Chapter 1:
Breaking the surface of the ocean Rina and I removed our scuba masks, smiling at each other as we started swimming towards our boats boarding ladder, as the guys surfaced behind us. Waiting for Rina to climb up the ladder I glanced back at the ocean then turned back and climbed onto the boat.
"That was such an amazing dive! I still can't believe how magical it is every time we go down! There's always something new that we always encounter. It's a whole universe on its own." Rina shouted in excitement as she takes off her scuba gear.
"I know right? It was amazing! Like that school of clown fish hiding among the sea anemone, and that bloom of jellyfish! Remember the dolphins from this morning?" I said back.
I wonder what she would say if she found out just how much of a different universe it is, it's its own circle of life. Constantly shifting and moving to accommodate life, I thought as I placed my scuba gear on the rack of our boat and took out my ponytail to let it hang free. I never quite liked putting my hair up but for diving, I will.
"They were beautiful, it's always such an extraordinary thing to be able to swim with them." Rina replied with a huge grin on her face as I nodded my head in agreement.
"Makes you feel good doesn't it?" I asked smiling.
I would love to show her just how extraordinary it really is, to be able to show her their world, to have her hear the sea come to life. Nothing is as beautiful as being able to hear the animals sing and be able to understand their dance. Every animal dances to its own rhythm and once you hear and physically see them there is no going back.
"Oh yes. You can just feel the camaraderie and see how they interact." She said her eyes shining with happiness.
"It's truly magnificent." I remarked looking out at the ocean, waving to the dolphins as they danced through the air back into the water clicking and whistling away.
"I still think you two are far too curious for your own good," Malcom commented as he shook his head and slide out of his wetsuit.
"Agreed. That was totally nuts!" Nolan agreed but you could see the love in his eyes.
"Who cares? We became scuba divers to explore the ocean, see its natural beauty and try to get closer to new things. I get it can be scary but this is what we trained hours upon hours for." I scolded them playfully as I put my hands on my hips.
"Exactly!" Rina sang as she walked passed them and joined me as we walked further onto the boat. "Just think I was scared to get back in the water. Now look at me. I'm doing dives I never thought I would do and it feels amazing. There is such beauty. Sadly, none of us could ever be able to study such beauty closer. Sometimes, I wish I was a dolphin. They're so free and they see so much beauty in the ocean." Her eyes were shining with longing and happiness.
Glancing at each other I felt Nolan's pain.
The ocean called to us, with the Dive Center, we could come and go as we please. But she would never be able to fully follow us on our journey if we decided to leave land. I could feel his pain as he wished he could give her what she desires most. What was just beyond her reach but wasn't meant to be. I felt my heart start to ache. Reaching up I pressed my hand to my chest then brought it down.
"Hey, Mikey! We're ready to head to the mainland." I called out to our boat driver, turning around I walked to our cooler grabbing four bottles of water and sitting on the boat cushions on the front of the boat.
"How was the dive, ladies?" Mike asked as he started the boat up and began driving towards the mainland.
"Oh, Mike it was magical as always. You should come down with us one day." Rina exclaimed in excitement as Mike laughed.
"Yeah, Mikey! It was amazing we saw a school of clown fish in the sea anemone, a bloom of jellyfish and even a fever of spotted eagle stingrays towards the ocean floor." I added to try and convince him.
"Sorry, Ladies. No matter how beautiful it sounds, I prefer to stay on the boat or dry land. I'll just stick to all the pictures, videos and stories you all share with me." Mike said smiling at us as the guys came up front.
Tossing them their waters we all chilled on the cushions as we waiting to arrive at the mainland. Laughing and chatting we discussed today's dive as we headed to land.
I loved the ocean, there was such an exquisite wild beauty to it. Every day was an adventure. Ever changing, nothing ever the same twice. Freedom. Home. Tilting my head back I breathed in the salty yet beautiful ocean smell and let my hair flow in the wind and closed my eyes. The ocean was calling for me. Trying to co-hearse me into taking a dive and to stay.
