Enemies : Check!

The days went on so quickly and I felt like I was part of this family right away. They were really kind and caring towards me considering I'm the youngest of them and treated me like a kid sometimes but I just laughed them off when they joke around me. Every day I helped the rangers, one way or the other. As I was new they didn't know what job to assign to me and told me to do whatever I want but I couldn't just stand still so I lowkey helped them all. I had learned from them that after we had been rescued from the island, Karthik woke up almost instantly but I took three weeks. It was really weird, everything was weird, but this was super weird. I mean why the hell was I sleeping for three whole weeks? I didn't know, so I left it there. Anyway, I helped Chase in cleaning and dusting off the fossils, accompanied Tyler in setting them on display, talked and discussed a lot about dinosaurs with Shelby; she really was a pro in it, sometimes played rocks and stuff with Koda, Riley sometimes gave me crossword puzzles and logical riddles saying that it helps enhance the brain; I didn't complain though, and enquired a lot about knights and kings from Ivan plus I also learned a lot of cooking from him. I even helped MS. morgan in discovering new techniques for energems upgrades. I was and am a science geek so, it wasn't hard at all.

Even when I became close with all these people, Karthik still refused to talk to me. Of course, I ignored him too, and as I had already expected, the rangers asked what's the problem between us. It was really childish of us because both of us were not willing to talk about whatever is out. We were stubborn, a little too much to that. I always shrugged them off and I guessed he did too. If he doesn't want to talk to me, why in the world should I?

Meanwhile, Ms.Morgan appointed me as a waitress for a while because Shelby had to go to her hometown that day. I gladly accepted the offer and started my job. I made sure to be as polite as I can and smile broadly. It did go as per my standards.

"Hello Ma'am! What would you like to have?" I asked bowing down and pen poised to write in the notepad.

"Oh hey! We would like two burgers with extra salty fries and two smoothies" a brown-haired woman said.

"Okay," I immediately noted down," Anything else, ma'am?"

"Yes, please add a bottle of water too" came the reply.

"Sure!" I chirped and walked away.

I actually got tipped a lot and Riley exclaimed with a 'good job'.

Ms. Morgan then called me to substitute her pointing towards a table. I agreed and walked over to the said table pulling out my smile.

There sat laughing and chilling four guys completely dressed in black; leather jackets, gloves, and metal ornaments all over their body giving off that rockstar vibe but around my age. They looked somewhat because their grin and laughter felt somewhat evil.

"Good evening! What do you like to have?" I asked maintaining my tight smile.

"Oh!" One of them exclaimed turning all of their attention towards me, "I didn't know they had pretty girls as a waitress here," they shamelessly check me out from head to toe.

What in the-?

I looked at them bewildered then composed myself to smile tightly again.

"What would you like to hav-"

"Only here does it smell good. I couldn't stand the smell of the rotting bones and what do they say for that...aah fossils. Gross!" one guy with a golden chain cut me off with a disgusted face.

"Yeah," spoke a bronze-haired pale guy with a crooked smile, "We just came here for the food, not some ugly little fossils, duh!" he said looking directly at me as if he wanted to piss me off.

How dare he? I was literally blowing off steam from my whole body. I feel like slamming them to the table and ripping off their throats. I concentrated to calm myself down by placing my hand into my pocket and clenching it tightly. I really despise these guys...their audacity!

"Where's the menu?" asked the last one, mint-haired skinny guy.

"We don't have a menu, sir. We only hav-" I was gritting my teeth to suppress myself.

"You don't even have a menu?" shouted the spike-haired jerk slamming his tattoed fist on the table and getting up almost causing everyone in the cafe to flinch but I just glared at him, "What kind of restaurant is this?"

Everyone's attention was on us now.

"This.isn't.a.restaurant!" I gritted out, my burning eyes focusing only on him.

"Really? Whatever!" bronze hair rolled his eyes then smirked at me, "And about you sweety, what about a date with me?"

