Not the same

just breathe

chapter six.

Tsireya, Rotxo and Ao'nung dived into the water. The sully kids jumped in soon after. They all swam and admired the view under the water. Kiri swam off away from them exploring and Lo'ak and Neteyam attempted at swimming along with the other kids. Za'nara stuck with Tuk to make sure she was okay.

The kids struggled to stay under water for so long and swam back upto the surface.

Ao'nung, Tsireya and Rotxo swam up to the surface.

"Are you alright?" Tsireya asked the kids.

"Your too fast wait for us!" Tuk complained rubbing her eyes.

"Just breathe." Tsireya replied.

"Easier said than done." Za'nara replied back.

Ao'nung popped up to the surface.

"You are not good divers, maybe good at swinging through trees but-

Before Ao'nung could get another word out Tsireya slapped his head.

"Come on bro."

"We don't understand this finger talk guys." Neteyam spoke gesturing his hands in confusion. "We don't know what your saying."

"I will teach you." Tsireya replied.

Ao'nung remained staring at Za'nara, admiring her beauty.

Lo'ak and Neteyam noticed and threw him a death stare.

"Meet back here later, next step is learning to ride the ilus." Tsireya explained.

The kids went their seperate ways and Za'nara headed for the shore. Lo'ak followed her and walked over to her.

"What's the deal with you and fish boy?" Lo'ak asked out of pure jealousy.

"Who? Ao'nung? I just met him." Za'nara replied.

"He was making googly eyes for you." Lo'ak told her.

"Why do you care?" Za'nara asked.

"I don't." Lo'ak replied.

"You don't see me saying anything about the way you were staring at that fish chick." Za'nara snapped.

"Fuck my bad, I won't care at all next time." Lo'ak snapped back.

"So you do care." Za'nara laughed.

Lo'ak rolled his eyes and walked off.

Kiri walked over to her and sat down next to her.

"My brother bothering you?" Kiri asked.

"Nothing I can't handle." Za'nara replied barely even looking at Kiri.

"Will you please look at me? We were bestfriends and now you just hate me." Kiri complained.

"What do you expect from me Kiri?" Za'nara replied. "I was kidnapped for ten years, I'm not the same girl I was ten years ago."

"I was only seven when you were kidnapped, there was only so much I could do." Kiri explained. "I was lost without you."

"I know, but after the shit I went through, it's easier to hate than to forgive." Za'nara explained to Kiri.

"You can hate me forever, but you will always be my best friend." Kiri confessed. "No matter what."

Za'nara sat their silently staring out at the horizon, she didn't reply to Kiri's comment but she felt it deep in her heart. Even after everything, she still saved Kiri and a small part of her still holds so much love in her heart.