"Oh no, look at that face. There she goes. I'm sensing that wild child." Nolan chuckled and poked me with his foot, with a knowing smile on his face. Our little secret.
"She's totally out of it," Malcom commented as Rina laughed.
"Let her be you guys! This is her element." Rina scolded them as she spread her arms open wide and I cracked a smile.
"Yeah what Rina said, sorry guys. I just couldn't help getting lost in the moment, besides you should know by now the ocean is my calling card." I said while opening my eyes and sitting up straighter on the boat seat.
Malcom looked sheepish, Nolan tried to mimic his expression, while Rina looked amused.
"Maybe one day you two Nimrods will understand her like I do." Rina antagonized them.
"Hey! I take offense to that! She's like my little sister! I used to change her diapers!" Nolan exclaimed shaking his fist in the air acting like he took offense to what she was saying.
I sent him a mental image of me shoving him into a trash can with a smile on my face. Listening to his laughter as it came back on our private link.
"Yeah! I mean...I didn't change her diapers but we have known each other since birth, Our mothers were bedside buddies at the hospital!" Malcom said trying not to be outdone.
Rina shook her head then threw her head back and laughed. "Boys...boys...boys. Always trying to one up. Oldest story in the book."
"Liar. Girls are always trying to one up." Malcom mumbled.
"What was that?" Rina asked cupping her hand to her ear and Malcom flushed red. "That's what I thought. ha ha"
Nolan felt a wave of rage rise suddenly at the thought of Malcom turning red because he liked Rina. Shaking his head he pushed that thought out and forced himself to smile, "Why is it that you always seem to get him to go red?"
Malcom went redder at Nolan's teasing. I smacked Nolan teasingly and looked him in the eyes. Brushing his mind, I checked to see if he was okay.
'I'm fine. Kind of took me by surprise. But I'm much better now.' Nolan replied sending waves of reassurance.
"Alright. Let him be. Poor thing. Sorry Co-Co." I told him with a smile.
"Thanks, Raihl," Malcom said giving me smile.
Settling back into the seats we chatted while waiting as we docked at the Dive Center private bay docks.
Upon reaching the dock I jumped out and secured the rope to the dock cleats as Malcom and Nolan tied the other ropes to the bow cleats. Once secured we gathered our supplies and started back up the dock towards our building.
Opening the door our intern Becky called out, "Hey guys! How was the dive?"
"Becky it was awesome! I'm serious! One day you should go down with us." Rina commented leaning over the counter.
"Sorry, guys. You know how I feel about going into the deep sea. I mean I don't mind the coral for diving but not the deep, very deep, never-ending deep sea." Becky replied while shaking her head frantically with wide eyes.
"What!? But Becky you don't know what you're missing!" Rina cried out in protest.
"Relax Beck. Ignore her. If you want to go diving in the coral we can go diving in the coral." I told her as I placed a hand on her shoulder then looked at Rina. "As I recall Rina used to be scared of the deep ocean too but with time and practice that all changed. We can take baby steps. Besides you have a little way to go before I want you fully out at sea. It can be highly unpredictable."
"Which is why we've mostly stuck to the corals with you. That's how we all started." Nolan through in to lighten up the mood.
"Really?" Becky questioned skeptically raising an eyebrow at us.
"Of course. The coral reef is actually a really good place to learn because if you watch when we're down there you can gradually see the changes." Malcom replied shrugging his shoulders.
"Like?" Becky said with a frown on her face.
"Example A: How about when the tide changes? What happens? What do you feel?" Nolan commented with a raised eyebrow.
"I feel the change in current and water pressure. The water becomes more active and forceful." Becky commented with a scrunched up face.
"Exactly, now Example B: How deep do beginning divers go compared to experienced divers?" Malcom questioned while taking a bite of the ice cream bar he pulled out of the freezer.
"They stay shallower than about 18 meters about 60 feet, while experienced divers go about 40 meters which is about 130 feet." She replied instantly.
