The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty Three

I'm tempted to roll my eyes, but I don't. "I'll text you later, you weirdo."

He gasps, feign hurt. "Double hit."

I climb into the driver's seat, putting my drawing pad on the passenger seat before I start the engine. "Goodbye, Austin."

He grins. "Goodbye, Isla." He closes the car door before I can reach for it. My phone vibrates in my pocket as I put the car in reverse. Normally I would ignore it except when I look at Austin, he has his phone out as he walks back onto the footpath.

I'll call you 😊 – Austin

I roll my eyes, shaking my head at him. He grins, waving once more before I reverse out of the park. I take the long way home, biding my time to kill more of it before dinner starts. I don't know if I can sit still while I wait for tonight's events to begin. I'm torn between wanting to be completely happy for my brother or wanting to tell Harley off for doing this to him.

I wonder if she's told him about her being a mermaid. Is that something she would have done by now? Is that a possibility? Oh my god, what if my brother already knows mermaids are real? At least that would make telling him easier. That's three out of six people I want to tell this secret to. Nana, Emily and maybe Alex already knows. It's just Jack, mum and dad left.

It's only three thirty in the afternoon when I pull into the driveway. Apparently, that's earlier enough to start the introduction because her car is the driveway. I manoeuvre around it and spy my entire family on the deck, Harley is with them. I park the car in the last available spot and cut the engine.

I draw in a deep breath, reaching for my phone and drawing pad. I climb out of the car and walk towards the back deck. Alex and Harley are walking down the steps and towards me before I can even get halfway.

Harley looks beautiful, I mean she always does but she looks extra beautiful today. Her dark brown hair is up in a messy bun, little baby hairs sticking out near her ears. She's wearing the necklace that nana made for her at Alex's request. It compliments her white linen dress that stops just before her knees. The white is a stark contrast against the golden glow of her skin.

"Hey sis." Alex pulls me into a hug before I can move my drawing pad out of the way.

"Hey, I'm not late, am I?" I ask, looking at Harley over his shoulder. She laughs, shaking her head.

"Gosh no, Alex was just really excited for tonight, so I came over early." She answers.

Alex pulls back, smiling widely at me. "I couldn't keep my secret any longer." He admits.

Before I can stop the reaction, I snort, raising a brow. "Secret, huh?"

Harley frowns, only for a moment, when I look at her for emphasis. Alex laughs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "Hush you, you're just salty I tried to keep something from you." He pinches my cheek.

"I want to know all the details. How and when did this happen?" I decide to be the support sister for now. I am happy for my brother, even if his happiness is only going to be temporary. I can drill Harley in private later.

Turns out the story of how they came together is absolutely thrilling. It's almost as thrilling as listening to them tell it together, bouncing back and forth of each other. Weeks of flirting from both sides when they crossed paths until the night my brother stepped it up a notch. He kissed her, everyone awes when he shares this part of the story.

Harley didn't talk to him for a few days while she came to terms with what he'd done, pushing their relationship beyond anything they've ever done before. I find it awfully cute that Harley asked him on a date first. Their first date was an hour and half drive from here, eating at seafood restaurant that nobody would recognise them at.