Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

71. Breakaway

I swung by the cafe to see some adjustments to the platform. Then I remembered the Gold Coast Free Diving Championship, which Will had entered. Sophie had been pushing him hard to be fit for the competition. I also recalled Patrick telling me he was asked to be present for the event as first aid in case any of the competing divers had an accident.

As I ordered a smoothie to go, I could tell Rikki was stressed out by everything. Cleo and Bella arrived shortly after me.

"Anything we can do?" Bella wondered after approaching the counter.

"Get me outta here," Rikki replied, trying to sound cheerful but feeling pressured.

"Really?" Cleo asked.

"No, no. I should probably stay."

"Zane stressing you out?" I asked as one of the servers handed me my to-go order.

"So, take off," Bella suggested to Rikki, "I can do whatever needs to be done around here."

"No, no, it's Will's big day," Rikki shook her head. "And I want to be here to support him."

"I could explain the situation to him. Not wanting to be around Zane, I think he'll understand that."

"Ok, thanks."

"Come on," Cleo guided her to the exit.

I followed both of them to it and sipped my smoothie. As we were leaving, Sophie appeared and stared at us as if ready to confront Rikki about something.

"She's not worth it, Rikki," Cleo informed her.

"Nothing but a waste of our precious time," I added as we exited the cafe, not wanting to be in the same room as Sophie.

🌊

Rikki tagged along as Cleo and I started our shifts at the marine park. They both went to the dolphin lagoon while I got to the kiosk. I hoped Rikki could find a way to feel relaxed after all the stress she had been dealing with. 

When one of the staff later relieved me, I met up with Cleo just as she was heading for Ronnie's lagoon. We both found Rikki swimming in the water along with the playful dolphin. I checked to ensure no one was walking past the area while Cleo had Rikki get out of the water.

"I can't believe you did that," Cleo told Rikki after the latter got her legs back, "People go past all the time."

"He started it," Rikki remarked, referring to Ronnie, "He was showing off and being a pain."

"Well, jobs done. I guess you'll be, uh, keen to get going now?"

"Well, there's no rush. I mean, if you guys got work to do, I'm happy to stick around."

"My job involves some standing and sitting," I stated, "Whenever nothing is going on, I just bring a book or play a small game to kill time."

"Hey, guys," Bella arrived and joined us.

"Shouldn't you be on the boat, supporting Will?" Rikki asked her.

"Funnily enough, Sophie didn't invite me."

"That sucks," I remarked.

"Oh. How is he feeling?" Cleo wondered.

"Good, I hope," Bella replied.

"So, wait, Will's out there going for a record with only Sophie and Zane to support him?" Rikki questioned, finding the situation odd.

"Yeah."

"I don't think that's good enough."

"Though Patrick's there as first aid," I spoke up, "I'm certain he's also trying to support him."

"For sure," Rikki nodded at me.

🌊

The four of us left the park and headed for the marina. We dove in discreetly and swam out to the open water where the diving competition was held. On seeing Will attempting to reach the eighty-meter mark, the girls and I made an appearance, giving him our full support. Seeing us, Will's energy boosted, released the meter mark to the surface and smiled. I could tell he was happy we showed up.

The girls and I surfaced at a discreet distance, hiding beside a buoy as Zane and Sophie celebrated Will's victory. Will surfaced at the same as Sophie suddenly kissed Zane on the lips. The latter didn't even react to it. My mouth dropped in shock along with the others. I noticed Patrick was also stunned at the scene that he steered clear of Zane and Sophie just Will too was shocked at it. Rikki submerged underwater, not wanting to stick around.

I wasn't up to going to the cafe to the award party, figuring Will didn't go as he felt Rikki's pain of seeing Zane being kissed by another girl, being his sister.

"I take it you saw what happened," Patrick nodded at me after meeting up at the sand dunes.

"Yeah," I answered, "Soph's got no respect, you know."

"Too right. Hear back from Rikki?"

"I texted her, inviting her over to my place. There's no way I'm allowing her to go through this alone."

"A girl's night I bet. No worries. Let me know if there's anything I could do to help.

"I will."

🌊

After getting home, I was worried when I didn't hear back from Rikki. I kept checking my inbox every couple of minutes for any new message.

"What's up?" Fiona wondered as she prepped dinner.

"Hoping Rikki will reply back," I answered, "I'm worried about her. And I invited her over for the night and possibly Cleo and Bella if that's okay with you."

"Of course. We haven't had any of your mates over here yet."

The door knocked. I answered and saw the girls present, "Hey, guys. Come on in."

I could tell Rikki was trying to hold herself together, but her eyes revealed she was hurting.

"I broke up with Zane," she explained, "It was already over anyway."

Cleo placed a hand on her shoulder as Bella and I pulled Rikki into a group hug.

"Girls?" Fiona asked on approaching us, "Did I hear someone went through a break-up?"

"You looking at her," Rikki nodded.

"I've had mates who dealt with this sort of thing. And, I just so happen to have aid for that."

"What?"

Fiona surprised all of us with a couple tubs of ice cream and turning on some British sitcoms. I accidentally squirted some juice up and out of my nose after a corny scene got me laughing. The girls cracked up at the sight.

"Sorry," I apologized through cackles.

"No worries, Zo," Fiona giggled as she too found it funny and helped me clean up, "That happens to me a lot when I'm watching something hilarious. When one of my best mates went through a bad break-up, we found that watching shows like these sometimes helps." She turned to Rikki, "Things may be hard right now. But it will get better in time. You've got your mates to help you pull right through it. And you're welcome here anytime."

"Thanks, Mrs. Shaw," Rikki nodded as she sounded like she felt better.

"Call me Fi. The "Mrs." part makes me feel old."

I smiled at my stepmom feeling glad she helped one of my best friends recover. Though it would take a while to cope.