New Friends

Three days later everything was ready as Shanell's luggage was checked. She hugged her parents Andy stood beside her his hand on her back. “don't worry Mum I'll....” there was a clearing of throats cutting him off. He looked at the brothers staring at him and he chuckled “okay we'll look after Shan … we'll take good care of her … I promise....”

“I'll write every week mum... I promise ….” Shanell hugged her parents tightly fighting the tears that were threatening to fall down her face. It was so hard to leave like this. Sure she had moved many times before but now she was leaving her parents behind. Going to a strange country she's only visited once or twice. She had long talks with her brothers mostly Andy and Barry as those two were who she was going to live with at first. Though she was scared and nervous she was okay with it now. She realized it was the best possible solution for her after having a couple run ins with Patrice and her girls around town. They hadn't gone after again but the comments and the things that were said were enough to make her realize staying in Brisbane was not going to be an option for her any longer. The faster she got out of this place the safer she would be and less stressed she would be.

A few minutes later she was sitting on the plane back to the states. Barry sat on one side of her with Andy on the other. Maurice and Robin were in the seats in front of them. It was going to be a long flight so she had brought a book but twenty minutes into the flight Barry turned to talk to Andy and Shanell, both of them were sound asleep with Andy's head resting on Shanell's. He shook his head shaking a blanket it out and tossing it over them both. He knew they had been up late last night talking most of it was Andy trying to keep Shanell calm for the up coming trip.

Barry was not a dumb he knew his baby sister was scared who wouldn't be. He turned back to his book. It was going to be a long trip back home. He had talked to Linda the night before she was going to meet them in California to help them get Shanell settled before she headed to her new school. He couldn't wait to see his wife and hold his little boy. Soon he joined his brother and sister dream land as they flew back to the states.

*************************************A Week later******************************************

Shanell pulled into the parking spot by the school pushing the sunglasses back onto the top of her head. She sighed taking a deep breath she had started the school three days ago and she had never felt so relaxed in her life. She liked the classes she didn't really talk much to the other students just yet. Her math teacher Mrs Odwall was nice as was most of her other teachers. She relished in the feeling of just being another student in a large high school. Closing the door to the car she headed to class for the day. The day after they had arrived in California Andy had taken her to have her license switched to that of California.

The first day of school Andy had wanted to send her to school in the benz with a driver as he was a bit nervous about her first day of school almost as much as she was. Shanell had talked him out of it pleading to be treated as a normal girl knowing it would draw attention to her. Finally Andy relented he had a couple cars the day of her first day of high school he handed his keys over to to his pretty red Porsche coup. She had looked at him like he lost his mind.

“you need a ride back and forth you won't let us have you driven by a driver … you drive well enough for me...” he kissed her cheek.

She looked over at the red Porsche setting in the parking spot she had drove it ever since even though it was still Andy's. Grabbing her books she headed inside to the school. It had been a bit unnerving to have everyone watching her but then she realized it was just because the car she drove and being the new girl. Today was English with Mr Franks. She headed into the class setting down. She turned when a girl with long red hair pulled in a tail set down her books by hers. She turned to her and smiled still a bit nervous. She hadn't yet introduced herself to anyone as she was still a bit wary but she needed to get over that.

The girl held out her hand to her. “the name's Ellen.... but everyone calls me El ….”

Shanell held out her own hand and shook it smile on her face “Shanell.... G... Pass...” She smiled at her nervously. “you can call me Shan if ya like...”

The girl smiled back as another girl with dark hair sat down on the other side “this is Cindy.....” She introduced the girl while setting down. She had a friendly smile and hazel eyes. “ you're new right... just moved here...”

“yeah I moved here a week ago …” Shanell blushed.

“well welcome to Malibu....” El smiled