Chapter 1

AN: I cannot believe the response I got to this story. It seems that a lot of you are curious as to where this story will lead, and that has really sparked the inspiration I need to continue with it and update quickly. Finally, after a little author's block, I've re-sparked my passion for writing stories, the same passion that I found I had when I was writing Fate Works in Strange Ways. Therefore, I would like to thank all of you for your help and support (and of course, reviews where I see this) because it is because of you that I write. I love to share my creativity with you.

And so, without further blabbing, here is the first official chapter of the story.

"You wouldn't believe how beautiful it was Taylor."

The three friends were sitting together in Ke Aloha, the most expensive and luxurious restaurant in all of Maui. Troy had returned from his excursion two hours earlier, and as promised, Troy treated his best friends to a night out on the town.

"I wouldn't doubt it. All of these islands are absolutely beautiful." Taylor commented, before taking a bit of her fish. She had decided to be rebellious and order the strangest sounding fish off the menu, but refused to ask what species of fish was actually used in the creation of her meal.

"This was different. It was just the typical beauty of the islands. The waters were completely clear; I could see all the fish below. The forests were dense, and I didn't venture too deeply into them, but who knows what beautiful plants and animals have a home in that forest. There's a mountain in the center, and the beaches are as pure a white as snow. This is definitely the ideal location for a hotel. It could bring in a lot of money to Bolton Hotels."

"If it's so beautiful," Chad asked, his mouth full of food, "then why would you even think of destroying the beauty and building a hotel. There's plenty of space on Maui to build a hotel."

"My father sent me here for a job. He wants me to find a spot where the most money will be brought in. Through careful advertising and promotion, I'm sure that this island could house the perfect vacation spot. It's not like the whole island will be destroyed, I mean it is fairly large. We'll just, build the hotel in one small area, making sure not to destroy too much of the island."

"And you're sure it's uninhabited?" Taylor said.

"Well, I'm fairly certain that it is. I mean I didn't see anybody."

"That means absolutely nothing Troy. You yourself said that the forest was dense, and that you didn't explore in the forest."

"Taylor's right Troy," Chad added, obviously supporting his girlfriend. "I mean, I've heard of some Hawaiian islands where it's only inhabited by natives. Yes, they have to be given aid because there aren't enough resources to support themselves, but what if there are people living on this island that have figured out a way to go about their lives totally unnoticed."

"I'll deal with that when it comes to that. Right now I'm just trying to get a sense for the area. I'm sure that, if there happen to be any people living on the island, they would trade their rural lifestyle for one of wealth, technology and strength. I'm serious, how many people do you think could possibly survive in those types of conditions. I'd say just a handful. It would be more than easy to give then the type of lifestyle that would make their lives easier, and enable me to build on their island."

"I don't know man." Chad said seriously. "I think there's probably a very valuable reason why that island is uninhabited right now, even though it's so close to Maui. You'd think that the United States would have claimed it as a Hawaiian island a long time ago, or it would have been claimed my some other country when all those people were exploring this area."

"I guess I'll just figure out the reasons why when the chance comes. I'm a Bolton, there's nothing that'll stop me from doing what I want." Troy said proudly.

"You just wait Troy." Taylor warned. "One day you are going to fall in love, and you're going to have a conflict between what Troy wants, and what actually would be best."

"Oh please. Like a guy like me is ever going to fall in love. I promise you, I'm happy as I am right now. If I ever am in a relationship, or god-forbid a marriage, it will only be because my father arranged it, and it would provide incalculable wealth to Bolton's Hotel."

"Don't speak before you have tried it. Love can be a beautiful thing when you work at it." Taylor reprimanded. "I mean look at me and Chad. I know that it's early on in our relationship, but that doesn't mean that I don't love him with all my heart." Chad smiled goofily.

"Aww snookums, I love you too!" he exclaimed, leaning towards her and capturing her lips with his. Troy looked away from the couple.

"At least save your make-outs for when I'm not in the room!" he said, playfully covering his eyes. "Seriously, most people don't want to have to see that while they are enjoying a tasty dinner." Breaking apart, Chad looked at Troy.

"Just you wait until you find that special someone that'll bring you love. Then you'll wish you could kiss her all the time like I kiss my girl." Chad teased.

"Ha!" Troy snorted. "Like that'll ever happen."

The next morning, Troy decided to head back to the island that he was exploring. Taylor and Chad would just have to settle for having another day just lounging by the sun without him.

After arriving on the island, Troy realized exactly how hot it was, and quickly stripped himself of his drenched t-shirt, the water droplets on his chest glistening in the sunlight. Stuffing the t-shirt in his backpack, he took a large gulp of water from his canteen before setting out into the forest. His friends teased him the night before for not being thorough with his investigation of the island, so he was determined to prove to them that there was nobody living on this island.

Surprisingly, Troy found a small pathway that had been created from repeatedly walking over the plants. He assumed that there had been multiple tourists, just like him, who had been curious and taken a peek into the forest. He was just going to be the first person to actually do something with what he learned.

He could hear many different types of birds chirping in the forest as he delved deeper and deeper into the thick forest. He was sure there were many different animals living in the area, and it would be great for tourists to be able to go bird and animal watching. Continuing through the forest, Troy walked along the pathway, taking in the beauty of the nature around him.

