Getaway

[10] P.R.S.J.L

"I can't believe I did that," sighs Jayla as she leans over the table.

"It's okay," says Leya reassuringly, putting her hand on Jayla's.

Just then, Sapphire and Aspen burst into the club room, giggling.

"Come, quick!" They urge, Jayla and Leya exchange glances, but ask no questions.

The four of them creep up the stairs to the second floor where the bedrooms are, and they edge their way down the wooden boarded corridor...

The door is slightly ajar.

Together they crouch down, Aspen and Sapphire signalling to the other two to keep quiet, fingers to lips. Jayla's knee clicks and she winces, Leya trying to stifle a laugh.

Aspen and Sapphire turn, annoyed and tap them both, beckoning them to stay still.

Then they listen.

"It's just that," Raven sounds like he is crying, "Phoenix," he sobs.

"No, Raven, that's not true," Phoenix retorts. Jayla starts to get worried, this could be about her. She gets up to look through the crack, and sees Phoenix stepping back from Raven, hands out in desperation, a look of sadness in his beautiful blue azure eyes.

Sapphire tugs on Jayla's top but she doesn't budge.

"First I thought you were starting to like Blu," sniffs Raven. "And now this!" He spits.

Phoenix just hugs him, Jayla signals with her hand for the rest to lean over and look.

The two embrace each other warmly, and it's one of the most loving things any of them have seen. Then, both with tear-streaked cheeks, Raven and Phoenix passionately merge lips with each other's hands in each other's hair, Phoenix then grabbing him by the waist.

"Oh my god," Leya whispers.

"What are we doing?" Sapphire panics.

"Quick," says Aspen, and they start to run as Raven and Phoenix pull away from each other, holding hands and turn... nearly catching a glance of them all crowded by the door.

---

Blu has finally been given a break, stepping out onto the deck, adjusting his cap, looking sleep ridden and exhausted. Aspen lunges out at him and holds him tight. They had just pulled up on an island and it was early evening.

The boat has been running for three days, this being the third. Only seven left. The shore they had arrived on went by the name of Pepeekeo, they had arrived in Hawaii.

---

Hibiscus and palm trees form a backdrop, as the crew all kick back in deckchairs, sipping pineapple cocktails through straws with umbrellas.

Raven taking a drink of his, toasts to the sea and sunset before them, their boat just in the corner of it all, "This is the life!"

Phoenix leans onto his shoulder and tilts his little cone glass to chink onto Raven's and they smile at each other. "This is where I belong," he draws it out slowly not taking his eyes off the brightly coloured eye-shadowed lenses beside him, sheltered by the shadows cast by the moon.

Meanwhile, to their left, Jayla, Aspen, Sapphire and Leya are talking to Blu, trying to soothe the sailor.

Aspen is playing with his hair tenderly, Sapphire is laughing serenely at anything he says even in his tired voice, no matter how much he moans and complains. And Leya and Jayla are doing what they do best, running their mouths to keep him entertained.