I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring in my ears. Peering up, I see that it's 6.50am.It's too early, go back to sleep Tessa.I can tell by now that the jet lag is wearing off however my body still doesn't appreciate being woken up at such an ungodly hour. However, I promised myself I wouldn't be late. The college was only an hour away but I wanted out of this house as soon as possible. I sigh inwardly at my rich brown hair which has sprawled across my face and bravely make my way downstairs, careful not to wake up my Aunt.I hear something I'm not used to hearing - silence. I'm not used to the quiet. I would always wake up to my parents singing, not very well, to some Taylor Swift song playing on the radio; giggling to each other like it's some kind of inside joke and almost forgetting my existence entirely. I enter the kitchen and raid the cupboards to find some cereal, finding a rather bright colored box called Lucky Charms.Ah, an infamous cereal I am yet to try.I think to myself, I could get used to this.My happy thoughts were soon interrupted by a voice."Could you pass me some aspirin? I got a killer headache this morning." My aunt whisper-shouted."Yeah sure, where do you keep it?" I sigh in as I search around the kitchen."In the cupboard above the sink. Are you leaving? I need some peace and quiet. don't you have a play-date or something?" She murmurs."The last time I had a play date I was 8 years old." I spat. I realized how harsh I sounded and calmed myself, "no, I have to leave for school remember?" As my only aunt, Jo was always the best aunt I could have, or at least she was.My dad was an only child, so that left me with my mum's only sibling, Jo. She was 12 years older  then my mom and had no kids, she was always frightened by the sight of them.My parents, ever the opposite, had me young, my mum still at university at 22; while my Dad, at 24, quit his job to become a 'stay at home dad' so my Mum could finish school. At 29 she parties, leaves with different guys on different nights and forgets their names quicker than someone choosing food over boys.Fast.She wasn't always like this though. She was loving and kind, never one to settle down, but did so with a light-hearted approach. But when my family died--Grunting in pain, she stoops upstairs while clutching her head, slamming her bedroom door like an angst ridden teenager.What will I do with her?- - -In my bedroom I stare at all the cardboard boxes piled a mile high, waiting for me to carry them into the car. I find my clothes draped over the chair where I left them yesterday. Some frayed shorts, a white lace top and grab my camouflage jacket, just in case.I sit at my white vanity and see my big brown, tired, eyes stare back at me. Endless hours on the plane took a toll on me; leaving dark circles under my eyes. I notice that my tan has darkened since I got here. In England; sunshine is a rather rare occurrence so I had made it my goal to bask in it for as long as I could. I apply some mascara to make my eyes look more awake and apply some lip-gloss. Nothing too heavy, but just enough to make myself look less like an extra from the Walking Dead.Oh the illusions of makeup.After fully assuring myself that I look at least mediocrely presentable, I re-seal my boxes and start to haul them downstairs. I carefully step down stairs and outside, to where my mustang was waiting for me. I always had a love of cars and motorbikes growing up, it was one of the few things my dad and I bonded over.I look over at the garage where my dad's old motorbike stands. He had it before I was born and bought it in bits and pieces, as I got older we made it our mission to fix it up, but we never finished. I used to come back after school and work on it every day with him, and I don't plan on stopping. With, or without him.---After endless rounds of carrying boxes up and down the stairs, I managed to cram everything into the back of my car. With a final shout of a farewell to my aunt, I quickly shut the front door and make my way to the car for the final time.I specifically requested a dorm in Lakeview University with a perfectly functional garage to place my dad's prized possession, and I repeatedly reminded the mover man to 'be careful' with the goods. Mike Moretti, a 'friend' of my aunt who owns 'Mike's Auto Shop' right by my campus - I swear he's in love with her. But who's the last to see it? My aunt. He offered to help me move my bike as he's a big fan of Harley's."We'll be good darlin', heck we'll treat the bike like our own here child" The strong southern accent, unfamiliar but sweet in my ears.I chuckle in response, "Thanks Mike, you're a life-saver.""What's a dainty girl like you with a big o'l bike like this?" He jokes, politely. Normally I'd be offended but his pleasant tone made laugh."Ain't nothing dainty about me Mate." I stand proudly, emphasising my ironic joke. I was 5"5, not exactly threatening, but boy did I have a temper; and a good knowledge for the perfect comeback for the perfect scenario."Wow that's a first. Mate, hmm, Mate. I like it!" His big burly body shakes with laughter as he attempts the 'foreign' dialect."I'm fixing it up for my dad. I was something we always did together; and i'm determined to finish." Mike picks up on my use of the past tense and doesn't press more on the subject.As I walk to my car he calls me and I quickly look back. "Hey Brit, with you being new and all; and you telling me you want to fix this here beauty of a bike, what d'you say about working for lil' ol' me?"A huge smile graces my face, "At your shop? You aren't messing with me, right?"Mike shakes his head, "Now why would I do that? You have talent young Tess. It would truly be an honour to have you on the team." He holds his hand over his heart."Why the pleasure is all mine." I joke."You can work for me during the day and i'll let you use whatever you like after hours to fix your bike. You'll have to watch out for my guys, oh boy, wait till they see you; they'll think they're on some reality TV show." He laughs, dramatically sighing."I think I can handle them. But really, thanks Mike, this is so kind of you." I smile up to the dark haired southern man."Anytime darlin', just make sure you tell your dear aunt about the favour I did you, okay? That's all I ask for." He winks as he makes his way into his truck, shutting the door behind him and shouting out the window."You got it Mike. She also said she's madly in love with you!" I yell out my car window.His head shot up. "She did?" His eyes go wide with shock."Sucker, you wish." I joke. He starts his truck."You're going to be the death of me one of these days, I can see it now. See you on Saturday, 10 o'clock. Take care Tess." He waves out his window chucking to himself as he drives off with my precious cargo."See you Mike." I yell back at him.I think of what he mentioned about 'his boys' as I drive off. They can't be his sons; so did they work for him?I wonder what they're all like. How many of them are there? How old are they? Well, I guess i'll find out on Saturday.And god am I nervous.