by Leah Cook
“Is it working?” he asked.
I smiled, looking down at the puppy that was now asleep in front of my feet, “a little,” I admitted.
“Oh, there is a collar and lead in the box for him too, thought that would kind of seal the deal.” He laughed, and I noticed that he actually did seem more relaxed. “Have you thought of a name yet?”
“I was thinking Phoenix, I’ve always liked that name.” I replied.
My mother laughed. “You had a toy dog when you were about three and you named him Phoenix too.”
“Well then, it was meant to be.” I thanked my parents again, giving them both a firm hug before going back into the house and put the sleeping little bundle on my bed. I couldn’t believe it! They had actually bought me a dog! Of all the things I expected my father to get me, it certainly wasn’t a dog, a car would have been more likely. Ever since I was little, animals had always been a no go zone, even goldfish were out. Other than a standard ‘no’ I had never been given an explanation.
I laid the beautiful blue collar and lead on my bed, grabbed a box and started unpacking, a smile plastered on my face the whole time. After an hour, Phoenix woke up and I took him straight outside before he could pee in the house.
I found Mum unpacking in the kitchen and she told me that Dad had already left for work.
“Mum, would you mind if I took Phoenix for a walk? I just want to have a bit of a look around town, get a feel for it, you know? And I want to try and find a good place to run.”
“That’s fine honey, just take your phone so I can get in contact with you.” She went back to her boxes, happily bopping away to Michael Bublé’s, Come Fly with Me.
I put the collar and lead on a slightly unimpressed Phoenix and away we went. I turned right out of the driveway, planning on heading towards the lake that we had passed on our way home yesterday. Home, it didn’t feel like that yet, but seeing my parents together and happy, particularly my mother, and watching my father actually trying to make us more of a family was starting to change my mind. I would miss Claire no matter what, but maybe, just maybe, this move could actually be good for my family. It had already seemed to relax my father a little.
I’d spent most of my childhood hounding him for a dog whenever he was home. I did chores and even went to puppy obedience training with my mother to show him that I was willing to train it the right way. Once I’d even saved enough money to buy a kennel, a bowl, a collar and a lead; all he had to do was agree to the dog. I’d woken up the next day with everything I’d bought gone and a cheque for what I’d spent on the kitchen bench. There had never been any more discussion. I had tried to bring it up with him but in his mind it was over. Even my mother had been unable to change his mind.
As Phoenix pulled on his lead I would gently bring him back to my side each time with a stern ‘heel’. He seemed to like learning and we soon fell into an awkward rhythm, despite Phoenix occasionally falling over his feet.
The lake was only a ten minute walk from home and we soon found a shady spot and sat down looking around. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. No horns honking, no major traffic noise, just ducks and other birds.
I let Phoenix off his lead and watched smiling at him as he went off chasing a duck that had come out of the water. I laughed when a large duck decided to take him on and chased him away from the water with his tail between his legs. Despite the small run in he kept coming back to me, jumping on me, before scampering off to see what else he could bark at.
Eventually he settled on my lap and went to sleep. I stared out at the water, and felt completely relaxed. I’d always been this way around water, it didn’t really matter what type, the beach, lakes, even a bath made me feel content and calm.
I noticed someone walking around the lake towards us. She was the first person I’d seen since we left the house. Wearing a long black dress and knee high boots underneath it, a silver chain around her neck catching the sunlight, she walked slowly, not seeming to pay much attention to anything in particular. She looked around my age, maybe a little older, with long shiny black hair that cascaded down her back and pale skin that actually seemed even whiter than my own. As she came closer; Phoenix woke up and started growling. Embarrassed I tried to calm him with a soothing voice and some reassuring pats, hoping that this girl wouldn’t coincide her arrival with his strange mood.
“Hey,” she said, not quite smiling. The first thing I noticed were her eyes. They were an amazing green. Not the hazel green you normally see, but a beautiful emerald colour, I was captivated by them.
“Hey,” I answered, managing to get Phoenix down to a small growl. “Sorry about my dog, I only got him today…” I trailed off, not really knowing what else to say.
“It’s fine, most dogs don’t seem to like me, not really sure why.” She stared at Phoenix and he abruptly whined and went quiet. “There you go, maybe he just needed a minute to get used to me. Mind if I have a seat?” She sat down before I had answered.
“You’re the De Grey’s girl aren’t you? Ruby isn’t it?” She looked at me with her head cocked to the side slightly, her gaze was intense and a few seconds to remember what she’d asked me.
“Um, yeah I am. How did you know?”
“Well, I’ve lived here a few years and we don’t have that many new people in town. My uncle is your dad’s new boss, so he told me to keep an eye out for you. You know make sure you don’t get hassled at school and stuff. We’re in the same year at school and we’ll probably have a few classes together too.”
I tore my eyes away from hers a few seconds too late to not be considered rude. The way she had said ‘uncle’ was a little odd. My guess is she didn’t really like her uncle much. I took in her pale skin, black lipstick and black hair she was absolutely gorgeous in a gothic kind of way.
