Splash part 8

Kei picked up his pace alittle bit forcing the girls to do like wise. Kaela looked at her brother, questioning his increase in speed. Kei jerked his eyes towards Hiapo. Kaela saw him and understood.1

“Hey Lani. Want to race me to the house. First one there can have the shower first.”2

“Sure.” With that the two were off. Lani was oblivious to the “danger” she had been in. Kei breathed a little easier when the two ran up the stairs and entering the house, ending the race in a tie. The girls running off didn’t deter Hiapo any though. He and his friends walked up and kind of encircled Kei.3

“Hey Kei. Who’s you’re knew friend. Is she your girlfriend from the mainland?” Hiapo asked. Kei was stuck in a rut. If he said no, Hiapo would jump at the chance to persue her. If he said yes though, he would have to act like her boyfriend in public which would break what little resistence he had. He was about to answer when Kaela yelled to him to hurry up because their mother wanted to talk to him.4

“Well see you later boys.” Kei said before running the short distance that was left and entered the house.5

“Where is she Kaela?”6

“Who?”7

“Mom.”8

“Oh she’s not here. I just thought you needed a little help.”9

“Thanks. Hey don’t tell Lani about the swimming thing. I don’t want her thinking thats another thing I’ll be upset with.” Kei added giving Kaela a look.10

“What? I’m sorry. She asked why you were in such a hurry earlier. I had to tell her something. Why were in you in such a hurry?”11

“Nothing. No reason. I’m going to shower.” Kei rushed off before Kaela could ask him anymore questions. He didn’t want his sister knowing about his feelings for their guest. He especially didn’t want her trying to set the two of them up.12

Kaela and Kei had been lucky growing up. They each had their own bathroom so they didn’t have to share. He heard the shower running in Kaela’s shower. Before he could stop it, images filled his head. Images that shouldn’t be there. Images of Lani. The water had stopped running and he knew that Lani would be out in a few minutes. He ran to his bathroom, hoping the shower would help cool his thoughts.13

Lani had tied with Kaela but Kaela told her to take the first shower. It felt so good to have warm water running down her back. She felt a little guilty for staying in for so long even though she was in for 5, 6 minutes. She dried off and went into Kaela’s room. Kaela had set out some clothes on the bed for her to try on. She tried on the khaki shorts and green top. Kaela’s clothes fit perfectly. Just as Lani finished dressing, Kaela came in with a bottle in her hands.14

“Here. THis is a lotion that will help with sunburns. It takes away the pain and helps speed the healing process.” Kaela opened the bottle and the smell of mangos filled the room. The girls helped apply the lotion to each other’s hard to reach areas on the back.15

“Aren’t you going to take a shower?”16

“I already did. I used my mom’s shower.”17

“Ok. I’m sorry if I took too long.”18

“No. You didn’t.”19

“So where are we going to eat?”20

“It’s a place called....” As Kaela described the diner to Lani, Kei had walked up to the door and stood there waiting.21

“Are you two ready yet.” Kei asked as soon as Kaela stopped talking.22

“Yeah. Let’s go.”23

Kei had kept his eyes on Kaela the whole time she was talking. As they walked to the diner, he kept his eyes away from Lani. He was afraid of the thoughts that he might think. He was trying really hard to maintain self-control. He was her guardian; nothing more.24

When they got there, Kanoa and Lea were already at the table. Meg had already supplied the regular drinks. Lani sat beside Lea, and Kaela scooted in beside Lani. Kei asked Lani what she wanted to drink. After delivering her order to Meg, he brought her a menu. Just as he sat down, Meg brought Lani her drink.25

“So you’re the mysterious girl.” She asked but it was more of a statement.26

“Yes. Kei came up with the name Lani, so until I rememember my name, thats who I am.” Meg laughed at Lani’s reply.27

“Well pleased to meet you Lani. I’m Meg, the owner of this fabulous resturaunt. For most of my customers, I can remember what they like and what they order so they dont have to. But with you, that may be a little of a challenge. Since you don’t know what you like and dislike, I don’t either.”28

