Monday morning, I boarded the bus for school, my body stiff. I still couldn't believe Oliver had called Davy a pirate. How could he do that? Was he really like the bullies at school that made fun of me and the sea? It couldn't be. There had to be an explanation.

Isaac, sitting next to me, saw the annoyed look on my face and said, "Still worried about the fight yesterday? What did Oliver do to provoke Benny like that?"

Nervous, I stared into his big black eyes and said, "He called Davy a pirate. Under his breath, but I heard it."

Isaac's eyes widened. But before he could say anything, I stopped him. "I'm sure he was just joking! He'd never say anything like that and mean it! He was probably trying to be funny!"

I couldn't believe I had been so defensive about Oliver, but that had to be the reason.

"It WASN'T funny!" Isaac said, angrily. "No one should call DAVY of all people a pirate! Billy does have a bushy beard that makes him look like a pirate but he doesn't act like one! None of the sailors do especially Davy!"

"He's just jealous," I whispered.

"You think so?" Isaac said, giving me a teasing look. "He likes you, Amber. But when he saw how better a guy Davy was, he was green with envy! Davy-"

"Davy is like a brother to me, or a really good friend, Isaac!" I scolded, almost shouting. I liked Davy only as a brother, not a lover.

"Alright," Isaac said, shrugging. "But what about Ben?" he smirked.

And surprisingly, I didn't react at all. I didn't even turn pink. I simply asked, "What about him?"

Isaac raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Nothing, I guess. He's just the perfect match for you, that's all."

* * * *

The minutes passed like hours in math class, my least favorite subject. I always tried to find something fascinating about math, but with a teacher who talked like a robot, math was pain itself for me. There was only person in the whole school who liked math and I didn't even know he was. That's how popular math was in this school! I had once heard a wise thing said about math about it being beautiful for some reason, but that pearl of wisdom was gone from my mind after having my sense of fascination crushed by my zombie-like math teacher.

The bell rang like an angel choir singing from Heaven. I leaped up from my seat, grabbed my books and headed out the door for lunch. We had lunch outside today since it was warm, but cloudy day out. I laid my red and white checkered blanket under a parakeet green oak tree next to my group of friends. I was quite popular, but my closest friends were two brunettes: Short Martha Sterling,

and tall Pepper Roberts.

As we gossiped and giggled, I finally whispered to the two of them, "Oliver called Davy a pirate under his breath at the cafe yesterday. I heard him though and told Benny who soon beat him up."

Pepper's hazel-grey eyes widened. "I can't believe it!" she said, biting into her sandwich.

"Wait," Martha stopped me. "He likes you, yet he insulted your friend?"

"It was Davy though," Pepper pointed out, teasingly. "He was jealous. He must've been."

"Well I'm going to talk to him today about it," I said to them, standing up.

"Amber!" I heard Isaac's voice calling to me. He was running across the field waving to me.

"It's Isaac!" Martha whispered excitedly to Pepper. She, unfortunately, had a crush on my brother.

"Dad's here! Dad's here! Come! Hurry!" he yelled.

Beaming, I bounded across the field after Isaac and we ran into our captain's arms. He never came to visit us at school. He was always too busy, but now he was here today! I wondered why.

"Amber! How's school today?" he asked, patting me on the back.

"Great! Much better now that you're here!" I exclaimed, smiling.

"Well, listen. I'm going away on another voyage today. I-"

"What?!" I blurted out. "You're leaving again? You just got here!"

"Amber, don't worry," my dad assured me. "I'll be back. But this time, I'm taking Isaac with me."

My eyebrows jumped up. Isaac was going with my dad on one of his voyages with Benny, Billy and Davy. And I was going to be left here, waiting for all of them. Waiting for my dad wasn't so hard with Isaac to play and talk with. But now he was leaving, too. Why did my father pick him and not me?

"Why does he get to go, dad? Now I have to wait for both of you and it will be way to lonely at home!" I said, almost tearing up.

"Amber, relax," said the captain. "It's a very short voyage and we won't stay in Hawaii long. Plus, I'll bring all of you a fantastic gift from the tropics, alright? Now quit being spoiled, girl." He laughed, messing up my hair.

I guess Hawaii was close by. And I did get a present. I would still have to wait weeks, though!

"But," I mumbled. "Why did you choose Isaac?" I always thought my dad and I were the closest. I thought for sure he'd choose me.

"Well, because I got Livvy, Jackson and you presents, but I couldn't find one for Isaac. Don't worry, Amber, one day I'll take you on a trip with the whole crew!" he said, cheerfully.

"Wait, who's not coming?" Isaac asked.

"Benny's staying with the family. He's taking a break. Davy and Billy are coming though."

Isaac shot me a look that seemed to say, "Ooooo, Benny." I guess he completely forgot about our conversation on the bus.

"Wait a minute!" my father burst out, digging through his pockets. "I haven't given you your present yet, Amber! Where is it...here it is!"

And he pulled out a necklace. On its silver chain were two small pearls, surrounded my tiny blue gems. It was simple, yet unique, gorgeous and sweet.

"I love it!" I whispered. "It's stunning, father! It's perfect! How'd you pick out such a perfect necklace for me!" I hugged him.

"Well, I thought that this particular necklace would remind you of Isaac and me, considering where in Hawaii we're visiting," he told me.

"Where?" Isaac and I asked, perking up our ears.

"Pearl Harbor."