I was this close to shoving his face into the wall. His intention was clearly not right and I could see it in his sinister face. His supposed friends snickered and patted at his shoulder while he just smirked confidently. Anger rose like a hot air balloon inside me and the next thing I knew, a big shot of water hit on his face from the four glasses placed on the table. I could only make out the movement of water for just a microsecond or something. That was dead fast.

How...what happened?

The guy stood there drenched in water shocked himself. He looked at me with wide eyes along with his friends who had stood up by then. He gritted his teeth clenching his jaw and fisting his hands in his sides. He deserved it but I had no clue how that happened. He and his friends looked ready to kill with their deadly stare.

"How dare you splashed water on him?" yelled the spike head.

"No, I didn't" I said in impulse.

Ms. Morgan came running through the back door accompanied by Riley. I guessed he called her after the hell was broken loose.

"What's the commotion here?" she asked politely.

"Are you the manager of this restaurant?" asked on furiously.

"Cafe. Yes, I am" she said without taking her eyes off him.

"This girl right here splashed water on Mike" the mint hair pointed at the bronze haired drenched form, which I supposed was Mike.

Her eyes widened for a moment then she turned to me with a stoic expression. I gulped being intimidated by her hazel eyes.

"Did you do it?" her tone was cold.

"N-No, I didn't," I bowed my head shaking, "He was-"

She abruptly turned to them.

"I apologize for what she did," she said bowing slightly.

"But I didn-"

"It's alright," she cut me off yet again, "Is there anything we coul-"

"Four burgers with spicy french fries and four smoothies for free," said the mint hair stealthily stealing glances at his friends who in turn smirked.

"Fine, at your service," agreed Ms. Morgan.

I became furious. I didn't even do anything and I owe the cafe four burgers and smoothies. How illegal and cheating? Giving them out hard work without payment? For water, they asked for this much. Looks like they had been planning this all along. I was just a pawn.

I turned around and dashed towards the back door not forgetting to give them a harsh glare. I stepped into the beach, my feet instantly meeting the golden sand and sea breeze kissing my cheeks. I felt so much hatred, anger, and resentment that I practically stomped on the sand and made my way towards my usual spot on a huge upturned rock.

She should have inquired a little more and known that I didn't even touch the glasses and how can I pour four glasses of water on his pathetic head all at once? I don't have magical powers. My mind was going haywire thinking about all the possibilities.

The beach was empty as it was evening and the sun had already gone down the surface of warm water. This spot had become my Shanthi spot, a place where we can sit when our emotions are at their peak and ponder on them. And I was glad I chose this spot too. Something about the sea had always fascinated me since I was very young. I always felt some sort of connection towards it. Like when I go to the beach, I actually talk to it...about my problems and achievements; anything that comes to my mind. And I can definitely assure you that it is the best listener. Sea is the best listener in the world. It doesn't talk back to you nor does it judge you...it just listens, and that's all we want.

I thought about how my life would have been if I was in India if none of this ever happened. I would have been happy at least or been aware of where I am or the reason why I am there. I didn't even know what I'm doing here. It may be the play of fate but what's my purpose?

I don't know anymore.

"I wish I knew what to do. I am...hopeless," I sighed while tracing my finger around an ant in the sand, trapping it in a circle with nowhere to go.

"I wish I knew what is the purpose of my life" I watched it struggle to get out of the circle trying all directions. It really resembled me, trapped and confused.

"You will know soon, dear~" a voice whispered while the wind swept past me and the waves of water collided with the shore loudly.

I turned around alarmed and searched for the source of the voice but the beach was still empty. I just shrugged it off thinking it was in my head and looked down to see the ant already escaped. Apparently, it found a flaw in the circle of sand and went past it.

Maybe I will escape like that but I was not trapped.

But I guess I will find my own way.