“Well I think I am going to try the...... bacon cheese burger.”29

“Do you want fries or onion rings?”30

“Which do you suggest?”31

“Try the onion rings. Meg’s onion rings are the best.” Kanoa cut in.32

“Ok the onion rings.” Lani said. Meg walked back to the kitchen to place the groups order.33

It wasn’t long before Meg was back. Meg told Lani about her life story and how she had came to the island. The group really listened because they had never heard Meg* talk this much about herself. 34

“It was many years ago. I don’t even remember the year anymore. I was waitressing at a diner near my hometown and attending school. It was my dream to open a diner of my own one day. Halfway through school, one night a young man walked into the diner and just happened to be seated at one of my tables. Though I was just his waitress, there was a connection between us. As I waited on him, we talked about everyday things. I was sad to see him go. 35

“The next night though, he was back and seated at the same table. We continued our conversations from the night before. This went on for several weeks. Every night he would be there at the same table, and every night we talked about different things. Finally one night he asked me if I would want to go out with him. Maybe catch a movie or go to the park. We ended up going to the local lake and sitting on one of the picnic tabels. 36

“He told me of his home. He was from an island in this vicinity. The way he described the scenery, the flowers, the people, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. Our relationship went on like this for several months. Every night he would be at the same table. I’d wait on him and then we would meet when I got off at the picnic bench. One night, he wasn’t there. His table sat empty all night. When I got off work, I went and waited at the picnic table for hours, hoping he would show up. All I knew what his nickname, what his friends called him, so I couldn’t look him up in the directory and locate him.37

“I looked for him everry night but he seemed to disappear. After I got my license to open a diner, I decided I would open one on his island in hopes one day I would see him again. The only problem was I didn’t know which island he came from. So I just picked one. It was about all I could do. In all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen him. I guess I could have moved islands, but I fell inlove with the people here, and have been here ever sense.”38

The group was quiet. Noone quite knew what to say. After what seemed like hours, Lani broke the silence, “Were you inlove with him? Was he you first love?”39

Meg looked at Lani and smiled. “At first I thought so. I thought he was the One for me. But after all these years, I often wander if it was his island I had fallen inlove with and not him.”40

With that, Meg walked back to the kitchen. The group was quiet. They were unsure of what to say. It wasn’t long before their food was brought out to the table. The waitress asking if they needed anything broke the “spell”. The five of them started talking and joking again, as if nothing had happened. When the waitress brought back the ketchup they had asked for, the diner’s bell rang out as the door opened. It was....41

It was Hiapo and his friends. They sat down at a booth across the room from the group.42

“Just ignore them guys.” Lea said. She knew Meg didn’t like trouble, especially in her resturaunt. Everyone went back to eating except for Kei. He knew Hiapo was probably interested in Lani, but what he couldn’t figure out was why was SHE on his arm. The she he was referring to was Meli. It was strange. She had never seemed interested in any other guy other than him. Maybe Kei telling her to leave Lani alone had made her realize he wasn’t hers and never would be. At that thought, Kei relaxed. He began to enjoy himself.43

Meli had watched Kei’s interaction with Hiapo and his group while he was walking home. She knew Hiapo was interested in Lani, and knew what he would do to get her. Meli realized Hiapo could work well with her plans. After talking to him, they made a deal. The two of them would be a “couple” to throw off Kei, but they would slowly work to get what they wanted.44

Her plan had worked perfectly. When Haipo and her had walked in, the group across the room straightened up and got quiet. As soon though as she saw Kei relax, she knew it had worked45

Lani couldn’t help but notice the way Kei kept staring at the girl across the room. It was the same girl that had come into her hospital room. From Lani’s point of view, it looked like Kei was shooting daggers at the man she was with. Maybe the girl was right, maybe Kei was her man and Lani was tearing them apart.46

