Chapter 1

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

banner by the amazing:Saramitra_ I love this banner wholeheartedly. EEE, thank you sm ily :"")

***

"The audacity to flip a middle finger to motivation to give my damn head a rest." I told myself.

"You know you pretty much got yourself bruised up after the incident, should you really shove his head onto the bucket of fishes?"

Drill Sergeant Marchwood stated. She is a respected Sergeant, with features of wavy black ombre hair, pale brown eyes, and tan skin which is a great nod to her North Asian heritage. Tightly dressed in a uniform that proudly suited her posture of confidence.

"It was just an accident, I almost caught the bastard, you know how this town is. He scammed my grandpa into selling him fresh fish, he almost give his entire wealth and pride to that seller. As he was about to bolt I had to tackle him."

"Greene, you are a cop it's unprofessional. Let the authorities handle it."

Marchwood furrowed her eyebrows as she cut off the string wire from my arm with a nudge to finish her statement.

I sighed as I looked down, as a cockroach began kicking its legs like running in a championship to flex its wings.

I jumped back expecting it to fly into my face. Don't kill me. Don't kill me.

As soon as its wings started to flicker, Marchwood stepped on it crushing it with the heel of her shoe. Her perplexed look pointed at my sudden panic.

"Ehe... survival instincts am I right?"

She raised an index finger, "I know you're having a hard time fitting in with your life here in Cedar Oaks. But please remember your parents are... well they sent you here to live with your grandpa for a safe distance."

"You mean they retire from work and I'm taking care of grandpa because they couldn't bother visiting him? Yeah, I know."

I don't talk much with everyone, neither of us do. We only have a small chat and that's it, I read books instead of socializing with others. It keeps me calm and relaxed, distracting myself away from the real world that could often be complicated.

"Alright enough with that, you know I am here for you to talk whatever it is to make you comfortable in this town. It's different from your current home but your grandfather loves you so much."

I chuckled. "Yep, I know. Even as stubborn as he is he's an old man. Driving back bere where I grew up is different now, at least I can look after gramps."

"Especially after four years living here away from them, this town is pretty much eye-catching for tourists, lively perhaps."

"I know but he is just worried for you, he treats you as his child. I envy you you know?" She chuckled.

The beads trickled down to my nose which suddenly triggered an irritation. Every nerve in my body boiled clicking against the tingle. I instantly wiped it away.

I stood up and hugged her back as I saluted in respect exchanging glances, as I left the clinic out of the precinct. I jogged for hours feeling the breeze pelted in my damp skin giving a little push to cool down my heated breathing.

I could hardly feel my lungs expanding its entrance greedily collecting oxygen. My tongue felt like sandpaper dragged its thirst away. As the twelve o clock sun rose at the top glaring at my loose brunette hair.

God lunchtime is always the best subject. Or maybe sleep.

***

I walked into the Coffee Shop to have a little refreshment or perhaps a heavy meal with the knot in my stomach killing my entire body and my arms felt like a million bricks.

I approached the cashier, staring at my friend, Danny who was sleeping in his magazine. I slammed my fist on the wooden table, as he tumbled backward dropping the magazine.

I snickered under my breath. Danny is a huge sleepyhead that always kept his head down to ensure no one suspected him of sleeping. Sometimes, I tend to wake him up so he wouldn't fall on the floor again. It would take up at least a minute before his mind switched to a bad mood.

"Morning! Taking big naps again? " I greeted.

"Hello to you too! You rarely visit here much, where you hogging some action and no sleep?" Lifting an eyebrow he slouched from his seat holding back his yawn.

I ruffled his dark brown hair, his brown eyes glanced back at my gesture, irritated as he fixed his hair along with his turtleneck outfit adjusting his brown apron. That gave a hint he doesn't like to be disturbed during his shift, as the room was cold enough for a person.

"Missed you too bud, sorry haven't visited. Just taking care of things and gramps." I smiled.

He wrinkled his nose. "Yeah... at least you don't look like a living corpse. Anyways usual order?"

Danny handed me a plate of waffles coated in maple syrup and topped with strawberries and blueberry jam.

