CLOUD 9INE (OG)

1

Tetra rode on a bottlenose dolphin; the wind flowed through her long blonde hair. Life waspretty okay. Mostly.

She was dead. It wasn't so bad though. She lives on Cloud 9, the 9th ring of heaven. You've heard of how Hell has rings right? Heaven has them too. Cloud 9 is the lowest ring and thehigher up you go the more powers and abilities you get, but Tetra was content where she was. Itwas like Earth but slightly better.

Her friends Evyn and Ava rode up beside her on their dolphins.

"How much longer until we get to the docks?" Evyn said, brushing her black hair from her face. "The saltwater's ruining my makeup."

Ava laughed. "It's your fault for wearing it so thick. You look like a cartoon goth."

"Well maybe I am a cartoon goth."

"Girls," Tetra said. "You can have your couples' quarrel later. We're almost to the other side."

They rode their dolphins towards the South shore, where the shoreline was filled with tallbuildings lined with gold and silver. Beachgoers crowded the shallow waters with theirumbrellas and towels. Children played with pygmy sharks and jellyfish, teenagers surfed onstingrays, everyone was enjoying themselves.

As the girls got closer to shore, the magnificent high-rise apartments came into view. Lush greenery spilled from the sides like waterfalls. The golden accents made everything pop and itlooked wonderful.

"I don't come here often, it just looks so beautiful," said Ava.

"It could use some black," commented Evyn.

Tetra interjected, "Can you two go a few minutes without fighting over silly colors? We're not even here to live, this is for the original residents."

"It would be nice if we could live here," Ava pouted as they arrived at the docks.

They waved goodbye to their dolphins as they walked down the pier to meet their other friend, Lo.

Lo. His short brown hair and deep green eyes made every other guy look gray and dull incomparison. Tetra blushed at the sight of him and ducked behind a nearby sign.

"Oh Tetra," Ava pulled her from behind the board advertising hot dogs. "Only you could still be nervous in the afterlife. Just ask him out already!"

They slowly walked in his direction.

"I only agreed to come with you guys cause we were going to see my favorite movie, notfor...him." Tetra's thoughts trailed off as he turned their way, his pure white smile almost blinding her.

"You have love written all over you," said Evyn.

"Shut up!" Tetra whispered. She attempted hiding her face as they approached him.

"Ava, Tetra, Evyn hi!" said Lo when they got together. "It's been a few weeks since I've seen you guys right? Evyn, still as emo as ever?" Evyn gave a playful hiss.

"And Ava, how's your parents?"

"They're doing good!" She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. Tetra rolled her eyes.

"And...Tetra? I couldn't tell it was you under all that hair."She peeked out from under her hair. "Yeah, I chose to grow it out faster. Perks of living inheaven, right?"

Lo laughed. His laugh captivated her, but she kept her composure. "So how about that movie huh?"

All four of them started on their way to the grand theater down the street.