A Thousand Salt Kisses (Book 1 of Salt Kiss series)

><> Chapter Twenty-One <><

I chattered to some other school friends, now that I had lost Rosie to Will again. Rosie's BAE had arrived about an hour ago, and we had all shuffled up so he could squeeze onto the bench next to her. He had been charming, buying us all drinks and congratulating us on finishing school.

Will's hair was a much lighter blonde than I had remembered, perhaps from glorious sunny days at the beach surfing.  I also couldn't help but notice that he had a super-hot body underneath his white t-shirt.  I looked around the table; our female school-mates were feverishly giggling every time he spoke. I inwardly laughed. They were all blatantly crushing on him, and Rosie was sitting there like the cat who got the cream.

After a while, Will looked up and greeted someone. I leaned forward and realized that it was Allan.

"Hey!" I cried jumping up. I was genuinely pleased, remebering how we clicked that night at the beach party. "Good to see you!"

Allan looked at me and frowned. "Sorry, who are you again?" he replied breezily.

I recoiled, stung by his words. How could he not remember me? 

The other girls around the table looked at me and smirked, and I stood there feeling humiliated. After a few moments, I sat back down again, not even bothering to answer him.

"Harsh!" whispered Rosie, as Allan shook hands with all our school friends.

"Oh, whatever," I sulked, stirring my lemonade with my straw. I guess he was still feeling rejected, and I was being punished. But it seemed unfair. Hardly a criminal offense not to fancy somebody back, is it? 

I heard a girl calling out, and I looked up and saw the unmistakable tall sillhouette of Jemima approaching the table. Oh great, more people to blank me.

As she strode nearer her gaze fell on me and Rosie. I could not see her glare through her dark sunglasses but her upper lip began to curl upwards into some sort of a snarl. I braced myself and looked away, cathcing a glimpse of Allan who was  still introducing himself to the girls and laughing in a really loud, over-the-top way. Oh, dear. This afternoon's celebrations have taken a real nose dive!

 I was about to make my excuses and leave when suddenly I had a light bulb moment. 

Could Hate + Hate = Love?

Maybe there was a solution to all my problems.   "Introduce Allan to Jemima," I whispered to Rosie.

"Huh?" she squeaked, looking bewildered.

"I think they might like each other," I hissed.

When Jemima was close enough, Rosie stood up and hesitantly made the introductions. To my satisfaction, Allan immediately offered to buy her a drink, and I caught him shooting sideways glances towards me as she eagerly accepted.

I hope this works, I thought, chewing my straw nervously. If they could both feel just a fraction of that dizzy sensation, that same one that I had had since last night, all animosity inside of them would dissolve.  

***

The following morning, I lay in bed, congratulating myself. My plan with Jemima and Allan had worked a treat.

Just ten minutes had passed after they went into the pub, and I had turned and peeped through the window. Jemima and Allan had been perched on bar stools gazing into each other's eyes.

Jemima had actually looked really pretty with a smile on her face. Radiant, even.

An hour or so had gone by, and neither had left the bar. I had been bursting for the loo and had had to pass them on the way. They had looked up and to my delight; they'd smiled with an air of excitement about them.

"Hey Crystal," Allan had said, appearing to have recovered from his amnesia.

Jemima had giggled. "Hello," she cooed.

They'd appeared really quite taken by each other, and I had no more enemies. Two birds, one stone, I smiled to myself, as I stretched out my arms in bed. How simple human beings could be, sometimes.

My stomach rumbled and decided to get up and go downstairs. I threw back the covers and opened my curtains; the sea dazzled under the midday sun. I thought about Llyr out there somewhere and felt butterflies in my stomach, as I remembered our date later this evening.

"Hi Darling!" said Dad, as I made my way downstairs.

"Hi Dad," I smiled. As I descended, I saw he was putting on his shoes by the back door.

"Have you heard?" he asked. I sensed the excitement in his voice.

"Heard what Dad?"

"SKANX still can't get their boat to work," he chortled merrily. "It was their very own brand-new waste disposal tanker, and it's stranded in the port - a right eyesore I might add - not popular with the locals. Anyway, they've got top engineers scratching their heads not knowing what to make of it!"

What on earth had Llyr, Ri, and Spirit done to that boat? I felt torn; I was so happy for Dad and the people of the Jeweled Kingdom, but I couldn't help but think of Mum. My father gloating like this would no doubt impact horribly on her mood.

"Now, now Dad. Think about Mum?" I warned.

"Oh, she'll get over it," said Dad, waving a hand and opening the door.

I sighed. A huge part of me wanted to get on board with Dad and the mers, but that could create even more problems here at home. I should stay neutral, at least until Mum was done with this stupid job.

She'll give it up soon. It's the only way.

I decided to get dressed and look for that job. Maybe the more time I spent away from the whole situation, the better.