A/N Angel here. Compliments to Fiery in her last chapter. It was real good.
Rika: Naturally. And the freaking Akiyama got a kiss from me.....
Angel: Yes, and you loved it the whole time.
Rika: Yeah.I mean, no, I did not!
Angel: Whatever. And now, the usualI don't own digimon. Fiery does...
Rika: So, she kidnapped digimon when you owned it?
Angel: **glares**And, I now co-own an ocean in Kansas!
Rika: But, I thought that in Kansas...
Ryo: Leave her alone, pumpkin!
Angel: **yells over Rika** And the bidding starts at $1000! And now I present...
Cruising the Caribbean
By Fiery-chan and Angel13
Chapter 10: Love Triangles and Roller Blades
Rika woke up and checked the time. 4:30 am. Too early. Even Jeri was still sleeping. She checked to see if Kila was awake. The night before, the boys had gotten room 1025 to themselves and Kila, Jodie, Jeri, Missy, and Rika had been in 1035. Missy was sleeping on the floor and Rika quietly tip-toed outside, only in a pair of shorts and a over-sized t-shirt.
Kila's bed in the living room was empty and saw a note on her pillow. It said she had gone out and would be back. Rika headed outside after putting on her flipflops. She went onto the deck to see if the sun was up and was shocked to see what she did. The familiar dark head she had been looking for was out on the waves, surfing, and surfing good at that. She also spotted Ryo out on the water.
The sun was just at the horizen and with the ship docked, Rika had perfect view of everything. She even felt jealous. Kila surfed better than Rika could ever surf. Rika went down onto the beach and watched Kila ride a huge wave all the way up to shore as the wave crashed.
"Hey, Rika! You see that wave? It was so sweet. You should come and surf with us. Grab a rental and your suit. Ryo and I will wait up for ya."
"No, I-I..."
Ryo had spotted her already.
"Yo, Pumpkin, c'mon, Kila and I will give you some more pointers."
Rika nearly said no until she saw his adorable smile.
'Damn hormones...'
Rika thought to herself.
"Fine, I'll come. Since you guys want to teach me more."
Rika went back to the cabin and changed into a royal blue one piece. She ran back out with her flip-flops on and nearly ran into Henry.
"Hi, Henry. What's up? You're up early."
"Was looking for someone."
"Like?"
"Uh, Kila. She looked a little depressed yesterday."
Rika sighed. She knew the reason.
"Yeah, I know. Want to come down to the beach? Kila's down there with Ryo. Surfing again."
"Sure. Let me change. Meet you there."
Rika nodded and went to the rental shop. She went to the beach and about 10 minutes later, Henry came in his trunks with a board.
"Well, what the hell are you waiting for? I'm going back to surfing."
"You surf?"
Henry looked at Kila quizzically.
"Naturally. I was nearly born on the water. My dad taught me everything. Surfing, boogie-boarding, swimming, and he even got me jet-skiing. He was gonna teach me how to water-ski. And bigshot over here does decent himself. Even though, I nearly left him to the sharks."
"Your dad must've loved the water. Wanna give me some pointers?"
"Why don't you watch me ride one? And, the more I'm near the water the more I think of him."
"You miss him?"
Rika looked at her sympathetically. Kila was the type that she might've been jealous of when she went to her old private school. She was a very friendly girl and didn't have a problem in her life it seemed. Until she told you her half of her immediate family died and her mom barely noticed her.
"Nah, not a lot. Feel closer to him...Now, what am I blabbing about? Henry, wanna get some pointers, watch me!"
Kila paddled out and Ryo, Henry, and Rika watched from shore. They saw the wave that looked like it was gonna crash down on Kila. Hard.
"Kila, watch it!"
Henry called out in alarm. But he knew after he needn't have yelled.
Just as it looked like it had crashed, Kila had gotten right in the curl and rode it smoothly. The next wave that came she rode it in right at the top.
"Still want pointers?"
Kila raised her eyebrows. Henry, with his mouth open, nodded.
"Well, what are you doing on the sand, head out with me!"
As they ran into the surf, Ryo chuckled.
"You gotta admire that girl's courage."
"How so?"
"Look, she's fighting a losing battle. Henry likes Missy and she tries her darndest to not let it bother their friendship."
"How do you know Henry likes Missy that much?"
Ryo shurgged.
"It's obvious isn't it?"
