It had been three long months since Hazel Haskett saw Sawyer Nelson. He had left to attend a Boston SEA program on a boat, and he was finally coming home. During that time, Hazel and Sawyer would text almost everyday. Her dad, Dr. Clay, kept warning her that it was costing them a big phone bill, but she didn't listen.
The day he was coming home, Hazel paced back and forth in the crows nest where she often hung out, thinking. You can do it Hazel. Just tell him. As soon as you see him just come right out and say it.
"Hazel!" she heard her dad call, interrupting her deep thought. Her face lit up. "Sawyer must be back," she said to herself. Hazel climbed down the ladder as fast as she could, then ran down the stairs of the dock. Just then, a car pulled up in the parking lot of Clear Water. A door opened and Sawyer stepped out. Hazel stood in front of him smiling. "Hey," she said while she lifted her hand out for him to shake. Sawyer grabbed it, but then quickly pulled her in for a hug instead. Hazel was surprised, but she enjoyed every second. "I have so much to tell you," Sawyer said with a grin, after they pulled away.
"So do I," Hazel muttered to herself. Sawyer smiled at her then turned to his mom, Lorraine who was standing behind her son. "Can I see Winter mom?" he asked. Lorraine nodded.
"Of course!" she told him.
Sawyer looked at Hazel. "Race you!" he shouted, then ran towards an entrance. Hazel ran after him into the aquarium. Once they reached the pools Sawyer jumped in, but Hazel hesitated. "What are you waiting for?" he said to her. Sawyer then grabbed her arm and pulled her in.
They swam with Winter for a few minutes until it was time to get out. Hazel and Sawyer got towels then sat down in the crows nest to dry off. It was very sunny out so they dried off fast.
"So did you have fun at the SEA program?" Hazel asked.
"Of course!" Sawyer replied. "But I missed Winter," he said.
"Oh," Hazel simply said.
"And you." He smiled at her, and she smiled back.
"So what's been happening here?" he asked.
"Oh you know, same old stuff. We rescued and released more animals."
"That's great."
Hazel this is the perfect time to tell him, she thought.
"Um Sawyer?" Hazel said.
"Yeah?" Sawyer grinned at her making the situation way more difficult.
I can't do it, she thought.
"Uh, it's time to feed the dolphins," she said instead.
…
Sawyer came home from a busy day at the aquarium. He dropped his bag down on the floor then sighed heavily as he sat on the couch. Lorraine came in with a glass of water and a snack for her son. "Honey take a break you just got home from a three month trip," she told him.
"They need me there mom. Plus Winter missed me," he said.
Lorraine smiled. "Okay, if your willing to do all that hard work." She sat down the water and snack on the side table. "But I think Winter's not the only reason you want to work there," she teased as she walked to the kitchen. Sawyers eyes widened. "Is it that obvious?" he said aloud. Sawyer grabbed his phone and started to text his cousin Kyle.
Sawyer: I need 2 talk 2 u
Kyle: Sure man. On here or in person.
Sawyer: In person.
Kyle. Okay I'll be right over.
Sawyer waited for Kyle to come on the front porch of the house. Kyle didn't live too far so he came right away. As soon as Sawyer saw him pull up he went up to greet him "Hey Sawyer," Kyle said as she shut the car door. "What's up?" he asked.
"I need help," Sawyer said as they sat on the porch.
"Okay try me., Kyle said. It took Sawyer a minute to get it out.
"How do tell a girl that you like her?"
"Oh so there's a girl?" Kyle teased. Sawyer looked away.
'Maybe..." he said.
"So does this girl happen to like dolphins too?" Kyle said. Sawyer's eyes widened.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"Oh come on, we all new," Kyle said. Sawyer put his hands on his face.
"I've known her for four years Kyle. What if she only like me as a friend.?"
"Well that risk will be your decisions Sawyer." Kyle patted his shoulder. "And trust me, if you don't tell her you'll regret it forever." he told him.
That stuck in Sawyer's head the rest of the day and through out the night. He lay awake thinking about it. If he never told her Hazel she could end up with another guy. He could never live through life seeing Hazel with someone else. Sawyer turned side ways in his bed and stared at a photo that sat on top of this side table. It was of him and Hazel playing with Hope. A few minutes later he finally fell asleep.
The next morning was bright and sunny. Sawyer went to the kitchen and grabbed a banana for breakfast. He said goodbye to his mom then hopped on his bike to go to work. When he got there he was greeted by Hazel and her dad. "You guys can start off by feeding the dolphins," Clay said. He handed a bucket to Sawyer that was filled with small fish. Hazel and Sawyer walked into the aquarium. Inside, a girl walked over to Sawyer.
"Hey Sawyer!" she said.
"Hi Jordan," he greeted. Hazel stood there awkwardly. "Hazel this is Jordan she was on the trip too."
Jordan put out her hand so Hazel could shake it, but she refused.
"Sawyer we gotta feed the dolphins," she said grabbing the bucket. Sawyer walked to the edge of the pool where Hazel was bent over putting fish in the water. "So what are you doing here?" he asked Jordan whilst throwing fish to Winter.
"I've been wanting to meet Winter since like forever, so I asked my mom if I could," Jordan said.
"Here why don't you feed her?" Sawyer suggested. He handed the bucket to her. She came over and bent down next to him.
"So," she said, after feeding Winter. "Is this your girlfriend?" she asked, looking at Hazel. Sawyer was surprised by the comment.
"Hazel? No, .were just friends," he replied quickly. Hazel looked in the other direction.
"Are you sure?" Jordan asked.
"Um.. Yeah." Sawyer said along with a quiet sigh.
"Oh," Jordan said as she went on her way.
Hazel and Sawyer looked at each other with awkward smiles then got back to feeding Winter.