Chapter 3: Shell Stealer
~*Karina*~
Who did this boy think he was?! He was taking my shells I had gathered and was looking at them while his partner was on shore looking terrified for some reason. I huffed and tried to reach his little pile he had on the rock and I almost had my pink and purple one back. They had startled me when they came running onto the beach without warning and I had dropped it. The swimmer, had he not been a shell stealer, was actually quite attractive. He had nice light blond hair with a slight tint of red, and even though I was a little ways away, I could see his icy eyes. I grabbed a few shells, but couldn’t get a hold of my pink rock. I slipped silently back into the water and heard him speak. “Hey…Dante, did you take my shells I found?” He asked.
“No…I’ve been right here the whole time sir, I mean, Jason.” The one on land said.
“But…maybe they just fell, anyway, I should get back before my parent find out I’m gone.” The one called Jason said. I watched curiously, and my heart sank when he grabbed what was left, including my prized shell. I wanted to tell him to stop so badly, but I was a little afraid. He swam back to shore, and I noticed something fall onto the sand. The two boys left and I got as close as I could. It looked shiny, and metal, whatever it was. Maybe it was a ring? I barely was able to reach it, and sure enough it was a metal ring with straight markings on the side with a simple gold jewel on it. It looked pretty masculine for a ring, but I held onto it then went back to the rock and tried to find something better than the shell that Jason the shell stealer took. But I didn’t find anything. I was about to go when I heard someone coming. I hid and looked around the rock to see Jason looking around desperately.
“Yes…” I whispered. Maybe now I could give him a piece of my mind. Before I knew it he was swimming towards the rock and looked around. Was he looking for the ring? “H-Hey!” I forced myself to call out to him, making sure to keep my lower half behind the rock.
“Hmm?” He glanced over at me and our eyes met. “Hello.” He said.
“I want my shell back…” I said as a matter of factly.
“Your, shell?” He asked, looking at me strangely.
“Yes.” I said. “Are you looking for something?” I asked.
“I am. A ring with a gold jewel.” He said. “Have you seen it? My name is Jason by the way.” He said. I flicked my hair back.
“Maybe, do you have my shell? Its purple and pink.” I asked. He paused for a moment.
“Oh, yes I do, but it isn’t with me…” He said. I held up the ring and he looked relieved. “Yes that’s it!” I pulled it away as he went to take it.
“Do you swear to give me my shell in exchange for this ring?” I bargained.
“Yes yes I do.” He said quickly. “I really need the ring now though, my parents will kill me if they knew I lost grandfathers ring.” I looked at him suspiciously.
“Bring me my shell tomorrow, I will be waiting here when the sun is in the center of the sky.” I said.
“But, aren’t you coming to the ball?” He asked.
“What‘s a ball?” I asked.
“Um, a dance, you know, like a party. Every lady in the kingdom is invited…” He said. I shook my head.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ll be right here tomorrow.” I crossed my arms.
“Alright, I’ll figure out how to get here.” He nodded. I hesitantly held out his ring and he took it. “Thank you, I don’t think you mentioned your name?” He looked at me.
“Karina.” I said simply.
“Karina, it’s a lovely name, thank you for giving my ring back. I’ll be here tomorrow at noon, just like you said.” He waved and left for shore and I immediately swam back home as the sun was setting, excited as adrenaline rushed through me. I had just talked to a human and was meeting with him tomorrow!
