Fish Out Of Water

Back Into The Water

I hopped off the small boat, feeling really, really seasick. 

"ugh," I said.

"Yup," Mav agreed, "That ride was way too long," he said. 

"But we're home!" I said happily, walking down the dock, envelope filled with money in hand. 

There was so much of it. 

MAv was smiling, and so was I, and then we caught sight of the rest of them. I ran to hug Claire, laughing, and MAv grabbed onto Jas and twirled her around like he hadn't seen her in forever. 

"Penn, is that you?" a girl's voice said. We all turned to face a girl, with dark, tumbling, tangly curls like mine and dark eyes that were almost black like Jas'. 

She jumped and kissed him full on the mouth. I knew it! Jas gave a little shriek, and then looked at me, and for some odd reason we both started laughing. 

"How was your cruise, babe?" she asked. "Can I meet your friends?" 

"Yeah, Babe," Jas said, leaning on him. "How was your cruise?" 

"Was it fun?" I asked. I wiggled my eyebrows. 

"Did you get some?" Jas and I jinxed, and then grinned at each other. Penn gave us the evil eye. 

"He did, didn't he?" mav said. 

Claire patted the girl on the shoulder. "Don't worry, he was occupied, no need for alarm," she said, and we left Blake, Penn, and a very pretty Lucy JAs look alike standing there. 

"You guys know that froyo place on Jackson?" Jas asked, and we all nodded. "Meet there in an hour after parents to discuss-"

"Living together," Claire said, smiling at her. She nodded, and we all separated. 

I, apparently, would be able to see my parents early, as they were sitting at the end of the dock. 

"Lucy!" My mom called out, jogging over, arms thrown open. She went to hug me, and I jerked back. 

i walked slowly over to my father. "I didn't know," he said helplessly, "and your mother wouldn't tell me where you were," he said, pain clear in his eyes. I threw my arms around him, hugging him. 

I had hoped my dad wouldn't have agreed, or didn't know. 

"Luce?" my mom said quietly from behind us, looking confused. 

"Yes, mom?" I asked calmly. 

"Didn't you have a good time?" she asked. 

I was so sick of drama, so I just simply explained that no, I didn't have a good time, and that yes, I was moving out, and that if dad wanted to visit that would be great, and that yes, I could afford college, and no, she wasn't getting the money.

then, I walked away and went "home" to shower and change, pulling on a pair of jeans and heels, with a nice top. I felt like looking pretty for the first time in a long time. I combed my hair, which was for the first time in two months wet with shower water. 

Then I went to the froyo place happily. 

I walked in the door, and I was amazed by the civility of it, the people giggling and eating at tables, and not just in their hands when it was needed. I found Mav at a table, looking around in shock too. 

"why are you here so early?" I asked. 

"Uh, my parents weren't home, but I left a note and took my stuff," he said with a small smile. 

I put my hand on his. "I'm sorry," I said calmly, and the bell rang as someone came in the door. I glanced over to see if it was Jas and Claire, but it was just two girls that looked to be my age.