“Oh, he mentioned his boss had a niece, nice to meet you….” I really didn’t know what to say. I was never a very good conversationalist when I first met people. I usually took a while to warm up to them. I liked to try and figure people out a little before becoming friends. It’s why I only ever had a select few friends.
“Mikayla.” she said and suddenly stood up, making Phoenix start growling again. “I’m one of the organisers of the Primfield’s youth group if you’re interested. We go camping at term break, but mostly just hang out. It’s on this Friday night. I could swing by and get you if you like? Aren’t you living in the Cannon’s old house on Piper Street?”
I didn’t even know the address myself, but there was still the issue of my father’s over protective streak to deal with. “Look, I probably won’t be allowed out anyway. My dad can be… let’s say a bit on the over protective side. But I can ask.” I stood up as well, not really liking having to look up at her.
“Leave it to me. I’ll get my uncle to talk him into it. I’ll see you at school tomorrow and I’ll pick you up on Friday.” She smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes that I felt were looking into me rather than at me. It felt almost intimate.
“Well, um…okay then no worries, nice to meet you too”. I pulled gently on Phoenix’s lead, trying to stop the low growl he’d started again. “I’ll see you around Mikayla.” I figured I’d meet up with her at school and spend the rest of the year trying to convince my father to let me go to the youth group. Although it had been him that mentioned the youth group this morning, mentally I crossed my fingers, hoping it was a good sign.
Halfway back towards my street I turned back towards the lake. Mikayla was still standing where I left her, looking straight at me, she didn’t wave or move and as I rounded the corner I was relieved to be out of her sight.
I continued on and turned down my street without looking back again. Sure enough the street sign said Piper Street. I was curious as to how Mikayla had known so much about me when we’d only arrived the day before and why had she bothered to introduce herself to me today instead of waiting for school tomorrow?
CHAPTER 3
My fath
er was still at work when my mother and I sat down for dinner later that night. Phoenix had been fed and was happily playing outside with a new chew toy Mum had bought him while she was out shopping. I knew she secretly loved animals, despite my father’s attitude towards them, all kinds, she had nurtured that same love in me in so many ways. We had gone to the zoo a lot together when I was little and the park was almost a daily outing. Often we spent more time lying on the ground watching the bugs and ants carrying their cargo than actually playing. My father never went with us on trips to the zoo, he was normally at work or at a work related function. At least they were the usual excuses.
“How did you go on your walk today? Did you see anything interesting?” She smiled at me from across the table. I’d missed doing this with her; talking over dinner and sharing our days.
“I only went to the lake, Phoenix had a good run around and got chased by a duck.” I told her an animated version of Phoenix versus the duck and soon we were both laughing. “Oh, I met that niece of Dad’s boss at the lake. She seems okay. She invited me to the youth group on Friday night.”
“Really? That’s good. You must have hit it off then. It’s not like you to make friends so quickly.” She finished eating and begun to clean up.
“She’s a little different and I wouldn’t call us friends yet,” I took my plate over to the sink and started to help, “but at least I’ll know someone at school tomorrow.”
After we washed the dishes I went up to my room to get ready for my first day at Primfield High School. I grabbed my backpack and filled it with a couple of folders filled with loose leaf paper, and my pencil case. Then plugged in the charger and connected my laptop. I stood in front of my wardrobe for a few minutes before picking out another pair of jeans, my black combat boots and a black singlet top and put them on the back of my chair for the morning. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about making a decision in the morning about what I was going to wear.
Once that was done I was still too wound up to go to bed so I grabbed a box to unpack. I pulled out a few of my photo frames, my picture board that I had made and my digital photo frame. I love my photos, I have hundreds of them on my computer, and on the memory card in the digital frame. My photo board went straight up on the wall, it tells a story to me every time I look at it. Where I’ve been, what I’ve done and how much I’ve grown in size and maturity. There was even a photo of me and Claire that was taken when we were about seven. I plugged in the digital frame and watched as familiar faces filled the small screen.
Although I wasn’t really tired, I climbed into bed and lay there wondering what the next day would bring. I knew I wouldn’t get much sleep and watched the images cycle through my digital photo frame, smiling at some of the memories it holds. Part of me still desperately wanted my old life back. But a larger part had accepted that it wasn’t going to happen, that Primfield, for now at least, was where we were staying.
“Nervous?” My father asked at the breakfast table the next morning.
“A little” I admitted as I picked at the piece of toast on my plate.
“Your mum mentioned that you met Mikayla yesterday. That’s a good thing before your first day.” He took a big mouthful of coffee and then set his cup down in the sink. “Her uncle speaks quite highly of her, says she’s quite mature and responsible, running the local youth group on Friday nights. She could be good for you to make friends with.”
“She did mention the youth group, I wouldn’t mind going on Friday night this week to see what it’s all about.” I paused before adding, “maybe make a few more friends.” I bent down to pack my lunch into my bag so he couldn’t see my face.
There was a slight pause before he answered. “I’ll think about it and let you know. Have a good first day honey.” It was his standard answer for most things. It was better than a flat out no, however. He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Thanks Dad.” I hoisted my bag onto my shoulders and grabbed Phoenix’s food to put outside for him with his toys. “Well, I’m off. Wish me luck!”
