Arohaina dives off the cliff into the foaming waves. Before she hits the water she inhales a breath of air but realizes she has taken it too late. She engulves a gush of salty water that burns down her throat and thrust up her nostrils. Managing to push herself to the surface her head soon bobs out of the water, but a wave rolls over her. She opens her mouth to scream but only releases a burst of bubbles.

Wave after wave crashes down on her causing her too loose control of her body. Feeling how she spirals deeper and deeper into a dark abyss, she starts kicking her legs and clawing her way up, refusing to give in to the panic that wants to take over her senses. After twenty seconds of fighting the waves, she start to sink as her legs are tired of struggling.

Her arms and hair are floating like seaweed. A body that responds to the brutal attack of the sea; blackness blurs her vision, her head feels like it's going to explode and lungs screaming for air.

Thumb, thumb thumb, thumb, thumb... thumb... thumb. Hearing the pounding of her heartbeat slowing, a sense of anguish overcomes her. She wants to take a breath, and does. It doesn't hurt like she thought it would. Feeling at peace, not afraid anymore, she gives in to the current that pulls at her.

Her eyelids gets heavy and she intends to close them, but a movement up ahead catches her attention. It's the most beautiful creature she has ever seen. Half fish, half human. Beautiful onyx black hair floating around a heart shaped face.

"Breath, Arohaina." She hears the creature's voice in her head. "Don't worry. You will be fine. I'm Cordula, I have been watching spiritually over you since you were born. Don't be afraid, breath."

Looking into the kind smiling face of the creature, she opens her mouth and takes a breath. She gasps for air.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Arohaina. Happy birthday to you."

She abruptly sits up in her bed as her mom, dad and best friend, Sonakshi, claps their hands and blows on party horns. Gasping for air, she clutches at her chest to control her breathing.

"Happy birthday to the most beautiful fifteen year old girl in the world." Her dad, Morgan, plants a kiss on the top of her head and pushes a brightly wrapped gift in her hands.

"Thank you Dad." She says with a croaky voice. Tearing excitedly at the gift-wrap to open it, Arohaina finds an underwater camera in the box, she squeals like a little girl. "Wow, this is awesome, dad. Just what I wanted. Thank you!"

"You love exploring sea-life so much, now you can take pictures at your hearts' content." Her mother, Tanya comes to sit close to her and gives her a long tight hug.

"And I have a huge surprise for you, bestie." Sonakshi grins at her while waving a card in her hand. "You are invited to a beach party." She shouts, jumping up and down. She hands the card over and crawl into bed with her friend.

"It's my own beach party!" They bounce up and down in unison, screaming like two silly teenagers.

"We were thinking that you are old enough now to have a beach party. Sonakshi organized everything and invited all your friends." Smiling down at her daughter she wipes at a tear rolling down her cheek. "You are growing up way too fast, young lady."

"Auuuh, I love you guys. This is my best birthday ever. You are the best ohana in the whole wide world"

*****

Arohaina dances into the kitchen dressed in an aqua tank top and short jean shorts. The barefoot jeweled ankle sandals on her feet sparkles in the light. Her long blonde locks are tied in a side ways pony tail. The only jewelry she's wearing is the silver necklace with an anchor pendant that she got as a birthday present from Sonakshi. It accentuates her bronze tan.

"You look beautiful, baby. Are you ready for the party? Your dad's almost home from work, then we'll leave for the beach."

"Thank you Mom. Yes, I'm ready. I can't wait to go. I'm so excited about my first beach party." She says jumping up and down.

"You looked really surprised this morning. You actually gave me a fright. I thought you were having a heart attack."

Giggling she slips her arms around her mom hugging her from behind while she's drying the lunch dishes. "It sure was a nice surprise. I also thought I was having a heart attack. I had a nightmare just before you guys came in."

"Oh, I'm sorry, baby. What was the nightmare about?"

"I dreamt I was drowning. But then the most beautiful creature came to save me."

A soft gasp of surprise escapes Tanya's mouth. Her hands comes to a sudden stop and she turns around to look at her daughter. With a shivering hand she tucks a loose lock behind her ear, a cold light of fear shone in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"It was strange. She spoke to me. Not like I'm speaking to you now. I heard her angelic voice in my head. She told me to breath and that I'll be fine. She said her name is Cordula. Do you know someone by the name of Cordula, Mom? It sounded so familiar."

Fear knotted inside her. "No... no, that's an unusual name."

"She said she has been looking over me spiritually, since I was born. I felt so at peace in my dream. It was really a strange dream. Dad's here!" The conversation ends and she runs to the door to greet him.

*****

At the beach some of her friends runs up to her to wish her a happy birthday. Sonakshi hooks into her and takes her to the spot she decorated for the party. Music is playing loudly while kids are dancing to the beat of 'Cool for the Summer" by Demi Lovato. "I want to introduce you to the new boy in school."

Arohaina looks suspiciously into her friend's almond-shaped eyes. Raising her eyebrows: "New boy?"

"Yeah. And he is go..orgeous." She laughs as she drags her over to a boy in conversation with a group of kids.

Her eyes falls on the only boy she doesn't know. Standing with his left hand tucked in his jean's pocket, smiling at the boy who he is in conversation with. Dimples visible in both cheeks, most probably makes him the most attractive boy she has ever seen. His dark brown hair is falling in waves in his face. When they join the group his heavy-lidded eyes flickers to Sonakshi and he smiles in recognition.

