I blinked absentmindedly at her. Again. Had class already concluded? It felt as though only yesterday that I dashed from my favourite spot by the ocean to catch my bus. The day had passed quickly without my notice. Since when did Isabelle care enough to fetch me from class? "Did Mom send you?" I snapped at her, slightly annoyed that she had interrupted my thoughts. Bells merely scoffed. "Yes. Why else would I be here? She called me to make sure you don't miss the bus. She doesn't have time to fetch you today if you miss it again." I glared at her, but she was right. I would never tell her that, though. So instead of arguing, I rolled my eyes. My heterochromic eyes. Unlike most people with heterochromia, it wasn't one eye that was a different colour than the other. Rather, my left eye seemed to be split between a muddy brown and an ice blue that tends to unsettle people. Unfortunately, my other eye took on the ice blue quality rather than the boring brown colour that I'd much prefer. My sister took every opportunity to remind me of my differences. She got along well with everyone and people were drawn to her as if she were a magnet. Meanwhile, I was a little rowdy and got into fights occasionally. I had gotten off on a warning the first time, but my most recent scuffle had resulted in my suspension for six days. My mother was furious. Which, of course, meant that I should probably listen to her. I spared no ire in my glare at my sister's back as we exited the classroom. It was no use. She wasn't looking at me anyway. I was surprised at how quiet the bus ride home was. Usually, I would walk into the bus to find everyone chattering and laughing. It was dead silent. I thanked the gods for the rare moment of peace. I sat in my usual seat in the back. No one bothered me. There was the occasional murmur, but many people were sleeping, which I thought was odd. I wasn't complaining, though. When I arrived home, my mother seemed to be focused on something entirely different. She kept glancing out the window at house across the street. When I asked about it, she sidestepped me like I was stupid and proceeded to stare at the house through the open window. I didn't understand. That place had been on sale for at least a year. I wasn't hungry, but ate supper to keep mom happy. While Bells ranted to mom about her day, I washed the dishes. It was my household chore. As soon as I finished, I rushed out the door. I laughed out loud when tiny droplets of water dripped onto my skin a few moments after I stepped outside. I loved rain. It's usually warmer in this area, so I never worried about being cold. I dashed into the trees, ducking and dodging branches in a path I knew so well. I laughed the entire way. I couldn't be happier. The outdoors was where I belonged. The pure bliss of the moment was enough to make me giddy. I wanted this moment to last forever, never go back. Maybe I could make a life for myself as a caveman. I laughed again. I was still grinning from ear to ear when I arrived at the clearing. Even after how many times I'd been here, I still had to marvel at the sheer beauty of it. The naturalness of the small clearing overlooking a rocky outcropping in perfect view of the ocean made it even more striking. Such a simple life I had here, overlooking the waves. When I wasn't bickering with my sister or lurking in her shadow going about life. How easy would it be if I could stay here forever? Probably not that hard. Fish got caught on the rocks often enough, and there was a stream a kilometre away that I could get water from. I knew the area better than anyone. I sighed, wishing life were that simple. I looked around, and something new caught my eye. I froze for a second, going very still.
