Nine Days

By HR Willaston

Andy Qwinn has always loved everything about water. She trains all year to keep her spot on her high school's swim team. She volunteers at an aquarium. And she earns extra money as a science tutor to help her reach her dream of going away to college and working to protect marine animals and their ocean homes.

In a family where artistic abilities are coveted above everything else, being placed on the varsity swim team as a freshman or earning an internship to work with sea otters isn't seen as a great accomplishment. Spending the summer in art camp is more important than being offered the chance to study dolphins in Belize. Her four siblings have been in the artistic spotlight since preschool. At 17, Andy can't act, draw, paint or sing. She didn't inherit her mother's graceful gift of dance or her father's talent to play any instrument he picks up. While her parents attempt to pull Andy's "hidden talent" out through dance, music and art lessons, her stepparents have their own ways of reminding her about her failures - both as an artist and as a daughter- and that she isn't even ordinary in a family full of extraordinary.

Everything changes when she decides to runaway and spend her spring break doing what she's been dreaming of doing for years. With the click of a mouse, she changes her itinerary from an ordinary week long visitation with her mom, step-dad and step-sister to an extraordinary nine days in Hawaii, working at an aquarium with a couple of monk seals and their intern - Kai. She spends the week meeting new people, getting the chance to experience things she's never thought possible before and learning more about herself than she could in any art class.

How much can Andy's life change in nine days? Doing what she wants? Making her own decisions without parental approval? Dealing with the consequences of those decisions?

What happens when the nine days are up?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HR Willaston
• Release date: Sep 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301865604

HR Willaston

H.R. Willaston lives in California with her husband, Scott and their menagerie including five cats, three tanks of fish, two mourning doves and one dog - Laura-Glue. When not writing, she enjoys reading, camping at the beach, volunteering for animal rescues and working at a high school as a special education tutor.Nine Days is her second book. Future Letters was the first

Book preview

Pete and Repeat

The setting sun warmed my face, as the back of my throat still burned from the last shot of rum. My eyes closed and my head rested back against the side of the house as I took another swallow from the bottle before Jase could take it from me.

I know you had a bad week Andy, but you need to slow down.

It's fine. I'm not even buzzed. Besides, today sucked. I stayed up all night last night finishing that AP World History paper so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Then I had to wear that dumbass Easter dress most of the day. Who the hell makes a 16-year-old wear an Easter dress?

Jase took a drink. Yeah, what's up with all the light green today? Why did your whole family match?

"Not light green - spring green. Kim wanted us to be perfect for brunch since her family was coming too." I shuddered at the memory of the brunch from hell. Sitting between my sister and stepmom; not being allowed to speak unless spoken too and even then - Don't talk too much. No one really cares what how school and swimming are going. They're only asking to be polite. I tightened the ponytail in my dark-blonde hair, wanting nothing more than to drown my stepmom's voice from my mind with alcohol. Yeah, it sucked. So, pass the bottle back.

He shook his head, Nope, not until you explain why the step-bitch kept putting ham on your plate. When did you start eating meat again?

"I didn't. She put it there so I'd look like a normal person in a normal family."

But it didn't stay on your plate.

I shrugged. Zoe got her revenge on Kim. She hated wearing the pastel dress just as much as I did so she snuck the ham off my plate and kept feeding it to Biffy under the table.

Jase took another drink and offered me the bottle. I thought Kim's little mutt wasn't allowed people food.

He's not. I drank.

And why you were talking weird?

What do you mean?

Jase eyed me. You'd start to answer a question, jump a little, and then cut the answer short. What was that about?

I hugged my legs to my chest, exposing the small, nickel-sized bruise on my upper thigh. Jase caught a glimpse of it and he frowned, taking the bottle back. She was pinching you. Great, Reep, now you have two bruised legs.

I rolled my eyes. The pinching didn't even hurt. It's not a big deal.

He nodded towards my opposite leg. And what about that one? Will your coach let you swim when your leg is banged up like that? Can you even swim?

My hand gently rubbed against the raised fist-sized lump of purple bruise on my other thigh as I straightened my cutoff sweats to cover the spot. Of course I can swim. I swam right after I got it, didn't I?

Yeah, I don't buy that you got that from slipping on the diving board. He swallowed a drink, before handing me back the bottle. Your mom removed the diving board after last spring break because you had a similar accident that ended with a bruised stomach and possible broken ribs. Feeling his eyes on me, I took another drink to avoid talking. He let out a frustrated growl at my lack of response. Fine, we won't talk about it.

