Lost & Found

School time

Alice's POV:

"Don't worry, Ali. You can handle this." I said to myself shaking my hands nervously.

I walked in our gym. The room was practically empty. I could see some gym equipment close to the walls. But it was empty in the middle. People were standing there in groups. Some of the guys were getting ready to work out on machines, but most of the people were getting ready for something else. Our coach was this absurdly beautiful lady. She had short blond, almost white hair. She was little bit older, maybe like my mum, but she still looked really attractive. She was chatting with students as if they were her friends. They were slowly creating two groups.

Then Kyle walked in from opposite side of the gym. Thankfully he didn't walk to me. He was with some other guy. Both of them were looking at me tho, which made me completely nervous.

"Hey, new girl. Are you playing?" it was that chatty brunette from dressing room.

"Sorry, what?"

She came closer. "We are going to play some basketball. You are pretty tall. So are you coming or what?"

Keep your friends close and enemies even closer. I wasn't really sure which one was this girl, but I thought, better be safe than sorry. "Why not." I said.

"I'm Tracy. Now try to not let us down." she smiled and we could start. Kyle was with other boys working out. Girls were playing, boys were looking, you could say. But I decided to enjoy the game. At least this way it would be over sooner.

It was pretty fun. Both of the teams tried to win, but still took it more like fun. I was always competitive, so this was exactly what I needed.

"Why aren't boys playing with us?" I asked Tracy.

"We are taking turns. Next time, we will be having equipment for us and they will play dodgeball or whatever." she explained shortly during break.

"Okay, but why?" I asked again. "In our pack we normally work all together so we will be ready if anything."

"Our boys are playing like animals. It's better to stay away from them. Not all girls are used to it."

"We would beat you anyway, Trace. You know it." Kyle and his friend were listening. This one came from his giggling friend. But Kyle looked thrilled by that idea.

"Don't act like a bad guy, Bryan. We both know you are too sweet for it." she flirted back.

I had to roll my eyes. Thankfully no one noticed except of Kyle of course. He smiled, but didn't say anything. Break was over and I couldn't wait to be over this class as well. Tracy didn't look like a bad person, just shallow one.

At the end we won, but it was really close. Next time I knew which team to pick. Tracy was more talking then running. For winning the game she had the rest of us. That was our job. Nothing for me, serve to someone like this.

After the P.T. we had just enough time to change and run to another class. I just followed our group and ended up in the right place. Of course I was the last one, but it didn't really bother me. The last empty spot was at the back of art class, which was even better. But then I noticed Kyle and Bryan sitting next to each other whisper something. And then few things happened really quickly.

The teacher came in and told us to sit down so we could start and Bryan jumped from his seat and took my spot. I was too far to call it mine, but you get my point.

"Hi, you must be my new student. I'm Mrs. Cornell, nice to meet you. Now. Take your seat quickly, we don't have time for this. We have to use all our time on creativity and nothing else." and she pushed me towards the last empty seat...right next to Kyle.

He looked like one lucky dog. This is what he was planning? Perfect.

I took my new seat and decided to ignore him for as long as I could. I knew at some point, he would made me respond.

Assignment for this class was also made out just to torture me.

"Express your feelings about summer in any way." Our teacher wanted emotion. Okay. I was full of those.

I took some acrylic painting and started. I wasn't really thinking about it.

"What are you gonna make, newbie?" I knew he wouldn't let me be. So I tried to ignore him and pretended that I was looking for something. Table with colours and brushes was between us. We had to share, of course. Like the rest of the class. Everyone was working separately, but chatting in pairs.

"I'm not so scary. You can talk to me." he said picking some colours as well.

"Why would I be scared?" Hell no. No one will tell me I'm scared.

"Then why are you running all the time?" Good point.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He looked at me with smile: "Look, newbie. You don't have to tell me your name. I will find out anyway. And you can continue with this weird game, you're playing. But I know you are feeling the same thing. Our bond."

Okay, so no slow mode. "I have still no idea what you are talking about. If you are trying to make fun of me, found someone else for it please. As you said, I'm new here. I just want a fresh start at new school and new friends. That's all."

"I can be your friend."

Okay, this was my fault. I have to be more careful with my words.

"Firstly, I already have my friend, Stella. And she is great, so this seat has been already taken. Secondly, you clearly want something else."

"And what is that?" he asked making me look into his eyes. Why the hell can I think before I open my mouth?

"Kyle, I'm really happy that you are finally communicating and even trying to help to your new classmate, but I would prefer more working, less talking. Am I clear?" we both looked at Mrs. Cornell. Thank God for her. I didn't know what she meant by that communicating part, but I shouldn't be interested. So I let it be.

For quite some time, Kyle let me work. And so I did just that. All of the emotions that I was trying to hold within were swimming away. And it felt really nice. It didn't look as nice on my paper.

I don't know why, but I draw that freaking forest. I was looking at that damn road that led me right into my worst nightmare. Right into the dark water. It looked like nice spot for making out with your date or maybe for camping with your friends. Beautiful view with stars all over the sky. But it looked cold and depressing. Wasn't really sorry about that. That's just how I remember it. We never stopped at that place. I wonder if they closed the place or at least built a proper fence.

I remember it so clearly, because after that, I don't remember anything. Just waking up alone. And crawling to find help. Too weak to turn. And too confused to remember if I was with someone or alone. Some memories came back. And some never did and I wasn't sure if that was bad or good thing.

"Nice job, newbie." And I was back. Thankfully.

I looked at Kyle's paper and saw dark male figure standing between people. But somehow, the figure looked lonely. I had to admit, he was pretty good at this. Not that I was any worse. Dalia made me go to classes with her. She loved it, I was okay with it.

"You are pretty good too." I felt sad for him. I didn't really knew him. He didn't know me. I had my secret so maybe he had some of his own.

He smiled at me: "Finally! One normal answer."

I rolled my eyes at him and smiled too. Just for a second, so it wouldn't count.

"So look what we got here." Mrs. Cornell was slowly approaching everyone in pairs. Now she was heading to us.

"Is she okay?" I whispered asking about her.

"She is really nice. Just making us communicate all the time. That can be pretty annoying." he replied.

Then she walked behind us: "Nice job, you guys. I can really feel something. But to be honest, I don't really like what I feel. Maybe you should talk about your feelings a little bit. If you need my help, I'm always here, you know that, Kyle. And what's your name sweetie? Correct me if I'm wrong, was it Alicia?" she seemed really nice.

"Yes, I'm Alice."

"I know changes can be difficult, Alice. But you will see, that in few weeks you will adjust just fine." Only if she knew it was more than just missing my home.

"Thank you, Mrs. Cornell." I said and smiled at her. This felt really nice, having an ally.

"If you need to talk, I'm here too, Alicia." Kyle smiled and I could tell he was messing with me.

"I will think about it." I replayed with a tiny little smile. This couldn't be dangerous, right?

"Really, Alicia?" he asked still smiling.

"No." I said and thankfully that was end of this class, so I could smoothly disappear once again.