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Chapter 3 - Unedited

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"Hi," the words still echoed in my mind. I wasn't sure what to do. I could turn away, just walk towards the water and pretend like I was deaf. I'd sat here hating that nobody noticed me but as soon as someone tried to speak to me I felt nervous. I was scared.

Where had he come from?

He must have been new to the school, I hadn't seen him around yet and usually, new students went through me. I would have remembered a face like that. His jaw reminded me of the coral reef on the bottom of the water, it was undisturbed but sharp like it had been perfectly sculpted by an artist. His eyes were a brown, but they shined like they were bright green, just as captivating.

I turned my head. I had stared at him long enough without saying a word, but when I tried to speak nothing would come out.

"My name is Damien," He tried once again to look at me. To gain my attention. Finally, as if something had come over me I was able to speak.

"Opal," I muttered. That would suffice, this stranger didn't need to know anything else about me.

"I know who you are," He smiles, looking around the crowd of students dancing under the lights. "Everyone here knows who you are," He shook his head chuckling lightly as he pulled his hand back to his side.

"Hmm," I mumbled, taking in what he had said. If all of them knew me then why didn't any of them talk to me? Why was I something they were so scared of?

"What are you doing all by yourself?" Damien questions, his feet bare against the sand. He wasn't dressed like everyone else. He wore regular jeans with a hole in the knee. His shirt was untucked and fell around his waist like it was one size too small.

"I could ask you the same thing," I snarled, looking him up and down before turning back to watch the crowd of students. Luci was with a gentleman she had met a few weeks ago, and Alexa held herself close to Blake as he swayed her to the music.

"Why didn't you?" He shrugs kicking at the sand. I turn to look at him, allowing myself to fall to him features yet again. I hadn't asked because I didn't care.

"Nevermind that, let's me ask you a question..." He paused for a moment as if he was waiting for me to give him permission to continue.

"Nope," I popped the 'p' making sure there was enough emphasis on the word that he would clearly understand what I was saying.

"Too bad," He smiled pulling himself in front of me. Reaching forward he grabbed my hand. I mentally pulled it away from him but physically my body would allow me to.

"Will you swim with me tonight?" He smiles, his teeth reflecting in the moonlight. I couldn't help but notice the sunset as the orange rays cast across his skin. I knew I didn't have to give him an answer, but if my previous response was any sign of how this was going to go, then he wouldn't take no for an answer. I nodded my head. Maybe swimming with someone else would be better than swimming on my own?

"Perfect!" He knew he'd broken me down. I had expected him to take longer to work at it, but honestly, I was not in the mood to deal with it tonight. I wanted to get back to my home, back to the waves and the sooner the sun would set the sooner I would be able to do just that.

I guess now with someone else there to keep me company.

A small smile tugs at the edge of my lips as he turns to plant himself next to me once again. My hand still tightly in his. He leans over to whisper something in my ear.

"You look absolutely breathtaking tonight by the way," I shot him a look, my brain trying to process what was going on. Should I trust him? Should I respond with a witty attempt to scare him off, like I would with anyone else, or would a simple thank you suffice in this situation?

"Only today?" The witty remark had taken over. I couldn't stop it, and once it was spoken Damien dropped my had allowing it to fall to my side.

"Yep, I guess..." He fumbled for a moment before running his hand through his thick brown hair.

"Wait a minute," I muttered, a little taken aback by his response.

"I was kidding, you are just hard to get along with," He rolled his eyes before clicking his tongue. I shook my head looking down at the sand. I wanted to strangle him. Immediately I was mentally taking back my answer. I didn't want him to swim with me anymore. My heart was pounding as I started planning how I was going to get away from him as quickly as possible under the water. There was no way he could swim as fast as me, I could beat them all.

Olyvya and Sammy made their way to a small stage that was set up closer to the edge of the sand. A loud noise echoed over the speakers as Olyvya pats her hand against the microphone.

"Are you guys having a fun time?" She asks holding the black object closer to her lips. The crowd cheers, watching carefully, eager for whatever she was to say next. "Good, that is what we like to hear, are you guys ready to crown the king and queen of the evening so we can get our tales in the water?"

The crowd erupts with joy as they cheer and call out different hoots and hollers. Damien stands carefully next to me showing no emotion as he watches Olyvya just the same as I. My eyes dancing back and forth between her standing on the stage and the handsome boy standing next to me.

My mind was still trying to unravel his mystery when I heard my name echo across the loudspeaker. 

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A U T H O R S        N O T E

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the third chapter of Opal Waters, it means the world to me. I really hope you enjoyed it and please do tell me your thoughts about it.

What did you like about this chapter?

What do you not like about this chapter?

Please don't forget to comment and vote. Also, check back tomorrow for the next chapter.

- Brittani

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