Stranded

Part One

I walked around my new neighborhood that my family dragged me to. I didn't love the idea of leaving my friends behind and packing up my things, my memories and taking them to a whole new place where nobody accepted me. Nobody knew who I was. I was a dork and a shy person. I had to start all over. Luckily, my older brother, Calum, was a social butterfly. He could talk to strangers like they had known each other for years.

During the walk through the neighborhood, Calum and I found a new park. I decided to just sit on the bench, plug in my headphones and watch some Netflix on my phone. I didn't even want to go outside today. I'd much rather be inside my own room, unpacking and decorating it. Making it my own. Although my parents thought differently.

They said to me, "Ember, c'mon. Go make some new friends before school starts so you have someone to hang out with,"

What if I didn't want to "hang out" with anybody? Nobody likes a shy, pathetic girl that does nothing all day.

Anyways, Calum went over to a 15- year old boy across the park and started to make small talk. I looked up from my show at them once in awhile and saw them talking and laughing together, then I went back to watching my show. The next time I looked up, they were walking towards me.

As they came closer, I saw the boy much clearer. He had dark brown hair that were shaven down on the sides. The front poofed up and make his hair look all fluffy. His eyes were as blue as the morning sky with freckles here and there to cover his nose and cheeks. He was fit and in shape as his gray t-shirt with NASA written on it showed off. Then his blue jeans were cut in some places like in his knees and his upper thighs. His sneakers have been worn out and used for awhile as they had mud, dirt, and many more things covering them. He and Calum approached me and I took out my ear buds.

"This is Zeke. We're gonna go back to the house and hang out. You okay here or are you coming back with us?" Calum asked.

"I might as well come back. No use of staying here and watching Netflix if I can go do that in the comfort of my own home." I said, shrugging and wrapping up my earbuds around my phone.

We started walking back to the house. I was hanging back from Calum and Zeke as they kept talking and laughing. I could barely hear them but I could hear them make jokes about farts and dicks.

Zeke's voice was really deep for 15-year old. Deeper than Calum's voice. Calum got his high pitched voice from our mom. He mostly got everything that makes him him, from our mom.

Calum has these bright emerald eyes with these dark red glasses protecting them. He's always had bad eyesight. Although nobody else in this family has needed glasses. Then his saggy light brown hair falls into his face. I always see him moving it away from his face with his hands or shaking it away. Dad tells him all the time that he needs a haircut but he's stubborn, like dad. Although the only trait I get from our dad, is his anger. Dad gets angry very easily. Luckily he doesn't get physical. Just screams and yells a lot.

I look like my dad more than I do my mom. We both have really bright blue eyes. He has curly dark brown hair, and my wavy brown hair goes down to the middle of my back. I only have a few freckles on my cheeks but my dad has freckles everywhere on his face. On his forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, you name it.

Anyways, after we get back to the house, the guys hung out in the living room while I went upstairs and start texting my best friend Gillie. We've been through the thick and thin. I can tell her about anything and she can tell me anything and everything.

I start to text her about Zeke. He seemed pretty cool. I kinda wanted to hang out with him but it'd be pretty weird since I'm only 13 and he's 15. He was good looking, but I didn't have a crush on him.

A couple hours go by and I go downstairs to get something to drink. I see Zeke on the couch alone. He's playing CB:RO, a type of shooter game. I personally loved the game.

"Hey, where's Calum?" I ask, walking beside the couch, watching him play.

"Bathroom I think," He responds, focusing on the game.

I nod. I start to walk away but then notice on the video game that the enemy walks and hides behind the door. Before Zeke goes through the doorway, I warn him, "Hey watch out, he's behind the left door,"

Zeke hesitates then peaks behind the door, shooting the enemy. "Thanks. Do you play?" Looking up at me.

"Yeah sometimes if I'm not watching Netflix," I chuckle.

"You any good at it?" He asks, offering me a controller. "Your brother is kicking my ass right now,"

"Yeah we have no lives so we just kinda play this," I chuckle at my own joke as I sit next to him and begin to play.

Eventually Calum walks back in. "The hell are you doing Ember?" Sitting next to me on the couch.

"What does it look like I'm doing jackass?" I roll my eyes as I don't bother to look at him. "What, are you scared I'm gonna beat you?"

"Puh-lease. You can't beat me," He responds confidently.

"Bet. You're just trying to be cool in front of your new friend," I say, glancing at Zeke. He was smiling about our sibling rivalry as he plays.

"Am not. I'm gonna beat you, just watch," Calum says.

We begin to start a new game, just me and Calum. The score goes back and forth. At first it was 2-0 me, then he caught up with 3-4 him. Then finally it was all tied up with 7-7.

"One more round and you will regret challenging me," Calum says smirking.

"Hey she's held her own this whole time. I wouldn't be so sure you're gonna win Calum," Zeke says, smiling at me.

"I think you should listen your new friend there," I smile as the round starts.

I start off. I start heading for Calum's spawn. I then hide behind a dumpster to hit Calum with a surprise attack. Unfortunately, he gets me down to 9 health. I run away and reload on ammo. During all of this, you can hear our controller buttons clicking away and Zeke cheering us on. He didn't really pick a side because he kept yelling "Go Ember!" or "You can do this Calum!"

10 seconds left on the clock. I had to go for it. I went out and saw Calum. I pointed at his head and shot. I won! I got a headshot!

"HAHAHAHAHA I WIN AND YOU LOSE SUCKER!" I yell and jump up, doing a bit of a victory dance.

"Whatever. It's just a game. Doesn't mean shit. I'm gonna get chips," Calum says, obviously angry. He gets up and goes to the kitchen.

"Congrats Ember! I always knew you could do it," Zeke says, giving me a high five and winking at me.

"Thanks. This was really fun but for Calum to feel confident and manly again, you should probably let him win a few times, ya know?" I smile and walk towards the stairs.

Before I walk up them, I turn around and say, "Bet you can't beat me Zeke," I smirk and head upstairs.

"Oh just you wait!" I hear Zeke yell at me.

That's where our friendship began.