my dreams might let me know

Clementine tied her hair up into somewhat of a presentable style, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her cousin. Despite the tragic circumstance in which her arrival was decided, Clementine and Jayda were close, and Clementine was looking forward to have someone more her age around the house. Of course, she knew of her neighbours, good friends of the family, but having another girl was something Clementine was looking forward to. Stroking the black cat, Salem, Clementine looked out of the window upon hearing the slam of a car door. Seeing Jayda, Clementine rushed out of the house to help her with her bags. "Jayda!" She called - not minding the rain, racing down the garden path and instantly pulling her into a hug. "Hi!"

Luke Hemmings stared out of the window. It was unusual for it to rain, but the rain just seemed as though it wouldn't stop. He'd heard whispers, and by heard, he'd eavesdropped on his parents' conversations; that the Pinnock's next door would be taking in their niece. Luke was interested, he'd never really hung around the family too much, he knew that they had a daughter around his age, or perhaps a bit younger, but still, Luke found himself intrigued by the prospect of having someone new in the neighbourhood - things like this often called for celebration. Blinking as his Mother called for him to get out of the window, Luke lazily used his magic to close the curtains and collapsed down onto the sofa instead.

Jayda chewed on her lip during the drive, having had a bit of trouble because of the rain - and because of her own emotions. It was hard, uprooting her life and moving all the way here, especially given the circumstances. Her parents had died a little over a week ago and she hadn’t been coping very well, so the best option had been to move in with her cousin, Clementine, and her aunt and uncle. As she got to the house, she parked and took a few moments for herself before climbing out of the car to grab her bags, closing the door behind her, though she smiled when she heard Clementine’s voice. “Hey,” she greeted, laughing weakly as she returned her cousin’s hug. “It’s been forever.”

Michael leaned to get a good look out his bedroom window, watching the Pinnock’s house across the street. His eyes watched Clementine as she’d gone out of the house, having grown used to watching her over the years. He’d heard a bit about what was going on, but he didn’t ask anything about it, not wanting to be nosey and not wanting his parents to find his questions too prying. Still, collapsing onto his bed, he texted Luke. “Looks like things might get interesting soon.” Hearing his parents call him down, he used his magic to open the door before he headed over to walk out. He wondered what was going on, though he knew his parents were planning something with the Pinnock’s, so he figured they’d find out eventually.

Clementine smiled, squeezing around Jayda, knowing her cousin would need as much comfort as she could provide. "It's been forever." She nodded. Pulling away to study Jayda, Clementine smiled weakly. "How're you holding up?" She asked, grabbing one of Jayda's bags, not wanting to keep her out in the cold for too long, knowing that Autumn was an unforgiving time. "Mom's already got dinner on, she's missed you." She smiled. "So has Salem."

Luke read Michael's text with a grin, texting back quickly. "Looks like it. Do you recognise the other girl?" He toyed with his lower lip, his curiosity getting the better of him, and Luke debated for a long moment if it was just better to ask his parents or let things come naturally, knowing they'd been speaking to the Pinnock's quite a lot recently. Still, Luke didn't want to pry. Using his magic to turn the lights on and off, Luke sighed with boredom, feeling his curiosity grow.

Jayda offered a small smile and nodded. “It has,” she agreed quietly, “It feels like a whole other lifetime ago.” And, in a way, it had been - so much had changed. Swallowing with the thought, she offered a small shrug. “As well as I can, I guess. It’s hard, but at least I got here without causing an accident from the weight of it all.” Grabbing her things, she moved to head to the house, though she offered a small grin. “I’ve missed all of you, too.”

Michael headed to the kitchen to get something to eat while he worked on replying to Luke’s message. No idea. I can’t recall ever seeing her. Maybe a family member? After sending the text, he settled on a sandwich, but he moved to the living room to peek out the window there, curious, wondering what exactly was going on at the Pinnock household. Of course, he was fully aware that a huge part of his curiosity stemmed from his interest in Clementine, but still.

