Chapter 16:

The cold air hit me the second I stepped off the plane. I shivered a bit as I made my way through the tunnel, making slow progress thanks to my crutches.

My heart was pounding against my chest. Was everything going to be different at home? I had no clue what had happened in the last three years. Everything could have changed drastically and I would have no idea. From what Louis said, though, it was all pretty much the same.

The airport was the same. I followed the flow of people, the man in front of me sporting a bright orange fedora and fire hydrant red aloha shirt. When I reached the baggage claim, five familiar faces popped up.

"Brooklyn!" The twins chorused together, quite loudly and cutely. Before I really knew what was happening, I was getting hugged by my family.

A true, genuine smile made it's way to my face as Daisy's arms clutched tightly around my waist and Phoebe tugged persistently on my arm to show me her loose tooth. They had grown up a lot since I had last seen them. Quite a few inches taller, their hair was longer, and just.. Older.

"Wow, you two have grown up so much!" I commented as I smiled down at them.

"That's what happens." Daisy said all-knowingly, before eventually letting go of me. Phoebe backed up as well. Lottie and Fizzie each gave me a quick hug as well. Next was my mum, with tears rolling down her cheeks she embraced me in her arms.

"Hey mum, I missed you." I smiled through the tears pricking at my eyes.

"I missed you too. Now, let's get your baggage and get you home." 

Home. I liked the sound of that. Not a hotel, not some random place I've never been before. But home. The place where I grew up, where I had sleepovers, where most of my memories included my siblings.

"That sounds wonderful." I said as I surveyed my family.

~~~

"So then, I told Ben that I was actually twenty years old, I just use this amazing anti-aging ointment." Lottie laughed out as we sat around the dining room table.

"I was told that if you rub Nutella on your face it makes you look younger." Daisy spoke up as she stabbed a piece of meat and shoved it in her mouth.

"Dai, I don't think that works." Mum said with a laugh.

"Why would you waste Nutella by rubbing it on your face, anyways? Eating it is so much better." I spoke up.

"Hey, look at the tv. It's an interview!" Fizzie exclaimed, pulling our attention off our current conversation about aging to the tv off to the side of the table. 

Sure enough, five familiar faces were smiling into the camera. I recognized it as the one they did in Australia. Mum turned it up so we could hear. I scooted forward a bit, having never heard what the interview had been. The boys gave out the normal answers for how touring had been, how they liked Australia.

"How's your sister doing, Louis? We've heard a bit about her, but all we really know is that she was in an accident." The interviewer inquired as she practically shoved the mic in his face. My mum glanced sideways at me, as if anticipating my response.

"She's much better, thanks for asking." Louis answered politely. 

"I'm glad to hear that." The interviewer seemed as if she wanted to ask more, but Liam stopped her before she could say much.

"She's doing amazingly and we're all proud of her. But she wants to keep her privacy, and we all respect her wishes."

"Alright.. So when are you all planning on coming back to Australia?" She changed subjects all together.

"You're famous, Brook." Fizzie teased and I turned to smile at her.

"Not as famous as our brother. Still crazy stuff. May I be excused? I'm worn out from the flight." I asked our mum who nodded and smiled widely at me.

"Of course, your room is exactly like it's always been." She informed me and I gave her a thumb's up. Lottie offered to help me with my crutches, but I shrugged her off with a thanks. I said my goodnights and wandered into my bedroom which was almost identical to how it was three years ago.

My bed was made perfectly, the grey, white and black bedspread tucked in neatly. The purple walls still had my posters up on them. My desk was still in the corner and my purple and grey rug exactly where it was three years ago. 

It was nice that one thing didn't change in the last three years.

~~~

I logged onto my Twitter before going to bed, decided it was about time to do some major stalking from the last few years.

NiallOfficial: Missin yeh already ,

Updated five hours ago.

NiallOfficial: Crazy loud crowd ! great to see so many people we love you guys

Updated one day ago.

NiallOfficial: Been a really great day ! Lucky guy I am ,

Updated three days ago.

NiallOfficial: Lovin Aus! 

Updated three days ago.

NiallOfficial: Just been to an awesome bar ! 

Updated four days ago.

I kept scrolling, I was able to pick out which ones were about me. It made me smile a bit, made me wish I could remember all our memories together.

NiallOfficial:

Woww just been t rehearsals and saw @joshdevinedrums! sick mann

Updated one month ago.

NiallOfficial: Been t this new restaurant with my girl , delicious steak and delightful company

Updated four months ago.

I found a tweet from me to Niall after that.

BrookTommo: @NiallOfficial Thank you kind sir, you're lovely company yourself! @Louis_Tomlinson was jealous we had the apple crisps without him!

Updated four months ago.

BrookTommo: @NiallOfficial ps, I'm glad you used the right adjectives. I might be worried if it was "Delightful steak and delicious company."

Updated four months ago.

NiallOfficial: @BrookTommo @Louis_Tomlinson aha we'll let you tag along with us next time , lou

Updated four months ago.

@NiallOfficia: "why don't we join the circus" aha wise words from the beautiful @brooktommo

Updated five months ago.

With that last tweet, I shut down my computer and put it on my bedside table.

Why couldn't everything just go back to the way it was? Simple and carefree.