Chapter 2-Competition
Emma Gilbert shook out her long blonde hair and eyed up her old friends, and the stranger they’d brought with them. Perhaps she was Rikki or Cleo’s roommate? But why was she here when Emma just wanted to catch up?
“Hey, I’m Bella.” The new girl said. They shook hands. Emma vaguely remembered hearing about a girl named Bella, before she’d lost her phone in Miami. She’d never felt so out of touch in her life. She didn’t even know if Cleo and Lewis were still together. Hopefully they’d clear things up soon. Emma hated to be left in the dark.
“So…you have a new guy yet?” Rikki asked her playfully. Emma shook her head.
“There was one guy I flirted with in Barcelona…and another in Fiji. But no boyfriend since Ash and I broke up. I actually just got back from Fiji, it was so beautiful. Swimming was difficult, of course…” she said, giving Rikki and Cleo a meaningful look. “But I had a blast.”
She was just about to tell them about the underwater caves she’d found when Cleo interrupted her.
“Bella, where’s Will? Do you know how he’s doing?” she asked.
“He’s doing really well, I think he’s learning a lot. He reached nearly 80 meters the other day.” Bella said.
“Who’s Will?” Emma asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
“Bella’s boyfriend.” Rikki explained quickly before Bella continued talking about him.
Emma tuned her out and quickly analyzed Bella. In more than a year she hadn’t competed with anyone. She’d been homeschooled and hadn’t been in any sports. It was almost a relief to have a little competition.
The first things Emma noticed were blue crystal necklaces each girl wore around their necks. They looked a bit like sapphires, but seemed more special than that. With her silver locket, she felt even more left out.
Rikki seemed to notice her disappointed expression (funny, Cleo was usually the first to pick up on those things, as Rikki usually caused them).
“Why don’t we go for a swim.” Rikki suggested. “I’m sure the coral reefs in Cairns are just as pretty as the ones at home. Or in Fiji.” She nudged Emma and smiled.
Cleo and Bella nodded.
“Wait…are you sure that’s a good idea?” Emma asked. Were they just forgetting about a certain fishy secret? She didn’t want some stranger to know her deepest secret.
“It’s okay, Em. Bella’s one, too.” Cleo said quietly. Emma’s mouth dropped open and Bella shrugged sheepishly.
“It’s a long story.” She said.
“Sounds like it.” Emma replied. At this point she didn’t care if she sounded snobby.
“Race you to the dock.” Rikki whispered.
“Go!” Emma yelled, laughing and getting a head start.
Finally it was back to old times.
