WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 66: Trust and Misunderstandings

Chapter 66: Trust and Misunderstandings

"Rhea, I think it’s a misunderstanding," Reece answered. "And I think I might be the cause."

Rhea stared at Reece in surprise. What does he mean by that? Did something happen between him and Louie?

"Why did you say that?" She asked.

"Well," Reece began. "I told Louie that you are my girlfriend."

Why would Reece say that? Rhea wondered.

"Why would you say that?"

"It was a harmless joke. I did not expect Louie to take it to heart."

Rhea sighed. But that isn’t enough reason to make Louie act that way towards her. There must be more to it.

"You shouldn’t have done that," she mumbled.

Reece nodded. "I really shouldn’t have. I will speak to Louie about it. I..."

"That will not be necessary. I will talk to him myself."

"I think you should sit with him today," Reece said and Rhea nodded.

She has thought about that too.

"I am really sorry, for the misunderstanding," Recee apologized.

"It’s nothing." Rhea waved it off.

"I will find time to apologize to Louie too," Reece added.

"I should leave. It’s almost time for class to begin. By the way, is Alan not coming to school today?"

Reece shook his head. He can’t say.

Alan has been avoiding him for a reason best known to both of them.

"He should be on his way," Reece answered. "I guess," he mumbled.

He wasn’t sure if he was going to come. He said nothing of such to him.

Rhea shrugged. That wasn’t any of her business though. She was just curious to know.

"Then I will get going."

Rhea returned to sit beside Louie. She had expected him, as usual, to ask why she went to see Reece, but he did not. Instead, he asked to speak to her.

"I am all ears," Rhea said.

"I am sorry for my behavior these past few days," he apologized.

"Can you tell me why you have been acting that way? I want to know."

Louie sighed. What is he supposed to tell Rhea? He also doesn’t know why he has been acting that way. When did it begin? He wondered.

From the moment Rhea found out he was a wizard, they had begun to drift apart. But everything changed when he began to suspect she also might not be who he thinks she is. Things became worse when Reece claimed she was his girlfriend.

Maybe they would have made things clear between them if they had created time to talk about it and not insisted on waiting until the party was over.

"I can’t really say that I have a reason to act that way. But I am sorry."

Rhea sighed. Is Louie not willing to tell her what transpired between him and Reece? Or does he think it is not necessary?

"Louie you need to tell me what it is. If we don’t talk about it, how are we going to clear things up."

Rhea just wanted him to talk about Reece calling her his girlfriend but did not expect there would be more to it.

"Fine," Louie mumbled. "I don’t know how to say this but I think you aren’t who you told me you are."

Rhea furrowed her brows. What does Louie mean by that? He doesn’t know her identity yet, does he?

"I was planning to give you some time until you are ready to tell me what you’ve been hiding from me but I can’t. I don’t think you trust me, Rhea. I know I hid being a wizard from you. I was afraid I would scare you. I did not..."

"Can we not talk about this in class?" Rhea said. "Let’s talk during lunch break."

Rhea could not risk someone hearing their conversation and finding out that Louie is a wizard. She also plans to use the opportunity to speak to Leslie. She needed to ask her if she could tell Louie who she is, even if she had to hide her merging with the stone.

Louie on the other hand, thought Rhea was trying to end the conversation. Their chances of speaking about it during the lunch break were slim. Rhea might have another reason for not talking about it, or they might not even remember to talk about it; they still have preparations for the party to do since they weren’t able to do it in the morning.

She must not want to talk about it. He thought. Maybe he shouldn’t have talked about it too.

He sighed. "If you say so."

Louie’s countenance was a sad one; Rhea could see it.

"I am not trying to wave off our conversation, Louie," she mumbled. "I just don’t want to risk someone finding out who you are."

Louie groaned slightly. He has misunderstood Rhea again. He really should learn to trust her words.

"I am sorry. I misunderstood you again," Louie apologized.

Rhea sighed. "Louie, you can’t keep apologizing. You really need to trust my words."

Louie nodded. He will try his best to do that.

He used to trust and believe every word Rhea said before.

Why is everything different now?

"We will talk during the lunch break," he said and Rhea nodded.

There wasn’t anything to say, so Rhea brought out her headphones and began to listen to music. Louie did not try to start a conversation between them either; he had a lot to think about.

When Mr. Martins showed up, he tapped Rhea to draw her attention. Rhea thanked him for that and then returned her headphones to her bag.

Mr. Martins gave an announcement. Their project has been shifted to the following term.

"A lot has happened this term," he said. "Your examinations are fast approaching. We won’t be able to do those projects this term."

He asked the students about their preparation for the forthcoming examinations. Most of the students murmured they were getting ready, while some complained about how short the time frame was.

Mr. Martins made some funny jokes about how lazy the students were becoming and they all laughed about it. He called the attendance and finally left that class.

Rhea and Louie left the class and went to their various classes. They go from one class to another saying little or nothing to each other. None of them tried to force a conversation on the other. They wanted to give themselves some space and be ready to talk when it was finally lunch break.

The ringing of the bell signified it was lunchtime, a time for Louie and Rhea to talk about their problems. Rhea excused herself to go to the clinic.

"I want to get some drugs. I will be right back."

Louie suspected that Rhea wasn’t going to get some drugs but to speak to Leslie but he said nothing about it.

"I will be waiting in the cafeteria," he mumbled. "Do you want me to make an order for you?"

Rhea shook her head. "No thanks. I will do that when I get back."

Rhea left the class and went to meet Leslie.

"Rhea? Why are you here? Are you sick?" Leslie asked.

"I am not sick. I came to ask you some questions," Rhea answered.

Leslie gestured for her to sit. "What questions do you have? I will try to answer them as quickly as I can, so you don’t miss your lunch."

"Do you know Louie is a wizard?" Rhea asked.

"I think I do," Leslie answered. "Why do you ask?"

"How long have you known?"

"Just a few days ago. Is there a problem?"

Rhea shook her head. "There isn’t any problem. But do you think I can tell him who I am?"

Leslie smiled. "You haven’t told him yet?"

Rhea nodded. "I haven’t. I do not know if telling him is a good idea."

"It is a good idea. But it depends on how much information you are willing to tell him. Remember you can’t tell him about the bluestone or your merging process with it."

"Can I tell him that I am the new Aqua?"

Leslie shrugged. "That depends on you. Do you think Louie can take that?"

Rhea sighed. She thinks he can. But will he not be worried about her getting hurt like the last Aqua?

"I think I will keep that a secret," she mumbled.

"Rhea, I know I am the one who caused some confusion when I asked you not to tell others who you are. I am more concerned about you not talking to anyone about the stone until your merging process is completed. I am just worried if you go about telling people who you are, you are going to get hurt."

Rhea smiled. She understands.

She doesn’t plan to tell anyone aside from Louie. She won’t tell April and Maia either. They are mermaids. They might easily detect that the bluestone is with her. She hasn’t been close to them lately.

"Do you plan to tell Celia and your father?" Leslie asked.

Rhea shook her head. She can’t tell them yet. She doesn’t think they can take it. She also needs to protect them but she can’t now.

"I can’t tell them yet. I need to keep it a secret until I am strong enough to protect them. I can’t let them get hurt for my sake."

Leslie smiled. That is so thoughtful of Rhea.