Shimmer Island

Chapter One

Piper Hayes

The cruise ship let the horn rip as The Odyssey glided out of the dock creaking and groaning towards the Indian Ocean. Seagulls and pelicans soared on the wind currents dodging one another while diving into the water for fish. Loved ones shouted their farewells and adieus' on this bright, sunny summer afternoon. I stared at the crowd gathered by the harbor, not recognizing anyone. Not that I had expected to, I've been alone in my life for a very, very long time and it suited me just fine.

"Piper!" I heard my name yelled by a bunch of voices and felt myself grinning from ear to ear, maybe not as alone as I had thought.

I scanned for their faces among the sea of others. They were all here.

Every single one of them as happiness flooded me from top to bottom even grumpy old man Kitch managed to show up to say goodbye.

I focused on my main group of friends. Taylor D and Katie waved at me. I would miss them listening to music and singing like maniacs 24/7. Jackie, Shannon and Courtney were jumping up and down even at five in the morning which helped wake me up for school like my own personal alarm clock. I was going to miss their energy.

Emily, Rachel, Lindsey and Brooke stood huddled beside each other. They were always there when I needed a shoulder. Kristin smiled back at me. I would miss her sarcastic comments and stubbornness.

I spotted Luke, Gavin, Charlie, and Dustin in the crowd holding a good luck banner. I would never forget them jamming on their guitars making up lyrics around the bonfire coming up with the most ridiculous songs and their crazy parkour skills. Thody, Evan, Shawny P, Spencer, Veensy and Keegan gave me the thumbs up.

Taylor T and Jordi, my wildchild hippies saluted me with peace signs. Jamie looking close to tears always kept me informed on the comings and goings of the group, the juiciest gossip, nothing got past her. If you had a problem, we all went to her. When my eyes landed on Jolene, I sucked in a breath trying to keep it together. She nodded at me with the same feeling. I had known her the longest. I would miss her the most. She's the most considerate and thoughtful person, always listening never asking for anything in return. One of the best gift givers you'll ever meet always trumping me at Christmas.

Even the St. Mary's Boys Boarding School across the way showed up. I didn't see them often, but I would miss them just as passionately. Devo, Eric, J,D., Nick, Conn, Schmitty, Millsy and Crazy Eyes all waved to me from the harbor. They used to take me out to the country to go mudding making me cry tears of laughter.

I felt my heart strings tug painfully; trying to keep my emotions at bay by reminding myself that leaving Australia was a good thing. They had become my family not in blood, but in bond. We all came from similar situations being stuck in Harmon Boarding School: some of us were troubled, some of us wanted to be there and others like me didn't have a choice. There were so many kids crammed in Harmon, all of us sardines packed away.

I was happy to see them one last time, knowing that later tonight they would sit down in the huge common room in our dorm watching TV/movies like we usually did on weeknights and my spot would be empty.

My stomach knotted and tightened thinking I should have just stayed where I was. So many memories, they all showed me that no matter how tough things got in life, they would always be there for me. They would turn the worst of days into the best of days. Without any of them, my life wouldn't have been the same. Leaving them for my biological family who had forgotten all about me, didn't seem right. I took a deep breath and waved back to them feeling my eyes tear up.