Thank you. I waited while he adjusted his school baseball hat, pushing his dark-blonde hair off his forehead, before I passed him back the bottle.

So, another summer of art camp?

I nodded. Ya know, I switched to my mocking parental voice. "Working on my artistic abilities is very important."

Jase barked a laugh, What's your artistic ability? Finger painting? Your awesome acting skills? Or is it your ability to slaughter entire audiences when you come in contact with any musical instrument?

Shut up, Jase. I wrenched the bottle back from him.

"I think that last one is more like a superpower than artistic ability. The Amazing Reep! Taking down criminals with a single off-key musical note! He laughed again. I don't think that's what your dad had in mind with all those music lessons."

I shrugged, "Probably not, but you could be my side kick - Pete the Freak. I thought for a moment, Hmmm, but what would your superpower be? Making ears bleed with your lovely singing voice? He glared at me. Because, wow do you suck!"

Shut up, Andy.

I guess you won't be wooing any girls with your beautiful serenading.

I don't have to woo girls. He winked at me. They just fall for me because I'm so hot.

Rolling my eyes at him, I handed back the rum. Whatever.

He took a swig from the bottle before changing the subject. So, you're going to art camp again. That means all four parents said no. No summer science program again. What was this year's round of excuses?

The usual. It's too expensive. I'm too young to travel that far from home on my own. My grades aren't good enough and they probably won't even accept my application. A sarcastic laugh escaped, And there's a war going on in all those countries.

He choked a bit on the drink he'd taken. A war? In Spain? Or does the step-bitch think that Florida's its own country now?

Apparently.

She's an idiot. I'm guessing the grade comment came from the step-prick. You have straight As - how does he think your grades can get better? I shrugged as he tossed back another drink. I thought you were saving to help pay for it?

I am. I did. With babysitting and tutoring, plus birthday money from the last two years, I have just over $2,000. I took the offered bottle back. Doesn't even cover half.

Maybe next year.

That'd be my last shot at this program. I looked past the trees in his backyard to watch the sun sink lower. Why do I even bother anymore? They're never going to let me go.

Maybe there's something else you can do instead.

Yeah, graduate high school. I'll have to wait for college to get any hands-on experience in marine and ecological sciences. They have to let me go to college, right?

The better question is, will they let you go to the school you want? Aren't they still pushing schools close to home?

Yeah, mom wants me to go to a school up there in Oakdale. Dad wants me to stay here. I quickly tossed back a shot, trying not to think about spending the rest of my life in either town.

Bellmore's closer to the ocean.

Yeah, it's just over the mountains. If I grow wings I could fly there in about 30 minutes.

"Wow, snarky bitch."

"Sorry. You know both schools have nothing for marine biology and shitty ecology programs. Everything here is more focused on education and arts, which made it perfect for Emily's Fine Art degree and teaching credentials. It'll be great for Zoe if she sticks with acting, and of course Cody and his rock star dreams. Up there it's all agriculture - perfect for Gemma to follow in her daddy's footsteps if she decides to stop acting like a carbon copy of Zoe. Jase snickered a bit, making me smile. Nothing for me. I need to get out of here for school. Besides, even you're planning on getting out of here." I handed him back the bottle.

Yeah, I want out too. I don't know where I'm gonna go or what I wanna do, but I know it's not here. He threw back his head, laughing before taking another drink. I was planning on just following you wherever you went. At least it'll be close to the beach. He shook the bottle at me, grinning, And beach does equal party. Well, for everyone but you.

I ripped the bottle from his hand. Shut up. Taking a drink, I glanced over at him. Is that really your plan? Follow me?

Of course! We've been inseparable since we were two. Graduating high school shouldn't change that. Leaning back next to me, he spread his arms towards the horizon like his plans were all mapped out on the air in front of him. So, it's college on the beach, graduating again, living and working near the beach. Then when you get married, we'll build a room for me and I'll live over your garage. I'll teach your kids how not to get into trouble while they do things their parents don't want them to and spend my days threatening to beat the shit out of your husband if he ever hurts you. His elbow playfully nudged my arm. See, all planned out.

That won't work.

Why not?

I'm not getting married. And besides, I was planning on living above your garage and threatening your wife if she ever hurts you. I quickly took a drink before he took the bottle again.

