Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

11. Sink or Swim

The girls and I were at the Juice Net seated in one of the booths when Byron approached us.,

"Hi, Byron" Emma turned to him.

"I was thinking about talking to you, but maybe not right now?" he expressed.

I got up from my seat, letting Byron have it, and moved to the next booth behind Cleo and Rikki.

"It's OK," Cleo nodded, "We won't listen."

Not wanting to be rude by eavesdropping, I pulled out my iPod and earbuds, plugged them in, listened to one of the songs on my playlist, and resumed reading my SpiderGwen comic book.

After about a minute, a hand tapped my shoulder, making me unplug my earbuds. I turned and saw that it was Rikki signifying me that Byron had left and my seat was available again.

"You did the right thing," Rikki told Emma as I grabbed my stuff and returned to my seat.

"We can't risk swimming pools," Cleo added.

Emma got up and left, making me wonder what it was about. Cleo and Rikki informed me Byron had asked Emma to coach for a swimming competition to beat Zane. Exposure to water was a recipe for disaster. 

That second, Lewis arrived at our booth and seated himself in Emma's empty seat.

"I've been looking everywhere for you guys," he said, "Uh-- I need a hair sample."

"No way Jose!" I shook my head as I grabbed my things, and left with Rikki following me.

Lately, Lewis had been trying to get DNA samples from the girls and me to find out if our mermaid sides altered us in any way. As interesting as that was, it was starting to annoy Rikki and me. Cleo on the other hand, tried assuring us that he was trying to help us out. Plus, ever since Lewis nearly got us exposed on account of Cleo's toenail sample, I've been wary of giving him my samples. 

"How dare Lewis expect pieces of us?" Rikki glared as the three of us walked on the dunes at the beach, "He and his little experiments are starting to bug me."

"He's just trying to help," Cleo reassured her.

"I doubt it! He likes annoying us."

"You're angry."

"He'd be angry too if he was a guinea pig."

"I dunno. I've known Lewis since I was five, and I've never seen him get angry."

Cleo had known him longer than any of the other girls and myself. 

"Yeah? Well, we'll see about that," Rikki frowned sounding like she was determined to make Lewis forget about trying to get samples from any of us.

"I get the feeling you've got something up your sleeve," I turned to her.

🌊

Later that evening, I helped Grandma set up dinner before Dad and Grandpa got back home from work. I avoided any messages from Lewis thinking he was just asking for a piece of my hair or toenail. It felt like he forgot the girls and I were living beings and had feelings.

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?" Grandma asked as she placed a roast chicken in the oven.

"Have you ever had a friend that requested something from you one too many times, but it turned out you were annoyed with it?" I wondered as I added the salad ingredients into a large bowl.

"Sometimes. At times, you may have to be firm, say no, and mean it. Also, express how it makes you feel."

"Thanks, Grandma."