New Beginnings in New Places

Kara woke up feeling excited. Today was the start of spring break and her family had decided to go on vacation to Kona island. It was actually an understatement to say she was excited. Kara had never left the state of Texas before so this trip was a dream come true.
School had taken everything out of her. Midterms dragged her to her emotional limit, and she was pretty sure she'd failed at least one subject. Her boyfriend, for better words a douche, had dumped her for her "best friend". Loosing them meant she only had one person she considered a friend to talk to and trust.
Forcing a smile she forbid herself to cry again as she lugged her bag down the stairs.
She believed this trip was going to change her; she just hoped it would be for the better.
"Honey come get breakfast!" Kara's mom called from the kitchen. The smell of freshly cooked bacon made her stomach have an empty gnawing feeling.
She took a seat at the table across from her father, who was reading his book as usual. His glasses hung onto the top of his nose like Kara hung onto hope.
"Morning Daddy".
"Good morning Princess. Are you ready for the trip?"
"Yup! Can't wait".
With a fond smile her father nodded and went back to his book.
Once breakfast was ready her parents parted ways to get some last minute things together. Once they were in the car Kara shut the world out. Shut the memories out.
She watched as the trees passes and slowly were replaced with buildings. The airport was a couple hours away, but she didn't mind the drive. Long drives meant time to listen to music and make up stories in her head.
A text notification interrupted her peace and she looked down to see who it was. Any peace she had instantly shattered when she saw the notification.
She felt sick and her eyes once again started to water. Her breakfast threatened to come back up but she forced it down.
She tossed her phone away hoping to never see the picture again. The drive seemed to take forever after that. This trip, this escape, couldn't come fast enough.
When they finally got on the airplane Kara picked her phone up and with a trembling heart blocked the girl who used to be her best friend.
They had spent their entire lives together. But now her friend had chosen her lover over her. She looked at the last thing sent, a photo of her ex and her best friend making out and angrily hit the block button. She watched as the picture disappeared just like their relationship.
Kara longed to be in Kona island with the beaches and waterfalls. She couldn't wait to get lost in it all.
As the plane touched down she sighed in relief. When they finally exited the plane she felt an overwhelming feeling of pressure lifting from her heart. She smiled softly and hoped to never go back home.
She'd just entered paradise. Blue skies and an even bluer ocean. Texas, her home state, was all flat and brown. Sure the sky there was pretty, but nothing could compare to this. She gave herself a bounce to her step and followed her parents to the car. They all left for the hotel to settle in.
"Kara your bedroom is right next to ours. Your mom and I are going to do some exploring by ourselves. You're welcome to wander around and have some fun. Also be deciding what you want for super " her father said as he set his bag down in the hotel room.
Kara got changed into her cutest outfit and then skipped to the elevator. Her hotel was right on the beach and she wanted to visit the cute little shops she'd seen on the way in.
Her phone buzzed and she was shocked and sick to see her ex calling her. She answered cautiously.
"Hey bitch what did you do to Lilly? She's crying about you blocking her. She never wanted to lose a friend but I guess she's better off without you, you little whore. No wonder I dumped your dumb heartless ass." Kara couldn't even get a word out before he hung up.
She sank to the ground and started to cry. This was all so much.
"Are you okay?" A local boy asked. His eyes showed concern and kindness. It only made her cry harder.
She sobbed and told him everything that had happened that year. He just sat patiently beside her and listened.
He put his hand on Kara's shoulder in a comforting way.
"It's their loss. They were the ones that betrayed you. Never let fake people define your life for you." His words didn't help much but she was grateful for them.
Once she stopped her crying she laughed nervously.
"Thanks for listening to me. I'm Kara by the way."
The boy smiled. "Toby. Good to meet you."
She smiled back at him. And knew she would be back next year.