Yesterday, it had been but now, with Henry trying to stay on his board and Kila laughing and Henry even joined in laughing, she didn't know.
"Love's too hard."
"You got that right. But, don't you think Missy is more...attracttive than Kila?"
Rika's face burned wtih anger.
"No! Kila is a better person I bet."
"C'mon, you barely know Missy. Just give her a chance."
"Look here, Akiyama. I don't care that you like Missy because she's prettier or smarter or something. No one will beat Kila at the kindness and caring she has."
Ryo held up his hands in defeat. And suddenly, his eyes opened wide.
"What's wrong, Ryo?"
Ryo moved his head and gestured to behind Rika.
"H-Hi, Kila,Henry."
"Well, Henry's getting the hang of everything. I'm going. Ciao!"
Kila turned, her ocean blue board under her arm, and headed to the SeaQueen.
"Wait, Kila, come on, aren't you gonna help me surf?"
"Nah, you and Akiyama already have a good enough opinion on me."
Rika frowned. Kila had heard most of their conversation.
"And, Ryo, don't talk to me if you don't like me!"
Ryo blushed red and Henry looked at Rika's boiling red face that was definitely not sunburn and Ryo's own red cheeks.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing, Wong! Nothing at all!"
"Look, Rika, I didn't mean for her to hear..."
"Well guess what, Ry-o, she did!"
Rika's rage boiled as she saw Kila's retreating figure.
"Hey, Rika, calm down."
Henry put a hand on her shoulder and Rika pulled away.
"You are so oblivious! And, Ryo, don't talk to me if you're gonna insult one of my best friends!"
Rika turned and ran to where Kila had gone. She saw the footprints hdn't gone for the ship but down farther on the beach. Ryo and Henry chased after Rika.
"Pumpkin, c'mon. I didn't mean that about, Kila."
"Well, you sure as hell fooled me!"
Rika walked faster but Ryo and Henry still followed.
"Look, Rika, I know what's going on but..."
"You have no idea what's going on!"
Rika finally spotted Kila, sitting on her board, staring out at sea. Rika sat down near her.
"So, uh you...you okay?"
"Fine, just glad to know I'm gonna be alone all my life. I'll get over it. Being lonely's my speciality."
"Hey, don't listen to that jerk Ryo."
"Hello? I'm still here."
"Shut-up. And, Kila, you won't be lonely..."
"Rika! Henry! I've been looking all over for you guys!"
Rika forced a smile.
"Missy..."
"Well, I'm starved, time to go for some breakfast."
Kila jumped up and went back onto the ship. Rika raced after her.
"C'mon, Kila! Wait!"
"I hurt her feelings, didn't I?"
Rika looked at him, tears beginning to burn her eyes.
"Yeah, you did."
Rika stalked off. She went to the room and saw a note that said Jeri and Kila had gone for breakfast. It was now 6am. Rika changed into red shorts and a black and white skull and crossbones tank top. She remembered this shirt from way back when she didn't care about anything.
She remembered the note and what she had wanted to do. She grabbed her sunglasses and rushed outside. She saw Jodie was gone as well and saw the added p.s. that Jodie was next door chatting with Kazu. Rika rushed outside and down the ramp that led to the dock. She rushed looking for a breakfast place. Finally, near the end of the boardwalk, when Rika was gonna give up, she spotted Jeri, Takato, Kazu, and Jodie.
"Hey, guys!"
She rushed over.
"Hi, Rika!"
Jeri had latched herself onto Takato's arm and Rika noticed Jodie and Kazu holding hands.
"You haven't seen Kila, have you?"
"We just got done with breakfast. She was heading somewhere. She even was taking a taxi somewhere."
Rika grabbed Kazu by the shirt.
"Why didn't you stop her?"
"Rika, cool it. Kazu didn't know where she was going. None of us do."
Rika groaned. How would she see Kila now?
"Hey, guys!"
Ryo came up with Evan, Emily, Fiona, Becky, Henry, and Missy.
"Hi, Ryo, man!"
"Stop calling me 'the man', Kazu."
"Whatever, dude."
"Hey, Wildcat! Didn't think I'd find you here."
"Well, I'm gonna go Houdini on you and disappear."
Rika whirled and saw Kila coming towards them.
"Hi, guys! What's up? Why the strange faces?"
Rika saw Ryo's mouth was open as well.
"Wanna go roller-blading? Another thing in the package with the SeaQueen. And, I found a great shop. Wanna check it out?"
