9 7...

Hearty laughs could be heard. The civilization she had no other choice but to protect, frolicked their way into the beautiful beach waters while some made distinct sand castles.

Two weeks...

it had been two whole weeks.

No cause for Alarm, no destroyers in sight, no monsters, demons, villainous armies... nothing.

At first, Kai was relieved. The need to just kick back and relax was at her mercy.

But that didn't make her worry less.

With that, her guard was always up...

Well, not at the moment anyway...

She jolted a bit, turning around to see a small orange frisbee by her foot. Picking it up, her eyes met four timid looking children.

Giving them an assured smile, she tosses the object back to them to show that there was no harm done.

"Ashley's up next, come on", came the voice of her best friend who had dragged her into their little weekend at the beach fun fest.

It had something to do with supporting a friend of theirs who was doing a bit of charity work at the beach to raise funds for the new seagull care center.

Letting out a light sigh, she turned around to the face the huge crowd of people who had now surrounded the provided stage.

"Any sign of him?", she asked scanning the crowd.

Anna Marie knew too well. Her best friend may not admit her feelings for her italian friend, and trying to convince her was a waste of time. So instead, she allowed her obliviousness cure itself.

"He'll show", she simply said.

A lot came out from her expression. She looked tense, worried, confused.

Anna was sure it wasn't just her hunky dark toned friend that was on her mind.

"it's been two weeks Kai"

"That makes me worry even more", her friend countered as the cheers of the other supporters erupted, gaining both their attentions.

"Are you guys ready", their friend's voice echoed through the mega phone. The returned cheers stated their over joyed excitement.

"We should go", Anna suggested with a small convincing smile.

If anything, they could have this conversation right after their friend's little show or much much later.

Giving in, Kai leads the way with Anna following behind as they entered the crowd, awaiting the presentation.

...

Ashley Morgans had just ended her routine at the last beat from the selected song.

The crowd went wild as she waved to them.

"Thank you all. You guys have been an amazing audience". The crowd roared applauses as she gracefully stepped down from the stage.

She looked around a bit, as she spotted her group of friends. All five of them sitted under a tent sized umbrella.

"Over hear Babe", Daniel Cooper called to her as she approached them.

Taking a sit on her boyfriend's lap, they engaged in not so meaningful chatter and giggling.

"I'm just glad I could help out", Ashley said before taking a sip from her smoothie.

"A few more and I can raise enough to build two care centers".

"When's your next showing?", Nonnie Bordon asked.

"Yeah, we were all hoping we could all catch up, for... let's say movie", Anna quipped

"I have another next week, we can make it work". Ashley caught the relived faces of her friends, all aside from one.

"I'm sorry Nathaniel didn't come Kai".

"W_what , n_no. it's all good", she sputtered as her remark caught her unaware.

"Yeah, he missed you kill it on stage today", Danny added as he tightened his grip on his Ashley.

"Busy much", Yolanda Carpenter mumbled to herself, but wasn't missed by Kai.

"Guys, it's really not a big deal. He probably had other stuff to do", Kai defended her friend.

She wasn't so worked up about that for now. Sure she was a bit bummed he couldn't make it. She was looking forward to just talking, starring, holding hands when they could and basking in the others presence...

"He promised", Ashley added more salt to the injured as she slipped her phone revealing her previous texts from her friend.

"Like I said before Ash, something probably came up", Kai said with a raised brow.

"Kai's right. Wedding plans are harder to schedule this time of the year", Danny joked as the whole table laughed along with him.

"Ugh!!, not this again"

Not only was her best friend awaiting their sail, her other friends were on board.

"Screw you Cooper", Kai picked a piece of her chicken nuggets before throwing it at the stupid grin he had on his face. Danny had his head pressed against his girl's back, trying to control his laughter.

"You should see how he looks at you girl", Ashley added.

oh, she saw...

"You two are so adorable", Nonnie squeaked at the oblivious one sided couple.

Kai rolled her eyes at this. She turned her attention to her trusty bestie who just shrugged at the situation.

"Maybe tell him how you feel, that could give him head start", Yolanda insisted.

"You guys... we've talked about this. We're just friends", Kai argued.

"That's where it all starts from hon, before you know it, you're both on that aisle saying your I do's", Nonnie teased, as the gang erupted in another laughing fit.

"Ha ha... very funny Nonnie". Kai could feel the tints on her cheeks intensify with every tease.

"Hey, I'm just saying". She had her hands up in defense.

"Knock it off guys", Anna finally chipped in as her laughing died down.

"So now you help", Kai grumbled with a playful pout across her lips.

"Who said anything about helping", her friend retorted with a smirk of her own.

Unbelievable!

"C'mon Nonnie, you promised me a dip in the water", Ashley reminded the dark haired girl.

Both girls stood from their comfort as they readied themselves for a quick splash in the water.

"Have fun babe", Danny pulled his girl back to his level before placing a small peck on her lips.

"Get a room you too", Yolanda yelled at the couple who pulled away with flushes on their faces.

"join us Yolanda", suggested Nonnie.

Shrugging at their offer, she stands from her chair before joining them by their side.

"You guys sure you don't want to?", Ashley asked again.

"I'm good", Anna said

"What about you Kai... it'll be fun. Help get your mind off things", Ashley pressed further.

"I'll join in a bit", kai replied with a smile.

"Awesome.. ladies", she called.

Danny watched the girl head to the changing room, while his other two girl friends sat with him under the tent.

"I'm on next shift in about five. Do you guys mind". He asked checking the time from his cell phone.

"It's fine. We'll all meet back here when we're done", Anna Marie approved.

"See you guys in a bit", Danny stood from his chair, he moved closer to hug both his friends before heading to his station.

____________

"My turn... worst person you can possibly think of". The two friends shared a game of twenty questions.

"Do overly dramatic destroyer twin sisters count", Kai teased.

"Aside from those two", Anna added as they both faced the ocean.

"it's so beautiful". Kai took in the clean air through her nostrils as it cooled her inner fire

"We came here every summer. Tyler always pushed me into the water when I wasn't looking... I would get mad and blow dumb temper tantrums". Anna's words leaving her mouth with so much longing.

"You haven't talked to him yet?", Kai had to ask.

"I guess I just hardly see him. Stephanie has him wrapped around her claws. I don't wanna assume I've lost my friend forever".

The day their fruitful friendship ended, replayed in her head as the echoed laughters of her friends brought it back.

Kai slipped her hand into her's, intertwining it.

"He'll come around. I'm sure", Kai reassured her.

Anna replied with a nod.

Their gazes moved back to all three girls who splashed around in the water.

"Get your butt in here Kai...", Ashley called.

Kai replied with a smile of her own.

They both waved at their friends.

Discomfort suddenly filled Kai's being. She saw herself searching for something.

"what's up?", Anna asked, haven noticed her friend's change in mood.

Focusing her disturbed mind on what may seem like the problem, she caught sight of a movement in the water.

"There's something in the_", she was interrupted by the sudden rise in the ocean currents as a mighty creature emerged from hiding before diving back into the water.

Screams could be heard as most struggled to swim back to shore.

"Kai...", her friend called.

"oh for fuck sake"....

.....