The Game of Hearts

Prologue

Many things have not been told, including what happened between Ethan and me. But I have decided, maybe it's not too late to try and solve it, figure out what happened and why I got rid of it. So maybe, this will work out? Once and for all?

***

Ethan and I were really good friends. Technically speaking, we were cousins as well, but we didn't call each other that. Cousins meant you didn't choose to know each other, it meant family shoved you together. But we didn't like that, we were best friends, because we wanted to be. As you can expect, we went to school together, hung out at each other places, joked about crazy things and we could tell each other everything. But as everyone knows, all good things come to an end. That's when my parents dragged me off to Australia.

Australia! The unknown desert land full of Bogans, flip-flops, crazy wildlife and the land where it was swelteringly hot! I was mad at them, no, actually I was furious. The last few weeks before I left, grade seven, was full of screaming, slamming doors and a few sneak-outs. One time I stayed the whole night in Ethan's back shed without my parents noticing. I was determined to get us staying in New Zealand. It was my home, where my family, friends, pets and all of my experiences were. I woke up early every morning just to sneak out and not return until dark. My parents were worried and that made me even angrier. The few hours I was at home consisted of a shouting match between me and my worried parents. It was a really terrible time.

I refused to tell Ethan of it, because I thought my parents would change their minds and there was no point. I seriously thought we'd stay in New Zealand. But when there was only two days left in New Zealand, I realized I'd lost. We were moving and that was that. So I told him. He was kind and supporting once his shock passed. He helped us pack and the day I had to leave, we said our goodbyes. We exchanged numbers and emails for the millionth time.

I remembered that fateful day. Aunt Cath had just dropped us off at the airport, and Ethan had tagged along to say goodbye. I remember the airport's high ceilings, the white tiles all of which I stared at, avoiding Ethan's sad eyes. But when I finally met them I didn't see sadness. I saw determination.

"Um," I had said. It was the first time it had been awkward between us. A second later, he wrapped his arms around me. I remember shock before I hugged him back. Our hug was sad and tight.

"I will see you again," he had promised me. After all, we were best friends; that had to happen, right? I left, looking back at Ethan. He looked sad then and I felt sad.

As I walked away, I heard a yell, "Anna-Bella!" I whipped around, shock plastered on my face.

Ethan sprinted up, wrapping his arms around my neck, "I'll miss you, okay? Call every day and I'll see you again. I promise," he swore, holding his hand up to his heart, blinking furiously. He smiled tightly; his chin shook slightly. I heard people 'awing' around us but I ignored them. It only hit me then. I was going to miss Ethan. He was my best mate, cousin and everything.

I was going to miss him.

I had been so down about leaving him that the entire trip was over and I hadn't complained once.

When we settled into Australia, in the small city of Brisbane, my mother finally sent me to school. Year eight was technically their first year of high school, as well as my first year of school here. I didn't know what to think, over the two months I had successfully stayed in the house as much as possible, avoiding spiders, snakes and Bogans. I was scared, I admit. But when school rolled around I was even more scared. I straightened my shirt as I waited at the bus stop. No one else from my school was there then. When the bus came, it stopped and I climbed on. When I got to school, I located my class and headed there. I waited nearly for ten minutes before the bell rang. When I got inside I picked a seat in the middle row and people filled the room, all looking as nervous as I felt, but they couldn't tell I was scared because of the plain face I had on. Seats filled up and soon I figured out the friendship groups. A group in the front row were quiet with books, another at the back were swearing at each other, another few quiet groups chatted. I has noticed the girl to my right, with blonde straight hair, pulled back into a loose braid, and chocolaty coloured eyes. She was silent, staring down at her timetable. I decided to talk to her.