The River Tree (Neteyam x Metkayina OC)

Chapter 7: The Steady Waters

I had no choice. I groaned and Neteyam curiously tilted his head.

"Follow me."

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"Oh, there you are. We didn't see you this morning. Where were you...bro?" Lo'ak trailed off as Kiri peered from behind him. Her mouth slightly opened agape in surprise. Even little Tuk began to giggle while Tsireya and Rotxo chuckled alongside her. Announg simply rolled his eyes.

Eyes wide. Heads cocked. Snickers and whispered abounded. There's nothing worse than being anywhere near the opposite sex with a group of teenagers with active imaginations and big mouths.

I considered jumping into the water and praying to the great mother than an akula might sink its teeth into my throat but reality is often disappointing.

"Hey guys!" Neteyam cheerfully greeted, obviously trying to ease the awkward stares.

"Where have you been, brother?" Kiri queried, waving at me. I reciprocated the wave back, feeling my cheeks burn.

"You should be asking where have you both been?" Announg questioned "If I recall correctly, you're not assigned to training him, leech."

"And if I recall correctly, you didn't want to train him." I retorted.

Tsireya and Rotxo were taken aback and began to give an annoyingly smug smile.

"I didn't train him." I continued making my tone more respectful "We ran into each other this morning at the jetty port and I let him watch me tie the mauri knots on the mangroves."

My explanation seemed to be sufficient but still completely out of character, especially to my Metkayina aquatints. I was completely aware of this fact and that made it all the more embarrassing.

"You let him...be with you?" Rotxo asked with a curious tilted head "You actually let someone tag along?"

I gulped "Y-yeah, no big deal...so he's here now."

Neteyam chuckled and clicked his tongue "So I take this is a first for you?" He smugly questioned.

I felt my face flush with a heat I had never felt before. I dared not look at anyone in that moment.

"Pity makes you do strange things." I quickly replied "Anyway he's here now, so...train him."

I spat out gesturing to Neteyam as Announg crossed his arms.

"Right so...I've got fishing." I awkwardly shifted.

"Actually, Kaia" Tsireya began, a cheeky smile appearing on her face.

The worst sentence starter to ever exist.

"Yeah?"

"You happen to be the best swimmer." Tsireya stated "We want to teach them the basics, I think you'd be good at that."

"Really?" Tuk asked in amazement as she trotted over to me and eagerly clasped my hand  "I'd love for you to show me how!"

Among my jobs, teaching the young one was never one of them; on account of how ridiculously impatient I am with others. This request would be completely out of my comfort zone and I was completely ok saying no until...

Tuk then addressed the group "She's the best teacher! She helped my family learn to slice morpa shells!"

I gritted my teeth. No one was supposed to know that.

"It's true." Lo'ak idly agreed "She's pretty good."

"So it seems you've already begun training the jungle freaks, haven't you?" Announg smugly responded. I glared at him in return.