"Bingo, Example C: Why can't we rise immediately to the surface during a deep-sea dive?" I quizzed.
"Because you'll risk decompression sickness in depths greater than 40 meters which is about 130 ft. You have to take your time to let your body adjust to the oxygen change," She replied after a moment.
"Nailed it. Example D: How deep is our local coral reef?" Rina said with a smile taking a drink from her water bottle while leaning against a cooler.
"Um...I believe it's at a depth of fewer than 150 feet, Right?" Becky replied with a quieter voice not quite sure of her answer.
"Congrats kid! You nailed all of those questions right on the head." Nolan said as he reached over and ruffled her hair with a grin on his face.
"Hey, stop it, Nolan." She complained as she tried to shove his hand off as we all laughed.
"Alright, Nolan. Leave her be. Let's put the gear away and finish up for the day. It's almost closing time." I said with a smile as Rina and I grabbed our gear and headed in back.
"Nolan just loves teasing her," Rina grumbled. Looking at her I smiled and bumped her shoulder.
"Oh, Rina. Trust me there is nothing to worry about. Nolan's not into teenagers." I joked trying to set her straight.
She thinks he doesn't like her? I can't see how she doesn't notice the way he looks at her, practically anybody could see how much he loves and adores her. I chuckled to myself.
'What's so funny?' Nolan asked feeling my amusement.
'You might want to step up your game, someone's feeling a bit neglected.' I teased and cut our private link.
"It doesn't seem like he likes anyone. You say he's not into teenagers, and he's not into girls his age or older women. So who is he into?" Rina commented frustrated raising her hands in the air.
"Hey, Rina. Don't stress too much. I know you like Nolan a lot. Just give it some time, I'm positive he'll come forward." I said as I placed my hand on her shoulder. At least he better, time is ticking and jealousy can be an ugly thing.
"But how can I not? I've liked him for a few years now, like, like like possibly "L" him, as you already know and he doesn't seem interested at all. These feelings are overwhelming. Maybe I should just give up already...? Oh god, I'm going to make myself sick." Rina questioned, then made a face and put her hand on her stomach at the thought of giving up.
"No. Don't give in. You're stronger than that. Hold on just a little longer, it'll be worth it, I promise." I told her as I grabbed her hands, helping her calm down.
"Are you sure?" Rina asked while looking at me with her doe eyes.
"I promise. Trust me. I know Nolan better than anybody." I said smiling.
"Okay. I won't give up. Any-who, I've got some work to do. See you." Rina said with a smile then walked out of the back room, more relaxed then she had been before.
Taking a sigh I sat on an old stool rubbing my hands on my face, I really hope Nolan works up his nerve to ask her out and talk to her about everything soon. It's about time she knew anyway. Maybe I'll have to give him a little push...No. No, I shouldn't interfere. This is between them. Shaking my head I stood up and headed back out front to see Becky at the counter with a few customers ringing up life jackets and cable ropes. Walking behind the counter I grabbed our clipboard and started doing an inventory check. Before long it was already closing time.
"FINALLY! FREEDOM!" Rina exclaimed walking into the main shop doing a weird dance with her arms in the air.
"Ha, you know you love it here." Nolan joked as he and Malcom came in with a few boxes labeled gear. Wonder what's in those boxes, I thought.
"I do," Rina said and stuck her tongue out at him as he chuckled and shook his head at her in amusement.
"Get a room!" Malcom commented as he shoved Nolan playful.
"We are in a room. Why don't you find another one if you don't like it?" Nolan shot back and Malcom opened and closed his mouth like a fish as we laughed at his speechless face.
"Oh shut it," Malcom mumbled as he walked past Nolan into the back. Shrugging Nolan followed after him to drop off the box.
"Those two," Becky said, smiling as she shook her head.
"I swear though if I didn't know Nolan better I'd think him and Malcom had a thing," Rina commented and we all laughed.
