CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
( FISH )

     CARMEN SITS NEXT to Zach. She was currently eating a pancake, of which he had made for her minutes ago. Aurora sat across from her at the island, texting away on her phone. Jonah sighs from beside her, before nudging the girl's arm.

"Are you done spamming the poor girl?" He questions, gesturing to the phone in her hands.

"Yeah," She replies, moving to the seat next to Carmen. "But only because I'm hungry."

The second her phone touches the island, it begins to vibrate loudly, signaling a notification. Aurora picks up the phone immediately, sending a smile to Carmen.

"She replied," The girl declares, before texting again.

"Yay!" Carmen grins, taking another bite of her pancake. "Zach still thinks she's imaginary."

"Jonah doubts me too," Aurora agrees, shooting the boy a glare.

"Because it's highly unlikely that you actually met someone as crazy as you," Jonah says, handing her a cup of coffee as Zach nods. "So, what time are we meeting Addilyn?"

"We actually should be leaving soon," Aurora admits, glancing at the wall clock. "Where are Blondie, Poodle, and Callie?"

Carmen pushes the pancake away, propping her good arm on the table as she begins to move from the stool. Zach is by her side in an instant, wrapping his arm around her waist to steady her.

"Jack and Callie are still asleep," Zach informs, helping Carmen stand steadily on her feet. "Corbyn is-"

"Right here," The blond intervenes, entering the room right on cue.

"Lets go," Aurora decides, abandoning her cup of coffee as she climbs onto Jonah's back. "The others can join us at Dairy Queen later."

"Let me carry you," Zach says, looking down at Carmen.

"Crutches will work for today," Carmen shakes her head, hobbling into the living room. "I need to be independent, or else I won't be able to get around by myself."

"But-"

"COME ON, FUCKERS!" Aurora yells from the doorway, still attached to Jonah's back. "WE HAVE TO GO FIND NEMO!"

---

Twenty minutes later, Addilyn arrives at the aquarium, minutes after the five pull into the parking lot. As the girl's feet hit the asphalt, Aurora sprints from the passenger seat, grinning broadly.

"She's real," Zach mutters in astonishment as the girl pulls Addilyn in for a hug. He glances warily at Carmen, who eases forward on her crutches.

"You need to meet everyone!" Aurora declares excitedly, finally letting her go. Pulling the bewildered girl over to the large group, she points at each person in turn. "The tall giant is Jonah, my boyfriend. You've already met Caramel. That's her overprotective boyfriend, Zach. And the awkward blond is Corbyn."

The three guys wave in responce, Carmen sending her a familiar smile.

"Everyone," Aurora continues, gesturing to Addilyn as she keeps her eye specifically on Corbyn. "Meet our new- and currently single- friend, Addilyn."

Addilyn grins brightly, glancing over the four in front of her.

Jumping onto Jonah's back again, Aurora yells, "Onward, my noble steed!"

"I hope you're okay with getting banned," Zach says from beside Carmen. "Because that's what happens when we take her anywhere."

Carmen chuckles, following beside him. He smiles down at her, his face lighting up at the sound of her laugh. Addilyn notices, a smile falling on her lips as she does.

After paying the admission fee, each couple goes their separate way. Carmen convinces Zach to take her to the clownfish section, while Addilyn and Corbyn head over to the jellyfish. Aurora and Jonah perch themselves on a bench, captivated in a conversation about Corbyn's brightened attitude.

"Oh! Look at that one," Carmen gasps, placing her crutches on the wall as she hobbles over to a large fish tank. "It's so pretty! It actually looks like Nemo."

"Well, Nemo was a clownfish," Zach points out, laughing as she sticks her tongue out at him.

"I want to find Dory now," Carmen murmers, peeking into the tank. "Do you think they have a fish that looks like Dory?"

"I'm not sure, but that one looks like Daniel," Zach comments, pointing at a swimming blob fish. "Don't you think so?"

"Zach," Carmen whines, swatting his shoulder. "That's mean! And no, it does not look like Daniel. Stop being mean to the fish."

Zach bursts into laughter, Carmen holding back hers as they step away from the tank. They then proceed a few feet ahead, stopping before a giant wall of jellyfish. The lights over them dim as they step onto a panel, the darkness showing the bright colors of the jellyfish.

Carmen marvels at the fish, watching in awe as they change colors, floating along the water. Zach stares at her reflection in the glass, mesmerized by not the fish, but by Carmen. He most definitely loved her, and anyone that glanced over at them could see it.

"I want a jellyfish," Carmen mutters, loud enough for Zach to hear as she stares at the fish.

