Dolphin Tale 4

Chapter [1]

"Sawyer, I'd like you to meet Lacie. She's a trainee. I'd like you to show her around and, ultimately, train her. Show her the ropes. I'm sure you two will get along."

"Hey," Lacie said shyly, "it's nice to meet you."

Sawyer smiled. "Okay, Phoebe." He watched as Phoebe walked away, leaving them in uncomfortable silence. "So, why do want to work here at Clearwater Marine Aquarium?"

She shrugged, flicking a thin tendril of hair out of her face. "I guess I just like animals."

Sawyer blinked and shook his head slightly. "I see. Any other reason?"

"I get to work with you."

For some reason, that statement appeared to immobilize Sawyer. She reminded his so much of Hazel, yet he knew, in his heart, that this girl was not Hazel. This girl was another girl who Sawyer had to train. This girl was just like any other girl, because no girl could ever compete with Hazel.

Sawyer pointed towards the main dolphin pool. "That is the main dolphin pool. It is the current home of Winter and Hope. It's also where we hold presentations and shows. I'm going to teach you how to handle dolphins correctly, and how to host and presentation or show. Then, once your training is complete and I am satisfied, you will begin to host our shows."

"Awesome!"

Sawyer frowned at the girl, whose eyes were bright, and whose face was lit up in excitement. He found it extremely odd; none of his other trainees had been this excited about training. They hadn't even seemed interested towards animals, let alone learning how to take good care of them. This girl was different, and he liked her. Not in the way he liked Hazel, but he liked her positive attitude and approach. "What is your name, again?"

The girl smiled, and just when Sawyer thought it was impossible, she looked even more cheerful. "It's Lacie."

Sawyer smiled. "Unique. I like it. I'm Sawyer Nelson."

Lacie just smiled. "I know. It's a pleasure to be working with you, Sawyer."

Sawyer blinked and turned away. "Right, we'll start with the basics, shall we?"

Lacie nodded eagerly. "Sure, I'd love to."

***

Sawyer sat on his bed, his head in his hands. He had been thinking of what Hazel had said to him before they had parted ways.

But, like you said; we may move on, and we may have changed. If that happens, Sawyer, I'll be happy for you. I really will.

He was finding it hard to find the meaning in life. After all, Hazel was his meaning in life, and she was gone for the time being. Sawyer was fine whenever he was at Clearwater Marine Aquarium because he had Winter and Hope, and a variety of other people he could talk to. At home, however, there was nothing to distract him from the overpowering sense of loneliness. His mother was away at work most of the time, leaving Sawyer home alone on almost every evening. This meant that he had more time to reflect, but it also meant that he had more time to regret.

Even after two months, Sawyer still regretted letting Hazel go on the trip. He knew it was selfish, but without Hazel – without her smile and laugh, and her warm touch – his world didn't turn. The stars didn't shine. There was no sun peeking out from behind the ominous clouds.

But there was a girl who had shown up. A girl whose enthusiasm seeped into Sawyer like electricity. A girl whose tenderness and compassion touched Sawyer.

Lacie.

She was so different from everyone else. There was just something about her that Sawyer couldn't put his finger on. She was sweet, compassionate, and enthusiastic. She was a good listener, a great talker, and had a contagious smile. She was so positive about everything. That was why she had stood out to Sawyer when he had first met her. She was just so different. Somehow, she reminded him of Hazel. Maybe it was the way she smiled. Or the way she looked at him. Or the way that she made him feel so happy whenever they were together.

But Sawyer wasn't falling for her. He wouldn't let himself fall for her. He was still deeply in love with Hazel, and wished that she would be back soon. Lacie was just a distraction. She was a distraction from the loneliness. From the darkness. From the mechanicalness in his everyday life. And he was grateful that he had her.

She was filling the gaps in his heart, but she wasn't permanent. She was just the stitches, the sticky tape, and the glue. Hazel was the only one who could really mend his broken heart. She was the only one who could bring color back into his life. The only one who could bring meaning back into his life, too.

Sawyer sighed and looked up. The sun was setting, casting an array of colors and gradients into the sky. He stood up and walked over to the window, the sound of his bare feet against the hardwood echoing the beating of his heart. He leant against the window and watched the sun sink slowly beyond the horizon. He watched as it vanished to another part of the world, and he wondered where Hazel was, and what time it was for her. He hoped that she was safe and sound, and that she would return soon.

He just hoped that Hazel would be back in time to mend his shattered heart before it was too late. He hoped that she would be able to pick up the pieces and put them back together. He hoped that his heart would be whole, again. 

He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to hear her laugh. He wanted to feel her touch.

Sawyer loved everything about Hazel. There was something about her that made her who she was. Something that made her so loveable to Sawyer.

Sawyer's life had been incomplete. He had been half of a jigsaw puzzle; one so unique that he had thought that nobody would ever be able to complete it. But Hazel had. She had been the other half of the jugsaw puzzle that had been matched with Sawyer. And it was a perfect fit.

Hazel had made Sawyer's life complete.