Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

40. Get Off My Tail

Rikki, Emma, and I swam over near the reef and rock beds grinning at one another. Emma held up a hand and started a countdown. I knew she was challenging us to a race to see who could outswim the other. Next thing, I found myself taking off at once just as Emma counted to three. I zigzagged past her and Rikki and swam ahead of them.

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"Who won?" Cleo wondered as the rest of us met up with her at the cafe.

"The master!" I grinned proudly, "Or should I say, the Grandmaster."

"Excuse me?" Rikki remarked.

"Zoey beat us fair and square," Emma reminded her, "While I came second best."

"In your dreams."

As Emma walked backward, she bumped into a familiar guy. I immediately recognized him as Ash, the riding instructor who had offered to let me take riding lessons for free. 

"Oh-- Emma," Ash gaped and recognized her.

"Ash," she had a not-so-thrilled expression, "What are you doing here?" 

"I'm glad to see you, too."

"Shouldn't you be off riding a horse, or something?"

"Actually, I'm down here doing business studies. So I guess you'll be seeing a lot more of me around here."

"Great."

"What she meant to say was, great!" Rikki jumped in sounding happy.

"That's more like it," Ash smiled, "Anyway, um, I better be going."

"Good idea," Emma gave him a sarcastic expression.

Ash nodded at the rest of us and left.

"How arrogant can you get?" Emma scoffed at his departing form.

"I think he's cute," Rikki grinned.

"I'll second that," Cleo agreed.

"He's a nice guy," I stated.

"You guys have no taste," Emma turned to us as we entered the cafe, "None."

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As Emma briefly talked with Amber, one of the waitresses before heading over to one of the computers, Patrick entered the cafe. Since that day, I've been avoiding meeting up with him in person since he started asking me too many questions. It was about time to tell Patrick the truth whether he accepted it or not. The other girls would get at me for doing so, but it had to be done.

"Hey, Zoey," Patrick approached our group, "Can we talk?"

"Um, sure," I nodded and left the other girls.

On getting to the exit, I gave them an expression as if to tell them that I was telling Patrick everything. He wasn't going to give up until he had all the answers. 

"It's been a while since we last talked," Patrick pointed out as we left the cafe and walked along the marina.

"I know," I agreed, "Things have been pretty busy for me."

It was true. I had been helping Grandma with getting Grandpa prepared for his knee surgery. Dad ended up having to run the drywall business and hired a couple of guys to help him out.

"That day, when you were looking for Emma at the marine park, you acted like you were hiding something," Patrick explained.

"I admit it," I nodded, "I haven't told you everything. I was nervous that you wouldn't wanna hang out with me anymore if you knew it."