A/N: I changed something in one of the chapters that someone pointed out looked a bit weirs, which is why you might have got an e-mail.
She's Seven?
A meeting had been called in a conference room.
"Okay," said Dr Akana, rubbing her hands together, "We're getting close to where the fish die-off was observed, and we're going out in a Triton—a kind of underwater metal ship which we can look out of. There's space for three people: the crewman, me, and one other person,"
She glanced at Max.
"Does it have windows?" asked Max.
She smiled. "Yes, you'll be able to look out. I assume you're going."
She shrugged, "Can't be much worse than in here," she replied. I agreed with her, a chance to look at the sea life would be pretty good.
"Me too," said Angel, folding her arms.
Max turned to her. "There's only room for three," she said.
"I should go, because I might hear something," said Angel mutinously. I could see Max trying to think of a way to get rid of Angel and be nice about it, and I could practically see the whirring of her brain.
"Max," said Angel, interrupting her thoughts. She was looking hard at her, and I hoped she wasn't about to try and brainwash Max.
"Don't make me wish I was wearing a foil hat," said Max threateningly, "Look, the crewman has to go, because he knows how to drive the little sub, and Dr Akana has to go because she knows what the heck we'll be looking at, and I have to go because (a) I'm the leader, right? And (b) it's my Mom we're looking for, and (c) because I said so. You dig"
Max crossed her arms as well and frowned down at Angel. Angel seemed to have worked out this tactic and wasn't as threatened by it as she used to be. Why couldn't Angel understand that Max was the leader? She thought she knew everything, but she really didn't.
"Angel, dear, you're only six," said Dr Akana gently.
"Seven," said Angel stubbornly. I almost rolled my eyes. Either way, Max was boss, and there wasn't much difference.
"When did you turn seven? Oh, never mind," said Max tiredly.
I realised what this meant. Most kids would be getting excited about their birthdays weeks before, and get loads of presents. Angel had obviously noticed it, but she hadn't said a word, and hadn't received a single present. I felt sorry for her for a second. A seven-year old had a birthday with no party and no presents. Then I remembered how annoying she was being.
"I'm seven," Angel repeated adamantly.
"Fine, then, I'm—seventeen!" said Max. "You're not going."
Max followed Dr Akana to the little yellow bubble-thing. It also had this claw arms which reminded me of a T-Rex with its diddly arms on a bigger body.
It'd be a great view from out there, but it was probably more cramped than in this ship.
Max rubbed her hands together.
"Let's do this,"
I watched as the three of them got in the Triton and prepared the ship. Then the crewman gave a thumbs-up and a hatch opened, dropping them down into the ocean.
I caught a brief glimpse of a turtle as they turned the lights on, and then hatch closed.
The doors started to close as well.
I saw the resolve form in Angel's eyes and yelled out. "Angel! Don't!"
She didn't listen, and ran at the doors. She slipped through, avoiding my efforts to grab her.
She gave a triumphant wave, and then mashed her palm into a big red button.
The hatch opened again, and Angel disappeared from sight.
I gritted my teeth. That stupid kid.
A/N: Sorry it's quite short, I've got to do a bonus chapter next.
And for anyone who doesn't normally review, please do. I'm ten away from 100, and it would really make my day if we managed to do it.
Since there's nothing else to do, here's a random fact about me (which may turn into a regular thing, I don't know): I've been to a nursery in Hungary, a school in England, a school in France, and three separate schools in England.
