Discovering Zac

Chapter 1:

The forests of Norland whip past the streaked window as the family van speeds away. Jacob grabs hold of my hand and gives it a slight squeeze letting me now he is here. Before the tears could escape my eyes, I lean against the window; watching as my old life slips away. My friends gone, my happiness taken, my life missing. 

Sometimes in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep, tears streaming down my face I would ask, "Why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?" At that point I would devour into uncontrollable sobs and Jacob would come into my room, pick me up and lie with me until I stopped. He would tell me that life gets better, it always gets better. I used to believe him, I really did, but then the incidents got worse, life got worse and my happiness derailed. 

The only things I would do in those last months was study, engrossing myself into my school work and turn to writing. As the days turned into weeks, I had noticed the worry lines on my mother's face getting deeper and deeper, the bright smile of my brother getting smaller and smaller. 

Sometimes I wondered would their lives be better off without me. Maybe if I could slip away into the middle of the night, I could make everything better.

"We are almost here," Mum shifts in the driver's seat uncomfortably. Her steady gaze sealed on the road. On one look at her, you would think she is concentrating but I know better.

"Jacob, are you sure Will is going to be there to help us unpack?" She always questions, when does she ever just stop for once.

"I just texted him before we left, he's bringing his girlfriend and her little sis." I can tell that he is annoyed at her, he can never hide his emotions from me. After their argument things, have been, 'strained.'

"Are you sure?"

Mums gets panicky around new people, ever since Dad left two years ago her confidence shattered. She would often confine herself at the lab at the hospital. Luckily the move doesn't disrupt her job or Jacob's school either. Once the announcment had been made that we were moving Jacob was relieved, not just for me but to be closer to his friends from his all-boys school in Norland. I would be starting at Norland High halfway through the year.

After 10 more minutes, the car turns into a tree lined street with a range of old yet neat two story houses. In the distant, the slight roar of the waves as it crashes onto the awaiting sand vibrates the atmosphere. My fingers inch for the comfort of my computer, willing me to write the exact description of the sound so I can read it over and over again. The car comes to a stop in the even driveway. Will and his entourage are waiting for us on the path. Immediately, my eyes flicker to Will giving his girlfriend a quick peck on the lips. Panic begins to grip my throat. I can't breathe. My fingers dig into the sides of the seat. Jacob, noticing my anxiousness, gently grabs my hand again.

"Come on L, we need to get things ready for the moving truck. I will let you pick your room first," he looks at me, wiggling his eyebrows. I let him pull me out of the car and towards Will and the others.

"Kate, Jenna, this Laura my baby sis. Laura you've meet Jenna, right? Will's girlfriend." I nod my head slightly. "And this is Kate her little sister."

Kate beams at me, her bright blue eyes sparkling. She is one of the girls you wish you could always be. Tall, super model thin with thick blonde hair. Compared to her I am nothing. I am slim, but not supermodel slim. My basic brown hair just reaches halfway down my back and reminds me, somehow, of dry hay.

"You are going to be a sophomore, isn't that right?" she asks

I tilt my head forward, unable to move my mouth.