I yawned closing my eyes as I took a bite of the waffle. I stayed up all night doing my work and somehow I always end up sleeping everywhere in my room, as of now I can't quite go back to sleep because I already got up and my mind cannot process to sleep back which is quite annoying.

"Damn, it looks like you have eyebags in the morning. Did you even sleep?" Danny asked.

"Yes! I did!" I raised my voice, realizing I was out of tone.

"Yikes, that's a big no. You need to rest stat."

"No! I can do it, mom! I have chores left to help grandpa and I'm still wide awake. See?" I open my eyes wide showing him my full eyeball.

"Yeah, so awake that I could see the veins pulsing in your eyes."

The door opened followed by a bell chime. Janna entered the café with a big yawn.

"That's some kinky waffle." Janna welcomed a friendly wave and her confident posture raised composure that covers with a simple hoodie.

Wearing her usual cargo pants and hoodie with her cracked frame glasses reflecting her glistening dark brown eyes as her auburn hair flowed with the gust of wind. I suppose she must've been in a hurry to change clothes at this hour.

"Damn didn't know this was a reunion time, glad you didn't slip on the wet floor otherwise I will continuously laugh at you."

"You're lucky I just had lunch today, I came to visit for some milk tea to improve my mood." Janna rolled her eyes as she approach my table.

"Perhaps, watching too many memes and vines, and getting easily distracted?" I grinned.

"I can't help it, I'm just distracted at my job and go out in diners after my amends. Can't help balance my ragged brain without food you feel?"

"Also guess what?" Danny exclaimed.

"Chicken butt," I replied.

Janna grinned. "Old school grandma,"

"Wanna come up and go to my grandparent's yacht? I would love it if you guys would come to their annual party. I don't wanna idle alone like a loser so if I were to request your presence to be known would you care to join me?"

Janna glanced."Oh, that's sweet! I'll come with you, but tell me it's not a boring party. Social anxiety you know? Parties are like aliens, a strange place to be loud and stupid."

"It's my grandparent's anniversary so I wanted to organize something special for them since they have been taking care of me. I thought I would make this day special and it wouldn't be it without you guys as well." His sheepish grin made his cheeks rose-tinted red shifting his weight on the table eager for an answer.

Janna and I cooed.

"Wow look at you being modest ain't this a rare occasion." Janna smacked her lips exaggerating her reply.

"We would be happy too bud, just for the record we won't have to stay much late as we are strict to curfew by eleven."

"Uh oh, Annika's has been influenced by gramps, quite extraordinary I must say."

"Indeed, such a shame. I mean bud? Tsk, you need a rewind girl." Danny joined Janna's shenanigans with a cunning grin on his face crossing his hands on the table as Janna wiggled her eyebrows.

"Speaking of bud, the party is just an event for a special organization. Only close relatives will be there. I was hoping Annika would join us since she's an officer after all so it's a win win. Oscar will be hosting it tonight too."

Janna beamed. "Oh yeah," she said dragging the 'ah'. "haven't seen him much in a while been too occupied really."

"Damn a party at this hour? You guys must have a lot of stuff going on. Are you sure the Cedar Oaks sheriff's allowed this? There's a curfew all night, I don't want each of you to get your asses drunk." I reminded.

"No don't worry. It's just the close ones of my grandparents and us. Now shut up and prepare yourselves we'll start at seven."

Janna winked as Danny grabbed a can of soda and threw it across to Janna as she raised her hand. Landing on her hand barely missing her head.

Tieing my brunette hair, my chesnut eyes dug into the plate of waffles to fill my satisfaction in craving as if I were a cat hoarding a bunch of fish and eating them in one sitting. The afternoon sun hung in the sky glaring through the tinted windows and lighting the coffee shop.

The feeling of time rewinding as deja vu hits like memories of reuniting with your friends. They have helped me adjust to living in a new town, compared to where I live, yet after living in Cedar Oaks for a decade, it feels like home even when I'm far away from where my parents lived.

With a few chats here and there I stuffed the whole waffle in my mouth with one swallow, standing up and patting Janna's auburn hair flicking it in her face and disrupting her on the phone.

"Hey, Annika! Say hi to gramps for me, will you? After working my shift I will give him dessert!" Danny yelled.

