Page 56 of Poseidon's Island Flower

When Cy left last night, in fact, every night Cy left since spending time together, I was lonely. I was used to having Koma and his friends at the house, either sitting out by the beach, or just outside on the patio. I was used to the large swarms of teenagers, and I missed it, desperately.

To feel surrounded, wanted at all times, making food, cracking jokes. I wanted it all.

His friends had moved on, although a few had checked on me since my accident. Word traveled fast that I was doing more than okay. They had all gone on with their lives, either by heading off to school, taking on their family trade, or just being with people their own age.

I was the odd one out with seemingly lighter skin and blonde streaks in my hair. Luckily, my parents taught me which vendors to buy from in the market, the ones that didn’t care about my skin, only who I was on the inside.

I strolled mindlessly, not truly having a plan. This entire week of not working was strange, but it came at a perfect time. Almost too perfect.

I called this morning to check with the resort to see if I needed to come in. Of course they refused, saying I was to stay away, and that based on the numbers, I might be out for longer.

That was unheard of. Especially with my status. Who ever heard of a maid getting over a month off on leave?

I was getting paid weekly, and it was more than what I was usually paid for. I guessed they were also paying for tips but even there they were being generous.

The smell of gutted fish was almost too much to bear as I moved closer to the pier, and I felt bile rising in my throat. Heads were being thrown back into the sea, crabs crawling from the ocean to feast on the remains.

I stopped to stare at them, watching as they all paused while I looked on in wonder. They all, at the same time, waved their giant claw upward and then down like a bow.

I blinked, shaking my head as they continued to do it in unison. Was it some sort of ritual for a female crab somewhere? I backed away, more like stumbled, but their beady little eyes followed. Even the fish on the shoreline came closer to the shore, flapping their bodies on the sand until they flopped back into the ocean.

Maybe I slept too well last night. My body was rejecting sleep and giving me hallucinations. I also thought I saw my red-headed merman in my bed. Which was insane, because mermen didn’t have legs to get to my house plus he wasn’t real.

Nope, not at all.

I ran back up to the path, away from the ocean, and saw a poke stand.

Maybe Cy would like some poke? Can’t get fresher than right off the beach.

I circled around to the shack near the pier. They already had the poke on ice. The raw fish covered in soy and sesame sauce had my mouth watering, and I grabbed three pounds so I could make a large poke bowl along with the dressings of the day.

As they packed up my food, I noticed I didn't see Naia at the market. She usually came every morning to the restaurant and only brought the freshest food.

I hope she wasn’t in trouble.

As I finished paying, two arms wrapped around me, and a head laid on my back. This person was short, and there was only one person I knew that could be considered the shortest adult on the island.

“Hi Candice.” I smiled, putting the fish into the small cooler I carried to keep the food fresh.

“Aw, you knew it was me?” She hugged me again once I finished zipping up my cooler and followed me away from the docks.

“Don’t have many people come up and hug me from behind. Plus, your arms are freaking tiny, I’d recognize them anywhere.”

Candice glared, stomping her foot. “I’m not that tiny!”

I tilted my head up, forming a quizzical expression with a single raised eyebrow.

“Whatever, anyway, how has your week been? Get some of that D?” She elbowed me in the side, giggling.

“No, not yet.” Candice groaned at me. “But I kissed him last night.” I smiled.

Candice squealed, causing others in the market to look our way. I shyly waved and pulled her deeper into the crowd so we could head back to the parking lot.

“How was it? Was it like demanding, totally different from his usual presence or was it like kissing a pussy? All floppy, sloppy, and shit?”

The things that come out of her mouth.

“Your language is atrocious.”

---