Page 42 of Lost
Tour.
“I’m sure we can work things out by then,” Georgia said gently. “We had fun at lunch yesterday, right? Maybe we can make that a more regular thing, start getting to know each other better.” She paused for a brief moment before adding, “I’d love it if you’d spend more time down here with us in the afternoon.”
“I guess I could try to do my homework in the kitchen instead.” Lysander gave an audible yawn.
“Good boy.” There was a smile in Georgia’s voice. “You should head up to bed before it gets too late.”
“Right. Thanks.” Lysander stood. “You want me to bring a blanket down or something?”
“That’s all right. We’ll be up soon.”
Lysander yawned out a good night as he headed for the stairs. Georgia settled back against Zack’s chest, entwining her fingers with his and squeezing his hand gently.
“He’s a good boy,” she whispered.
Zack could only smile.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
California is everything you ever said it would be.
Zack is amazing. I know I always said he would be some stuck-up rockstar who probably wouldn’t want anything to do with us, but I was wrong. He’s a genuinely nice guy and he’s been more helpful than I ever could have imagined, getting more detectives on your case, getting his entire fanbase involved, and I know that even if I try for the rest of my life, I’ll never be able to repay him.
The rest of his band are great too, just like you said they would be. I really like Pat and Brendan. Dad doesn’t know this, but Georgia told me how freaked out he was when he found out about us and how much Pat and Brendan helped him to prepare. How much they’re still helping him. I won’t say much more about any of them, because I want you to get to know them for yourself. There aren’t words to describe them, anyway. They’re just an amazing group of guys.
I’m still getting used to Georgia. She’s not Mom. She never will be, and I know that she knows it, but she’s trying her best. I can see that. She’s a better person than most people give her credit for. We’re getting to know each other slowly, and it’s great. I thought maybe she would resent having me around, but she seems okay.
But these are all people that you already know about. I’ve made friends here in California. I didn’t really expect to but I have, and I’m excited for you to meet them.
Nobody could ever replace Kieran of course, but Jack has fast become my best friend around here. He took me under his wing on my first day and we’ve been friends ever since. He looks like a surfer, but don’t get your hopes up. He doesn’t play for your team. He gets bullied a lot for it, but we’re dealing with that issue.
Then there’s Eliza Beth. I don’t know what it was about her that drew me in. She reminds me so much of you — you both dress the same way, listen to the same music. She’s sweet and she’s kind, and she’s beautiful, of course. She became my girlfriend this past weekend and for the first time since you went missing, I felt happy. Like I could be myself again for a little while.
It’s weird not having you around. You’d think that we’d be used to being separated since we’re fifteen already, but it’s strange. I don’t like not having you close by, even if it’s just by phone. Maybe it’s because Mom got ripped away at the same time, but I’m feeling a little separation anxiety setting in. I think that’s why I’m writing this letter. I blame Ms. Lowe and her free-writing exercises, but it feels good to get some thoughts out. And I know you’ll read it eventually, so it’s my way of talking to you now.
You’d better not make fun of me for this.
Anyway. It’s almost five-thirty, so I’m going out for a run. You’d better be found soon, sis.
Lysander got dressed, switching his pyjama bottoms for a pair of track pants and a sleeveless shirt. He pulled his sneakers out from their new home under the bed and shoved his feet into them quickly, eager to get out into the fresh morning air. His phone was stuffed into his pocket carelessly. He carried his usual note for Zack and Georgia as he made his way downstairs and dropped it on the kitchen counter where it could easily be found. A couple of stretches and then he was off, out on his morning run.
He felt like he was back into his old routine now. It was Wednesday and he’d been out on a run every morning for the past week, with the exception of Sunday, after the party. He knew the paths well, knew how far he could run and still have time to make it back to the house in time to get ready for school, and he travelled them confidently. He decided to take his new favourite that morning, the one that led him down to the beach he’d finally braved again on Monday. A trip down to the sandy shores was exactly what he needed to start his day.
The sun rose on his back, warming his neck as the sand greeted him like an old friend. It curled up around his shoes and tickled his ankles when the wind allowed it. He closed his eyes and let the rest of his senses tell him what was happening — from the tide pulling in and out to the salty breeze playing with his hair, to the sound of somebody walking in the sand behind him.
“Jeez, you run fast, kid.”
Lysander knew the voice. He opened his eyes and turned in surprise, smiling when the familiar face greeted him.
“Uncle Brendan,” he said in greeting. “Bit early for you to be up, isn’t it?”
“Just ‘cause your old man sleeps all day, doesn’t mean the rest of us do.” Brendan grinned. “Figured I’d come down and get some surfing in before I had to start the day.”
He gestured to the board that he carried under one arm. Lysander eyed it, surprised that it hadn’t been the first thing he’d noticed. The rest of Brendan’s attire had made his intentions of getting into the water perfectly clear.
“You surf?”
“Yep. You ever tried?”