"Sounds cool. I wanna try it."
"If Evan's in, I guess all of us are getting dragged along."
Emily rolled her eyes at her cousin.
"Anyway, I'm game. What about you guys? And have any of you seen Kenta?"
"Nope, haven't seen the dude."
"Well, I wanna go and look for him. C'mon, Jo."
"Gotcha, Kazu."
Jodie and Kazu headed towards the direction of the ship. Emily looked disappointed.
"Too bad, Em. You guys would've matched up well."
Fiona comforted her friend.
"Coming, chumley?"
"Uh, you guys mind?"
"No problem, Takato. We'll go with you guys some other time. See ya, Jeri."
"Bye!'
Takato and Jeri headed to catch up with Kazu and Jodie.
"Let's go."
Ryo grinned and winked at Ryo. To his dismay, she linked arms with Kila.
"Sure does, Akihabara. Lead the way."
They walked about 2 streets over and after renting the blades for a hour and strapping them on, Rika wobbled out uncomfortably.
"What's wrong, Rika? Can't ya skate?"
Evan teased her.
"Shut up, Cole. I'll whoop you....after I get used to these."
Evan pretended to skate circles around her and made Rika wobble dangerously. Just when her feet shot out from under her, Ryo caught her under the arms.
"Okay, pumpkin?"
"Yeah, thanks for catching me."
"No problem. Need any more help?"
Rika was reluctant but wanted to not make a fool of herself.
"Sure, you're becoming quite a tutor."
Evan glared at them in jealousy.
"Yo, Ev!"
He looked up in surprise.
"Yeah?"
"Wanna race? You and me?"
"Uh, Kila? He's a good blader..."
"Shut it, cuz. I'll beat you no problem."
"Whatever you say. Em, you wanna call it?"
"Sure. Go!!"
Kila and Evan were off and down the sidewalk.
"First to the light pole wins."
The light pole was on the other street and it was completely blocked by cars.
Evan grinned.
"No problem!"
He began to weave through the cars but it wasn't going well. He had to turn around and try another way. Kila was close to the light pole. Finally he had a clear path but Kila was ahead. Kila's fingers touched the light pole right before Evan's.
"You won. How'd I lose to you?"
"Perhaps you shouldn't be so conceited. And arrogant. You know, girls aren't little ballerinas. I could whoop you in sports."
"You talk big. But, you are a definite athlete. Did I add that you have a nice smile?"
"Push it, Cole, and I'll knock you flat."
"Hey, guys! Who won?"
Ryo, Henry, and Rika skated up, Ryo and Henry more effortlessly than Rika.
"Me, naturally. This slowpoke barely kept up."
Kila winked at Evan.
"There goes Evan. Flirting away. Seems he likes more than one girl."
Becky rolled her eyes.
"Got that right."
Missy sped over.
"You seem like a good skater, Kila."
"I don't seem, Missy, I am."
"Hey, I was just complimenting you."
"Well, thanks for the compliment."
Evan put an arm around Kila's shoulder.
"Wanna come with me for some water? I saw a cafe thing when we were going by."
"You were skating leisurely?! Bad boy. I whizzed by."
Henry glared at Evan.
"I'll come. I'm a bit thirsty."
"Want me to come to, Henry?"
"Nah, Missy. I'll bring you some back."
Kila and Evan skated towards the cafe, Henry skating alongside of them.
"Well, that's interesting."
"What, Emily?"
Rika and Ryo glanced in her direction.
"Come over here you two."
They skated over to Emily and Fio and Becky chatted with Missy.
"What's up?"
"I think Evan likes Kila. Maybe even more than you, Rika."
"What a relief...I-I mean..."
Rika raised her eyebrows at Ryo stuttering.
"You are crazy."
"And it seems Henry likes Kila even more than I thought. What trianlges we've got!"
"Look this is turning into a soap opera. Why do boys have so much problems picking girls?"
"Because there are so many beautiful girls and sometimes it's hard to pick for some boys, pumpkin."
"But not you, Ryo? Your heart belongs to one girl?"
"Of course, pumpkin and you know who that is."
Rika blushed and Emily saw what was going on.
"Oh, Becky, I'm coming."
Rika began to slip and wobble and Ryo steadied her and they were leaning into kiss when...
"Want a sip, guys?"
Ryo sighed in frustration.
"Hey, Evan."
"Want a drink? We've got an extra bottle of water."
