WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 64: Back Home

Chapter 64: Back Home

"Tell me," Aquamarine said. "About Leslie that you met. I would like to know more about her."

Rhea shrugged. There isn’t much to say about Leslie. Or is there?

"She is a nurse in my school," Rhea began. "She was the first to tell me the story of mermaids and surprisingly... It was the same as the one I dreamt of. Maybe a little different. She is a very nice person too and..." Rhea smiled. "She helped me merge with the bluestone. Aqua likes her too. She asked to me trust her. Leslie invited me to her house this weekend. She wants us to talk."

"About what?" Aquamarine asked.

Rhea shrugged. She doesn’t know what Leslie wants to talk to her about. She only made her promise to answer all her questions.

"She wants to answer any questions I may have. And also ask me a few questions too."

"Do you trust her?" Aquamarine asked.

Rhea nodded. She does right? She should.

"Not because Aqua asked you to but because you want to, right?" Aquamarine asked.

Rhea nodded. She thinks she trusts Leslie not because Aqua asked her but because Leslie has been so nice to her and she feels comfortable with her. She already knew and trusted Leslie before she met with Aqua.

"Not because Aqua asked me," Rhea replied.

"That is good to hear, Rhea. You should head back now. It’s getting late already."

"I am going to see you tomorrow, right?" Rhea asked.

"Aren’t you going for a birthday party?"

Rhea furrowed her brows. How did Aquamarine know that?

"How did you know that?"

"I know more than you think, Rhea. You do not have to come tomorrow, okay? I am not going anywhere. Take your time."

Rhea nodded. "Fine. Then I will visit you when I have the time."

"You can visit me after you meet Leslie. I would like to know what you both talk about. You can ask her about her relationship with the old Leslie. I also want to know if she is her descendant."

Rhea nodded. She is also thinking about doing that. Leslie should be able to talk to her about it.

"I will do that," Rhea answered. "I really should get going, now. It’s late. See you around." Rhea waved.

Aquamarine raised her hand slowly and waved at Rhea back. "See you around, Rhea."

Rhea took a few steps and stopped. "Aquamarine," she called but she was gone.

Rhea sighed. She wanted to ask Aquamarine where she stayed. She has been wondering if she stays in the sea or not. Rhea thought about asking Aquamarine the next time she saw her. She left the House of Seashells and headed back home.

"You are back?" Reece asked when he saw Rhea.

He was standing in front of his house when he saw her. He left his place and crossed over to Rhea’s.

"Yes, I am. What are you still doing outside?"

"Waiting for you?" Reece answered and Rhea furrowed her brows.

Why will Reece wait for her?

"Are you surprised?" Reece asked. "I am joking though. Alan is not back yet. I am actually waiting for his return."

Rhea nodded slightly. He is waiting for Alan and not her. But why doesshe feel sad about it?

"How about you ask him?" Sapphire suggested.

What is she supposed to tell Reece? Rhea wondered.

"Just ask him why he is not worried about you," Sapphire answered.

Rhea rolled her eyes slightly. That sounds odd. Why should he worry about her?

"Have you texted him yet?" Rhea asked instead. "Is he already on his way?"

"I think he is... Look..." Reece pointed. "He is back."

Rhea stared at the boy walking to Reece’s door. Why does he look like their new friend? She doesn’t know his name.

"That is not Alan. Isn’t that your new friend?"

Reece chuckled. He has forgotten that Rhea doesn’t know Alan’s face yet. She hasn’t seen him with black hair before.

"Oh yes..." Reece mumbled. "That is not Alan. That is our new friend."

So she was right. Rhea thought.

She pointed to her door. "I should go in."

Reece nodded. "You should. Your dad and Celia are back."

Why did they not call her? Rhea wondered.

"Thank you, Reece," Rhea mumbled.

Alan walked close to the door but stopped. He turned and stared at Recee and then at Rhea. Rhea looked away quickly.

Why does she feel so familiar with him?

