Ocean Eyes

c h a p t e r o n e

"Hey, Aria!"

I look to find the person who said my name.

Peter.

His blue eyes were smiling with mischief.

I smiled and hugged him.

Peter was my childhood friend. We always stuck to each other through hard and easy times. We were born three weeks apart, him being older. While I was the open book, he wasn't very social.

I was glad and proud to be a part of his friend group.

" Hey!! What are you assigned to do now?" I asked.

" I'm at the deck with James."

I nodded.

James was a middle-aged man and was as cuddly as a porcupine.

I knew him for ten years, and I only saw him smile a few times.

" Well, good luck. Hope you find something new today! Who knows, maybe you'll end up finding a sea monster."

He looked at me with a bored expression.

"No, Aria, I'm screwed. You know James hates my guts."

"He hates everybody's guts, Peter," I said matter-of-factly.

He sighed. He was stressing out.

" You'll be fine. Trust me."

He thrust his hand in his light brown hair and changed the subject.

" And what are you doing?" he asked me.

" Cleaning Duty in the Deep Ends exhibit," I responded.

He nodded.

I saw James coming to the room from a corner of my eye.

" I better get going, see you later, Peter!"

I started walking away and saw Peter shaking his head as if saying don't-you-dare-leave-me-

alone-with-him.

I chuckled under my breath.

He can be so childish.

I finally reached my destination.

The Aquarium wouldn't open until another hour. I had plenty of time alone.

I walked to the closet and opened the door with my key.

I got the equipment and started to work.

~

9:05 am

I groaned as I put back my phone.

I only managed to clean three glass walls within an hour.

Sweat was pouring down my face; I was exhausted.

I really need to start working out.

I got up from my sitting position on the floor.

Enough sulking, Aria.

I started making my way to the front of the aquarium.

I hear a commotion and the sound of a lot of people chattering loudly.

I frowned and picked up my pace.

An hour has passed meaning that the aquarium is already open since 5 minutes ago. But usually, people come much later than 9:00.

So I was very confused about why people were already here.

Why a lot of people were here...

I came to the entrance and halted.