I went inside only when I felt sleepy and I was immediately hugged by Shelby. She explained to me that she thought I needed some time alone and decided to leave me alone. She consoled me saying it's okay and that they all know I hadn't done anything wrong. Rilley and Chase accompanied her afterward. But I just gave them a fake smile and shrugged them off saying I am fine, I had a hard time detaching from them because of the clinging to me, especially Koda who looked really sad. After being force fed a sandwich by Ivan I met up with Ms. Morgan who was watching our exchange with a small smile on her lips. I apologized to her for causing a scene but she just said it's alright and it happens, she told me to be careful next time. I was delighted though, I expected an angry Ms. Morgan but seemed like she cared for me too.

I walked into the room knocking beforehand not wanting an angry Karthik on my tail. I heard a small 'come in' and opened the door. I put on my emotionless face and walked in without even glancing at Karthik, who might be sitting on his bed probably doing whatever he does on his phone. I closed the door behind me and went towards the balcony facing the cool sea breeze. I shivered a little but stood firm, looking into the infinitudes of the dark sea.

I closed my eyes leaning myself on the rail and breathing in the salty air. After a couple of minutes, I felt a presence beside me but I didn't dare open my eyes.

'Probably here for another silence competition'. I thought.

I heard him clear his throat.

"You alright?" I flinched hearing his voice.

'Didn't expect that', I was beyond surprised. Was he talking to me?

He had never asked something like that after I woke up. He had never directed concern towards me and those two words immediately made me feel like a blanket of comfort was hung around me. Those two words were more than enough for me but I kept my silence without even sparing him a glance. I heard a shuffle and his warmth felt closer to me and I had to urge myself not to lean into it. I saw his hand tightly clutching the cold metal of the rail.

"I know exactly how you feel," he said gently, "It will pass"

Still, I didn't speak. All these days he didn't even speak to me and now he came out of nowhere saying everything will pass? Woah, this guy's audacity! Anger coursed through my veins again. I had just calmed myself down and now this guy right here is heating me up, again.

"There is a reason why you are here, Ananya," he said, "You will know it very soon. It is just that the time has not turned up yet. I promise you will know everything when the right time comes. All you have to do is, BE PATIENT"

How dare he tell me what to do? To be patient? To be patient with what is happening around me? Very funny! And what's this thing with time? Is there a right time and wrong time? Whatever. Oh, Karthik boy, if you utter a single word about anything more, you will know the wrath of Ananya. I am on the verge of an explosion.

"You look tired, Ananya" oh wonderful! He talked again, "Go sleep"

I didn't move an inch.

"Come on-"

"Just leave me alone," I said clutching the railing tightly causing my knuckles to turn white.

"Ananya, just liste-

"CAN YOU LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE?" I turned to him losing my conscience completely, "WHERE WERE YOU CONCERNS ALL THESE DAYS, HUH? WHY ARE YOU BEING GOOD OUT OF NOWHERE? YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IGNORED ME FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON. YOU WERE NOT THERE WHEN I WANTED SOMEONE TO TALK TO BUT NOW YOU WANT ME TO LISTEN TO YOU? WOAH, SUCH A BOND WE HAVE! YOU COULD HAVE JUST CONSIDERED ME A HUMAN AFTER SPENDING SO MUCH TIME WITH ME ON THE ISLAND BUT NO-HO. YOU JUST IGNORE ME LIKE NOTHING!"

I panted from all the shouting glaring at him. He looked terrified. Regret and guilt filled his ebony eyes as he looked down at me. However, I felt relieved after shouting at him. I felt a tiny bit better after my outburst.

"A-Ananya..." he softly called me.

I turned away from him, "I don't want to deal with this right now. Just go back to ignoring me. I won't bother you too"

"I'm sorr-"

"Just GO!!!" I raised my voice.

I heard him sighing defeatedly and walking away. I sighed deeply after his departure and looked up at the sky. I guess people shouldn't expcet thing from others taht easily. Trust is something we should give with some demand.

And my ex-classmate just broke mine.