The Opener

Part 2

Marie

Finally!! I can go home now!

I've been working for about 8 hours looking for a Tursiops, a.k.a., Bottlenose Dolphin and just when I had finally found one, my phone suddenly started ringing. (yes, I bring my phone with me in the ocean.) The Bottlenose Dolphin, being frightened by the noise quickly swam away, not even letting me take a last glance.

"Ughh!!! So close!! This phone call better be important."

"Hello?" I answered in a annoyed voice.

"Heyy, fav awntie!!"

I rolled my eyes. It was my nephew, Toby.

"What is it? I'm working. If you're just gonna babble about your love life, just call me later."

"Aw..... Why so bitter awntie?"

"Just get to the point, Toby. I'm working."

"Ok ok."

His voice suddenly became so serious. I knew something was wrong. I had a strange feeling in my stomach.

"Well, I've got bad news."

Oh no.

"What happened?"

*sigh* "It's grandfather."

"Oh no."

"H-he's getting worse and we're falling short for his medical budget. I know we ask too much from you but c-could you lend us some money?"

"Toby!!"

"Just a few dollars you can spare. Please. I'll pay you back. Promise!!"

"No, no. It's fine!! You don't have to pay me back."

"Then why did you shout?"

"You should've told me sooner!"

"Well, I would've if only your parents together with mine would allow me to."

*sigh* "Toby, next time, if ever you guys need anything and I mean ANYTHING, tell me. We are family for goodness sake. We need to help each other."

"I know, I know. It's just that we don't want you to have a hard time there in Miami. You're there all by yourself and we all know that it's hard to make money there."

"Aww...... Acco..... You going all softy sweety-sweety on me..."

"Ok, you just ruined the moment."

"Haha. I'm just teasing you."

"I know. Oh, mom's home! I gotta go before she finds out I haven't done the dishes yet. Love ya awntie!! Oh yeah, just text me once you sent the money. Thanks sooo much!!"

"Haha. Ok. Byee! Love you too!! Stay safe! Tell everyone I miss them!"

"Will do."

And with that I went off to research on the Tursiops. I knew I wasn't probably gonna find one so I went to my "cubicle" to research. It was more of a corner really. A small table, some drawers, and A LOT of papers all cramped up in one side of the "office". The office was more like a grade school cafeteria than an office for oceanographers. Crumpled papers scattered all around the room, a few stacks of of pizza boxes lying around, pictures of different sea creatures and stuff, and other random belongings of my "officemates", a.k.a. my so called long lost siblings.

After researching, I decided to just continue it at home. I had a report due two weeks from now and I had no idea how I'm gonna finish it by then.

C'mon, Marie. You can do this.

I dragged myself to the elevator and went down to the lobby. When I got out of the elevator I slipped (I have no idea how....) and bumped into someone.

"Oh my, I am so sorry!! I must've slipped when I got out to the elevator!"

"How the heck do you slip when going out the elevator?!? Do you even know who the...... Marie?"

Oh no!!!!! Oh why?

I had bumped into Nathan or as his father called him: Cornelius. My boss' son. And my former schoolmate. Everyone I knew didn't like him very much. Well, except for his "fangirls" that think he's "beyond handsome". He used to be a friend of mine but then he started to be cold to everyone. Most people say that it's because he had a family problem, others say that he got heartbroken, but I didn't really mind not knowing the reason why. I was too busy trying to earn money for my family.

"N-nathan! I am so s-sorry!! I h-have no idea how I slipped....." I clumsyly stuttered.

I looked at the floor, avoiding his sparkly grey eyes.

"I-it's ok. Don't worry about i-it."

Why is he stuttering? It's not like he's the one who hit his boss' son....

He cleared his throat, sounding more firm this time. "What I meant to say was that, you should be more careful this time. You're lucky you didn't hit my father."

"I really am sorry, Nathan. It won't happen again. Promise."

"Make sure of it."

I nodded and started walking away when he whispered something.

"It's good seeing you again, Marie."

I just turned around and smiled. Eager to get home, I walked out the building quickly. I grabbed my bike and went home, not wasting anytime.

Once I got to my apartment, I dropped all my bags and collapsed on the couch.

How in the world will I earn the money for dad?