Kaela watched Lani’s smile disappear. Kaela followed Lani’s and saw that they were staring at what Kei was staring at: Meli. That pain in the ... , thought Kaela. She had known for years of Meli’s plight to win her brother. It would never happen. Meli had quite a reputation among the girls of the island. It was no secret of the favors she gave guys. It wasn’t until Kei’s 16th year, that she turned her attention towards him. That was the year the tragedy happened, causing Kei to be the heir to the island’s throne.47

Meg came over one last time to say good bye. The group payed for the meal and walked out, ignoring Meli and Hiapo. They took their seperate ways outside of the diner. Kei walked Lani and Kaela home. The walk was quiet. It had been a long day, and the three of them were extremely quiet. When they got home, Lani met Kei’s and Kaela’s mother. She told Lani to forget all formalities and call her mom. If she needed anything not to hesitate to ask. Kaela showed Lani to her room and brought her an armful of clothes. Lani found shorts and a tank top to sleep in. As Kaela left the room, Lani saw Kei standing on the porch through her window. Lani propped it open and asked him…48

“Are you ok?”49

Kei jumped alittle and looked around for the source of the voice. He turned and smiled when he saw her.50

“Yeah. I’m fine. Why do you ask?”51

“You’ve just seem a little tense since we left the diner. Well actually since that girl walked in on the arms of that guy. She wasn’t your sweetheart was she?”52

“What? Oh no. She’s never been my sweetheart. She wanted to be though.” He thought a second before adding,53

“The guy she was with saw you today. He’s the type not to give up easy after he’s seen something he wants.”54

“Oh, ok. So I shouldkeep an eye out for this guy?”55

“No. You just enjoy you’re stay here and don’t worry about a thing.”56

“Ok. Good night then.” With that she shut the window and walked to the bed. A tapping noise stopped her before she got too far.57

It was Kei at the window. She smiled and walked back and opened it.58

“Can I help you?”59

“What do you have planned for tomorow?”60

“Nothing yet. Why?”61

“I was wondering if you wanted to go on a boat ride with me in the morning? Get to see the whole island from the an ocean view.”62

“Sounds like fun. Just you and me?”63

“Yeah. Just you and me.”64

Lani smile got even bigger. He wanted to spend time with her, showing his island. Kei bid her good bye before walking back into the house. Lani waited for his door to shut before she closed the window. Giddy, she hurried to the bed. Her mind was racing with images of tomorow. Just him and her on a boat, spending time together alone. It was several minutes before her brain started fighting with her emotions. It was trying to reason the age old fight of how a relationship couldn’t spark between them. Her heart told her brain to shut up and the images continued to play. They played until sleep overtook her eyelids and forced them to closing, leaving her to dream of the day to come.65

Kaela knocked on Kei’s door. At his permission, she entered. Kei was sitting at his desk, working on papers. Kaela looked over his shoulder as he finished rewriting the speech he would have to give at this year’s swimming competition.66

“I’m taking Lani to Lea’s tomorow. Do you want to come?”67

“No you’re not. She’s coming with me. I already asked her if she would want to tour the island by boat.” Kei never looked up as he replied it. He missed seeing the smile on his sister’s face along with the look she was giving him.68

“Ok. But you can’t hog her you know.” Kaela said, putting up a false fight as she left. She could barely contain her happiness. Her brother had never taken a girl on a boat ride. It was typical for that island to show your interest on someone by taking them on a boat ride. Call it old fashioned, but it worked. Kaela said good night to everyone before turning in. It would be a long day tomorow if she were to put her plan into action.69

Meli was lying on a blanket on the beach with Hiapo’s arms wrapped around her. It was a heavy price to pay to get her man, but one she gladly paid. Meli had always been different. She had matured before all the other girls her age which set her apart. The older boys took interest in her and seemed to be the friends she needed. It wasn’t long before she wisened up and realized what they really wanted. She also learned she could get what she wanted through it too. After that it became a tool to her.70