“You won’t need it honey, they’ll love you, just like I do.” He disappeared before I could say anything back. He was being very affectionate, which was incredibly un-dad like.
I stood there for a minute taking in what he had said, just the fact that he was even here for breakfast was amazing. I called out a goodbye to my mother who was busy gardening already, trying to beat the summer heat. I could hear Phoenix whining until I hit the top of the street.
Following the direction my mother gave me I went around the short side of the lake and down a few streets. I was there in twenty minutes, spot on time for an assembly of the entire school population. Which, in comparison to my old high school wasn’t that many, but considering out of the three or four hundred students I knew only one, it was still daunting.
I stood at the back hoping to just blend in, although being out of uniform I knew I would stand out. I was happy hiding until the Principal decided to introduce the new year eleven student. Me! Apparently a new student was a bit of a novelty to Primfield High School.
I couldn’t control the blush that swept across my face as I walked to the front of the entire school. I felt the same colour as my hair. After the usual ‘please make her feel welcome’ speech I was free to slink back to the last row.
On the way I spotted Mikayla standing with a few of her friends. One particular boy caught my eye, he was wearing black jeans and a black Bonds t-shirt which showed off his body. He arms were lusciously toned, something I definitely noticed and appreciated on guys, but not too over the top. He put some of the other boys standing near him who hadn’t reached the same level of physical maturity to shame though. It was only then that I noticed that his eyes were the same colour as Mikayla’s, that entrancing emerald green. They almost glowed, and seemed to be calling to me. I found myself standing in front of them before I realised I was even walking.
“Hey Ruby”, Mikayla moved slightly to allow me into their circle. “Welcome to hell.”
“Yeah, it’s nice to see a familiar face,” I smiled slightly at the green eyed boy before looking at Mikayla again. “Does your Principal always point out the new kid?”
“It’s a small town, they like to make sure everyone’s looked after.” She looked at me for a second longer than I felt necessary before continuing. “This is Scott, my brother. He repeated a year so he’s in the same year as me now.”
“Hey Ruby, nice to meet you”, he smiled and a sole dimple stared at me from his left cheek. I was definitely a sucker for a boy with dimples! “Mikayla said you were cute.”
Oh, no shame then. I wasn’t used to being spoken to so forwardly, unable to help myself I blushed scarlet. Jake popped into my mind for a second, but his memory was beginning to fade. Any hold he had on me emotionally was waning. I closed my eyes for a second, appreciating the fact that I hadn’t slept with Jake, and trying to gain some composure.
“Leave her alone Scott, you’re making her blush.” Mikayla’s words sounded harsher than they needed to be but Scott instantly apologised, a smaller smile still playing on his lips as we headed inside.
The day went by in a blur of new teachers, assignment dates and topics, new names to memorise and a lot of Mikayla. She was in nearly all of my classes except two for the first semester, and Scott was in one of those. I blushed whenever he smiled at me, it was instant, I simply couldn’t control it.
I headed home alone at the end of the day, it was nice to be able to unwind and I was looking forward to going for a run later. As I walked around the lake I saw a girl from school sitting on a bench, she saw me coming and stood up abruptly.
“Are you Ruby? The new girl?” She looked really uncomfortable, her bag hanging off one shoulder as she bounced from one foot to the other.
“Um, yes. Are you in my classes? Sorry if I didn’t see you, it’s been a pretty full on day”. I watched as something flickered across her face, and it was gone as soon as I saw it.
&nbs
p; “I wanted to warn you. Um, about your new friends.” She almost spat the words out. The venom clear in her voice.
“I don’t really have any friends yet, I only met Mikayla yesterday while I was walking my dog and Scott this morning.” I began to walk around the blonde girl. She seemed nervous and I just wanted her to spit out whatever it was she wanted to say to me.
“Well, you seem to fit in with them pretty well, for someone who just met them.” She eyed my clothes almost angrily before continuing. “Anyway, that’s not what I wanted to tell you. It’s Mikayla, she’s not…” She almost yelped when Mikayla walked up behind her.
“Well, hello Krystal, fancy seeing you here, meeting the new girl I see”. I didn’t know what was going on, but anyone could tell that these two had history. The tension between them was almost a visible field.
“Mikayla,” Krystal visibly took a small step backwards but didn’t drop her gaze from her. Mikayla in contrast appeared to be quite calm and almost amused with one eye brow arched and one corner of her mouth turned up. I couldn’t tell if it was fear or something else that Krystal felt towards Mikayla. “Nice to meet you Ruby, I’ll catch up with you another time, I hope.” Krystal backed up a few paces, not once taking her eyes off Mikayla, who was still smiling calmly, then turned and walked briskly away, not looking back.
“You want to share what all that was about?” I asked turning to Mikayla. For a second it looked like she wanted to tell me something, then she simply said. “Nothing to worry about with Krystal, she likes to imagine things. We were friends, once upon a time, although it’s hard to imagine why now.”
“Can I ask what happened? She seems almost afraid of you.” The personal question spilled out before I had time to think about it.