"Now, now you know how grandpa craves dessert. Don't push his limits more he wouldn't stop controlling himself."

"God bless his cardiac soul. Hug him for me would you!"

I shrugged my bomber jacket leaving a tip at the table with a nod at my friends one last time before heading outside the streets heading towards the shack where my grandfather lived.

***

The day was yet to dawn as I made my way to the rough-timbered shack that nestled into the shore of the lake. The sun is peeking over the mountains as the water hummed against the cool and delicate air that kissed my skin with moisture. The sky softened to a blue and the clouds are blushing like ripe orange feeling the soft warming rays grew stronger for the light they receive.

Grandpa had just finished cleaning the shack and feeding the ducks before he could start fishing so he could grill fish for dinner. He slouched sitting at the bridge that stretched out across the lake, holding a fishing rod and staring into the water.

I cautiously approached him and wrapped my arms around him as he jumped and turned to look at me.

"Jesus, kid. You're giving me a heart attack?" His gravelly voice welcomed a smile.

I bent down and sat across him with my feet dangling on the side as I turn to look at him. "Whatcha doin'?" I grinned.

He sighed his lips creased forming into a frown. "Don't annoy me, kid. I'm catching me some fish for dinner."

"Sounds delicious, tell me more." I bat my eyelashes replied with his groan.

"How's your life? Oh, wait nevermind that would be boring." he changed the subject.

"Ouch... who made you grumpy? Probably someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed?" I complimented him as he raised an eyebrow.

"Your existence. I'm not in the damn mood." He kept his stare at the water his fishing rod floating on the lakebed.

"So, tell me. What made you into fishing... women back then?" I grinned.

He coughed, "I know that smug look. Don't even think about mentioning that. I was young at that time."

I gasped. "That's not what I meant! But is her evening wide open? Some tentacles in there I presume?" I teased as he smacked my back with his backhand.

"You and your mind. Help me fish here instead, I never wonder how your parents raised you." He shook his head with a sideways glance with a hint of grin tug on his lips.

Grandpa began to laugh."Finally! I caught you little rascal! Come to papa!" He turned the handle clockwise pulling with every might.

The string ascended as he jerked back my hands steady him giving support, with a fish caught in the bait.

"Would you look at that! You caught a big fish..." I peered over to his boat, my eyes caught three buckets filled with fishes. "...And lots of them."

"How's your... back? Is it doing good? Selling a lot of fishes lately? Hope you're not into trouble again."

"Don't give me that nice sentimental look. You know you want something, c'mon spit it out." He gave brow with a side eye and glanced shrugging his shoulders.

Hinting he knows I'm up to something knowing him for months he usually has a feeling about something that I don't tell him.

"Why? Do you not want your only granddaughter to be worried about you?" I widen my eyes.

"Of course I do, I don't do well with that sentimental crap stuff."

"Whatever floats your boat gramps. Me and my friends just meet up again and you know, we wanted to go to this party which assumed that we'll spend our time together there."

"Huh, it's been so long since I've seen Janna fixing my boat. Well at least get closer than being a Batman who rots in the cave always a loner"

"Hey! Am not. I have friends, it's just I busy myself way too often you know? Especially you of course."

"Just remember, to enjoy and live even if you don't want to. It's life. I was worried you wouldn't interact with a lot of folks here like me. So it's best you at least have fun and reconnect with your comrades."

I chuckled, "Comrades you say. Well if you say so. I'm just worried for you to be alone here after what happened."

He turned to me leaning his amber-brown eyes glinting in mischief. "Don't punch that guy ever again, let me have him next time. Because you know damn well how you have a short temper."

I rolled my eyes, "Come on, he was baiting you out! You never called me to help you in that situation. Good thing I was about to come home!"

"Bah! I drink milk twice a day these soft bones can still punch an idiot."

I looked at my watch and it was almost six PM, I should be there a bit early just in case. I propped myself up on the deck and walked away.

"Yeah well, I am still here to protect you. Now off I go, I'll be back here alright? Please just call me if you need help."

"Can't hear you! Other than going off. Enjoy the party, kid!"

***

I reached the address that Janna sent me. The late afternoon sun kissed my skin which made me yawn. After a thorough strolling around the lake, I stopped to see a pristine white yacht with yellow lights flickering inside the boat that is called The Imperatrix Navis.

