in the water near him as I look over to him.

“Why do you like calling me little things?” I asked softly. He looked like I asked him a stupid question, “Well you're short and very tiny in size so little things suit you.” He said friendly. He has a big grin on his face, “Well does everyone call you lanky?” I asked with a smartass tone to my voice.

He burst out into a fit of laughter, “That is a new one!” He said loudly, I raised an eyebrow at him, “Really?” I was shocked, he shook his head, “No!” He said so loudly.

I look back at the bank and Noah is slowly making his way towards us, I need to stop looking at him, I look around the creek and spot the other two, yuk they are having a full-on make-out session, or sex if I am being honest, like really haven’t they heard of a bedroom. “Gross isn’t it?” Jackson said when he noticed how grossed out I was.

“More like get a room,” I replied, he started laughing, “You're funny,” He said. “Your point is?” I snapped at him did not mean to sound bitchy then, he swam closer towards me, “I like it.” He said smiling. Looking up at the trees, “You do?” I asked quietly, this water is so cool is what I thought, “Yes.” He replied. “So, you lived here your whole life?” I asked, I wonder what that is like?

“Yes, we all grew up with each other.” He replied I wonder if he is the group of friends my mum spoke of? I smiled at him, “That sounds nice.” I replied, Noah made it to us and started splashing around. It was fun playing around with these two, fifteen minutes later Noah picks me up and spins me around before throwing me into the deeper part as I screamed out and laughed at the same time.

This felt good, is it normal to be able to laugh and have fun so soon after your parents died?

As I pop up out of the water Jackson is right in front of me. “Now, why is a city chick like yourself now living in a small town miles away from home with a man she hasn’t seen for over twelve years?” Jackson asked. Noah looked like he wanted to slap his friend, “Oh, come on man I am sure she has a very good reason, you don’t have to answer that question, Tassie.” Noah said.

Then the cow came up for air, “Yes, she does, we all want to know.” Mason looked over her shoulder at me, “Well she’s asked questions about us all only fair she answers one about herself.”

I looked at them in fear, I am happy to tell Jackson and Noah but not those other two, but how do you tell people that your mum has only just died. Just thinking that made me burst out into tears as I raced towards the bank back to my gear, grabbed my bag, and raced off towards my house, I heard Noah snapping at them all, “Nice one guys!”

I heard Jackson’s voice, “What? I didn’t do anything wrong?” Noah screamed, “You all did! If she wanted to tell us she would.” I ran past my dad who was now hanging washing out on the clothesline, “Tassie, hey what is wrong?” He asked worriedly.

I had heard him, but I know Noah is close. I don't want to talk to either of them.

**Lee’s POV**

“Oi Noah! What the fuck just happened?!” I snapped at him, Noah looked just as stunned as I did, “I’m sorry Lee, Jackson asked why she had moved up here and the others kept on hounding her and she just burst into tears and ran off.” Noah said, sounding confused and worried.

I rubbed my hands over my face, shit I know why she would too, poor kid. “Shit! She hasn’t told you?” I said surprised, I thought she would have told Noah, at least, “No.” He replied shocked. I take a deep breath, “Thank you, for telling me I will go see if she is ok.” I said, Noah grabbed my arm, “Can I come too?” He asked quietly.

He looked concerned, which worried me. “No.” I snapped, “Lee?” He asked, I can tell he is worried about her, I am too, but she clearly hasn’t told him what happened to her mum and I don’t want to be the one to tell him as I feel she would want to tell him. “Fine, you wait out in the lounge room.” I snapped. So glad Oliver hasn’t chosen to come over to help work on the car today too, I head towards her room, knocking on her door gently as she screams out at me.

“GO AWAY!” Tasmine screamed. I let out a loud sigh, “No, tell me what happened?” I said softly. “NO, GO AWAY!” She screamed out, I knew it was going to be hard bringing her home, but I never dreamt it would be this hard, I really hate what Jane has done to the pair of us.

“Please, just let me in?” I asked softly. “NO!” She screamed so loudly. I tried the door handle but it's not locked. I opened the door and walked in to find her laying on her air bed, crying, my heart broke at seeing my baby girl so upset. She didn’t even look up, just screamed out.

“I SAID GO AWAY!”

I am not going to let her win this, she is clearly upset and needs someone there for her. “Please, talk to me Tassie,” I said gently as I sat down on the ground next to her airbed. She sat up, with a blotchy face, tears falling freely as she glared at me.

“Fine, how do you want me to answer this question? Now why is a city chick like yourself now living in a small town miles away from home with a man she hasn’t seen for over twelve years?” she said so angrily, I smiled softly at her, “Easy, the truth baby girl.” I said quietly. She squints her eyes at me and it’s that look Jane used to give me before she slapped me, but this time Tassie just opened her mouth, closed it then snapped.

“The truth with people who I have just met?! So, I will forever be known as the girl who LOST HER MUM TO CANCER!” She screamed out, I let out a groan. There are better ways to say it than the way she just screamed it, also she doesn’t know that she just told Noah why she was crying. “Well, Jackson of all people will know what you are going through right now,” I said softly.

She looked at me confused, “Really, how?” She asked softly. “He lost his mum to breast cancer three years ago too,” I said quietly, she looked back down trying not to cry again, “Oh... that’s how.” She mumbles.

I go to put my arm out to her instead she launched herself into my lap holding onto me tightly as she softly cries again, I hold onto her tightly, fuck I have missed my daughter so much. “Noah is here, did you want him here? Or be out in the lounge with him?” I asked, she looked at me shocked, “Do you?” she asked softly, “If he is in your room, that door stays wide open kiddo.” I said softly.

She nods her head, “He can come in.” She mumbles.

Am I doing the right thing?

Why is this so hard to work out?

I don’t like this, but she also needs a friend her own age that could help her out a little, as he did help Jackson, Oliver, and Max during their hard times. She climbed off my lap and sat back down on her bed. “Oi, you can go in, keep that door open,” I yelled out to Noah. I didn’t realise he was already standing at the doorway waiting. “Ok” He replies, he goes and sits where I was sitting on the floor of her bed, I hope I am doing the right thing.