"Now that I would definitely pay to see. Two hot hunks together. Yum." Becky said with a big grin.
"Okay, I can't deny it. That would be sort of hot." Rina said and I could just see the wheels turning in her head.
"They would make a great couple wouldn't they?" I replied as we all nodded our heads in agreement.
"Who would make a great couple?" Nolan questioned as he came back into the room with Malcom.
"What? A couple? Who's a couple?" Malcom asked, confused tilting his head to the right.
Looking at each other we started laughing.
"What?" Malcom questioned.
"I don't think we want to know..." Nolan said skeptically.
"No. I do. Come on, guys. Don't leave us out." Malcom whined, as I smothered a laugh behind my hand and Becky and Rina just continued laughing. I swear I even saw Becky wipe away a stray tear.
"Are you sure you want to know? There's no going back..." I said giving them a wicked smile, while holding in laughter.
"Yeah....Um... I don't know. I don't like that look." Malcom said, uneasily raising his hand to point at my face, as his facial expressions took on a worried and slightly cautious look.
"We were just saying that we saw two people that would make a great couple. I mean they're both really attractive and get along so well..." I started explaining slowly waiting for them to catch on.
"Oh hell no," Nolan said as he made the connection rather quickly.
"Oh come on Nolan!" Becky cried as Nolan just shook his head no rapidly.
"What? Nolan, what are they talking about?" Malcom asked, still completely confused as Nolan turned towards him.
"They were saying we, as in you and me, would make a great couple," Nolan explained with a horrified face.
"OH HELL NO! I LIKE FEMALES!" Malcom exclaimed with wide eyes and took off out of the shop so fast you'd have thought there was fire on the premises.
"Come on Mal. You wanted to know so bad." Rina called after him as we all laughed and Nolan shook his head.
"You asked," I told Nolan with a smile shrugging my shoulders; not at all guilty for saying it.
"Sadly, I did. But sorry to disappoint ladies but I also prefer the female race." He replied looking at us, his eyes staying on Rina's face a little longer than necessary.
"Oh, we know. But hey let us dream a little." Rina commented as Nolan raised his eyebrow and leaned on the counter looking at her.
"So, what you're saying it that you dream of Mal and me together. In a couple related situation?" Nolan questioned looking directly into her eyes.
"Well...um...not exactly...um" Rina stuttered turning red as Becky and I raised our hands to our mouths as we started chuckling.
'Easy there Romeo.' I teased him mentally and heard his laughter as his reply.
"Not exactly? So then what? You just dream of us getting close to each other? Which I can assume to mean you dream about us kissing and having..." Nolan was cut off as Rina butted in.
"Okay. Enough. We get it." Rina said with a beat red face and hid behind her hair feeling her heartbeat pick up at Nolan's teasing.
"Hey, I'm just indulging in your fantasy ladies," Nolan said, putting his hands in the air, sending a heated glance at Rina. His eyes were roaming her face and body. Claiming her.
"No. You just wanted to see her turn red." I commented with a smirk.
Both Rina and Nolan shot their heads in my direction as I teased them, laughing I turned and headed towards the door. I could feel Nolan's hunger for Rina. He wanted to make her happy and it excited him that she's thought about him in fantasies. It was touching to see how much he wanted to make her happy.
"Come on you guys. I'm sure Malcoms' waiting in the parking lot. We did agree to go to MariLee's Cafe after closing time." I said reminding them.
"Oh, I totally forgot," Rina exclaimed in excitement. Her eyes going wide.
"Shall we then?" Nolan asked, stepping close offering her his arm. His gaze never left her face.
"We shall," Rina replied while looping her arm around his, still red as a tomato. She was looking everywhere but at his face.
"You're welcome to join us too Becky," I said with a smile as I turned off the lights and locked the doors after we all gathered our personal belongings from our lockers in back and exited the Dive Center.
Feeling the wind blow through my hair I leaned my head back and took a deep breath and sighed. Nothing made me feel more at home then smelling and hearing the ocean, besides of course being in it. I could feel the beat pulsating drawing me closer. Whispering of adventure and beauty tempting me to dive right in.
