Waterworks (H2O Just Add Water) 🌊

57. Big Ideas

Dad and Fiona had left for their honeymoon in Bali while I stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. A while back, both Dad and Fiona had managed to find an apartment that was perfect for three people. I had to guess since I would be completing school and heading off for university, Dad, and Fiona wanted some extra time with me. Grandma and Grandpa assured me that I would always have a home wherever I went.

I had chosen the university in Canberra since it had a graphic design major, and it wasn't too far to travel from the Gold Coast. Plus, Cleo opted for the university in Sydney once finding out it had the best major in marine biology, and it was only a few hours away. And it was perfect if we wanted to meet up and hang out if neither of us were busy. I'd take the train and back to save on fuel. 

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I arrived at the cafe to find Rikki not amused by Zane's idea of a dirt bike hiring business. Since the building had a beach and jetty access, water and dirt bikes didn't mix well together, which was my thought. 

Bella arrived shortly when Will accidentally bumped into one of the bikes and Zane chastised him for it. 

His jerk side's showing again. I shook my head.

"Just ignore Zane," Bella told Will who approached the cafe entrance.

"Already do," Will turned to her.

"Sometimes he can be such a jerk," I added, "Other times he's chill."

Will held the bamboo curtain to the side, "After you." 

Bella and I entered inside. 

I found Patrick, Sonny, and Margot hanging out at one of the tables after ordering their drinks and they waved me over.

"Heard your dad and stepmom are honeymooning in Bali," Sonny grinned.

"Yeah," I nodded after taking a seat and ordering a peach mango smoothie.

"Are you gonna move in with them when they get back?" Margot wondered.

"I think so. I mean, I wanna let them have time for themselves and not feel like a third wheel."

"You're not a third wheel Zo," Patrick assured me, "They probably want extra time with you before you leave for Canberra after graduation."

"Yeah, you're right. But I'll make sure to come back and visit whenever there's a break in the semester."

We were interrupted when Zane announced that the cafe was sponsoring a motorcross race and the prize was a thousand dollars. I noticed Rikki had an expression which told me she didn't know that it was Zane's intentions. He added that entering the race was restricted to those who can pay an entry fee of two hundred dollars. I found it to be insane. 

"Guess he doesn't want amateurs showing off on the bikes," I shook my head during Zane's announcement, "Plus, he's always been a huge competitor." 

"He's not the only one with killer moves on a bike," Sonny remarked.

"I know what you're thinking there Sonny," Margot frowned at him as if knowing his plans.

"Relax, Marg. I've got experience from dirt biking at one of my cousins place in the outback several times."

"Didn't you almost break a limb from that?" Patrick asked as if reminding him of a past experience.

"It was just a sprain," Sonny shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.

 He rose from his seat and took a flyer from Nate who was helping Zane pass them out. Knowing Sonny, he was bit of an adrenaline junkie and can be cocky about it.

"This isn't gonna end well," Margot muttered.

"Do you have enough money for the entry fee?" I wondered turning to Sonny.

"No worries. I just got paid," he grinned and pulled out his wallet, "And I've been saving for a while."

"Good on ya."

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I found out Will too had signed up for the race. Bella helped chip in the entry fee. Turned out he had experience in dirt biking, mainly mountain range biking. Will and his family traveled the world a lot and at one point, went mountain biking in the Andes. Plus, he needed the thousand dollars for some new diving equipment.

However, I could tell Rikki wasn't thrilled about the race. She confided to me that she and Zane were practically broke and wouldn't be able to give away the prize money. Since coming from a low-income background, Rikki was wise when it came to handling finances.

Later, I found out Lewis was examining the water from the wall fountain. Ever since the two water tentacle incidents, he's felt the need to look out for the rest of us. Cleo wanted to ask Will if he remembered anything else since his encounter with the tentacle, but Lewis felt it was too risky and some of it would result in him finding out about the secret.

Since the second tentacle attack on the wedding night, I've had a lack of sleep since I couldn't get Anahita's answer. It sounded like a riddle that didn't make any sense. 

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The following day was the motorbike race. Sonny was up against Zane, Nate, Will, and others who were able to afford to enter. I attended the event with Patrick and Margot to show some support. Again, Rikki wasn't excited about the event as she threw in some sassy remarks at Zane.

Bella showed up and joined our group. I figured it was to give Will support since helping him pay the entry fee.

When the race began, I could tell Zane was in the lead and Nate was trying to keep Will behind, which told me the two were in on their little scheme. Sonny was among the riders in the back. When it came to the jumps, I could tell Sonny was showing off some sick moves in midair.

After a bit of time, Bella and I glanced at Rikki who was at the starting line. She gave us a nod. Without asking, I knew what the whole idea was. Seeing a puddle in the middle of the track, Bella used her power and turned it into a sticky gelatin. Just as Nate made the turn in attempt to cut off Will, the front of the bike skidded into the gelatin puddle sending Nate himself flipping off his bike.

"He's gonna have whiplash for a while," I cringed seeing him holding his neck as he got up.

"That's what I was afraid of when Sonny signed up for this," Margot nodded.

Will had managed to catch up to Zane. I was already rooting for Will to win despite Rikki informing me about the cafe's financial issue.

Seconds of watching in suspense, Will crossed the finish line first and was declared the winner.

"That was fun," Sonny smiled after parking his bike and pulling off his helmet.

"You're not bummed out that you lost?" I wondered.

"Nah. I just like dirt biking for fun. Glad your mate won instead of Zane or Nate."

"Same. Either one of 'em would've gloated about it."

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Later that evening, all of us met at the cafe. The bikes were on display. Rikki explained that they were being auctioned, which would help with the cafe's finances and making payments. I noticed Will giving Bella some of the money as if thanking her for her help just as she and the band were setting up.

Rikki and I pulled Cleo away from Lewis as they were locking lips like a couple in a cheesy rom-com. 

As Bella and the band started performing, I saw Nate was able to play the keyboard despite wearing a neck brace. I joined Cleo and Rikki in the back along with Patrick, Sonny, and Margot as all of us watched the performance and went with the beat.