"Kay, this is the birthday girl I've been telling you about. Arohaina, this is the new boy in school."

"Pleased to meet you, Arohaina. And happy birthday." His silvery voice spews out words that are cotton candy to her. He takes her hand, winks at her and leans in for a hug. Arohaina immediately feels self conscious when she looks into his alluring green eyes and blushes a bright red. She has never seen beautiful eyes like that. Inside the main iris it's awash in a balance of yellow and pale-blue that evens out to a brilliant pale green.

"Thank you. Pleased to meet you too. And welcome to Hawaii High." The rest of the group wishes her a happy birthday, and they join in the conversation.

Arohaina is taking in everything around her. "Sonakshi, you did a great job with decorating this spot. I love you so much." She grabs her friend in a hug and they jump up and down.

A large area is cordoned off with four posts. Rope are tied from one post to the other where lanterns with candles are hanging. In between the lanterns, starfish garlands hung with flashing lights. A path is lit with candles in mason jars that leads out to sea. Couples walking down the path made it look more romantic to her.

Everybody is really enjoying themselves. Most of them are dressed in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops and are dancing the night away. The buffet table is covered in natural burlap filled with salads, appetizers, roasts and more food she has ever seen in one place. Hungry children loomed over the table and filled their plates with all the delectables. Shells and homemade starfish were strewn between the dishes for decoration.

In one corner a stack of brightly wrapped presents are next to a table. She couldn't contain her delight when she lies her eyes on the table with her birthday cake. Moving closer she could see a huge cream and turquoise square cake with a shell and pearl on top. The edges are decorated with small shells and her name written to the right side. Two candles with the numbers 'one' and 'five' to make a 'fifteen', glistened next to her name.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course I like it. It's beautiful, and it looks ono." She squeals.

After having a huge plate of eats, Kay casually strolls over to her. "Would you like to dance birthday girl?" He grabs her outstretched hand an pulls her into him.

After the dance, Sonakshi shouts at them to join some of them to go get their feet wet in the water.

"Do you feel like getting your feet wet in the waves?" Arohaina smiles up at him and makes her way over to Sonakshi.

"Yeah, that would be refreshing."

They stroll down the candle lit path behind their friends. When they approach the retreating waves, Adrian, one of her friends, runs into the water dragging her along. She giggles and try to stop him. He picks her up and turns her round and round and places her back on her feet, knee deep in the water. Samantha grabs her hand and they run out of the water while Adrian is splashing them.

Screaming they run to where everybody is sitting and join them. Kay flops down next to her kicking sand against her legs.

"Hay, slow down buster." She says laughing while dusting the sand off.

"Kay, will you tell us about yourself, brah?" Adrian asks.

"I'm seventeen and graduate at the end of the year. I am from Hawaii, but when my mom and dad divorced, I moved with her to London when I was ten. She got married again, so I decided to come live with my dad before going to college. I work part-time at the local diving club as a diving instructor."

"Well, we're glad you came back. It's good to have you around." Adrian chimes in.

It was a clear crisp evening, not a breeze in the air. The night sky filled with stars and the waves breaking gently on the shore. You could hear them talking and laughing as they joked around teasing each other.

"I love your name Arohaina. What does it mean?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Something to do with a treasure."

"Really? Well, you're a treasure worthy to be discovered, and I'd like to see you again." Turning her head with his index finger, Kay says: "Let's get back to the party. I would like another dance before going home."

*****

Lying in bed looking into her best friend's eyes, she touches her cheek. "You're my best friend. Thank you so much for the best party in the whole wide world. Ever!"

"Your welcome. Please don't cry, cause you're gonna make me cry. Rather tell me about Kay."

"Mmmmmmm... He is go..orgeous." She shrieked.

"I told you soooo."

"He said I'm a treasure worthy to be discovered and that he would like to see me again."

"Wow, you lucky fish."

They both giggled late into the night untill sleep overwhelmed Sonakshi. Arohaina kept looking at her untill she was fast asleep. Seeing the well known soft frown between her eyes, it takes her back a few years when Sonakshi was very ill.

She stares at her beautiful round face. She has a finely-shaped triangular nose with a smooth tip. Lovely and natural. It makes her heart flutter. True beauty, an eternal beauty only she can possess. She still remembers the sadness in her black, almond-shaped eyes. That's why she appreciates her happiness even if it's just a small smile tucking on her full lips while she's sleeping. She pushes the thick black hair away from her face to get a better look at her best friend.

Remembering the nights she cried herself to sleep when Sonakshi battled leukemia. Although she is a proud survivor, it still saddens her. She was so proud to join the track team to participate in long distance running. Now she can participate in all activities to her hearts content.

Her eyes became heavy and she gave in to sleep. Before falling asleep she hears an angelic voice saying: "Don't worry. You will be fine. I'm Cordula."

*****

Meaning of Hawaiian words;

Ohana - family
Ono - delicious, scrumptious
Brah - Hawaii's variation of bro/brother

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This chapter is dedicated to Sonakshi Khanna. Her prize is a character in my story named after her. She won a dedication for participating in the Wattpad blockparty Feb 2016. Congratulations :-)

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Thank you for reading. Please vote ☄and comment, telling me what you think✌