And you'll teach my kids what? How to compost, separate trash for recycling and swim?

"Someone has to. And hey, I taught you how to swim - remember?"

Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, eco-freak. He took another drink before balancing the bottle between us on the roof. You never told me you didn't want to get married.

Have you met my family?

Yes. Nonno and Nonni have been married almost 60 years. Your uncles are all happily married. So, your parents suck at marriage - that doesn't mean you will. He let some chuckles escape. "And since you obviously don't have the anime gemelle thing going for you like your grandparents did, I'll just have to choose a husband for you. Man, do you suck at choosing boyfriends!"

"'Anime gemelle' - the soul mate thing? How drunk are you?" Eyes closing, my head leaned back again as I enjoyed the fuzziness from the alcohol making me feel numb.

"Not too drunk to remember how much you loved hearing that story from Nonni over and over. You must still believe that you're also a bambina di promessa too. You're still wearing the locket. You never take it off."

I lifted the clamshell-shaped locket and listened to the smaller shell locked inside. I wear it because it was Nonni's and she got it from her grandmother - not because I really believe I'm a 'child of promise' and destined for someone or something. That only happens to people in books and movies or for Nonno and Nonni.

He laughed again. "Well, Damon was definitely not your destiny. I doubt when you first met him that 'the world slipped away and felt like it was just the two of you' or that 'you were so drawn to each other you had a hard time staying away' and you obviously didn't fall in love with him so fast that you thought about marry him a few weeks later because was your per sempre."

Shuddering at the thought of spending forever with my asshole ex, I dropped the locket down my shirt. I thought we were done talking about Damon?

You didn't talk so how can we be done talking?

You already know everything. Nothing else to talk about. He had a real girlfriend he was screwing. I'm the blind idiot who thought she was the girlfriend.

Who he was trying to pressure into having sex. And you're not an idiot.

Not wanting to feel the humiliation again, I reached for the bottle. It's over. Can we move on now? I tossed back another shot.

You're supposed to let your best friend beat the shit out of him. That's in the job description, ya know. He grabbed the bottle away from my lips. And you're supposed to talk to me. No more rum for you. He set the bottle down on the other side of his legs. Did he try to call you while you were at your mom's?

Still hugging my legs, I rested my chin on my knees. No. He tried before I left. He said he thought I knew about her.

Yeah, that's bullshit. At least you distroyeded her at the meet. I don't think I've ever seen you swim that fast!

Embarrassment and anger can do that. We're done talking about this.

Fine, we're done. He playfully nudged me with his elbow again, trying to lighten the mood. I wasn't the only guy who noticed how fast you swam. Luke thought it was pretty awesome.

Luke's just happy our school won and we're moving on to All District. I glanced over at him. So, we went from the jerk with the girlfriend to the crush with a girlfriend? Luke barely knows I exist.

Stop saying that. He knows you exist.

We're done talking about guys. I leaned over and pulled the bottle from him. What happened with Gina? I thought you were gonna go out during spring break.

We did. It was okay. She's a bit nervous about you. My eyes grew wide, making him laugh. The best friend approval. Pete and Repeat are very intimidating. He playfully winked his brown eye, that looked so much like mine.

I rolled mine at him. Are you going out again? He answered with a casual shrug, making me annoyed. So, you make me talk about guys, but you don't say shit about girls? How is that fair?

I didn't say it was. Fine, we won't talk about guys or girls. What are you going to do with all that money you saved?

An inquisitive voice coming from the window above us made us both jump. What money? How much money?

Jase hid the bottle from his younger brother - the middle school aged tattle-tale. None of your business. What do you want, Kev?

Mom wants to know if Repeat's staying for dinner, Kevin said.

Mom already knows she is. What are you really doing?

Is she staying for breakfast too?

Jase quickly turned to look up at Kevin through his window. If you mean is she staying over like she has every Easter night for the past ten years - then, yeah. Stop trying to make it sound like something else.

Through my drunken fuzziness, something clicked in my brain, That idea didn't come from you.

As I looked up at Kevin, Jase and I announced together, It came from Zoe. I continued, What did my wonderful little sister tell you?

Shaking off the sound of our combined voices, Kevin shrugged, She didn't say anything to me. He turned away, trying to look at anything but Jase and me. I overheard her talking at school about your sleepovers. She's trying to make them sound like something else.

