Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

75. Beach Party

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Amidst the chatter about the end-of-the-year party, a bittersweet realization dawned: this would be our last one together as we were all graduating. I'd make sure to take a ton of photos of the event to send to Emma.

"So, are we gonna go to this party tomorrow?" Rikki wondered as our group walked along the hallway set to exit the school campus.

"Of course we are. It's the end of school," Bella answered her.

"It could be the last time our whole year gets together," Cleo stated.

"Why does it have to be a formal?" Will asked, worried he would have to find a tux at the last minute.

"I don't know. None of us have really ever been into that sort of thing," Rikki replied.

"There was the one dance we had a couple of years ago," I pointed out, remembering we dressed up a bit.

"The first time I asked you to such an event," Patrick smiled at me.

"That's exactly what I told the student council," Bella explained.

"And?" Rikki turned to her.

"They agreed. So instead of a formal, it's a beach party."

"Wicked," Cleo nodded.

"So, you have no excuses for not going," Bella told Will, assuring him that he wouldn't have to stress about finding a suit.

"I always wanted to go," Will told her. "Just not in a tie."

"OK. Well, now it's officially beach chic."

"Ooh, I don't know if I have any of that."

"Are you kidding? You're entire wardrobe's that."

"Yeah, we've survived Year 12. I think we deserve to party," Rikki agreed.

"I'm down," I nodded. "Those many weeks of prepping for those final tests have me mentally drained."

I turned to head for home when Patrick caught up with me.

"Since we were all talking about the beach party," he said. "Think you and I could go together?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "I kinda had a hunch that we'd show up there."

"Just wanted to be sure."

🌊

The following day, I went through my closet, trying to pick out an outfit with a beach theme. There was a knock at the door.

"Zo?" Fiona peaked in, "How are you doing?"

"Pretty good. I'm just trying to throw together an outfit for the end-of-the-year party. This time, it's a beach party."

"That'll be fun. The last Year 12 party I went to was a formal evening one. So, did Patrick ask you? I was told you two have been going out for two years."

"We're kinda in the friend zone. But we like hanging out together."

"Sounds like you both are more than mates."

"Guess you could say that."

Fiona helped me put together an outfit that went well with the beach theme. 

"This reminds me of when my mum would help my sister and me dress up for school events and parties," she grinned after we put the outfit together. 

"That must've been a huge privilege," I nodded.