Dea Shattered

⎈Chapter 8: 10 digits

I felt like I was floating, even though the sand underneath my feet just caused me to sink with every step. I don't know why Kodhe caused me to feel this way, he was only a boy I met yesterday. Yet something about his charming demeanor made me feel like a child during Christmas

The cave I was headed to was hidden behind stones and rocks, plus it was a part of the beach that no one ever came to. Which provided a private place for someone that doesn't want to deal with people. That was Sabishī in a nutshell.

As I stepped into the cave, water dripped down from the ceiling. My lips twisted slightly as it hit my shoulder, but I continued to head deeper. A faint light hit off the moist walls as I made my way through the small winding tunnels.

Sab sat on a light purple yoga mat, her eyes closed and her sleek black hair wet. Her face had a serene and calm expression as if she wasn't hiding out in a shady tunnel.

A small hammock hangs from two protruding rocks, and a crate of food was stored in the corner. Then there were her books, piled up all around her small space. Books were the only reason she ever left the cave, other than to get food every once in a while. Often the ocean brought her food though, it would send secure cates from crashed ships right up to her cave entrance. Favoritism if you asked me.

Her eyes peeled open and she physically jumped when she noticed me. Her light blue eyes widening, "I didn't know you were there Dea!"

I shrugged and slid down on the mat next to her, my insides still spinning from the recent event.

"I felt like I should come to say hello," I said fiddling with a rock on the ground. Sab watched my movements, her eyes clouded, she was the most distant of all of us. She had only been turned less than two years ago, and was currently in what Nene and I called the "depresso espresso years."

Her eyes focused as she finally took in what I said, she straightened slightly and shoved back her hair.

"O-oh, yeah thanks." She bit her lip, "Sorry I didn't come to the party last night. I just-."

"You don't need to explain yourself," I waved my hand in the air, and Sab smiled faintly. I continued to look around her dimly lit cave taking in the few objects that lightened it up slightly.

Our heels clicked on the wooden dock as we headed for our jet ski, the waves lapping at its sides. Nene was still buzzing with whatever she took but I could see the effects slowly fading, exiting her system almost as fast as it had entered.

"Wait!" A voice called out from behind me, Nene and I spun around to find the stranger that I'd kissed running towards us. "Look I know-," he took in a deep breath exhausted from his sprint over here. "I know we barely know each other, but I- could I give you my number?"

I stared at him for a minute, my eyes widening with shock. I couldn't remember the last time someone asked me out, most guys at parties wanted a one time thing. Which I was never interested in. But he seemed different.

Nene shoved her elbow deep into my ribs, and I jumped realizing I had just stood there staring at the guy.

"Yeah, of course" I replied as I bit my bottom lip excitedly. He handed me a slip of paper and gave me a quick smile in return.

"Oh- and my name is Kohde"

"I'm Dea" I laughed a little remembering that I hadn't even known his name. He then turns and hurries back to his friends who pat him on the back. His cheeks were blazing pink and he grinned from ear to ear.

I giggled, watching the chaotic friends hassle and mess with each other. It reminded me of some people I used to know, and my heart twinged slightly.

"Did you seriously just giggle?" Nene looks at me like I just turned purple or something. Completely cutting off my thoughts.

"What? No!" I respond defensively. Crossing my hands over my stomach and turning myself slightly away.

"Yeah right, just get on the jet ski already." She scoffed her tone hard.

I climb quickly onboard not giving her any time to question me further.

**Ten minutes later**

The shore was blocked off by rocks and mostly hidden from any preening eyes. It provided a comfortable place for us to swim around. The water was nice and cold on my skin as I floated through it, I splashed my tail to give myself a bit more of a drift.

Nene was oddly quiet compared to her usual self, glancing up at her I found her intently staring at me.

"What," I asked swimming over to where she sat on a stone. Her black tail flicked around in the water, her dark hazel eyes burning into me.

"That boy, you like him." She states blandly, I blink up at her. Her face was a mask, not revealing anything, and the only movement she made was her tail shifting side to side.

"I-I suppose, I don't know. He was cute and nice." I pulled myself up and sat down on the rocks next to her.

"But you like him, you giggled."

"Am I not allowed to giggle and like people." Unknowingly my tone took a sharper turn, I didn't mean it to but I felt like I needed to defend myself.

"When was the last time you actually like a guy, Dea?" She tilted her head, a look so predatory I had to turn away. My mind was racing, thinking about any interaction I've had with any guys.

"Jacob," I murmured fiddling with a small stone. "His name was Jacob, and it was back before..." I trailed off. Nene was silent for a minute, the world even seemed to hush.

"It's been a while huh... "

"Yeah, but I want to change that" I tossed the rock and it skipped across the water. Causing ripples to go across the smooth surface of the ocean.

**Back at the motel**

The motel was shabby and relatively shady. The black stove in the corner of the miniature kitchen still had the pot of leftover mac & cheese from the night before. I had been planning to move out into an actual house, but working as a librarian can only get you so much at a time.

Most of the time I took odd jobs, and highly preferred the ones that didn't require me to talk to people. After years of saving up, I was getting close to having enough money to get a nice house and keep it without going bankrupt.

My phone buzzed from the bedside table and I glanced over at it, it was almost three in the morning. Who would text me this late?

"I swear if this is Nene drunk texting me-" I mumble. I look at my phone and find an unknown number. I quickly read through the message, 'Hey I know we just met and it's really late at night but I figured I might as well try, Would you possibly go on a date with me?' I stared at the phone, my eyebrows furrowing. Another text sent through, 'Shoot I forgot to mention that this is Kodhe, the guy you met at the party.'

I stared at the phone for a few minutes, the promise I made to Nene rattling in my head. 'Sure, any places in mind?' I sent the message and practically crossed my fingers.

'Oh thank god. I thought you were gonna say no. But yeah there's a cafe at the edge of Clement Street, it's called Great Awakenings Cafe. Does 3:00 tomorrow work for you?'

I let out a deep breath I hadn't even known I was holding, I didn't know why I should be nervous for his next responses but I was.

'Yeah sounds great, I can't wait to see you there.' Looking down at the message a dumb smile spread over my face and I felt butterflies in my stomach. For the first time in a while, I was excited about something.

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Published: April 11, 2020, 2:00 PM

Words: 1449

Hey, we would just like to thank you all so much for reading our book! Your support helps us keep writing these daily chapters, and we can't wait to show you what we have in store for the future -RiSaWa