Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

28. Control

School was back in session. It felt like summer break went by too fast for me. I tagged along with Cleo as we headed for some of the classes we had. She halted in her tracks, making me stop once noticing a sprinkler turned on.

Cleo looked back for a little bit and raised her hand discreetly at it. I could tell she was trying to get the hang of invoking her new power over the wind. Ever since that first day, I hadn't tried using my new earthquake power not wanting to destroy Grandma's garden or fruit trees any further. 

The wind started blowing and the sprinkler turned in the other direction. Someone screamed all of a sudden. I saw that it was a girl, a new student who got squirted. Cleo dropped her hand as the sprinkler turned off and both of us rushed over to her. A couple of students handed her two sheets of paper she had dropped.

"Thank you," she smiled at them, "Thanks."

"I am so sorry," Cleo apologized to her.

"Are you all right?" I asked with concern.

"Sure. I think," the new girl answered, "You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault."

"I know. I'm just really sorry that it happened," Cleo assured her.

"That water just jumped out of nowhere."

"That sort of thing can happen to anyone," I nodded.

"Yeah. There are some really strong winds around here," Cleo agreed, "The trees create some sort of wind tunnel."

"Due to being so close to the ocean, there are intense windstorms out here at times you know."

"You must be new."

"I'm Charlotte," the new girl introduced herself.

"Cleo," my best friend smiled at her.

"And, I'm Zoey," I nodded.

"Are you American?" Charlotte wondered turning to me. Probably curious about my accent, which was a combination of Canadian and Australian, all thanks to both my parents. 

"Canadian actually. Also half Aussie."

"Cool."

"So, what do you think of our school?" Cleo asked Charlotte.

"I like it," Charlotte answered, "I'd like it even more if I could find the art room." She looked at the sheet of paper she held, which told me it had been a map of the school.

"It's just, uh-- near the library. Zoey and I can show you if you'd like."

"Thanks."

I knew what it felt like to be the new kid seeing Charlotte feeling lost. I could tell she just moved into the area and was trying to get to know the place well. I've been in the same situation as her the year prior.

"Lewis," Cleo smiled at him as he approached us and turned to Charlotte, "This is--"

"Charlotte," Charlotte reminded her.

"Charlotte."

"Hi," Lewis smiled at her.

"Hi," Charlotte grinned at him.

"What happened to you?" He noticed her soaked outfit.

"Uh, sprinkler just jumped out in front of me," Charlotte replied with a giggle.

"Really?"

Lewis gave Cleo a brief 'I know what you did' expression. He tended to pick up quickly that either one of us girls used our powers.

"We should get going," he told Charlotte as he tried leading Cleo and me away, "But nice to meet you."

"Yeah. You too," she nodded at him.