Aqua Escape

Chapter 3: Stalking?

"Wake up, dork," a voice drawled from above me.

I forced an eye open and found Kate looming over me. I worked up the courage to snap at her. "What do you want?"

She snorted. "Don't think you can just talk back to me. Wake up, our mother's made pancakes," she wrinkled her pretty nose.

I sighed and sat up, my hands immediately going to my hair. It was tangled and messy. I sighed and stood, heading for the door.

"Oh, and Luna?" I heard Kate call from behind me.

I turned to face her warily.

She batted her lashes innocently. "You've got a little something here," her finger pointed at the edge of her mouth.

My face flaming, I rubbed at the corner of my mouth harshly and stormed out of the room. As I entered the hall, my olfactory senses were assaulted by the sweet smell of pancakes and syrup. I followed the scent, a bit entranced by it.

It was my first time in this house. I still didn't know my way around it. I ended up entering a bathroom, which was convenient. I brushed my teeth with a spare toothbrush I found in a cabinet and fixed my disheveled hair into a semi-neat ponytail. I then left the bathroom and went into the small kitchen.

My mother looked up from what she was doing and smiled sweetly at me. "Sweetheart. Why don't you come in and eat?"

"Sure," I murmured, taking a seat at the small dining table. A heaping plate of pancakes was placed before me. I wasn't sure I'd ever finish eating them.

"I'm going to get acquainted with my job later, want to come?" Mom asked as I stabbed a piece of pancake and devoured it.

"Sure," I mumbled around a bite of pancake, my voice muffled.

Mom grinned. "It'll be a great way for you to get to know the city better."

I nodded tightly. "Yeah. Just dandy," I mumbled.

Mom ignored my comment and continued talking to Aunty Rosa, who was mixing the batter.

I ate my pancakes quickly, afraid that Kate would burst into the kitchen at any given moment.

"Why are you rushing, honey?" Aunty Rosa asked, bewildered, as I stuffed my face with pancakes.

I swallowed a bit whole and nearly choked. I smiled tightly around a bit of pancakes and quickly washed it down with milk. After clearing my mouth, I answered politely. "I'm just really excited to go to Aqua Kingdom," I lied.

Aunty Rosa smiled genuinely. "Good for you, sweetheart. Listen, your cousin Kate is going to a small get-together at the beach today. You should go with her and meet the kids from here, given that you will be attending school with them," she suggested sweetly.

I nearly spat the milk I was currently drinking. I tried my best to smile without looking constipated. "U-um, it's alright, I don't think I'm really in the mood, I'm still tired from the trip," I lied yet again. I didn't want to associate myself with Kate. She would not be very happy if her mom forced me to go to said party with her.

"Honey, you should go," Mom piped up.

I tried my best not to shoot her a chastising glare. "Mom, seriously, it's okay," I insisted tightly.

Aunt Rosa smiled. "Well these parties are usually very small and they take place in the afternoon. It's basically just Kate and her friends sitting around a small bonfire at the beach. It's fun, sweetie. I wish you would reconsider, that way you can make friends before the school year begins," she persisted.