Shaking my head I cleared my thoughts and turned around to start heading over to the diner. Opening MariLee's Cafe I joined everybody at the back booth.
"You came Becky," I said, smiling as I sat down.
"I figured I could use a nice meal for once, plus ma and pa are out of town," Becky commented with a wink as she looked at the menu.
"Well, I already know what I want," Malcom commented as he blew his straw wrapper across the table at Becky.
Swatting the wrapper she glared at Malcom as he smiled at her acting innocent.
"Me too." Rina and I chorused and laughed.
"I bet I know what you're getting," Rina said with a playful grin as I smirked at her.
"Ditto." I shot back as the guys shook their heads and Becky looked at us and shook her head. Shortly after, Tiffany came and asked what we wanted to drink.
"You guys need to get out more. Eating at a dinner all the time can't be good for your health." Becky replied behind her menu.
Snapping our heads her way, I threw a napkin at her.
"Hey. Not everybody feels the need to cook when they get home." Rina replied with a pout.
"Ha. It's a good thing. You burn water. I could see you poisoning yourself before making something good for yourself." Malcom commented under his breath.
"What was that?! I'm not that bad! Am I?" Rina exclaimed with wide eyes looking at us as we looked away from her gaze.
"No offense Rina, but you should definitely stick to take out," I said lightly while taking a sip of my water as she pouted and crossed her arms.
"Well, sorry Miss 5 star, not everybody can cook like you." Rina pouted, unfolding her arms and placing her elbows on the table to rest her chin on her hands.
"5 Star?" Becky asked confused as she put her menu down to look at me as Tiffany brought our drinks back and took our orders then left.
"Didn't you know, Beck? Raihl here can cook like a pro." Malcom said proudly leaning back in the booth.
"Yeah, Ma definitely made sure we both got it drilled into our heads," Nolan commented, trying to suppress a shiver as I laughed.
"You always tried to get out of it but in the end, you were always there at every single class and lesson no matter what," I said reaching across the table and lightly hitting his arm at the fond memories.
"His mom used to hunt me down all the time to find him, he just loved to hide from his mom. She used to make him go everywhere and take private classes on being the perfect gentleman. He used to refer to his mom as the devils personal governess," I told Becky and she made an oh face with raised eyebrows.
"I see. She couldn't have been that bad though, right?" Becky questioned.
Nolan shook his head with wide eyes and spoke, "She really was that bad and I swear our moms always had the idea that we were going to get together eventually, I believe that's why they enforced those classes on both of us."
"She was kind of bad, more like a slave driver when she wanted us to do something. And I agree, but I guess that's what we get for having moms' that are best friends and becoming best friends ourselves," I commented as Nolan nodded his head, though both knowing it was more than that, we shared a special bond for a reason.
"Remember that one time when we were in 8th grade...." Malcom started looking horrified and both Nolan and I intervened.
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Our voices said in unison.
"We made a pact dude," Nolan replied as I nodded my head.
"Yeah remember Co-Co?" I commented while looking at him.
Malcom flushed red and ducked his head.
"Sorry. Never mind." Malcom replied.
"What? Come on. Don't leave us like that...what happened in 8th grade?" Rina pressured as she leaned forward on the table, looking at us with her doe eyes.
Shaking my head rapidly I shot her down as I felt a shiver go through my body at the memory.
"Nothing. We made a pact to NEVER speak of that again." Nolan replied enunciating on the never part like crazy.
"Aw come on." Rina pressed curiously and we shook our heads.
"Nope. Not going to happen sorry Rina." I said with a small smile and she dropped her head in disappointment.
"Okay, I withdraw," Rina said dejectedly, putting her hands in the air as Nolan forced himself to look away. He was so tempted to tell her but they made a pact. No one breaks the pact.
Shortly after Tiffany came back over with our orders. Eating our food we enjoyed each other's company and discussed our day and our lives. Glancing at the clock my eyes got wide.