Not at all surprised, I shook my head and turned back to look at the sun setting on the horizon. Speaking in unison again, Jase snapped, as I muttered, You know she's lying.

Jase continued on with his annoyance about both our younger siblings. Anything else people are saying that you want to tell us about before you get the hell out of my room?

Sorry, just thought you should know. As he walked away from the window, Kevin called back over his shoulder. And dad says get off the roof.

I woke up, confused by the dim light and finger-tapping noises coming from the other side of the room. I rolled over to find Jase sitting up in his bed, computer on his lap. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. What time is it?

About 2:00. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up.

It's okay. What are you doing?

Not looking up from the computer, he continued to type. What if you could work at an aquarium here? I know it's not Dolphins in Belize, Orcas in Washington or Sea Turtles in Costa Rica, but it's something, right?

Feeling more awake, I sat up quickly. Yeah, an aquarium would be something. Do they have anything?

He nodded, still typing. Yeah, Pacific Aquarium has some volunteer jobs. Stuff like tour guides, working in the gift shop, or helping at events. I just finished filling out volunteer applications for us. Come here, look.

I crawled on to his bed to sit next to him, my legs crossed under me. On the screen was a webpage with a bright blue background and a picture of a dolphin in the upper corner announcing that we're looking at the volunteer qualifications and options page. Jase pointed to a link. We can sign up for volunteer training right here, and there's one we can go to tomorrow. What do you think?

We?

Well, yeah. We need service-learning hours for school anyway, and this sounds fun. He let me take the computer off his lap. I started looking around the website, while he continued talking. You'd probably learn tons if you got to be a guide. Some of the events look pretty cool. We'd get a pass to the aquarium so we could go whenever we want, plus discounts. And if I worked at the gift shop, I'd never have to worry about what to get you for your birthday and Christmas ever again, he laughed.

I'd moved on from looking at the volunteer opportunities and found internship options. Most of them required that you be 18 or older with college credits, but a few research and observation based options didn't have an age requirement, just needed the college classes. I clicked the link to check out a marine mammal program.

Shit, I was hoping you'd be too tired to find the internships. Now you want to take a bunch of college classes, huh?

I nodded, thinking out loud. I'm already taking U.S. History this summer to get it out of the way. If I take the college-level class at the same time it'd be like taking the same class, right? Maybe they have a swimming P.E. class - I'll still be in training anyway and it'll mean less time at art camp. Plus if I add a math class I can skip ahead next year and go straight into trig...

He snatched the computer from my lap. No talking about math while we're still on spring break.

You don't have to take them with me. I know you don't want to prepare food or do behavior observations. I stared at the wall across his room, imagining silvery dolphins and grey seals swimming across it. But that would be so cool!

While I continued to babble about how amazing getting one of those internships would be, Jase started typing again. There. We're signed up for the training. Closing the computer, he threw us into complete darkness. No more aquarium talk until tomorrow. Go back to your bed.

But...

Reep, go! He pointed to my bed.

I climbed back into my bed and pulled the blanket over me, my eyes drawn to the vision of two dark grey seals, with large dark eyes and folds wrinkled around their necks, swimming laps across the ceiling. You can't sleep now, Jase stated.

My mind allowed the seals to go for another run over my head. Nope.

You're making up your own science study program in your head, huh?

The seals vanished with a pop and my head snapped towards the sound of his voice. What did you say?

That summer science program that you've been getting emails for since eighth grade - you're thinking of ways to make your own.

Chapter 2

First Steps Into A New World

The sound of the Hawaiian waves crashing on the shore outside pulled my eyes to the open window. The clear blue horizon was so different than looking at the ocean back in California. The water seemed clearer and deeper, the sky was brighter. The breeze coming off the water felt more exhilarating than standing on the shore at home - or maybe it was the anticipation of the new things I'd get to experience during the week that was so exciting.

From across the table, the aquarium's volunteer coordinator, Coleen brought my focus back to the meeting. I see you've been very busy in the last 12 months. Completed five college classes, currently enrolled in two more, volunteering at the Pacific Aquarium's gift shop and as guide, plus an internship. A lot of experience working with the public. What did you think of your time as a guide?

I really enjoyed it, I told her. It was great getting to work with the visitors and I learned a lot about the different animals and their habitats.

