Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you guys like the story. I will update as much as possible as long as you all are still interested. I am very busy with school, but I enjoy writing so I will find time. Enjoy.
The sun shines bright greeting another beautiful day in Orange County. The air was crisp that morning, it was a refreshingly cool 60 degrees. A cold day by Southern California standards, but would be the envy of the rest of the country in the dead of winter. The Holidays had come and gone and school was starting once again. It was a new year, a fresh start for everyone, but especially for the new girl in town.
"Aleks" the whisper of her name was enough to stir her from a light slumber. "Hey, I just wanted come warn you before Seth gets up" Ryan says through the crack in the door. "He told me last night he was planning a "surprise" to wake you up for school this morning".
"Thanks Ryan" she croaks in her early morning "I need more sleep" voice. Ryan nods and slips out as Aleks musters up enough energy to pull herself out of bed. She was grateful for the warning but was so exhausted that it was hard for her to be happy about being waken up, no matter how thoughtful the gesture. She had laid awake all night nervous about starting Harbor the next day, finally falling asleep at 4 am. She glances at her alarm clock, it was 7 am. Just great, she thought, she would start her first day of school on a measly 3 hours of sleep.
Aleks couldn't believe Christmas had passed and winter break had come to an end so quickly. It seemed like yesterday that she had arrived in Newport and spent her first night in her new room. She was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to adjust to living with the Cohen's. She really did feel like part of the family right away. Yet there was still an emptiness inside of her that had been there since she first heard the terrible news. It was a comfort for her though, to know that she had not forgotten her mother.
Aleks had now been formerly introduced to the community. She attended the Newport Group sponsored Christmas Party, if not with a little reluctance. She had become acquainted with the notorious Julie Cooper along with Marissa, who she then discovered was Ryan's girlfriend. She also met Seth's girlfriend Summer, that's when it became clear to her that she would be left out of the gang. Not only would she be the only one without a boyfriend, but she was more than a year younger then the rest of them. Still, Marissa and Summer insisted they take her on a tour, but that really just meant go shopping. Which turned out to be a great chance for her to buy "Christmakkuh" gifts for the family. She hadn't taken to the idea at first, but with Seth's enthusiasm it grew on her fast and she began to enjoy the made up holiday. On Christmas morning she woke up feeling truly happy for the first time in weeks.
"Man, you ruined it Ryan" Aleks hears Seth's voice as she shuffles down the stairs. "I had it all planned out, she would have crapped her pants………oh Aleks, hey" He tries to sound casual when he spots her in the entrance to the kitchen.
"I heard you Seth, sorry" she says casually as she heads straight to the fridge.
"Yeah, I was just kidding…….I wouldn't have really done anything, you know that right?" Seth attempts to get off the hook.
"Don't worry, just stay out of my room or your dead….." Aleks is cut off as Sandy comes in after his morning surf.
"So who's killing who this morning?" He asks sarcastically. "Now come on let's all get along, today's a big day for Aleks" he turns to her "what do you think? Are you ready to meet your fate, to take on the powerful evil force of Harbor High?" Aleks rolls her eyes at his lame attempt at a joke.
"Yeah Dad, save it, your not funny" Seth assures his father. Ryan just shakes his head and laughs into his bowl of cereal.
Kirsten is the last to come downstairs, she joins the family in the kitchen dressed flawlessly as usual. She heads right to the brewed pot of coffee and pours herself a big mug. "Ok boys, your going to take Aleks and make sure she knows where to go, she has to meet with Dr. Kim before she goes to class" Kirsten's not finished "Then after school, you will take her directly home, I want to make sure things go well on her first day" she sternly informs her two boys.
"God Mom, like we would just ditch her or something………" Seth starts defensively before Ryan saves him.
"What Seth means" Ryan glares at his brother, "is that of course we will help Aleks, and get her home safe and sound in a timely manner" he clarifies for his foster mom. Ryan is always the one to resolve conflict between Seth and Kirsten.
"Ok, well you kids have a great day and Aleks, remember to call if you need anything, do you have my office number on your cell phone?"
"Yes, don't worry Kirsten, I'll be fine" Aleks tries to console her worried aunt. She acts casual hoping she is successfully hiding her nerves.
Sandy says his goodbyes as he heads out the door. Kirsten follows shortly flashing one last Mom look to remind them that she's serious, they better not screw up. The kid's reluctantly head out the door last, none of them in a great hurry to get to school.
After Dr. Kim gave her lecture about keeping good grades, going to class and making friends with the right crowd, she asked if Aleks had done any extracurricular activities at her old School. Without hesitation, Aleks explained that she was an avid runner and had been on her school's track team since sixth grade. Aleks had the ideal runners body. She was tall, about 5'8", with long, toned legs and a slim body. So it was clear to Dr. Kim that she was likely a good athlete that could be valuable to the school. She insisted that Aleks attend the first track meeting coming up, adding that it would help her meet friends and become involved in the school. Aleks agreed, having planned to do so anyway. With that she was sent off to class.
The first thing Alex noticed when they pulled up to Harbor, was how different she looked then the other girls, all with blonde hair and preppy summer dresses. Aleks had to wear a uniform in New York at her small K-12 catholic school. She had been there all her life and wasn't used to choosing an outfit for school. That morning she put on a pair of casual Calvin Klein jeans and leather clogs, and a dark-brown cropped military jacket. Her brown hair was in a simple twist and she had brushed on a touch of mascara and lip gloss. That was how she dressed when she went to a coffee shop or bookstore back home, things were much different here, she realized.
Her classes were ok, much less challenging then what she was used to. She spent lunch with 'the gang" but felt embarrassed when kids walked by and stared at the out-of-place new girl. Tomorrow she would get new clothes, she noted, and couldn't wait until the day was over. She didn't make any new friends that day, and had a feeling that she wouldn't have anything in common with them anyway. As promised, Ryan took her home after school only to turn around and take off to meet Marissa. Seth stayed behind to find Summer, but told Aleks that didn't mean he was ditching her and to make sure she was clear on that. Aleks didn't care, she just wanted to escape that place as fast as she could. Sandy was right, it was an evil force and she couldn't imagine going back again, she hated that school.
Ok, I know this chapter is a little slow but it will pick up soon. I just wanted to give some more background and set the scene for the drama to come. Next chapter will have more dialogue and interactions between the characters. Let me know what you think, and I will gladly accept any suggestions. Thanks!