"Wow. Have we really been here for 2 hours already? Oh, my. I think it's time for me to call it a night." I said and started to get up.
"Geez. Time really flew past." Becky commented as she stood up too.
"I should head out too. I have to be up early tomorrow." Nolan said as he stood up and stretched.
"Client?" Rina asked curiously as Nolan and Malcom shook their heads.
"My mom is visiting for the morning," Nolan explained and Rina made an oh face.
I could feel he really wanted her to met his mom, but he wasn't going to push it since he hasn't even worked up the courage to ask her out and plus, his mom still has high hopes that him and I will eventually get together, though we both know that won't happen and I don't envy him one bit when he tells her he loves someone that isn't me. Oh, poor Nolan. I thought and brushed my mind affectionately with his.
"Well, I'm calling it a night. See you all tomorrow. Have a nice rest of your night you guys." I said smiling as I gave out hugs then walked to the counter and paid our bill, while giving Tiffany a nice tip. She seriously was one of the best people in this town besides Frankie and Clara.
Exiting MariLee's cafe the wind blew in my face. Looking up I glanced out at the ocean seeing the moon finding its place in the sky while the stars started to shine brighter and brighter. Sighing I started walking towards my car. Reaching my car I took out my keys and unlocked the doors, hopping in I started my car and went on my way.
Rolling down my windows, I went around the curves beside the ocean as I played relaxing music.
Reaching my house I walked up to the front door and punched in my security code. Hearing the beep I inserted my house key and opened my door, walked in then shut it turning on my lights.
Setting my keys and purse on the dresser by the door I walked over to my bay window and opened my curtains.
Glancing outside I placed my hand on the glass then rested my face against it and closed my eyes then opened them feeling my shoulders relax as I took everything in.
Home. There was nothing that could beat my view of the ocean or the beachfront out my back door. It's one of the best in town.
It's true there is no place like home.
One day I wonder if we'll ever be able to fully tell our friends the truth. Would they believe me? Would they believe us?
Would they believe that I have a special connection to the ocean? That I feel it's movement. Hear it's untold songs. Experienced its ever-growing emptiness? I feel it. It's like a 2nd sense. It calls and I hear it. I shoulder its loneliness and its happiness. Would they believe that Nolan and I are connected? How will they react?
Shaking my head I frowned. No. Stop. I know them. They're our friends. They would at least try to understand my connection to Nolan and the ocean, I'm sure of it. I thought as I held my hand to my chest and stared longingly at the endless ocean watching the waves break against the coast.
'One day we'll come home.' a female voice whispered in my head.
Did I...? Did I just hear a voice? Who was she? I've never heard that voice before. I questioned myself with a frown as I scanned my surroundings in surprise. Shaking my head I looked back outside.
'No way. No one's here but me, I would have felt Nolan merge with me, I must have just made it up.'
'You silly girl. I'm here too you know.' She whispered again and I felt my heart jump with awareness, while I looked around again.
Upon, hearing a laugh I stopped and focused.
'Haha, You're silly! I'm not out there. I'm in here. I'm in your head, your mind, your heart, your soul.' She commented in an amused tone.
Slightly confused I asked, 'Who are you?'
'You'll see. One day soon. You will see...." She replied softly and then she was gone.
Hitting my head a little with the palm of my hand, I continued to try and contact the voice until I was weary with fatigue. All I knew is that I could sense she, the owner of that voice, was important to me. Almost like we were one being, not two. I could feel that she was also sad. I could feel an ache in my chest. Something is happening.
Shaking my head I rubbed my eyes, No, I'm just making things up because I'm so tired. There is only Nolan, I thought, shaking my head suddenly and heading upstairs into my bedroom.
Getting ready for bed I changed into my nightgown then turned off my lights and crawled into the center of my bed. Curling into my pillows and blankets I was out within seconds.
'Oh, I am very much real, sweetheart.' She voiced into the endless void.