WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 33: The Peaceful Days at School are Over

Chapter 33: The Peaceful Days at School are Over

It was time to go back to school, and Rhea was happy about it; she would get to see her classmates, though they were not close.

She got dressed in her uniform as usual and then parted her hair into two. She picked her glasses and bag up and headed downstairs to join Celia and their Dad. Rhea opened her door and was met by Celia.

"Look who woke up early today," Celia teased. "I was about to come wake you up."

"Well, that will not be necessary. I am already dressed. Where is Dad? Don’t tell me he left for work already."

"He should be in the kitchen. He wants to make breakfast."

"Hope it’s not bacon and eggs?" Rhea asked and Celia chuckled. "Please, tell me it’s not."

Celia smiled. "You don’t have to worry. It’s not bacon and eggs. I don’t know what he is cooking though."

"It doesn’t matter what it is. For as long as it’s not bacon and eggs."

"But I thought you loved it?"

"I do love it and I still do. But not today," She shook her head. "I am craving something different."

They went downstairs together, talking about random things about school. They got to the dining room and dropped their bags.

"I am going to the kitchen to see Dad," Rhea announced.

"Bye," Celia waved at her and sat down.

Rhea went to the kitchen. "Good morning, Dad."

Her father turned to face her. "Good morning, my Princess. Did you sleep well?"

"I did. How was your night, Dad."

Her father smiled. "Splendid. It’s good to see you dressed up so early today. Is there a reason behind that? Did you finally get a boyfriend?"

Rhea groaned slightly. "Dad..."

Her father raised up his hands slightly. "Fine. I was just joking."

Rhea moved closer to her father. "What are we having for breakfast?"

"I am making varieties today. You can pick the one you want."

Rhea smiled. "Really? What are the choices?"

"Macaroni and cheese, toasted bread and..."

"Toasted bread? It’s a no for me."

"Celia said the same. I won’t make that then."

"I can make do with Macaroni and cheese. Or are there other choices?"

"I am thinking of making..."

Rhea sighed. She doesn’t want to stress her father out. He still needs to go to work.

"Dad, I was thinking we could eat the Macaroni and Cheese. And maybe pair it with some chicken and salads."

Her father nodded. "That is a good idea."

"Do you need me to help you out with anything?"

Her father placed his hands on her shoulder. "Rhea, you do not need to help me out with anything. Just go to the dining room and wait with Celia. I will be done in a few minutes."

Rhea left the kitchen for the dining room. Celia raised her head; her eyes were fixed on her phone before Rhea walked in.

"You are back?" She said and Rhea nodded.

"I am," she mumbled, sitting down. "What are you doing?"

"Checking out some dresses," Celia replied.

"Why are you checking out dresses? Do you have a party to attend?"

"Louie’s birthday. Have you forgotten about that?"

Rhea chuckled. "How can I forget that... But we haven’t started planning yet. Why are you picking up a dress already?"

"So I can get the best."

"He is my best friend, remember?"

"I know. And I am not taking him away from you... Look..." Celia showed Rhea a picture on her phone. "I picked out a few for you. You can choose the one you want."

"I do not have plans to get a new dress. I have a lot of them in my wardrobe. I don’t wear them."

"It doesn’t matter. It’s your best friend’s birthday. You should look good that day. Or do you not want to look good?"

"I want to look good but that doesn’t mean I need a new dress. So, I won’t be getting a new one."

"I think you should," their father answered walking close to them.

Rhea and Celia stood up to help their father with the things he carried.

"You see, Rhea," Celia said. "Even Dad supports me."

"Dad, do you have to support Celia on this?" Rhea whined.

Their father smiled. "I am not supporting Celia, Rhea. I just want you to look good."

Rhea sighed. "I will get a new dress then."

Celia chuckled happily. "We can go to the mall after school."

Rhea nodded. "Sure, we can."

"Do you need money? I can give you..."

Rhea stared at Celia who smiled. They still have some money on their credit cards.

"I think the money we have in our cards should be more than enough to get new dresses," Celia answered and Rhea nodded in agreement.

Their father smiled. "It’s good to hear that. Let me know when you need some money, okay?"

"Thank you, Dad," Rhea and Celia answered in unison.

