The Other Half

Chapter 2

I wake up to the smell of bacon and Christy's famous blueberry crumble cake wafting around my room. Getting ready I head downstairs. Nearing the kitchen, I hear my dad talking urgently to someone on the phone. I push through the swinging doors that lead to the pristine kitchen. My dad glances up at me with an expression telling me to keep quiet. I hold up my hands in a defensive manner as he goes back to pacing the room. "Who's he talking to?" I ask Christy as I near her. 

"Mr. Barringer," she whispers back in reply. I shrug my shoulder to say I have no idea who that is. I grab a dish from the cupboard above my head. "Oh sorry," she apologetically smiles. "That would be the owner of the local aquarium. You're dad's trying to convince him to buy it off his hands for the company. And from the looks of it, it doesn't look like it's going too well."

"Oh," I reply, as I put food on my plate. "They have an aquarium here?"

"They sure do. It's actually really beautiful, so I've heard at least. You should check it out sometime." She walks over to the oven and pulls out a fresh batch of muffins before glancing up and smiling at me. 

"Yea, actually. I think I might," I reply, honestly interested in the idea. I scarf down my breakfast and head upstairs to put on more appropriate attire for leaving the house. I grab a pair of frayed black shorts and a loose white tank. I let my hair down from the ponytail I had on and let the waves fall around me before I grab a pair of beige sandals. I cross the room to the table by my bed and grab my phone before heading downstairs. I have no idea where the aquarium is, but the town's not that big. I can find it in no time.

***

20 minutes later I pull into the parking lot with my bike. Frustrated and sweating, I lock the bike on the bike rack along with the multiple other bikes. Yea, and I thought I would find it in no time. Turns out, the aquarium was 5 minutes from our house, but my stubborn personality wouldn't take the help of others. I l glance over at all the bikes and realize that no one really uses a car. I don't even know if I've seen more than 5 today. Not that anyone would need one in a town of 1,000. 

I start heading towards the door and take in the aquarium. It's a lot bigger than I imagined. When Christy said aquarium, I honestly saw multiple tiny fish tanks, not...this. It was a large building that took up a whole neighborhoods worth of space. I walk in the main door only to have my body blasted with icy air. I grab my arms in an attempt to keep warm, as I hear an overly cheery voice in my ear.

"Hi!! Welcome to Delaware Aquarium, home of the most diverse and beautiful creatures, and the town's most popular tourist attraction." More like only tourist attraction. I've seen the place. You can't fool me. "Here's a brochure that includes a map and all the information or questions you might have about this wonderful building you've stepped inside," says the cheery blonde as she shoves a pamphlet into my face. "If you have further questions, feel free to ask any of the employees that are dressed in the bright orange shirt." She points out all the employees within sight before turning back to me. "Have fun!".

I walk away completely and utterly disturbed by the constant smile she had plastered on her face. Opening the pamphlet, I look at all the animals they have in there exhibits. Jellyfish tank? Really? What do they even do? The overwhelming pamphlet lists more species than my brain can comprehend. I close the paper and throw it away in the nearest trash can before walking to the nearest sign. An arrow pointed right with the word "penguins" written across the top. Another arrow pointed left with the word "jellyfish". Again with the jellyfish guys. They don't do much. I head towards the right side  and get sucked into a family of 8. They all have matching shirts on and cameras hung around their necks as they all try from getting separated. I push past the group and head for the doors leading into the icy penguin room. I'm kind of missing the insane July heat waiting outside the building.