Sunlight and salt water alike threatened to blind Satara but the rumble of the ocean differed significantly from the hum of humanity she left on the shore behind her.

I'd take random waves over random people any day. She alternated between a vigorous front crawl and the less frantic butterfly stroke each time she needed to slow down and check her direction. Sinastar bobbed in the water ahead as if he had a swimming ring around him, watching her approach from beneath the visor of his palm. Looks like Jason hasn't caught up yet –

A head popped out from the water beside her and she kicked herself away from it before she registered the red hair.

“Ow, Tara!” Jason's shoulders hunched as he rubbed his stomach. “What are you? A sea kangaroo?”

She shook water and hair out of her face. “It's not my fault you came out of nowhere like that.”

“Why wouldn't I? We're racing, remember?” He swam towards her despite his complaints. “Why'd you stop?”

“I was trying to work out where everyone was,” she replied, treading water.

“Everyone?” Jason squinted at something beyond her. “You mean those girls with Sin?”

“What?” She followed his gaze but didn't let the sight distract her completely. He'll try to drown me the second I stop paying attention.

Two other people floated in front of Sinastar, who looked as if he had been accosted in the middle of returning to them. One had blonde hair and the other was a brunette.

“Reckon he knows 'em?” Jason seemed half intrigued and half impressed.

“No idea.” She tried to catch her cousin's eye but the bare shoulders of the girls with him blocked his face from view. High pitched laughter drifted across the waves towards them. “Think he wants us to help him?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Most guys probably wouldn't appreciate your help right now.” Jason cleared his throat as she looked at him. “But Sin isn't like most guys. Let's go.”

He seemed a little too keen to rescue their companion as he swam around the small party with Satara in tow until the blonde girl looked at him.

“Oh,” he grumbled. “It's you”

“Wow. Rude much.” Melissa shook her head. The sun brought out the colour of her eyes and skin. Even her hair seemed more vibrant, piled up on top of her head as it was. She smiled tentatively as Satara reached them. “Hey. I never took you for a swimmer.”

“Yeah. I don't practice much.”

Opposite Sinastar, Judy looked like she was trying to have an intimate conversation in the middle of the sea. She also had her hair in a bun and they were both considerably less clothed.

“I used to come her all the time with my d – ages ago,” said Melissa, following Satara's gaze. “It's been a while.”

“It has.” The fifteen year old kicked her feet until she ended up beside her cousin, who drifted back to keep his distance from the therapist.

He glanced at her but didn't look like he needed any assistance just yet.

“Oh hello, Satara,” said Judy. “I was just telling Spy it's such a coincidence we ended up going to the same beach on the same day at the same time. How weird is that?”

“Very.” I shouldn't ask Sin what we're doing next. Otherwise she'll find a way to make herself part of our plans.

“Are we gonna race first and then get lunch?” asked Jason as he joined them. “Or are we gonna head back now?”

He raised his eyebrows questioningly when she tried not to sigh and close her eyes. I can always count on him, can't I?

“What would you like to do?” asked Sinastar.

He scanned the horizon as if looking for a flare and Satara searched for a buoy far away enough to act as a discouraging finish line. Jason spoke again as soon as she found one.

“Hmm. We've come quite far out now.” He placed a hand above his eyes and peered at the shore. “Maybe we should head back.”

“What do you think, Satara?” Sinastar turned towards her. His hair – eyelashes and brows included – seemed darker as well. “Are you hungry now?”

“I don't mind waiting,” she said at once, pointing at the buoy. “Let's see who gets there first and then we can go.” She continued before her friend could protest. “The losers have to get the food.”

“You're on,” growled Jason, shoving his hair out of his face with both hands. “Hope you're not gonna be too tired by the time we get back.”

“Me too! Me too!” Melissa paddled into a spot between them.

“Should we head back?” Judy glanced at Sinastar but he swam past her until he was on Satara's other side.

“Do you mind telling us when to go?” he asked the therapist.

“Oh sure,” she replied with a disheartened smile.

Satara hid her lower face underwater until Judy took up a position where they could all see her, on Jason's side, with one arm raised above her head. Finally …

“Get ready and –” She dragged the words out and sliced the waves with her palm. “Go!”

Satara pictured Jason bringing her a quarter pounder meal and a can of Pepsi Max before lunging into the waves once again, leaving behind everything she couldn't stand for the second time.

I should do this more often.