WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 65: A Misunderstanding

Chapter 65: A Misunderstanding

It was another day for school, and Rhea was already dressed in her uniform and ready to leave. She has been getting ready for school earlier than usual in the past few days. Partly because she has to help Louie prepare for his birthday.

They would be having Louie’s birthday after-party today, and she needed to make sure everything they would be needing was ready.

Rhea gave herself a last look in the mirror. Satisfied with her look, she left her room and went to the kitchen to take some cereal before leaving. She will not be having breakfast before she leaves the house. Louie had promised to bring her breakfast but she wasn’t going to go to school on an empty stomach either.

"You are ready?" Celia asked.

She was in the kitchen too, about to make breakfast.

"Yes. I just want to have some cereal before I leave. Where is Dad?"

"He left for work. They want him to help out with a few things. He should be back before we return from school. He promised to drive us to Louie’s place."

Rhea nodded. Just a few days ago, her father had gone to make an inquiry on where Louie’s apartment was. He also spoke to his parents too.

Rhea picked up a pack of cereal and poured some into a bowl. "What are you making for breakfast?" She asked.

"I don’t know. I am thinking of making some pancakes," Celia answered. "What do you think?"

Rhea nodded. It’s a good idea.

"That is a good one. Or do you have other options? I can..."

Celia shook her head quickly. "I don’t. There isn’t time for that."

Rhea added some milk to her cereal and some sugar too. She sat down on one of the kitchen stools and began to eat, while Celia went on to make some pancakes for herself.

Rhea was done in a few minutes and she stood up. She washed the bowl and cleared up the table.

"I am leaving," she announced to Celia.

"Is Louie here already?" Celia asked.

"I don’t think so. He hasn’t sent me a message yet. But he should be on his way. I will just wait outside for him."

Celia nodded. "See you in school then." Rhea picked up her bag and waved at Celia before leaving the kitchen. "Rhea?" Celia called after her from the kitchen. "Do you want me to bring you some pancakes?"

"No, thanks," Rhea answered. "Louie is bringing breakfast."

Celia muttered an oh and said nothing afterward. Rhea left the house when Celia said nothing. She met Reece outside the door.

"Hi, Rhea." Reece waved.

"Hi," she waved back. "Is there something you want me to help you with?"

She was curious to know why Reece came.

Reece shook his head. "No. Are you not going to school?"

Rhea furrowed her brows. Isn’t Reece seeing her dressed in her uniform? Why is he asking her if she is not going to school?

"Of course, I am. Can’t you see that I’m already dressed and ready to go?"

Reece nodded with a smile. "I can see that. Why are you not putting on a dress, today?"

"Louie’s birthday is over," Rhea answered.

"I see. Do you want me to drop you in school?"

Rhea shook her head. "That will not..."

"You don’t have to do that," Louie cut Rhea short.

He has been standing behind Reece and listening to their conversation for a while now. He wasn’t going to say anything at first until he heard Reece offered to take Rhea to school; he wasn’t going to allow that.

Reece turned. "Louie? What are you doing here?"

"What do you think I am doing here?" Louie answered.

Reece shrugged. "I don’t know. I won’t be asking if I do."

"Well, I am here to take Rhea to school," Louie answered, folding his arms. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Of course, I don’t," Reece answered. "I did not know you were coming to pick her up. I would not have offered to take her with me."

Rhea was surprised at Reece’s calm answer. There must be something going on with him. Rhea thought.

"Now, you know," Louie mumbled. He flicked his finger. "You can find your way now."

Rhea found Louie’s answer a bit rude, which was so unlike him.

Why is Louie acting strange?

"I will get going, then," Reece answered.

"Rhea, don’t forget your promise to me."

"I won’t," Rhea assured him.

"See you in school then," Reece said and he left.

After Reece left, Louie closed up the space between Rhea and him.

"What promise do you make to Reece?" He asked. "You should be telling me that."

Rhea frowned. She is not obligated to tell Louie what promise she made to Reece.

Louie’s strange attitude was getting Rhea but she decided she wasn’t going to let it.

"Good morning, Louie," Rhea answered instead. "Hope you had a good night’s rest?"

Louie groaned. He had been so obsessed with what was going on between Rhea and Reece that he forgot he should have greeted his best friend first.

"I am so sorry, Rhea. How was your night?"

"Not bad." Rhea shrugged. "We can leave now."

Rhea had nothing else to say to Louie. She was a little upset that Louie kept letting his emotions get in between them.

He doesn’t trust her. She wouldn’t stop thinking about that. But why is he so bothered about what could be going on between her and Reece?

"Rhea?" Louie called after her. "I am so sorry for..."

Rhea stopped walking. "For what exactly? For not trusting me? Or for speaking to Reece in that manner? Do you not want me to have other male friends aside from you?"

Louie shook his head. That is not it.

"I am not stopping you from having male friends, Rhea. But not Reece. And I trust you."

"You don’t, Louie," Rhea answered.

Maybe Reece is right after all. She thought. Maybe staying away from Louie will help him.

"I do. I..." Louie sighed.

What is he supposed to say to her?

"You don’t have to wait for me," Rhea said. "I will make use of the bus."

Louie followed Rhea from behind. He could tell she was angry.

"Rhea?" He called. "You are going to be late for school."

Rhea ignored him completely. She was angry but she can’t say why. It wasn’t all about Louie.

Louie told the driver to go; he would use the bus with Rhea. He followed behind her without trying to get her attention. They got to the bus station just in time to meet the bus. Rhea entered and paid. Louie did the same.

Rhea found a seat and sat down. Louie did not try to sit beside her. He picked a few seats away from hers and sat down, watching her.

They are really drifting apart

He used to be worried about Reece ignoring Rhea and talking to him, but now that Reece gives Rhea some attention, he is beginning to feel uncomfortable with it.

He took a deep breath. He doesn’t want to lose Rhea. She has been such a wonderful friend to him. Louie stared at Rhea who had now put on her headphones.

He needs to speak to her. He thought. He doesn’t want to wait until after the party.

He made up his mind to speak to Rhea about everything that had been going on, especially his fears.

The bus stopped at their school bus station and Louie stood up. Rhea was still seated. Louie walked up to her and tapped her. She stared at him.

"Time to..."

Rhea stood up and left the bus, without letting Louie finish up his sentence.

She must be very angry with him. He thought. How is he going to make her talk to him?

He left the bus, too, and followed Rhea, maintaining a meaningful distance between them. They got to the school and went to their class.

Rhea did not sit with Louie like she had promised Reece. She walked up to Reece instead.

"I am here to fulfill my promise," she mumbled.

Reece shook his head. "I don’t think this is the right time. Did you get into a fight with your best friend?"

Rhea shook her head. She wasn’t going to tell Reece that.

"No? Why would you say that?"

"You can’t deceive me, Rhea. I have known you both for a while now and I know how you relate with each other. I can tell that you both are not on talking terms. Am I the cause?"

Rhea shook her head. It seems she can’t keep it a secret from Reece anymore.

"Fine. We have a little issue. He doesn’t trust me."

Reece furrowed his brows. He did not expect that.

"He doesn’t trust you? About what?"

Rhea pointed at Reece and then at herself. "He thinks something is going on between us. I have tried to..."

Reece blinked. Isn’t that a misunderstanding? Could that be a result of what he told Louie some days ago? About Rhea being his girlfriend?

"Did he say that?" Reece cut her short.

"He kept asking what was going on between us," Rhea answered.

Reece groaned. He might have been the source of the misunderstanding. But wait... Why is Louie concerned about him dating Rhea? He isn’t in love with her... Is he?