I stepped inside with my boots clattered on the wooden stairs, eyeing around the place.

"Ooga booga!"

I jumped as Janna stepped out of the side of the boat. I giggled nudging her shoulder.

"Perfect! Good thing the party hasn't started yet. My rags are embarrassing to look at. Though I can't wait to surprise you with a dress I just bought, Danny picked it but I bought first." She chuckled.

"Babe, you don't have to." My cheeks redden at her genuine generosity.

"I gotta go help fix the engine, wanna come along? Promise it'll be quick then we will decorate the boat once Danny will prepare guests and stuff."

I heard the clatter of shoes from the deck, as. Looking up, I saw a man wearing headphones with thick lock curls and dimples on his cheeks. Wearing a rock band t-shirt and jeans.

"Make way for the refreshments! I don't know what to pick, so I got everything. Hope you guys aren't working too hard."

Janna grinned. "Oscar! You bitch, it's been so long! Oh here's my lady." Janna clicked her tongue winking at me.

He turned to me."Hey! What's up? You're welcome to join our yacht festival, there are going to be street performers tonight."

"That sounds good!"

My social anxiety ass can't handle this, so might as well stick to sleeping. At least there will be food.

"Thanks, Oscar we'll take it from here. Explain to me why the hell would you call me at this hour when it's my me time?" Janna called as she went downstairs to the engine room.

I followed her quickly knowing that I couldn't handle a bit of small talk, though I could say Oscar was a nice guy just that I'm not fond of people who I don't know. It's a little awkward for me.

We entered the door that leads to the engine at the end of the boat. I assisted Janna in helping with the engine, to my surprise it was a large gold engine that seemed to be unwashed and not properly groomed.

"Uh... engine's busted? Again." He called out the other side of the boat.

"No shit!" Janna yelled back.

I took out my phone and took a picture of the boat and send it to grandpa to let him know I'm okay. Usually, he'd reply but he only sees my messages and doesn't know how to work through phones due to his Nokia era.

After a couple of hours of helping Janna fix the boat which was tough considering she handled the tweaking and I mostly cleaned them.

After that, we had already ascended to the deck. Our faces were almost covered in the thick dust attached to our clothes.

"Okay, it looks like the primary core matrix has fallen out of alignment," Janna explained.

Oscar blinked. "The... what?"

I grabbed a soda can from the cooler and opened it chugging down.

"She's messing with me is she?" Oscar turned to me.

"Seems like it, yes." I smiled.

"You got me. You need to clean your goddamn engine and refill it." Janna stated.

"Thank you so much! You guys are lifesavers. There's gonna be a grand buffet competition later on and it's gonna be worth it! Nothing bad or illegal things. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet for the festival coming soon." Oscar offered.

"How is buffet illegal Oscar?" Janna gave a smirk raising an eyebrow and hinting at a glint of sarcasm.

"Uh, choking hazard maybe? I don't know just sticking to the rules in curfew you know what I mean." He shrugged.

"I'll be the first to judge. Danny texted you yet?

"Danny is on his way right now while you guys are busy. I'll prepare the music, the decorations, and the guests and call some of my pals to prepare the buffet. Need anything?"

"Well, good sir. Since you insisted I reckon we shall assist you with two helping hands. But ah--"

She turned to me, "You sure you're doing okay?"

"Nah don't worry I can help. It's better than just standing around. So let's get decorating!" I force a cheeky grin.

***

Numerous decorations were placed around the boat, complementing its colors and the theme of how special the party is. Not to mention the viridescent hue of the lights and amber-colored walls and lights emerged with bright twinkling starlights that made the floor shine. It was a successful attempt to reason with the theme of what to decorate and design.

Janna handled decorating the lights to match the viewer's eye making it pleasant and welcoming. Oscar played numerous songs and adjusted the set of tables and seats as well as making the boat intact so the guests to step in and not lose its charm. I helped in putting up the decorations for the stage, streamers dancing as well making sure the food was prepared which was already bought by Danny and Oscar themselves.

"Wow, would you look at that? I bet Danny would finally get a break after his grandparents insisted to find a new job other than working in

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net