The palm leaves swayed ever so lightly in the warm breeze, the sun was beginning to set on the sea – a sight Zoey had only ever seen on postcards.
Sitting on the beach – on a night like this – was something she'd dreamt of all her life, only she wasn't alone in those dreams, like she was now.
She guessed it was her fault; Chase and her had finally admitted their feelings for each other and then Zoey kisses Arten Sinclair? She didn't like Arten Sinclair much more than every other girl at PCA did – he was tall, tanned, muscular and had the deepest sapphire blue eyes that any girl could just get lost in. And he was English. And he had taken interest in her? She had found it puzzling at the time but not questionable. But what bugged her really, was why she kissed him. Okay, so he was basically a tanned kissing God but apart from that…was it because of Chase? She was worried that maybe, with their feelings out in the open, that their friendship would be ruined… was that it? Or was that what she hoped? Did she want to think that, to mask her crush on Art Sinclair, that she thought he was a lot hotter than Chase?
"Zoey?"
Maybe she wasn't as alone as she thought.
"Uhm…who's there?"
A silhouette figure came towards her, raising sand as he lifted his feet. He would have been completely unidentifiable if it wasn't for the bushy mini-afro that sat on the top of his head.
"Can I uh…sit down?"
"Sure."
Chase sat down beside her. They stared into the ocean for a while, both too nervous to say what they both wanted to say.
"Zoey –"
"No Chase. I didn't mean to kiss Art. It was because I thought that maybe, if we were together, then our friendship would…"
"Zoey, I understand."
He did?
"You do?"
Chase placed both his hands around Zoey's face and held it up to him.
"Love can make people do all sorts of weird things," he smiled, that cute goofy smile that she loved so much. He leaned in. She closed her eyes…
Bang.
Zoey's eyes flickered open to a white, clinical looking room with a long, bright buzzing light and a length of seats whose fabric made her itch. It was a dream. But possibly the best dream she'd ever had. If only that bang hadn't interrupted her! She might actually find out what it was like to kiss Chase. Zoey had been summoned to Dean Rivers' Office around an hour ago. After practically having a heart attack at the prospect of being in trouble, she was told she was only there to take a new pupil around PCA.
"Miss Brookes? Are you alright?"
"Yeah," she said, her cheeks reddening, "I'm sorry, I was just uh…napping."
"Well the new student's just getting registered in the PCA pupil records. She shouldn't be long, she's called Kristen Williams."
Williams? Zoey's brain began moving into gear. Kristen Williams? Hadn't Rebecca mentioned something about a Kristen at her old nunnery school? Nate's little sister?
"Dean Rivers?" She asked, "Is Kristen Williams' Nate Williams' little sister?"
"Yes, very close with the Sinclair's I believe. Family friends."
So this Kristen was the girl Rebecca had briefly mentioned. Zoey wondered whether Rebecca had good or bad things to say about Kristen, because she couldn't remember what Rebecca had told her.
"Kristen and I did fashion design as a study at my old school."
Was that it?
The door creaked open again. Zoey turned.
"Hey," Kristen said in a familiar English accent, much like the Sinclair's, "you're Zoey right? Art's told me so much about you." Kristen paused before adding, "And PCA."
"Great, you girls get to know each other," Dean Rivers said, "and if you have any problems Kristen then just give me a shout."
"Thanks Dean," she smiled, showing off a set of perfectly straight, pearly-white teeth, "much appreciated."
Zoey stood up and hoisted her backpack over her shoulder. Kristen stood in front of her, taller, with long, honey-skinned legs, glossy dirty blonde, long hair that feathered out at her shoulder and a detection of slyly pinned bangs, and emerald green sparkling eyes. Zoey should have known this Kristen girl was going to be stunning. She was built in every way the same as Rebecca, probably not even an millimeter difference in height. Like Rebecca, she had a pancake-flat stomach and cheekbones so defined you could cut paper on them. Zoey felt like a garden gnome beside this girl.
Dean Rivers exited the room. As soon as the door closed, Kristen embraced Zoey tightly. Slightly surprised, Zoey smiled.
"I'm sorry," Kristen said, "that's how I just greet everybody. Except teachers. So, you're Zoey Brookes. Oh my word, when I'm over at Rebecca's in the Summer Art's all 'Zoey this, Zoey that.' Had to fight to keep down a rage of the green monster, I must admit."
Zoey tried to comprehend this information, but for some reason, her brain didn't want to. Art Sinclair, the Art Sinclair, had told the rest of the Sinclairs all about her? That's the kind of thing girls at PCA dreamed of. Or being Art's 'friend-that-was-a-girl', which Kristen already had under her belt. Or, kissing Art, which by the looks of Kristen, seemed entirely possible as well.
"I'm so looking forward to starting PCA," she continued, "you have no idea what it's been like for me – like I've been deprived of it since a child. When Nate wasn't constantly talking about it, Art was, and Joe was. Even my mother was, she used to be a teacher here."
"You'll be warmed to pretty quickly," Zoey said, "already knowing a few people and all."
"Ah, but that doesn't mean I'm not ready to make myself a status," Kristen whipped some dark sunglasses out of her bag, "and I plan on doing that straight away. Now, how about you introduce me to all your little friends?"
Chase and Michael sauntered down the path to the basketball courts.
"So have you spoken to Zoey?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, actually," said Chase, "about these new ice pop things they have in the school store and –"
"I meant about Art," Michael interrupted, "I meant about Art."
