Thorns Of Words

[Johan's POV]

"Have you lost hope? What's with the gloomy face?"

Johan looked up from his crouched position under the coconut tree and stopped his unconscious doodles on the sand to stare at Russell. He couldn't understand it himself, but ever since his grandfather dropped him the question he's not ready to answer, he'd been in low spirits.

"You can't expect me to find the necklace by myself. You need to move your ass because it's your necklace, not mine. Am I your servant? Geez!" Russell raised the hem of his shorts, then climbed down into the fishpond carefully. He scrunched his nose in disgust. "It stinks here. Oi! Are you listening to me?"

"Yeah." Johan sighed and stood, throwing away the stick he's holding. He followed Russell and searched for something he could hold on to. He found none.

"Here." Russell extended a hand for him. "Grab on to my arms so you won't slip."

"I'm fine."