Learning to feel

Uncharted Territory

Waking up in a unfamiliar room, the bright blinding light from the window shining in her eyes was disorientating to say the least for Zara King. The birds seem to shriek outside, the sun seemed determined to blind her, even her phone, which was buzzing sporadically due to an incoming call, seemed to aspire towards her utter frustration. Groggily she rubbed her eyes and unplugging her phone from the charger (how she managed to to that at the brink of exhaustion the night before was beyond her); she picked it up sighing at the caller ID.

"Morning father" she answered, despite the strong desire to just let her phone ring and enjoy the peace of the rolling waves against the sandy beach. He always seemed to get under her skin; though her father was located many miles away even the sound of his voice on the phone seemed to intimidate her, and entirely irritate.

"Zara. Are you really just waking up? It's 6:30 I better hope you have a good reason." Zara rolled her eyes, her father was curt as usual needing a reason for even her wake up time. Attempting to control her remotely seemed to be his plan. If she thought about it, She saw it as rather ridiculous, to most people 6:30 was not a late time but rather an early one, sometimes Zara swore her father lived in an entirely different planet. Most parents encouraged their children to embrace individuality, for hers it was their way or no way.

She could almost hear his scolding expression in the callousness of his voice. "My flight got in very late last night, and I don't believe I have anything scheduled for today. Unless you arranged something father..?" Zara heard herself say, despite her strong will not to give him the satisfaction of rebutting her excuse, she felt it-possibly out of habit more than anything else- slip out of her lips.

She could almost picture him glaring at the phone at this point, his forehead creasing and the vein in his neck throbbing, threatening rupture. "You mustn't embarrass me, everything you do reflects upon me. you will meet the people and make connections don't you dare isolate yourself, ill be checking in later." He reiterated yet again, he had reminded her of this many times but he continually felt the need to do so again....and again. Zara's face flushed with anger "Don't bother father, I wont be picking up." She spoke her words dripping with irritation, fuelled by anger Zara hang up and tossed her phone onto her bed graciouslessly.

The room she was in could be much more appreciated in the daylight, despite the melancholy beauty it held at night. The wooden floor seemed to shine with new beginnings and the dark victorian style that adorned the room was held a unique beauty. It was spacious and even though her bags still lay on the ground in a jumbled array she was content. There was no one watching over her shoulder, she was free.

Yet, Zara couldn't help but feel the gnawing pains at her heart strings from the emptiness of the room, or at least that's what she rationalized the cause to. She could almost hear his voice filling up space, his laughs echoing off the walls in a joyous melody. She needed to get out she declared, speaking out-loud despite the lack of an audience.

Just as she slipped on her sneakers on a loud knock shattered the silence that seemed to cloak the room. Zara swung the door open revealing the tall redheaded girl that stood behind it, a partial lopsided grin shaping a smile on the girl's face. "Jamie jackson but most people just call me JJ" the girl stuck out her hand introducing herself and Zara uncertianly grasped it and shook slowly. " Zara, just Zara" she introduced herself withholding her last name not wanting the attention, even if it was only a while, that usually a went with being of the King family.

JJ lead her out a beach  filled with people playing games, yelling, swimming, just talking and tanning. She could feel the sun on her skin and the aroma of salt ocean water, and she grinned at jj. She could get used to this. She was  grateful for her last minute decision put on swimwear under her clothing in case she decided to explore the more beach loated regions of her new home. Thinking ahead had its benefits, and it was ingrained by her father that those belonging to the King family must always think ahead.  

After a short walk, JJ stops in front of a group of teens sitting under a cluster of palm trees, hydrating in the sweltering heat. "Yo misfits! I picked up a stay, meet Zara she's newbie, be nice" JJ hollers playfully to the group. Zara finds the tone rather agressive but  or not paying it any mind.

"Come on, don't be assholes, introduce youselves".JJ requested, raising one eyebrow a hand on her hip daring someone to defy her.

Despite the amount of idle chatter done by people around them this particular group remained quiet. Slowly a boy lean in stature, yet muscular build and mesmerizing ice-cold blue eyes rose and stepped toward Zara. Suspicious he glanced toward him as he sauntered towards her invading her personal space. Still too close to her he spoke; "you should be scared of the wolves, and we are, gorgeous, the wolves". From the way he as well as the rest acted they were waiting for Zara to run in fear. Or some kind of loud reaction. 

Zara throws her head back and laughs, a wide smile spread across her face. She leaned toward the boy invading his  space ; "I do not fear little boys with overinflated egos, I've seen much worse and you are no wolves, puppies at best". Zara rolled her eyes at the boys ridiculousness we are wolves, what did he think this was, some Hollywood movie where the characters spoke cryptic words? Not a chance. 

A girl who sat leaning against the palm tree, Zara who would soon recognize as Callie, began to laugh, incredibly. She then spoke her voice laced with a British accent "she's brilliant, I say she stays". 

Although some in the group seemed weary of her, they allowed her to join making room for her to sit. As she setteled they began to introduce themselves, after a few well placed elbrows from JJ. Along with Callie and Jj was Jesse, Hunter and Chase who seemed determined not to speak more than a few words at a time. He was the boy convinced he was a frightinig creature as the wolf. 

Hours later, a few of the group went to throw a football around leaving JJ, Jesse, Callie and her lying comfortably in the shade of the tree. "So Zara what's your story?" Callie questioned curious . Zara grinned, and when she was sure her audience of two was listening to her every words she spoke. "See I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you, and I think that would be rude considering we just met." Annoyed Jesse playfully tossed a beach ball in her direction "come on, Zara" he complained "tell us something, how did you end up here of all places" he gestured around the beach and at the school." Zara have the two a long look and for a second they thought she just might tell them, but then she spoke. "You see, I could tell you how I ended up in this....quaint school, but where would the fun be in that." 

Zara held her breath, hoping they wouldn't clue in to her avoidance of the question and keep pressing. it wasn't a question she was ready to answer yet and they didn't seem the type to just let things go. So, holding her breath she plastered on a playful grin or what she hoped would pass as such. She was supposed to be fitting in. Her heard thudded as she awaited their reaction.

 Jesse and Cassie laughed, rolling their eyes at the evasive girl.  

 "You know Zara" Cassie glanced at Zara, the strange and alluring girl who seemed to appear out of nowhere; "I think you just might do okay here." She pulled out drinks from a beach bag and passed them around to very grateful recipients of anything to cool the heat.

they are utterly unaware of the man in the black sedan  parked a distance away meticulously observing.