Chase stared down at his high-tops as he continued walking. Michael took his silence as a no.
"You aren't serious? Look, you're not going to get anywhere with her if you just don't mention this," he said, holding the door open for Chase, "it's not something you two can overcome. You won't get to kiss her until this subject is appropriately dissected and discussed."
Chase didn't want to talk about it. Even seeing Art walk down the corridors made his stomach turn. What made it worse was that Chase could see why Zoey would be attracted to Art – there was no doubt about it, the guy was a heart-throb and Chase? He supposed he was just the goofy best friend would couldn't do one lap without throwing up in the bush. Art, however, was practically captain of every sports team at PCA.
"Dude, you gotta talk to her," Michael stretched his arms up, "or I will. I'm being serious. Next thing you know, Zoey'll be going out with, I dunno, Glen Davis or something and BOOM! Missed your chance again."
The boys turned the corner and onto the longer, straight path that lead straight to the basketball gates. While Michael continued to chat about the latest Tekken game released compared to his nostalgic Tekkens, Chase dreamt about Zoey confessing her undying love to him, and that kissing Art Sinclair was a messy mistake she couldn't quite explain. He found himself pleased that she was crying, because then he could caress her into a tight hug, then if the moment was write, place a hand on her chin, tilt her head up slowly and…
"Okay, I'll talk to her," Chase sighed, "but when?"
"How about now?" Michael nodded towards the path ahead, "She's coming this way."
Okay, calm composure Chase. Talk to Zoey.
Two girls came down from the path that lead to the Dean's office. Michael began to splutter and cough, smacking his chest in hopes of quick recovery.
"Jesus!" He gasped, "Who's that with Zoey?"
Chase turned his head at the word 'Zoey,' trying to get a good view of her face. One of the girls stopped suddenly, while the other continued walking unaware. The one that continued walking, was shorter and had blonder hair. He knew it was Zoey. The girl who had stopped, was a tall, slim sun-framed girl who was staring disbelievingly at Chase.
"God is spoiling me," Michael cheered, "two beautiful girls in such a short space of time!"
"Chase Matthews!" The girl yelled, peering closer.
Chase recognized the raspy, English accent immediately.
"Chase? Is that you?" The girl drew a long-fingered hand to her mouth, "Oh. My. Word, it is you!" She screamed a little whoop of joy and ran past Zoey (surprisingly fast in her wedges), she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. He responded.
"Ehmaword," she panted, raking her long, elegant fingers through her dirty blonde locks, "this is surreal!"
Zoey walked up the path curiously, staring uncertainly at Kristen, who was now blocking her view of Chase.
"Oh!" Kristen gasped, spotting Michael, "how rude of me! I appear, sprint up and suffocate your friend! I'm Kristen Williams."
Michael took her outstretched hand and shook it.
"Michael Barret," he replied. This done, Kristen averted her attention back to Chase. She held him at arms length.
"Let me get a good look at you," she mused, looking at him up and down, "you haven't changed at all!"
Chase could hardly say the same. When he had last seen Kristen, she was a lot shorter, a little bit less slender, her hair was cut sharply and she didn't reek of glamour. He couldn't believe his eyes. Now, she looked like she'd just stepped off a catwalk. Those eyes! Those legs!
Zoey appeared at Kristen's side. Chase's heart sped up.
"Do you two…" she waved her hand between him and Kristen.
"Ehmaword," Kristen grinned, flicking her hair behind her shoulder, "when I last saw this guy, we were thirteen! Oh my gosh, you've grown up so much! I never thought I'd see you again!"
Michael explained they had to be at basketball practice, so Kristen agreed to walk along with them. As Michael engaged her in an in depth debate about the lack of a PCA cheerleader squad, (K: "But it's such degradation! We girls have been admitted to this school to learn, not to cheer on a bunch of barbaric guys playing whatever-sport-is-in-season." M: "But seeing girls in those skirts…I mean, er, cheering us on, will spur us to do better in our game.") Zoey slinked back to walk casually with Chase.
"So, you're taking Kristen around are you?"
Zoey noticed a twinge of uneasiness in Chase's voice.
"Yeah, she seems pretty well adjusted."
At that moment, Michael and Kristen burst into cackles.
"Well, she never has exactly been a wallflower," he shrugged.
Why is this happening now? Why is Kristen here now? Could she have chosen a worse time to arrive promptly without warning?
"Speaking of 'never exactly has been a wallflower,'" Zoey said slyly, "how do you know her? Do you have history?"
Chase felt heat rising up his collar.
"I guess," he said, hoping to sound unsuspicious and casual.
"Well, what is it then?" Asked Zoey, seeing right through Chase's persona.
Chase's head felt like it was on fire, his mouth dry, his breath short.
It's best she finds out from you, not from Kristen.
"She was my er," he scratched the back of his neck nervously, "she was my first kiss. And my er, girlfriend before you came to PCA."
zxxbsmsgirl3148 Your cookies rock:p MrsLoganReese don't worry, Glen is supposed to be weird and creepy. You'll soon find out why. He is a shady guy. Starburst87, thanks for reviewing and YOUR STORY IS AWESOME. And for everyone else, the story is about to get a LOT more interesting (when I have writers block, I write chapters for the future, and I have a whole lot of chapters about Kristen coming up). Be prepared from some conniving sabotage from Adrienne House, and big Nicole plot coming up! Thanks and pie, N x