When a shy girl from Figure Eight suddenly gets whisked into a dangerous treasure hunt involving four pogues known for their knack for trouble, she finds herself navigating not only the troubled waters of adventure but also the complexities of frien...
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The steady hum of the HMS Pogue's engine filled the air as it cut through the still waters of the marsh, sending ripples in its wake. Sydney sat on the edge of the boat, her fingers gripping the cold metal railing in front of her, her heart pounding in sync with the engine. Anxiety swirled in her chest, a familiar mix that made her stomach twist in knots. She wasn't sure if it was the dive or the rush of doing something so completely out of character that had her on edge. Either way, there was no turning back now.
The small boat felt cramped with five people on board, as well as the diving gear she learned John B had swiped from the Camerons while Pope and JJ had been at her house. The tang of saltwater hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint scent of sweat, the low hum of the boys' conversation buzzing behind her. Pope manned the helm, his sun-kissed face serious as he guided the boat with steady hands, though he occasionally shot a glance over his shoulder at Sydney, like he was half-expecting her to bail at any moment.
Kiara sat cross-legged beside the pile of scuba gear, her sharp eyes darting between Sydney and JJ, who had been pacing the deck ever since they left shore. Kiara's gaze was unreadable, but Sydney could feel the weight of it. There was something in the air—an unspoken question hanging between them. Sydney had been the last person anyone expected to show up today, least of all herself.
John B sat next to Kie on the boat and he had been the most surprised. When he'd pulled up to the dock and saw Sydney standing there with Pope and JJ, his brows had shot up in disbelief. He hadn't said anything to her, but the way his eyes flicked toward her—then quickly shifted as he pulled the boys into a huddle—made it clear he wasn't thrilled about her being there. His body language screamed unease, and she could practically hear the conversation going on behind her back: What's she doing here?
Now, she could feel the tension on board, thick and palpable. It clung to the air like the humidity that pressed against her skin, and she couldn't help but wonder if she had made a mistake agreeing to come along.
Her gaze drifted to the horizon where the sun peeked over the marsh, casting a golden glow over the water. It was beautiful, serene even, but the calm felt false as she knew what was going to take place as soon as they arrived to the destination of the sunken grady white.
Pope glanced over at Sydney, who sat closest to him, her expression thoughtful but tense. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So," he said awkwardly, trying to cut through the thick tension, "what's Kook Academy like?"
Sydney blinked, caught off guard by the question. She had expected Pope to talk about the dive or the stolen gear, but instead, he went straight for something more personal. She hesitated, feeling the familiar knot tighten in her stomach, but she shrugged, trying to brush it off.
"It's... fine, I guess," she said, her voice more tense than she intended. "Stuck-up people, fancy uniforms."
Pope gave a small smile. "Yeah, the uniform thing would drive me nuts," he said. "But I heard the academics are tough."
