Drowning

7. You're such a guppy.

Ian isn't here.

I'm lounging in Isabelle's backyard and it's eerily quiet. Finally, I gather up the nerve to ask where he is. I don't want my friends to think I actually care where he is. I'm just curious.

"Where's Ian?"

"Oh-uh, he had some. . F-family issues to deal with," Devin stutters.

Family issues? I mean, I know his parents are really busy, I just didn't think it was bad. I decide not to ask anymore, I don't want to seem concerned.

Yes, I am concerned. In a friendly way.

"He'll meet us at the beach," Isabelle chimes in.

"Beach?"

"Yep. Urchin Shores."

I hate Urchin Shores with a passion. It's a beautiful beach, but it's also infested with black, poky sea urchins. Not to mention the jagged cliffs.

"Let's go! Don't want to keep them
waiting," Belle says in a sing-songy voice while hopping in her expensive, white car.

"Them? Who is them?!"

"Correction. It would be "who are they" not "who is them"," Devin smirks.

"Shut up!" I laugh.

What are we doing? Honestly, the ocean freaks me out. It's so big, and deep, and undiscovered, and dangerous. All of which I hate. Part of the reason I hate these dares are because they're so random.

We could be building sand castles or cliff diving for all I know.

Please don't be cliff diving.

"Jodi, not to be rude but, why are you folding your hands like that?" Isabelle asks.

My hands are folded in praying position as I think to myself.

I laugh awkwardly, "Just, you know. . Praying."

"I knew you were religious, but I didn't expect you to pray in the middle of a conversation," Devin mutters.

Might as well play along.

"Oh my gosh! I wish you guys could respect my religion," I try to sound offended.

Both of their faces twist in surprise.

"I-I. . I didn't realize-sorry Jodi," Isabelle says in one, quick breath.

Devin just nods vigorously.

I burst out laughing and they each drop their jaws.

"You seriously thought I got offended that easily? This is too good!" I howl, clapping my hands like a retarded seal.

"For that, you're going first."

I immediately stop laughing and clapping.

"First?!" I question.

"Yep! On the dare you will soon find out about. Trust me when I say this, yesterday was a piece of cake compared to this."

"What?! You guys had cake yesterday and didn't tell me?" Devin huffs.

"It's a saying."

"Who would make a saying like that? It tricks people into thinking there's cake!" She declares.

"I don't know," Belle laughs.

My stomach growls, "I want cake now!" I whine.

"What a baby," Belle teases.

"You know I don't like pet names, Isabelle," I smirk.

She throw her hands up in the air, "You're impossible."