Clementine smiled weakly with Jayda’s words, clearing her throat as she rubbed Jayda’s back reassuringly. “Come on, let’s get you warmed up. I bet it’s been a long drive.” She spoke softly, sympathetically. Opening the front door, Clementine smiled. “Mom! Dad! Jayda’s here!” She called, stroking Salem as he rubbed against Jayda and Clementine’s legs.

Clementine’s mother, Elizabeth, smiled. “Hi honey!” She called, coming through from the kitchen, wrapping her arms around her niece.

Luke read Michael’s text. Maybe. She doesn’t look like our type He referred to his magic. Still, seeing his Mother was distracted, Luke took another peek out of the window, watching as the beautiful new occupant of the Pinnock household, his curiosity almost getting the better of him. He wanted to charge outside; wanted to get a proper look, but he jumped as his mother shouted again.

Nicholas made his way in when he heard Clementine’s words and he smied, moving to hug Jayda. “Hey there, kiddo,” he greeted. “Glad to see you got here safe.”

Jayda offered a smile when Elizabeth hugged her and she returned the hug quickly. “Hi,” she murmured quietly, “It’s great to see you both again.” And, as awful as the circumstances were, it was true - she was grateful they were letting her stay here after what had happened, grateful that she had them.

Michael read over Luke’s text for a moment before replying. I guess the only way to find out is to bring it up, but my parents aren’t letting me out any time soon. he joked, though he was curious about what was going on. He wondered if maybe his parents knew what was going on, though - they seemed extra strict today, which was odd.

Elizabeth offered a warm smile to Jayda. "It's wonderful to see you. My, how you've grown." She cupped her niece's cheek with a warm smile. "Well, dinner won't be long, so Clementine can help you unpack."

Clementine watched as Salem almost knocked over a vase, using her magic to save the expensive item from falling, gently directing it back onto the cupboard, hoping and praying the entire time that Jayda wasn't going to turn around. Giving Salem a look, Clementine heard her mother's words, nodding. "Sounds good."

Luke decided to bite the bullet, approaching his parents as casually as he could, the rain still pounding against the window. "So, what's going on with the Pinnock's?" He asked, trying to remain nonchalant as he grabbed a peach, biting into it, prepared to text Michael everything, if his parents revealed anything to him, that was. "I'm curious."

Jayda offered a small smile as she watched them, and she nodded slightly. “I’ll, uh… Try to be fast about getting everything unpacked,” she promised quietly, though she didn’t think it would take long anyway - she hadn’t really brought much with her.

Michael stared at his message chain with Luke, waiting, but he was growing impatient, and he wanted answers. Standing, he made his way downstairs to find his parents. “Hey,” he greeted, arching a brow when he spotted them, “Mind telling me what all the commotion is about over at the Pinnock’s place?”

Luke’s dad arched a brow, looking over. “You shouldn’t be nosy, Luke,” he said easily, watching him, “Their niece is moving in.”

Elizabeth tutted with a motherly tone. "Jayda, don't you be so silly, take as long as you need. We're here when you're ready." She reassured, pressing a sweet kiss to her forehead. "Now go, the both of you. Dinner will be ready soon and it already smells delicious."

Luke pretended to look scorned with his Father's words, but he couldn't help but allow the facade to fall when he provided the information that the Pinnock's niece was moving in with them. "Oh, really?" Luke asked. "Do you know why?" He sat opposite his Dad then, clearly curious about the whole situation.

Michael's mother arched a brow at her son's behaviour, humming in amusement. "What's it to you?" She teased. "Their niece has moved in with them."

Jayda watched but she offered a small nod. “Okay,” she murmured quietly, “Um, thanks…” She offered a weak smile before she headed upstairs with her things to unpack.

Luke’s dad shook his head slightly. “All we know is that the niece’s parents died, so the Pinnocks are taking her in,” he told him, “Don’t be too nosey.”

Michael arched a brow as he watched his mom, surprised. “I’m just curious, why does that matter?” he asked in response, his curiosity only growing now, “Why’d she move in?”