Reece saw Alan staring dangerously at Rhea and decided it was best he break the awkward silence or Rhea would not feel comfortable. He could tell she was already feeling uncomfortable.

"Rhea meet my...."

Alan ignored Reece, trying to introduce him to Rhea, and went into the house.

Rhea scoffed. Why is everyone around Reece so strange? Reece acts strangely too. Maybe that is the reason he attracts strange people like him.

"I am so sorry for that," Reece apologized. "Maybe he is not in a good mood."

"Shouldn’t he learn to keep his moodiness to himself? Why try to affect others with it?" Sapphire asked. "I think you should say that to his friend."

Rhea smiled. Sapphire is indeed the courageous part of her. She wishes she could tell Reece that, but she can’t.

"That’s fine, Reece. See you tomorrow in school."

" Why are you ending the conversation? You are not done talking," Sapphire said.

Of course, they are done. Rhea thought.

"But..."

That is enough, Sapphire.

"Fine," Sapphire answered.

"Are you okay?" Reece asked.

Rhea nodded. "I am fine. I really should get going this time."

Reece waved at her. "I should go in too."

"You are not going to wait for Alan?"

"I have a guest. I should attend to him first. Alan will find his way home."

He already did. Reece thought with a smile.

"After you," Reece said.

Rhea waved at Reece and went into the house. Her dad and Celia were in the living room.

"You are back," Celia said and Rhea nodded.

"I am. Good evening, Dad."

"How are you. You should go and wash up. And then come down for dinner. We have been waiting for you."

Rhea was surprised neither her father nor Celia asked her where she was coming from, but instead invited her to dinner.

"I will be right back," Rhea answered as she headed upstairs to quickly take a shower.

Outside Rhea’s apartment was Reece. He hasn’t gone into his house yet. He was still thinking of what to tell Alan about what happened in the class.

He placed his hands in his pockets and walked back to the front of his house. The door opened and Alan walked out.

"You finally decided to return home," Alan mumbled.

"How was your walk?" Reece asked.

Alan sighed. "Fine, I guess. What are you doing with her?"

Reece furrowed his brows. "Who?"

"You know who I am talking about. Don’t play dumb with me."

"Are you talking about Rhea?" Reece asked and when Alan gave no reply, he sighed. "Nothing. I was just..."

"Did we not agree that you stay away from her?" Alan asked.

"Yes we did," Reece answered.

"Why are you not keeping your promise?" Alan asked.

"It’s not easy to put her off just like that. It will take..."

"Do you like her?" Alan asked.

"Wh... What?"

Reece was surprised at Alan’s question. Why is he asking him if he likes her?

"Are you in love with her?" Alan asked again.

"What are you talking about?"

"If you can’t stay away from her, that only means one thing. You like her. You are in love with her."

"I do not like her. That doesn’t mean I dislike her, though. I am not in love with her either. Why would you think that?"

Alan turned to face Recee. "Then stay away from her. If you let your personal feelings get in the way of our plan..." Alan’s eyes sparked in red light. "I won’t spare you."

Why is Alan getting worked up over such a little thing? Reece wondered.

"Alan, I don’t know why you have this thought. But trust me, Rhea won’t cause us any harm."

She is the Aqua they have been waiting for. If Alan finds out about that, will he treat her differently?

"I do not care what you think," Alan said. "Just stay away from her."

Reece furrowed his brows. Is there something going on between them? Why is Alan so concerned about him staying away from her?

"Fine. I will stay away from her but it’s going to be a gradual process."

Alan ignored Reece and went back into the house. Reece remained outside the house with a lot of thoughts going on in his mind.

He is close to April and Maia. Alan never warned him to stay away from them. Why Rhea? Did something happen between them?

There was no one to answer Reece on that. He thought about asking Rhea about it but he decided against it.

He doesn’t think Alan and Rhea had had any encounters. He is sure of that. He took a deep breath. What will happen tomorrow if Alan finds out he will be sitting with Rhea and not him?