After an hour of wandering, he set his bag down on the ground, making sure he wasn't placing it on a plant, and squatted beside it, taking his water canteen out of his bag. Closing his eyes, the cold water quenched his thirst, cooling down his body. Wanting to conserve some water for his journey back, he screwed the lid back on and placed it in his backpack. Before getting up, he took a quick look into the forest, wanting to marvel once again at the beauty of it. Except this time, he wasn't just looking out into the forest.

There was a set of eyes staring back at him.

Troy closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head, before opening them again. The eyes were still there. They were brown, a very warm chocolate brown colour, and he could tell just by looking at them they were observing, and curious.

"`Olelo `oe `Ōlelo Hawai`i?" (Do you speak Hawaiian?) He asked. He knew little bits of Hawaiian, and was curious to see if this girl could speak it as well. However, she remained silent.

"`O wai kou inoa?" (What is your name?) Troy tired again, but still no luck. The girl was absolutely silent. Perhaps she didn't understand, or she spoke an entirely different language. Perhaps she spoke a different version of Hawaiian, a native Hawaiian that Troy wasn't acquainted with. He stood up, slipping his backpack on my back, and was about to turn around when he heard a melodic voice speak.

"`O Ella ko`u inoa" (My name is Ella) She said quietly. Slowly, she stepped out of the trees, and Troy got a glimpse at her fully.

She was beautiful, to say the least. She had tanned skin, warm brown eyes, and deep black hair that flowed town to the middle of her back. She was wearing a flower in her hair, a beautiful pink flower that I did not know about, but was most likely a native flower of the island. Around her neck was a ring of flowers, a lei. She was wearing a beautiful floral dress, red in colour, patterned with a floral design. She was not wearing any shoes. Her eyes were glowing with curiosity, as she looked Troy over.

"Ella." Troy breathed. The name just rolled of the tongue. Though, he was confused, because that was not a native Hawaiian name at all, at least it didn't sound like a typical Hawaiian name he had heard before. The girl must have sensed his confusion of her name, for she spoke again.

"My mother's name." She said quietly.

"You speak English?" Troy asked, shocked.

"I do."

"I don't understand. You live on a seemingly deserted island, dressed in traditional Hawaiian clothing, and yet you can speak fluent English. Please, tell me how this is." Troy begged, but the girl shook her head.

"I cannot say." She said gently, before turning around. "A hui hou" (Goodbye) she said, and then she disappeared back into the forest. Jumping off the path, Troy tried to follow her, but she was too quick, and new the forest too well. She managed to wind in between trees, and was out of sight in a flash. Troy, breathing heaving, scanned the forest, but could not seem to find the mysterious girl.

Who was she?

Neither Taylor nor Chad knew what had come over Troy. As soon as he returned from his trip to the island, he was silent, constantly staring off into space.

"Maybe he was bitten by a snake? Slowly, the venom is spreading through his body and he's losing control of his voice and body!" Chad exclaimed. Taylor looked at him, slapping him lightly across the forehead.

"You are ridiculous. Everybody knows that Hawaii only has two types of snakes, a Blind Island Snake that looks more like a worm and is completely harmless, and the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake. If the latter had bitten him, then he would be dead right now, not daydreaming." Taylor explained.

"But Tay, he's thinking! I don't think I've ever seen Troy actually think about something. He just goes with the flow, sees where things lead, but he never contemplates things before, or after, they happen! I think we should stop him before he hurts himself."

"I think it's you we should stop from thinking, your brain cells are lonely enough as it is." Troy commented.

"He's alive! Everyone, cheer!" Taylor rolled her eyes, smacking her boyfriend again.

"Chad seriously. Don't harp on the guy. Obviously something happened while he was over on the island, something that he clearly doesn't want to tell us about. Doesn't mean you have to tease him or mock him about it."

"Nothing happened on the island." Troy said, attempting to be serious.

"Yeah sure. We'll just keep up with that story until you tell us what actually happened you." Chad said. He stood up from the lawn chair. "Come on hoops, let's go surfing. I'm in need of some waves." He said, grabbing his towel and heading off towards the surfboard rental shack. "You'll be okay for an hour right sweetie?" Chad asked Taylor.

"You boys go ahead. Have fun." She said. "I'll just stay here and tan some more. Soak in the warmth."

To be honest, Troy was incredibly grateful that Chad wanted to go surfing. He needed a distraction. Something about that girl left a mark on him, and to be honest, it was freaking Troy out. Chad had been right, he never usually thinks about things after they have happened, just accepts them. Yet there was something different about today.

The girl.

She had appeared so suddenly, and then just as quick she was gone. If Troy hadn't have heard that melodic voice speak, he would have sworn she was just a mirage; an image of his imagination from being in the heat for too long.

She wasn't though. She was real.

Troy was determined to figure out who she was.

"A hui hou kakou" he mumbled.

Until we meet again.

AN: I'm sorry that it's short, but I was really determined to get this next chapter out to you guys to prove to you that I'm determined to get the chapters out quicker and quicker. However, I would really appreciate you guys reviewing and telling me exactly what you think.

So please, review and tell me what you think! I need feedback if I am going to make this the best possible story.

Xoxo,

Lar