I had left school early (with permission of course) to bid farewell to my dad and brother as they sailed out of the harbor. Billy seemed very excited that Isaac was joining them on their voyage.

"Wait until we get out to see, Isaac!" he squealed with excitement. "You'll love the waves and the sky and getting seasick!"

Isaac then looked worried. "What about food?" he asked. "Is the food good?"

"If ya like pea soup! And freshly caught fish! And soggy biscuits!" He said enthusiastically, patting Isaac hard on the back as he looked terrified.

I laughed. At least I'd get Molly's food for breakfast and Mom's for dinner. I wouldn't have to worry about getting seasick. I'd still be able to enjoy the beautiful ocean from the shore. But I would still miss Isaac and Dad terribly. Even if it was a short voyage. As Billy and Isaac boarded the ship, Davy approached me, politely taking off his sailor's hat and grasping it nervously.

"I'm gonna miss you, Amber," he said, smiling.

For some reason I felt extremely sad. Every time the crew left for another voyage, we'd say a quick "bye" and then they'd sail away. And those were before the long trips. This was just a short trip to Hawaii and back, then they'd be home again.

"It's a short trip, Davy," I said, chuckling. "But I'll miss you too."

Then we both stood on the dock awkwardly, staring at the ground but grinning. Then Captain Oleander approached us, grinning mischievously.

"Davy here helped pay for your necklace, Amber!" he blurted out, shoving Davy, teasingly.

"What? Well, yeah. I guess I did," Davy blushed.

"You did? Thank you, Davy. I absolutely love it! And now I love it...even more!" I beamed, gazing into his eyes. I wasn't blushing, but it was then I realized how much I loved Davy. He was so sweet and smart. Not like Oliver, who had called him a pirate. I despised Oliver now. But Davy...now I would really miss him!

He finally boarded the Teal Seal, followed by my father.

"See ya, Captain! Bye, Davy!" Benny called, standing next to me and waving.

"So long, Benny! Take care of my wife and children now!" the captain called back, waving.

"I will!"

As my family waved after the Teal Seal, Benny stood smirking, with his arms crossed. I looked at him, confused but then realized he was smiling at Davy, who was leaning against the railing of the ship staring at me. I sighed, my heart touched. My mother took Jackson and Livvy back into the house, leaving Benny and me to watch the ship disappear into the setting sun.

"You two," Benny said, snickering.

"What?" I snapped, annoyed by him.

"I didn't think Davy would win your heart," he shrugged.

I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms. "Why? You think I'm stubborn?" I was quite offended.

"No, no, no," he assured me. "I thought...someone else...would win your heart," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

I gazed at him, confused. Gazed at him too long and realized how handsome he was. His dark brown hair, his cheekbones and his emerald eyes! Suddenly they shot my way and I looked down at the dock, blushing. He laughed, but in an embarrassed sort of way. Then I realized who he had been talking about. Himself! He had been trying to win me!

"I'm gonna head back to the house," he suddenly said, awkwardly hurrying off the dock.

Leaving me to wonder.

* * * *

I was too befuddled and frustrated to go into the boathouse, where Benny and my family were. I leaped onto my bike and sped to Molly's Cafe as quickly as I could. The sun was still setting, but the sky above me was swarming with dark monsters. "Storms are coming this way," my father would if he were here. I prayed it would pass over the Teal Seal, not harming Isaac, Dad...or Davy.

I parked my bike and marched into the restaurant, ready to confront that pirate-calling bully. But my anger melted when Mrs. Tiff saw and boomed, "Amber, my dear! How are you? I heard Oliver was attacked here yesterday. Who was Oliver fighting, do you know?"

Oh, perfect. What was I supposed to say now? Well, how about the truth? said my shoulder angel. How about not?  said my shoulder devil. I think it was clear who to listen to.

"I have no idea," I said quickly, shrugging. Stupid! I thought to my clumsy self. You were supposed to tell the truth!

"Well, you just go on and sit at your favorite booth," Molly said, leading me over to it. "I'll send Oliver over to take your order in a minute," she smiled.

