The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part One

Emily says it's boring that our families get along, demanding for dramatics because that's just her. Seems a little silly to even think about feuding with the people who helped our family build this town into what it is today.

The Banks family own and operate the biggest seafood factories along the coast, supplying our town and the nearby ones as well as someone overseas place. Recently the family expanded by opening a seafood restaurant and in the last couple of years opened a café. The Banks family are very successful, and they'll probably remain being successful.

My family, the Pryce family, own the big shopping centre and the beachfront hotel that my brother Jack runs with the help of his girlfriend Louisa. If that wasn't enough of our fingers in the pie my parents have been operating their successful boat hire business for the last twenty years.

"The Banks parties are just as good." I mutter.

Emily pouts. "Well, I hope you can come, Liam. I'm looking forward to seeing you."

Emily gives him a farewell hug before dragging me away. We stop by the slushie machine, Emily shouting me a drink.

"Don't worry I will plan the whole thing." Emily says once we've got our refreshing ice drinks.

I shake my head. "You're asking my parents for permission."

Who am I kidding? They will say yes. My parents always say yes to those kinds of things. They love parties, the love having people around their large property. And our private beach has one fo the best views, in the far distance you can see the tiny Moon Wreck Island. A popular destination for travellers to visit for the day.

I've found many beautiful seashells in the waters there that nana has turned into amazing jewellery pieces.

Emily snorts. "Like that'll be difficult. Your parents love me."

That is true. My parents do love her. She's practically apart of the furniture by this point. Emily and I have had countless sleepovers and parties.

"How much time have you got? I could go for a dip if you wanna join?" Emily nods to the ocean just beyond the market.

I grin. "Oh, hell yeah. Let's swing by the stall and make sure nana is good for a little longer." I suggest.

We swing by to ask nana, but she shoos me away, telling us to go for a swim and bring her something to eat on our way back when we're done. We race off towards the sand, dumping our empty cups on our way.

I strip out of my clothes, leaving them in a neat pile on top of my thongs and head for the water. Emily catches up to me. "You should find a date for the bonfire." She suggests.

I shrug. "Like who? Half the guys in this town are boring."

"Try the next town then." She giggles, nudging me.

I snort. "I think I'm happy staying single for a little while."

"Eh, maybe a sexy tourist will swing by and sweep you off your feet...again."

I roll my eyes ignoring the jab. That so called sexy tourist was not the smartest decision I ever made. It was supposed to be a one-night stand with a guy who was just visiting Horseshoe Bay, turns out he was moving here.

Didn't last long though. He was here for about six months then was gone again. He tried the whole time to make things work between us, but I just didn't see us being an actual couple. I had this goal in my head of us just being a one-night stand and unfortunately, he didn't take that hint seriously.

Because of him I'm now wary of the sexy tourists. You just never know.

We only go for a quick dip in the ocean. The water is nice, cool, and refreshing. The day has already begun heating up and its barely seven am. As promised after our swim we bring nana something to eat, and I take over operating the stall for a while.

Nana goes perusing, checking out the rest of the market and catching up with her countless friends. Emily hangs out with me until about eleven before she heads off, her dad is officially sold out and ready to make the trek home.

During slow periods I sit in my chair drawing on the notepad I leave in the box for the market. Sometimes I find it helps to draw my dreams, helps to navigate through them to make sense of the ones that trouble me. Unfortunately, these days a lot of my dreams trouble me.

I draw the blonde mermaid that dragged me down to my death in my dream today. She's beautiful. Her blonde hair floats on the page as if she were underwater. If I had my coloured pencils with me her tail would be a bright vibrant purple colour mixed with shades of soft pink and reds. It was the most vivid part of the dream.

I remember at one point looking over to watch the tail flick beside my head, bubbles appearing from the force of her tail whipping through the water.

"Hi, Isla." A voice brings me out of my dream.

I blink, looking up to find Harley Banks looking at me. She's holding a necklace in her hand, eyeing me curiously. "Hey, Harley, how are you? You like that one?" I put my book down, standing up from my chair.

"I'm well thanks, I do quite like this one but I'm after a more custom piece. Is your nan around?"

I shake my head, checking my watch. "She should be floating around here somewhere. Do you want me to call her?"

She puts the necklace down, smiling. "I can call her later. Heard on the grapevine you're having a bonfire this weekend."

I sigh, bloody gossip bodies. "Word travels fast around here."

She laughs. "You should know that by now."

That's true. I am well aware of the gossiping old ladies around this place, especially the ones that frequent the marketplace and the ones that hang around my nana. One is inclined to think they have nothing better to do.

"I'll text you the details once Emily has sorted it all out." I inform her.

She grins. "Figured she was behind the impromptu to bonfire. Let me know if you need help with anything. Have a good day, Isla." She waves before trotting off.

"Thanks, you too." I call, waving back.

Harley's departure brings a new wave of customers through. Multiple transactions later nana shows up with an arm full of goodies. I narrow my eyes as she ignores me loading her stuff into the car. Trust her to venture off and come back with everything but the kitchen sink.

**