"Wanna share one, Ryo?"
Rika tossed the bottle to him and he sipped it.
"Thanks, Wildcat."
Ryo wiped his moth on the back of his arm. Kila and Henry skated over, sharing a bottle of water as well.
"Wanna do a double race, Ryo? Me and Henry versus you and Rika?"
"Uh, Rika?"
"Sure, I wanna race. How do I do it exactly?"
"Well, who's better at skating?"
"I am, no offense, pumpkin, but..."
"I know I'm not good, Ryo."
"Well, Rika, you wrap your arms around Ryo's waist and hold tight and glide with him. Henry and I will do the same."
"You guys race to four streets down and then back. I'll call."
Emily stood between the two of them. Rika held Ryo's waist firmly. Kila grabbed Henry's waist.
"Ready to be left in the dust, Ryo?"
"You'll be eating my dust."
"On your marks, get set, go!"
Ryo and Henry shot forward and they sped back after passing the 4 streets.
"A tie!"
"Well, guess you aren't better or worse than me."
"Shake?"
Henry put out his hand and he and Ryo shook on it. Missy looked mad at the sight of Kila and Henry.
"Henry, didn't you promise to take me back to the room? I don't feel well."
"Sure, Missy."
Henry and Missy skated back to the shop.
"Probably sick at the sight of me and Henry."
"Ah, Kila, don't be so cold about it."
Kila glared at Ryo.
"I don't want any of it, Akiyama."
Kila glided back to the shop with Evan who wanted to go to the beach and Kila agreed.
"Let's go. So what if we didn't stay out for an hour."
Ryo and the others agreed with Rika and they followed.
Soon everyone was back on the beach, tanning, surfing and Kila and Evan had gone out on the jet skis.
Henry was surfing with Ryo and Rika and he looked annoyed.
"So, Missy instantly recovered?"
Rika gestured to Missy, Fio, Em, and Becky tanning on the beach.
"I guess."
Henry sounded very distant.
"Whatcha looking at?"
"Nothing."
Henry turned his head away from what he had been watching.
"Doesn't Kila look good out there? She's awesome when it comes to water."
"Yeah, awesome..."
Henry trailed and watched Kila again.
"C'mon, let's ride this wave in. Kila and Evan are coming back in."
Henry agreed and Rika was able to ride the wave in without any problem.
"Looking good, RIka!"
Ryo grinned.
"Guess my teaching is going well?"
"Of course, Great One."
Kila and Evan came up onto shore.
"Looking good out there, you two. Maybe you should hook-up."
Missy grinned.
"Nah, Missy. Ev and I are fine on being friends."
"Oooh, nicknames. What's your nickname for her cuz? Ki?"
"Shut up, Emily."
Emily giggled and soon everyone was laughing at Evan's red face.
"Anyone want a sno-cone?"
"I could go for one."
"Me too."
"Me three."
Kila smiled and the 4 headed to the stand right at the boardwalk. Kila got strawberry, Henry got peach, Rika got a vanilla flavor, and Ryo got blueberry. As they licked their quickly melting cones in the sun, they chatted.
When they got back to the others, everyone was back in the water. They enjoyed the sno-cones and they talked about the upcoming finals.
"Even thought Ryo was born 'prepared' I'm gonna practice. Anyone wanna go and play a good game with me?"
"I'll come. My deck could use a good work-out."
Henry grinned. Kila returned the smile.
"We'll come and be innocent bystanders."
Ryo agreed with Rika. They headed back to room 1025 after they told everyone where they were going. Kila and Henry began their own game and Ryo and Rika watched, trading tips with them, Rika siding with Kila and Ryo with Henry.
"Ha, Kila won. Thanks to the digimon queen!"
Ryo chuckled.
"I let you win, Ki."
"Ooh, a nickname?"
"Can it, Digimon Queen."
Rika pouted.
"Ah, pumpkin. We all love you."
"No, Ryo, it's only you who loves her."
Kila teased Ryo mercilessly.
Ryo's cheeks turned a bright red.
"Well, I think it's enough 'pick on Ryo' day."
Kila and Rika giggled and soon Henry and Ryo laughed as well.
Rika: Good job, Angel.
Ryo: Yeah, you were out to embarrass me weren't you?
Angel: Yup. Enough blib-blab. Let's get Fiery on the job for chapter 11.. Ciao and review folks.
Luv'n'stuff,
Fiery-chan and Angel13