Rhea’s stomach began to grumble and she chuckled. "Can we sit to eat now?"

"Sure. I will get the plates," their father said.

"Don’t worry, Dad. I will get them," Celia answered.

She went to the kitchen to get the plates while Rhea and their father sat down to wait for her return. Celia returned and served the food before sitting down to eat with them.

They ate in silence, with Rhea staring at her wristwatch once in a while. When they were down, they said their goodbyes to their father and headed to school.

"Is Rosa coming to pick you up?" Rhea asked.

"I asked her not to. I will be going to school with you today."

Rhea furrowed her brows. Why did Celia decide to do that?

"Are you having issues with Rosa?"

Celia furrowed her brows. "What are you talking about?"

"It’s surprising to see you follow..."

"We do not have any issues, Rhea. I just want to go with you."

Rhea sighed. Maybe she is thinking too much...

But why does she have a feeling Celia has a reason for using the bus with her?

They went to the bus station to wait for their school bus which showed up a few minutes later.

"School bus is here," Rhea announced, tapping Celia slightly.

Celia had been busy with her phone. Celia kept her phone in her bag and stood up.

"We can leave now," she mumbled.

She followed Rhea to the bus, and they entered. They found two empty seats close to the back to sit on. Celia brought out her phone and began to press it.

"Celia, look..." Rhea said after a while, pointing at the window. Rhea waited for Celia’s response but none came. She turned. "Celia?"

Celia was busy on her phone again. Rhea tapped her.

"What have you been doing on your phone?" Rhea asked trying to peep into Celia’s phone.

Celia hid her phone quickly. "Nothing."

Rhea eyed Celia suspiciously. "What are you hiding?" She moved closer to her and whispered. "Did you finally get a boyfriend? Or are you crushing on someone?"

Celia shook her head quickly. "I am not crushing on anyone."

"I think you are," Rhea teased. "Who is he? Do I know him?"

Celia looked away. "I do not know what you are talking about."

Rhea smiled. "Someone is in..."

The bus came to a sudden stop, pushing them forward slightly. Rhea’s glasses fell to the ground and she groaned. She bent to pick it up but someone picked it up before she could. It was a boy about Celia’s age.

"Thank you," she mumbled, taking the glasses from him.

"You are welcome. Are you Celia’s sister?" He asked.

Rhea stared at Celia. How did he know her sister? Does her sister know him too?

She noticed Celia wasn’t staring at the boy or her. She was looking in a different direction. She looked so shy.

Is he the one Celia is crushing on? She wondered. She smiled. He has to be.

"Yes, I am. I am Rhea," Rhea answered.

"I am Myles," he said, stretching his hand to Rhea.

Rhea exchanged some greetings with him and he left.

"He is the one right?" She mumbled.

"What are you talking about?" Celia asked.

"Your crush. I can see the way you look at him. Is he a new student? I haven’t seen him in your class before."

Celia nodded. "He joined our class during the break. I mean..."

Rhea smiled. "I know... But how did he become..."

The driver pressed the horn urging them to leave the bus. They were the last people in it.

"Sorry," they mumbled in unison.

They stood up quickly and found their way out.

"We will talk about this when we get home," Rhea said when they entered the school.

"We have nothing to talk about," Celia said.

"Of course we do. I will see you later."

"We..."

"Bye, Celia."

Rhea waved at Celia and left for her class. She met Sasha and Dahlia on the way.

Did they finally decide to come to school today? She wondered.

She adjusted her glasses and held her bag tightly. She has to avoid them as much as she can, though they haven’t bullied her in a while.

Sasha stopped her. "Are you blind? You don’t know how to greet, right?" She asked.

Rhea furrowed her brows. Has Sasha decided to start bullying her again?

"Are you deaf?" Dahlia yelled at her.

Rhea was confused. Why are they suddenly acting like this? Did something happen?

She decided it was best to avoid them until she found out what was going on.

"I am sorry, Sasha. I am sorry Dahlia," she pleaded.

Sasha pushed her slightly. "Do you think I care about your apology?"

"I do not care either," Dahlia added quickly.

"Stay away from Will," Sasha said.

"Louie too," Dahlia added.

Rhea groaned. It seems her peaceful days in school are finally over!