Meli had always been saving herself. She would never go that far with a boy becasue if anyone found out, she would be stuck with him til death do they part. THats what she tried to do with Kei. If only she could have gotten him alone, they actually didn’t have to do anything. Just enough to make it look convincing where honor would bind him to her. It didn’t work like that. He never would let her get him in a compromising situation.71

The price Hiapo made her pay was the thing she so desperatly had tried to give Kei. Hiapo drove a hard bargain. It was worth it. He would help her tear the new girl away from Kei, and Meli would be free to resume teh chase once again. Hiapo started to rub her arm and turn her towards him.72

“Not again?” She protested. Hiapo stopped her with a kiss.73

Lani tossed back and forth in her sleep. She was in a building full of teenagers. There were streamers hanging down from the ceiling and the basketball goals. On one end of the floor, a dj was working his equipment, playing fast music. On the other end, adults had tables set up with punch and finger foods. Wall to wall there were people in formals and tuxes. Lani looked down at herself and saw the pretty yellow and red dress she had on. Out of the crowd, a boy dressed in a white tux took her hand, and they started to dance. She recognized the boy. She knew him from somewhere. The scene changed in a flash. She was sitting on a tailgate, her dress hung in the cab of the bed. SHe had changed into jeans and a t-shirt. THere were people all around her, laughing smoking, and drinking. The boy she hda danced with held out a beer to her. Lani didn’t hear the conversation, but the boys face turned livid. He was really mad about something. Everyone was staring now, laughing at someone. The boy threw the beer onto Lani, making everyone laugh harder.74

Lani woke up and felt the tears sliding down her face. The dream seemed so real. Looking at the clock, she realized it was still early in the morning. She laid there, trying to slow her beating heart and to relax enough to fall backto sleep. It took a while but before she knew it, she was asleep again.75

Kei knocked on Lani’s door. It was kind of early but he was impatient to get started. When he didn’t hear an answer, he softly opened her door. Lani was wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets. Kei couldn’t help but smile. She looked so beautiful in the morning. Her hair was spread out over the pillow. She had a childlike smile playing at her lips. He could’t take his eyes off of her. He had an emotion building up inside of him causing a desire to lay be side her, to hold her in his arms, and to kiss each thread of hair. It was a few minutes before Kei realized Lani was a wake and watching him stare at her. The smile still played at her lips. Kei started to blush. He couldn’t control it as it flooded his face.76

Lani had a woken to a soft knock at the door. She kept her eyes closed hoping it was a dream. When she heard her door open, she waited for it to shut. After a few minutes of not hearing it, she opened her eyes. Kei was standing beside her bed. He seemed distracted. He was looking at her but didn’t seem to notice she was awake. He looked so handsome. He was dressed in khaki shorts and a black tank. His muscles seemed to stand out. He had a face most girls dreamed of seeing, and his smile maked Lani’s stomach flutter. She didn’t quite understand what she was feeling, but it was nice.77

Lani almost laughed when Kei snapped out of his daze and saw her looking at him. His face started to turn a bright red. As the red flooded his face, she couldn’t help but giggle. Kei had the look of a little boy that got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.78

“Um… morning.” Kei finaly mumbled out.79

“Good morning. Are you waiting on me?” Lani asked with a laugh.80

“Uhhh… I had uh… knocked to see if you were a wake and decided to go ahead and wake you up..... ummm… I was hoping to get on the water and to the cooler side of the island before it got to ... hot.”81

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that. I should have been up sooner. Give me a second and I’ll be ready to go.” Lani jumped out of bed and started hurrying to get dressed. She had forgotten all she had slept in was a shirt, and a short one at that. Kei couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was like yesterday in the water all over again. This time, Lani’s face turned bright red.82

“Erm.... could you perhaps wait for me in the hall?”83

Kei glanced at her face and practically ran out of the room, shutting it behind him. He didn’t stop in the hall like she had asked, but instead ran to the kitchen. He poured himself a large glass of cold water and drained it all. Kaela was sitting at the table and had watched her brother’s antics. She couldn’t help but ask,84

“Is something chasing you?”85