WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 45: A Wizard in the School

Chapter 45: A Wizard in the School

It was lunch break soon; Louie, Kristen, and Rhea went to the cafeteria together. After their chemistry class, they had a different class from Maia and April.

On their way, they met April and Maia and they went to the cafeteria together.

This was the first time Rhea was having lunch with a lot of people, and she thought she was going to freak out, but she did not. She loved their company.

Kristen offered that the boys should get lunch while the girls go find a table. The girls just needed to tell them what they wanted.

Louie was not against it. He has always gotten lunch for Rhea; that is an easy thing for him. He is also happy he can get lunch for April.

"I will go for two hotdogs and a Coca-Cola drink," Maia said.

"I want fries and a milkshake," Rhea said. "And maybe a hotdog."

"I want fries too and a milkshake. That would be all," April said.

"What are you going to have, Kristen?" Maia asked.

"Same as yours," Kristen answered with a smile.

"And you, Louie?" Maia asked.

"Two chocolate-filled donuts and maybe a Cola drink," Louie answered.

Maia smiled. "Then I think we have our order complete."

"We will be right back," Kristen said and he left with Louie.

Rhea, April, and Maia went to get a table to sit as they waited for Kristen and Louie’s return.

"Before the boys return. How about we have a girls’ talk," Maia suggested.

She wanted them to know if Rhea likes Louie before confirming if April likes him too. She doesn’t want that to destroy the new friendships they have just created.

April nodded in agreement. "I am in."

April wanted to know more about Rhea and also get close to her. Maia has told her of the possibility of Rhea being a mermaid just like they are. She also wants to get close to Rhea for the sake of Louie. She would like to know more about him.

"Are you in, Rhea?" Maia asked.

Rhea nodded. This is her first time trying this out. She would like to know what it’s about.

"Sure," Rhea answered.

Maia smiled. "Let’s start with you, Rhea. Do you have a boyfriend?"

Rhea shook her head. "I don’t."

"Have you thought of having one? Is there a boy you are interested in?" April asked.

Rhea shook her head. She had never thought of having a boyfriend. Everyone has always considered her as a nerd.

Who would want her?

She would have considered Will but she doesn’t want Sasha’s trouble. She doesn’t think she likes him that much too.

"I haven’t thought about that. And I don’t think I have a crush on anyone."

April smiled. If Rhea doesn’t have a crush on anyone, then she might have a chance with Louie.

"It’s your turn to answer a question, April," Maia said. "Rhea, will you go first?"

Rhea furrowed her brows. "Can I?"

"Of course you can."

"April," Rhea called. "Do you have a crush on my best friend?"

Maia smiled. That was the question she had in mind. Thank goodness, Rhea asked first.

"Do you?" Maia asked with a smile.

"Why do I feel like the girls’ talk was for me?" April asked.

"Of course it is. I saw the way you were looking at Louie," Maia said.

"He doesn’t have a girlfriend," Rhea answered. "And I think he likes you too."

April and Maia were shocked. They did not expect Rhea to say that.

"You don’t like Louie?" April asked.

"I like him. He is my best friend," Rhea answered. "But I have no plans to go out with him."

"Your turn, Maia," April said. " What are we going to ask you? We both know you have a boyfriend. And I know a lot about you already. I think Rhea should ask. Is there anything you would like to know about Maia? You can ask anything about me too."

Rhea shook her head. She doesn’t have anything she wants to know now. Maybe another time.

"Maybe another time," she answered.

Maia and April nodded.

"Sure," April answered.

April stared at her wristwatch. "They should be here soon."

Maia decided to bring up a general topic she thought they would all be interested in; Mermaids.

Rhea’s eyes brightened up. She is definitely interested in this.

A table away from them was seated Sasha, Dahlia, and Maya. They had purposely picked a table beside Rhea’s and had been watching her interact with Maia and April.

"Are we not getting something to eat?" Dahlia asked.

"We will, but not now," Sasha answered, still staring at Rhea.

"But I am hungry," Dahlia said.

Sasha frowned. "Fine! You can go get something to eat. I need to speak to Maya."

"Do you want anything?" Dahlia asked.

"I do not," Sasha answered.