Still looking over my letters of recommendation, the head of the animal caregivers and the Monk Seal Program, Dr. Stanton said, Your sea otter internship from the fall is impressive. One of the youngest interns they've had. Dr. Odean's letter mentions that the otters were very comfortable with you, more than they were with her past interns. 'The otters were attracted to Miss Qwinn like she had her pockets lined with squid and fish.' He looked up at me with an amused smile. I'm assuming you don't carry fish in your pockets.

No, sir, I shrugged. I can't explain it. They just liked me. They trusted me.

And what are you hoping to accomplish while you're here this week? he asked.

I want to learn and experience as much as I can.

Dr. Stanton closed my file, setting it on the table in front of him. I think we can help you with that. Turning to Coleen, he asked, Shall we give Andy a tour before getting her set up to work tomorrow morning?

They led me through the exhibits of the Ku'oko'a Aquarium. The aquarium was smaller than the Pacific Aquarium back home. Maybe it was because of the lateness of the day and lack of visitors, but the aquarium felt peaceful, the animals calm and content in their habitats. Most of my time spent at the Pacific Aquarium had been on weekends and holidays or during special events. It never failed that I'd run into someone I knew while I was working, which just made my busy volunteer or internship shift even busier talking about things outside of the aquarium, pulling my focus away from the animals. Here, there would be no questions about how my family's doing or how my sister Emily's first year of teaching was going. No chats about Jase's last baseball game, how I thought I did on last week's AP Chemistry test or how the swim team was doing. No chance of running into anyone here. Here, the focus would be on the aquarium and the animals.

My happiness grew as we walked from one exhibit to the next. I comfortably answered Dr. Stanton's questions displaying my knowledge of the animals, and watched him brighten when I showed my eagerness to learn more by asking my own questions. They introduced me to a few of the other volunteers working as tour guides and animal caregivers.

We stopped at the monk seal pool. Still answering questions, I looked around at the rocky cliff walls on the far side of the pool, the flat stone shelves, and the greenish-blue water. I'd looked at this pool online so many times it was branded into my brain, but the computer views were nothing like actually being there. I heard a splash and my heart leapt as the seals came racing towards us. Their gray bodies twisted and swirled through the water. Popping up to look at us, they made grumbling wup-wup-wup noises. Forgetting about the tour, I leaned on the habitat wall and stared down at them. A perfect calm washed over me while I watched them swim. Becoming playful, both seals swam laps around the pool, taking turns to stop by us each time for a chat. Their sleek bodies - wrinkled just below their heads with folds around their necks, white tipped whiskers and big dark eyes mesmerized me. I fell more in love with them than I already was from just watching them online.

They swam away from us when their caretakers came out for feeding time. I heard Dr. Stanton mention that the caretakers were program interns. Usually during feeding times they'd talk to the aquarium visitors about the seals and the conservation efforts for them, but this close to closing it was just feeding and interacting time. The seals took turns swimming to their interns for food and back to us, chattering as if they wanted us to know how delicious their dinner was.

That's strange. I've never seen them do that before. They usually just stay with the interns. Andy, are you sure you don't have any seal food in your pockets? I tore myself away from the seals to look up at Dr. Stanton, finding him and Coleen both grinning. I shook my head, answering no to his question.

Coleen smiled bigger. Yeah, I'm sure we can find something for you to do this week. I returned her smile before turning back to the seals. Speaking to Dr. Stanton, she laughed a little, Will and Kai look really confused. Amazed, but confused. He chuckled in response.

We said goodbye to Dr. Stanton at the seal pool when he left to help the interns and Coleen led me away to the gift shop. Dr. Stanton and I will discuss your schedule this evening but for now, can you start in the gift shop tomorrow morning at 9:00? I nodded my agreement. Great. Then I'll introduce you to Leilani and she can show you around the shop while I get you set up to work.

The open front gift shop was empty except for a girl in a dark green tee shirt with the aquarium logo on it and brown shorts. She'd dressed up her simple outfit with a matching beaded lanyard around her neck to display her badge. A green and brown headband pulled her dark brown, professionally highlighted hair away from her tanned and make-up covered face, showing off beaded earrings that matched her lanyard. She turned when Coleen interrupted her straightening up the shelves. Lani, this is Andy. She'll be working with us this week and will start her first shift tomorrow morning in here with you. While I get her badge and shirts, can you show her around a bit, please? We watched her enter a room behind the counter with my college id in hand.

Leilani smiled, tossing her hair over her shoulders with a flick of her head. You're only working here for the week?

