Rikki's POV

I walked home, happy. I was with Will, and Zane was...taking it easy. I felt more free. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew there was doubt a whole lot of doubt. I entered the front door and saw dad, sitting at the table blankly

"Dad?" I asked uncertaintly sitting down opposite him

"I'm sorry Rikki," he said slowly

"Why? Whats wrong?" I immediatly got a very bad feeling

"Your mother, she's not coming back from holiday," he said quietly. What? What did that me-...

No, NO!

"Why?" I asked, I knew why, he knew why. But I didn't understand, it didn't make sence, she was meant to coming back next week

"Rikki,"

"NO!" I screamed, standing up, tears, that I would never normally allow to fall pouring out of my eyes. "NO, NO NO NO NO!" I cried. His eyes teared up

"I'm sorry,"

"NO!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. And I let out a strangled yelp, I picked up the table and chucked it to the side. It hit the side of the walls, and three legs snapped of. A small part of my mind thought it was lucky I hand't hit dad. "NO!"

"Rikki, breathe," he said softly

"No," I whispered. I couldn't breathe. My throat was clogged up, help. I turned and ran outside. I ran down to the beach. I ran and ran and ran. I ran untill my legs burnt and I eventually stopped to catch my breath. I was on the very edge of the beach, I sat on a rock jutting out. ANd starred at the waves. I focused on the sound, nothing but the sound. Maybe if I didn't think. No mum came back into my head. Call Cleo, she could help, I thought. Yes she would help, but I'd never let her see me like this. tears were still rolling down my cheeks, but I couldn't feel them.

"Rikki?" asked a voice behind me. But I didn't turn around, just say there on my rock, still as soon. Then they came round and stood infront of me. Oh god it was Zane. I should of have embaarased, shamefull. But I felt nothing. He crouched down infront of me. He saw the tears, and his face showed concern. But I felt nothing. "Rikki? What's wrong?" he asked. I couldn't respond. I turned away and looked at the sand, now a cool grey, because the sun was almost gone. He gently held my chin and tilted my head towards him "Look at me," he said softly. I looked up twards the sky, red colours with a glimpse of pink and daytime blue. "I said look at me,"

Reluctantly, I looked him in the eyes in the warm brown eyes.

"What happened?" he said sounding the words out as if I was a child.

"She's gone," I whispered. And he nodded. He nodded because he understood. He knew who I was talking about because he was smart. Very smart. He was a genuis. "All gone," I cried like a child. Stop it RIkki, said my brain sharply. Stop acting like an idiot. but that voice, the vouce I normally listenened to was pushed to the back of my head.

"It's okay," He said sitting next to me and wrapping his arm round me and gently massagin my shoulder "It's okay,". I looked ahead at the purple horizon. And I could just make out Mako Island. No it wasn't okay. No it wasn't.

I don't know how long we sat out there. It getting colder and colder by the minute. Then I thought about what I wanted. And jumped up with fright when I realised it. I looked down at Zane's curious face looking up at me. I ran home. I wasn't thinking straight. I was upset. I hoped they were just excuses. I knew where I was running to, Cleo's house. I had to talk to her. Because four words came to my mind. I want to die. Oh god Cleo, help me.

Zane's POV

Will? Better than me? How did that make any sence? I knew he was trouble the moment I saw him. I was rich and good-looking, plus Rikki and I we had history. I walked down the beach and kicked down the sand. I felt happy with Rikki, and I didn't normally feel that. She was mine. my girlfriend. And my only real friend. I knew everyone now wanted me to think of them as friends. Cleo, Bella and Lewis. And I liked Lewis. Apart from being a know-it-all. He helped me when I needed it.

Then I looked ahead. I saw a blond figure crouched on a rock. Strange, this part of the beach was normally desserted. As I got closer I realised who it was. Rikki. This had to be a sign.

"Rikki?" I asked from behind her. I was pretty sure it was her. Blond curly hair that I loved blwing back in the gently sea breeze. I was a little concerned when she didn't turn around. I mean sure she'd chosen Will. Well hopefully not chosen him for good. But I didn't think she would ingnore me. We were past that. We'd known eachother for too long. I walked round and crouched infront of her. She was crying. Crying? Oh. I instantly felt aweful. I'd only ever seen her cry once. "Rikki? What's wrong?" I asked again. She turned away from me and looked at the ground. Her light blue eyes were empty. Oh god what happened to her. Did her mum die or something? I gently placed my fingers on her chin and turned her head towards me. Afraid she was going to push me away. "Look at me," I said softly. She looked up towards the evening sky. Why was she even out here alone. Why wasn't one of her friends conformting her. Where wsa Will? A tiny little part of me felt smug. I was here trying to comfort Rikki, and lover boy was no where to be seen. I snapped out of it. "I said look at me," I commanded again. Thankfully she met my gaze. Her eyes were clouded and unsure. She didn't look like that often.

"What happened?" I said sounding the words out incase she didn't hear me

"She's gone," she whispered. And just by the way she said it. I knew I had been right. Her mum. I was shocked I had guessed so acccurately. Then I felt so bad. So bad for her, like she'dpassed on all her pain to me. I nodded, because that was all I knew how to do.

"All gone," she cried

"It's okay," I said sitting next to her and cautiausly wrapping my arm round her and rubbing her shoulder.

"It's okay,". I said again. Maybe not right now, but it will be. My brain added. We sat like that for an hour and a half. My arm aching slightly. ut me not daring to move it. I watched the sky, silently waiting for the colours to change from gold and red to midnight blue.

When suddenly Rikki jumped up. I watched her carefully. She face me. She looked confused and hurt. but I knew I wasn't the reason for it. And when she ran away, golden locks swiftly following. I knew that it wasn'y my fault. I got up and stretched. Not on of my best evenings. But no one I would change for the world. I knew that later on, Rikki would thank me for this. And I could only hope that we would get together after that. Everything I did with her no would be in that hope.