"I do not either," Maya answered.

She cannot get into trouble with Sasha.

Dahlia left to get the food, and Sasha gestured to Maya to move closer.

"You remember everything I told you right? You can’t make any mistakes."

Maya nodded. "I do. I won’t make any mistakes."

"You had better not make any. If you do..." Sasha smiled. "You know what will happen, right?"

Maya nodded. She would not want to get into trouble with Sasha. She knows how crazy she can be.

"I have something new I want you to do. Different from what we talked about with Dahlia. I want you to carry that out. Dahlia is becoming too soft-hearted. I think her love for Louie is stopping her from hurting Rhea."

Maya nodded. "Just tell me what I have to do and I will do it."

Sasha whispered to Maya and she blinked.

What? What is Sasha trying to make her do?

"Is... Isn’t that too..."

"You promised to do it."

"I did but what if she gets hurt?"

"She won’t," Sasha assured.

"Are you sure? I can’t afford to get into trouble with..."

"What are you both talking about? What trouble?" Dahlia asked.

She had been standing behind them for a while now. Though she did not know what trouble Maya was talking about, she could tell they were up to no good.

"Nothing," Sasha answered.

"But why do I feel like you are..."

Sasha frowned. "Do you want to accuse me of lying?"

Dahlia shook her head. "I did not. I just hope we do not do what gets us into trouble."

Maya nodded quickly. Luring Rhea to the rooftop and pushing her down the stairs would definitely get them into trouble.

What if they get caught? Or rather what if she gets caught? She can only admit she did it out of jealousy towards Rhea.

But why is she jealous? She has no reason to. Sasha is the one who has a reason but she dares not call her name.

"I won’t get us into trouble," Sasha assured.

Maya sighed. She hopes Sasha is telling the truth.

Dahlia sat down to eat and Sasha stood up. "Maya, come with me."

"Where are you both going?" Dahlia asked.

"To the class. I need Maya to help me out with something. You will meet us in class right?"

Dahlia sighed. She could tell Sasha and Maya are about to carry out whatever plan they have and they are leaving her out on purpose.

"I will," she answered.

Sasha and Maya left the cafeteria but headed to the rooftop instead. They met a junior student on the way and sent her to the cafeteria to get Rhea.

"Just tell her it’s her sister Celia who sent you," Sasha told the girl.

The girl entered the cafeteria and went straight to Rhea’s table; Sasha had not only pointed the table for her but also pointed out who Rhea was among them.

"Rhea, your sister Celia is at the rooftop waiting for you," The girl said innocently.

Sasha had told her she was Rhea’s sister, Celia. She had also told her to make sure Rhea came to the rooftop alone.

Rhea was surprised Celia wanted her to meet her at the rooftop. Students are not allowed to go to the rooftop though some students do go.

"Did she say why?" Rhea asked.

"She did not," the girl answered. "She wants you to come alone. I think she wants to give you a surprise."

Why would Celia give her a surprise on the rooftop?

She sighed. She could suspect there was something wrong.

Is there something going on with Celia?

Rhea stood up. "I have to go."

Rhea left the cafeteria. Maia and the rest followed behind. They were worried about Rhea and Celia.

Rhea got to the rooftop but there was no one.

Could Celia be playing a prank on her?

"You are finally here," she heard and she turned.

It was Maya. Rhea frowned. Did Maya lie to make her come here?

"What do you want?" Rhea asked.

"It doesn’t matter what I want. Do I?" Maya asked.

Rhea knew Maya wanted nothing but trouble.

"I won’t stand here and exchange words with you," Rhea said and turned to leave.

Maya grabbed Rhea by her hair and dragged her close to the staircase.

"What are you trying to do?" Rhea asked.

Maya smiled. "Push you down the stairs, of course."

Maya pushed Rhea. Rhea had thought she was going to roll down the stairs but she was stuck in the air.

Maya was surprised too. What is going on?

She saw a boy stretching his hand towards Rhea. She believed he was the reason Rhea had refused to fall. She became scared to death.

She ran down the stairs screaming. "Help! Help!... Wizard!... Wizard!" Maya screamed. "There is a wizard in this school!"