"32 bottles of pop on the wall, 32 bottles of pop," Larry sang as he looked over the bow into the wide open sea.
"It's supposed to be beer you dweeb," Kate sneered at the geeky boy while she tried to paint her nails.
"For your information Kate, we happen to be on a school field trip. This means, being a school related activity, there are no mention of drugs, alcohol, or other… bad things." He informed the snobby cheerleader.
"Whatever! As long as I'm home in time for my hair appointment and massage, I'll put up with just about anything."
"Isn't this a lovely day for sailing," Mr. Digg burst out of the cabin's quarters and looked upon his unhappy student's faces. "I'm surprised more students didn't take the opportunity to join us on our adventure as we examine the creatures of the sea." He smiled slyly, knowing his students were in for more than a 'rinky-dink' field trip, but said nothing as he turned around and went back to make arrangements with the captain.
"Look at all the pretty fishes," Ethan pressed his face closer to the boat's glass bottom to get a better look at the assortment of fish.
"Mr. Digg has a strange idea of a "beautiful day". In my opinion, it looks like there's a storm a brewin'." Teresa turned towards her friends, Lizzie, Miranda, and Gordo. Teresa was new to Hill Ridge High, after moving there from the Southern East Coast, and the gang had eagerly welcomed her wild antics.
"Good thing my camera's waterproof," Gordo patted his 'Precious Baby' and checked to make sure he had all his filming equipment.
"T's right, the sky does look pretty ominous," Lizzie looked up as Miranda nodded in agreement. She yelled to their teacher, "Mr. Digg, are we going to head back home soon. The sea seems to be getting rougher by the minute."
"Nonsense Miss McGuire! No sleet, hail, storm… oh however it goes, we're adventurers and we aren't going to turn back no way no how!" As soon as he had said this, a crack of thunder and a burst of lightning streaked across the sky.
"Ahhh!" Two young boys, Matt and Lanny, jumped out of the extra lifeboat. They had sneaked on and had been hiding there.
"Matt, Mom would kill me if she knew you were here." Lizzie was angry, but she hugged her brother closely, comforting him.
"It was all Lanny's idea! Honest." The silent boy shook his head in disagreement.
"I guess it will be alright for now, but when we get home you two will have to face the consequences. Now hurry under the deck, a real Nor-Easterner is looming and I want you all to be safe."
As the kids hurried down, Mr. Digg nodded to the captain and started securing the ropes.
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The small group huddled together, worried that something awful might happen to their teacher.
"We shouldn't have left him out there! Maybe we ought to go get him?" Miranda suggested, clutching Lizzie.
"Yes, all alone in unprotected. What if something happens to him? What then? What then?" Teresa hugged her knees closer, cramped in the tight space.
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you… I mean us." Ethan started to put his arm her shoulders, but decided against it after she shot him a 'Don't Even Think About it Buster' glace.
"I'm sure everything's going to clear up soon," Larry tried to sound hopeful.
All of a sudden there was a crash and the boat lurched to the side.
"I'm sure Mr. Digg has everything under control."
Their hope faded as they heard Mr. Digg yell "Abondon Ship" and two splashes, one being their teacher and the other being the captain.
Everyone looked at each other. They started screaming as the boat pitched and rocked on the violent sea.
What will happen next to our unlucky students? Stay tuned! (And please click that little button, the one that says you'll review. Many thanks!)