Zach is snapped away from his thoughts as she speaks, his head turning in her direction. "Are you sure?"

"No," Carmen replies smoothly, her eyes still on the wall. "It's just in the heat of the moment."

In moments, she steps back from the panel, the lights brightening again. She sends Zach a smile, linking her arm in his as they move back to her crutches.

"Where are the others?" Carmen questions, propping the crutches under her arms.

"I think they're at the turtle display," Zach replies, walking alongside her. "I have no doubts that Aurora is about to get us kicked out."

"I have no problems with it," Carmen shrugs. "I think it's fun. Have you ever been carried out before?"

"No."

"You're really missing out."

From a few feet away, the two can hear Jonah and Aurora's conversation.

"Did you know that the turtle from Finding Nemo really was high?" Aurora asks, staring down at the water-filled tank as she leans on the railing.

"Really?"

"Yep," She replies. "There are chemicals in the seaweed that sea turtles eat that have the same effect on them that weed has on humans."

"You are just filled with random facts," Carmen comments as she and Zach reach her side.

As Jonah turns his head for a swift moment to look at Zach and Carmen, Aurora spins around, launching herself into the pool of water. Resurfacing, she pushes her wet hair from her face, swimming to the middle of the enclosure.

The girl then turns to the others, not surprised to see Jonah's unfazed expression. Carmen giggles, Zach shaking his head with a grin.

Seconds later, two more loud splashes echo from the walls. Addilyn and Corbyn swim to the surface next to Aurora, yelling in an undignified manner at how cold the water is.

"I believe Addilyn brings out our reckless side," Aurora smirks, shrieking as a turtle brushes against her ankle.

Not giving Corbyn a chance to respond, she begins to sing a Disney song rather loudly. And immediately, Addilyn joins in. "UNDER THE SEA! UNDER THE SEA! DARLING, IT'S BETTER, DOWN WHERE IT'S WETTER, TAKE IT FROM ME!"

A shrill whistle blows, interrupting the girls. Standing on the feeding platform is an elderly man, looking rather unhappy.

"Get out of this aquarium IMMEDIATELY!" He bellows, blowing the whistle again.

"Only if we can get carried out," Aurora retorts.

Zach grabs Jonah's arm, placing Carmen's in his. Jonah furrows his eyes, but steadies Carmen on her feet. There's another splash as Zach jumps into the water, causing even more attention than before.

Carmen laughs in her spot next to Jonah as Zach resurfaces, shooting her a swift wink.

"SECURITY!"

---

"So," Jonah begins, snatching Aurora's milkshake as he looks to Addilyn. "Has the crazy girl scared you off yet?"

Addilyn smiles, glancing around the crowded Dairy Queen before she answers. "Nope. If anything, I regret not meeting her sooner."

The group of six currently reside in the corner booth of the fast food resturant. Corbyn, Zach, Addilyn, and Aurora were still in their soaked clothes, having no problem with staying in them.

"Here is your peanut butter milkshake," Corbyn declares, setting Addilyn's drink down, before sliding into the seat beside her.

Carmen smiles, laying her head on Zach's shoulder as she watches the two.

"Thanks, Corbs."

"Weren't Jack and Callie supposed to meet us here like ten minutes ago?" Carmen questions, taking a bite out of her cookies and cream blizzard.

"Yeah," Jonah replies. "But apparently something with Callie's family came up."

"She could've dealt with it here if she'd stop being stubborn and tell us what's going on," Aurora mutters under her breath, earning a reprimanding look from Jonah. "Don't give me that look. I know you agree."

Checking something on her phone, Addilyn stands up with a sigh.

"Where are you going?" Aurora asks.

"As much as I'd love to stay longer, I have to make an appearance at my cousin's birthday party," Addilyn says, not noticing the crestfallen look that washed over Corbyn's face.

Carmen, however, didn't miss it. She nudges Zach's arm, before nodding her head in his direction.

"Can you come to the house later?" She suggests, clearing her throat. "Aurora can text you the adress."

Addilyn furrows her eyebrows as she grabs her purse. "Do all of you live together?"

"Unfortunately," Zach jokes.

"Well explain it all later. That is, if you come over," Corbyn says, his expression growing hopeful. "So will we be seeing you tonight? You'll be able to meet the others, too."

"Absolutely," Addilyn confirms. "Bye, guys!"

As she leaves the fast food resturant, a dazed look crosses Corbyn's face. Carmen chuckles as Aurora grins.

"Awww," Aurora coos. "Blondie's in love!"

_____