Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

72. Queen for a Day

Since Rikki broke up with Zane, the girls and I've tried to avoid bringing him up on any topic. Plus, she quit her position at the cafe. The atmosphere there felt off since Rikki left it behind, though Bella often went there to rehearse with the band.

I Skyped Emma, updating her on everything. It had been a while since we last chatted. Emma and her family were in Mumbai. She virtually showed me the place they were staying in and the view of the capital of India. Thinking about the cuisine there, I craved chicken masala. However, there was an Indian restaurant in Brisbane that I recalled noticing during one of the trips to the Queensland capital with Fiona.

"Wow. That's a bummer Rikki ended things with Zane for good," Emma remarked.

"Yeah," I nodded. She's trying to put it all behind her. Thankfully, Fi was able to help us out since she had friends who went through breakups, with a bit of help from some ice cream and BBC comedy shows."

"That one is hilarious. Though Rikki has you three to help her through it all."

"Yeah. She's got you too, Em."

Emma smiled at that comment. Even though she was traveling the world with her family, I tried to make sure she knew what was happening, especially with the events on Mako Island, as it was one of her special places. 

"Oh, I almost forgot," she gasped, "Don't tell the others this. I'm coming back home for our graduation."

"Really?! Ah, they're gonna be so stoked to see you!" I whooped in excitement at the thought of one of my best friends returning. "We could use another hand in trying to figure out the water tentacle mystery."

"No problem. I'll let you know when I'll be coming in. Again, this is got to be a surprise."

"My lips are sealed. By the way, does Ash know you're coming back?"

"Yes, he does. He told me he would be at the graduation ceremony."

"Awesome! The more the merrier!"

My phone beeped, letting me know that I had an incoming text.

"I'll let you go," Emma nodded, assuming that it was one of the girls.

"It's okay. I got a lot of time on my hands," I assured her, "I can read it later."

"No, I don't wanna keep you held up. We'll talk again soon."

After ending the chat, I saw that the text was from Cleo. It turned out Zane ended up rehiring Sophie as he had a hard time at running the cafe without any support. Plus, Kim got hired there on the spot. Rikki knew how to run the place well and would never hire anyone snobbish. But I had to respect her choices. Things change sometimes for better or worse.

🌊

I went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house since Dad and Fiona were at work, and it was one of my days off from work. I would've gone out with the girls to hang with Will at the boat shed but needed a day to myself and catch up with my grandparents.

"Hey, Grandma, hey Grandpa," I called as I arrived at the house.

"Hey, Zo!" Grandpa hollered excitedly from the backyard.

I found my grandparents there picking lemons from the lemon tree, "Oh! Lemme help you out there!" I plucked a lemon that was about the size of my hand from a branch.

"I miss the help these days, and your company," Grandma smiled as she hugged me, "So tell me. How's everything?"

"I get a break finally," Grandpa sighed happily as he sat on the patio couch.