I nodded at her and then tapped the table nervously as she hurried into the kitchen. How exactly was I going to start this conversation? How was a sweet girl like me going to scold Oliver for being so mean? I laughed at my thought. I wasn't that sweet. Especially when I was upset. Suddenly I saw him, approaching my table with his usual smirk, only it seemed less sweet.

"Welcome to Molly's. What would you like to order?" he asked in his usual waiter voice.

Sighing, I firmly said, "You called Davy a pirate yesterday."

Oliver's smirk disappeared and he looked confused. Then he raised his eyebrows in realization and asked, "Is that why Ben attacked me? I thought he was just being a...bully."

I knew he wanted to say "pirate."

"Why would he attack you for no reason? And why would you call Davy a pirate for no reason?" I asked, puzzled.

"It was a joke, Amber!" He said, raising his voice. "I don't actually think he's a drunk, stealing pirate! He just snapped at me out of the blue and I thought it'd be funny-"

"Well it wasn't! Especially because I heard it!"

"It wasn't supposed to be heard and I'm sorry for saying it!" he seemed annoyed, but sad for angering me. Maybe i was overreacting. I know Benny did, for sure. And plus, Oliver was sorry so I had to forgive him. Forgiveness was what should always follow an apology. I was about to forgive him graciously...but then I realized who he had called a pirate. He had cruelly insulted Davy just like the bullies at school. He thought it was cool to fit in with them. That's why he had done it!

"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to Davy when he gets back!" I said, upset. "He just left half an hour ago..." my voice trailed off as I thought of him. And then what Benny had said on the dock.

"I'm sorry, Amber. I'll apologize to him when he gets back. Don't worry," his light brown eyes dimmed and he looked in desperate need of forgiveness, but I felt he was just faking it like a puppy dog.

"I have to go," I said, grabbing my things and holding my head up. "Farewell, Oliver."

But when I exited the cafe, I saw that it was pouring rain and thundering as if God had had a coughing fit. How on earth was I going to bike home in this weather? More importantly, how would Dad ever sail forge his way through it on the wavy sea?

"Amber!" Oliver called after me. "I'll walk you and your bike home," he offered in a gentlemanly-like manner. He was holding a huge umbrella which I couldn't resist.

"Alright," I sighed. And together we strolled home, Oliver rolling my bike along the sidewalk as I held the black umbrella. It was a silent walk to the boathouse, except for the shimmering, pattering rain and the booming thunder. As we neared the ocean shore, the sky quieted down, humming with distant thunder and blinking with faint lightning.

Oliver rolled my bike into the garage and then walked me to the front door.

"Thanks, Oliver," I said, almost grinning.

He took the umbrella from me and stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes gleaming like gold rings.

Suddenly he leaned his head forward and whispered into my ear, "Amber. You're beautiful."

Great. He was being all mushy right after making me angry. I hated when guys did that. Bashed their eyelashes over their gorgeous eyes to soften the girl's heart.

"Thanks," I said sarcastically. Almost laughing. I tried entering my house, but Oliver pulled me back, angrily.

"I'm being serious, Amber," he said, his voice irritated.

"Well, I'm not. Just let go of me and go home," I ordered him, trying to get into my house.

He still grasped my arm tightly and started to say something. But at that moment, my front door opened and there stood Benny, leaning against the doorpost and crossing his arms.

"Can I help you, kid?" he asked, glaring at Oliver.

I smiled. Oliver probably hated being called "kid." And after the fight yesterday, he was probably terrified of being beat up by Benny again. In fact, Oliver totally lost his cool. He made a run for it, dropping his umbrella and splashing in huge puddles, getting soaked.

I started cracking up, and stepped into the house as Benny chuckled.

"What a wimp," he said. "You really have a crush on that guy?"

"Had a crush on him. And honestly, Ben. It was just a crush," I said, grinning at him.

"Well," he sighed, shrugging. "Do you want some of your mother's cheesecake?" he asked, changing the subject.

I nodded happily as we sat down at the dinner table with the rest of my family. It seemed small, but it was still fun with Benny to talk to. As I enjoyed the strawberry cheesecake, I felt freedom now that Benny had scared Oliver away from me. Farewell, I thought.