Us, Colliding

CHAPTER THREE

Still having friends from your childhood and growing up together is such an awesome thing, Paula, Kelsey and I, we've been friends since my Mum and I moved to Oasis Springs.

It was a little rough, I mean, I was 6 and all the other kids had their friends already, I was just this new kid - then I got put in a group with Paula and Kelsey and that was that - 11 years later we're still besties.

Naturally, being the last into the friendship I've always felt a little like an outsider - Paula and Kelsey were so close and I felt a little jealous of that, I'm not going to lie.

I have never been the 'go to' friend - if Paula has some exciting news, Kelsey finds out first and if Kelsey has some drama, it's Paula she confides in, I tend to find out second hand and It hurts, you know?

Now, here I am travelling through this beautiful volcanic island, staring out the window at palm trees and tropical wildlife and all I can think is how Kelsey and Paula will be having fun without me, meeting boys, attending parties, going shopping, all while my pale skin burns to a crisp and I get bitten by bugs. Fantastic.

'Here we are,' Loto slows the truck and I glance up at the building I'm to call my home for the next 6 weeks.

I'm pleasantly surprised.

Small, but modern in appearance, the house has large windows and a wooden panelling exterior surround by tropical plants and trees of various varieties.

Through the windows I can just make out an open plan living space and kitchenette, a straight, wooden staircase leads off upstairs and the decor looks cosy yet masculine.

'Shall we?' Loto enquires with a warm smile.

'Sure,' I state, trying my hardest to sound cool when in fact I am terrified. If someone could tell me when this awkward phase ends, that'd be cool. I've been awkward all my life - I'm 17, isn't it time I was cut some slack?

Loto grabs my case and I follow him into the house.

'So, here we are,' He smiles, gesturing to the space around us, 'I need to go check the fish traps now, so I'll leave you to settle in but if you need anything I'm only on the beach,' nods towards the blue ocean which is clearly visible through the enormous windows.

I nod mutely, feeling totally overwhelmed by this brand new experience.

'Nice to meet you, Myra,' Loto says warmly, 'welcome to Sulani.'

***

It doesn't take me long to tour the house, it has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and the open plan living space downstairs.

I'm tempted to properly snoop, see what I can find out about the man who suddenly wants to call himself my father, but I don't feel brave enough.

After I've showered and changed I lounge on the leather sofa with the tv on as background noise while I send off a few texts to Mum and the girls.

No one replies which I'm not too surprised about - I can't get my head around the time difference but I figure i'm around 8 hours ahead which puts them at 6am.

I'm surprised I'm not exhausted but I feel strangely energised, no doubt the jet lag will hit later.

I watch the ceiling fan for a while, not really seeing it,  just lost in thought, I don't know what I should be doing. I kind of want to explore but I don't know anyone. I'm scared to leave the house and actually speak to people - I wouldn't know what to say.

I suppose there's no harm in checking out the immediate area, right? Dad will probably be back soon so I shouldn't go too far.

As I'm about to leave I spy a picture on the table by the door - it's one I've seen before- a young man with grey/blue eyes, ears just a little too large for his face and a smattering of freckles laughs into the camera lens and on his lap sits a chubby faced toddler with the same skin tone and ears who looks up at him adoringly.