Yeah, just for spring break. I wanted to get some experience at a different aquarium.

Where are you from?

Southern California. I'm an intern and volunteer at Pacific Aquarium.

She nodded towards the room Coleen had entered. And you go to Bellmore Junior College. I saw your id. Are you studying biology there? Freshman?

I simply nodded. I had taken a biology class during the fall semester and with the number of credits I had, technically I would've been considered a freshman.

She asked me a few more getting-to-know you questions while she showed me around the store. I answered as vaguely as possible, trying hard not to sound like I was hiding anything. As Leilani showed me how to work the cash register, Coleen returned with a stack of green shirts and a badge attached to a simple black cord. I placed the pile into my backpack as Coleen told me she'd come by the gift shop in the morning and give me my schedule.

Welcome aboard, Andy!

I walked slowly back to the hostel that would be my home for the next nine days, trying to focus on the beachside sidewalk instead of the cell phone that was blowing up in my hand. The phone demanded my full attention with its ringing, dinging and pinging - sounds of voicemails and text messages piling on top of each other. I went through the voicemails first. Lots of questions in angry tones - Where are you? What were you thinking? And of course a rundown of how much trouble I'd be in when I got home. There were a couple of guilt-filled threats from the stepdad and a How stupid are you? from the stepmom. I quickly deleted each one, not listening to any of them all the way through. I took this trip to get away from the suffocating craziness of my home and family. I didn't need to listen to the messages to know what each person was saying. I erased the text message from Zoe stating that The parents are going to kill you! and read the many from Jase telling me to call him - NOW!

Before I got the chance to, my phone sang with his ring tone. I took a deep breath, pushed the answer button, but didn't even get out Hello before he pounced.

What took you so long!?

Hey Pete. What's up?

"What's up? You ran away from home!"

Dropping my backpack on a bench, I sat down and looked out at the water. I'll be back next Monday. Is that still considered running away?

I quickly pulled the phone away from my ear as he hollered, Yes, that's still running away!

Stop yelling at me.

I heard him take a breath to calm down. Fine, no more yelling. Everyone's going crazy over here.

That's new?

Well, no, I guess not. I'm just worried about you. Are you okay? Where are you?

I'm fine. I can't tell you where I am. Have my parents called you yet?

Yup, all four of them. They don't believe that I didn't know anything about this.

That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to have to lie for me. This is a lot bigger than telling my dad we're going to see a movie when we're really going to a party.

I'm not the bad liar here, Reep. That would be you. I didn't respond. What he said was completely true. The step-bitch said there's no way you planned this out on your own, so it had to be me.

That sounds right.

And the step-prick told me to make sure you know how much this 'little stunt' is hurting your mom. He sounded pretty pissed.

That sounds right, too.

You do have a plan, right?

Of course I do. I'll be volunteering at an aquarium for the week. I just finished meeting with them. That's why I couldn't call you sooner.

You could've done that here. His voice raised with anxiety. "You've been doing that here!"

Different aquarium, different animals, different environment, different experiences.

He sighed, Shit. You planned your own program. Why didn't you wait until summer?

I don't have enough money to support myself through the summer.

But you have enough to support yourself for the week?

Yes.

And you have a place to stay? A way to get around? A way to get home? A way to keep your folks from finding you and dragging your ass back home?

I pulled my feet up on to the bench, hugging my knees to my chest. All that would be part of the plan.

"Which you decided to tell me nothing about. You've always told me everything."

I know. I'm sorry.

You could've taken me with you.

You don't even know where I am. I could be somewhere so boring you'd be complaining the whole time.

He laughed, I doubt that. You'll be working at an aquarium, that means you're near the beach and it's spring break. I'm sure I would've found something to do. And it sure as hell wouldn't have been working.

I smiled, looking out at the water, feeling the breeze blow the free strands of hair away from my face. True.

So, a beach where? You're still in California, right?

No. Now stop asking questions. I'm not telling you any more.

His voice took on a more serious tone. Just one more. Are you scared? I'm sure the steps have tried calling you.

I slid my clamshell locket back and forth on its chain, hearing the rattle of the smaller, real shell locked inside. Yeah, they left messages. It feels strange being on my own, but I'm not worried about the family finding me. More nervous that someone here will find out and put me on a plane back home.

What are you going to do about the steps when you get home? I didn't have an answer. You didn't plan for that huh? Great plan!

Annoyed, I snapped, "So,