4 Chapter Three: A Blossoming Romance?

(Peter POV)

As I listened, I realized that they spoke weird. It was as if they were inhuman. But then I thought that they might be foreigners and that I might be sounding rude by making fun of the way they speak. I was too in my head to notice her opening the door until it was too late.

"Hey Camille, I didn't hear anything. You just were gone for a while so I thought something went wrong" I said, trying not to seem nervous. She totally didn't buy it. "Well good because it's rude to eavesdrop. But you could've been more sneaky. Would you like help cleaning up the dishes?"

It had taken me a moment to realize she asked a question because it was just now that I realized just how beautiful she was with her blonde hair and blue eyes. "Uhhhh no thank you. I got it". She then went on to then asking about me and we fell into a comfortable conversation, but whenever I asked about her she would kinda change the subject. At least I learned a little about her: she likes to swim, sing, and go to the beach. Luckily I lived near one. I told her she could stay with me until her head got better and she could fly home to Florida. Though if I'm being honest I didn't want her to go.

[Time Skip a few days]

A few days later I woke up with immense courage and a possibly stupid idea. I was gonna ask out the girl I had met in a cave on the beach with possible brain damage. Why didn't I take her to a hospital? It would've been the smartest decision.

I walked into the kitchen to find Camille making breakfast. "Good morning." "Morning!"

She was so cheerful all the time. I hadn't seen her frown in the short time I'd known her. So how to start this? Maybe tell her how pretty she is? Act as though it's a casual friend date? Or just man up and do it? Let's go with that.

"So do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?" Please say no. I mentally begged

"No, I'm single."

Phew What a relief.

"But, it's kinda hard to date with my brother being so adamant about me not going outside."

Helicopter brother. Yikes!

"Well I was wondering if maybe you would like to go out. I know we have only known each other a short while but still I-"

"I'd love to" She said. That enough would have made me happy dance but I wasn't going to embarrass myself before the first date.

[Time skip because I don't know what else to do]

(Camille POV)

It was the night before my date with Peter. Oh I was so excited. But I didn't have a nice outfit to wear. After pacing around a bit I had the greatest idea. I was gonna sneak out and find things to make an outfit. So I walked past a sleeping Peter and put the door. I walked for quite a while before realizing that I've never been to California and that I was gonna get lost.

Somehow I made it to civilization and what looked to be a shopping center. It was at this moment I realized I didn't have any money. Great. Luckily some of the people in the marketplace were giving out free items that I could manage a dress out of. So I stuck everything in a tote that I got. Also for free. And wandered around for a while until coming across and abandoned building. I snuck in out of curiosity and just looked around. There were art pieces that dated back centuries ago. I even found things that I had been around to see when they were made, including some statues from Ancient Greece and some of Leonardo da Vinci's paintings. But upon closer examination I saw that they were fake. This place was obviously a scam.

Then I saw curtains and I folded them up, put them in my totes and decided to make my way back to Peter's. Yes it was technically stealing but I needed it and nobody else was using it.

I made it back to Peter's and went to the bedroom. I laid out all my materials and found some paper and a pencil to start sketching an idea out. But, something was missing: Seashells. No outfit is complete without at least two seashells. Time to go back to the beach. I grabbed my tote and headed down to the beach.

As I walked the beach and picked up seashells, I spoke to the creatures that were also walking the beaches. Until one crab scuttled up to me. "Miss! Miss! There is a cave that has pretty gems in it. It should have many great things for your dress!" Yes I speak crab; it's easy once you learn lobster. I followed the crab to the cave. The sign outside said "Keep Out". That sounded like the cave Peter said he found me in. I went inside and sure enough there were gems galore.

I picked up the gems one by one and put them in my bag. Then I saw a starfish and went to say hello. "Hey there mer-friend. Could you go check out the message in the bottle that's in the pond deeper in the cave? My crab friend told me about it this morning and I'm curious." Message in a bottle? Nobody uses that anymore. Everyone uses SeaMail. "Sure. Now I'm curious." I walked a little further into the cave, picking up shells and gemstones as I went until I found where the starfish was talking about. And he wasn't wrong; there was a message in a bottle.

I reached in and picked it up. Opening the letter, I realized it was for me…...from my brother. The letter read.

Dear Sorella,

Please be safe in your travels through California. For those are foreign lands we are not familiar with. The others and I wish you luck and prosperity. Also, Kylie has read your cards. They show romance in your near future. I expect to hear about your date soon; Yes I know about your date, our sister can see the future. Anyway, I've made you this bracelet it's enchanted to keep you safe but more importantly: Its powerful. If you are in danger, this bracelet will enhance your ability to control water; while wearing it you can manipulate water in any form and can summon storms or elementals to help you. Good luck. We love you.

Sincerely,

Ainion Erickson

I put the bracelet on, put the letter back into the bottle and stuck it in my bag. Then I made my way back to Peter's home to finally assemble my outfit. I cut the fabric, sewed the pieces, glued the gems and shells then finally attacked it with glitter. I even made a matching clutch out of two giant shells I found. I fell asleep but not before I made sure I had left over materials for crushing into makeup.

Authors Note: Ainion(eye-neon) is Elvish for Angelo. Sorella is Italian for sister.