Chapter Text
“Will you stop that? It’s making me dizzy,” Tobin Heath said closing her eyes in exasperation. She was gracefully lounging at a table large enough to comfortably seat twelve, and was picking at a platter of seafood. She wasn’t fond of seafood unfortunately. Dropping a scallop with a grumble, she continued to watch her friend.
Kelley O’Hara had grown restless and fidgety in the course of the last week. She had always found school easy, but the prospect of going back so soon didn’t sit well. Why did they have to go earlier? The onslaught of nerves made her stomach churn. Naturally, Kelley resorted to repeatedly pacing back and forth across the impeccably, white deck of Mr Heath’s ship. If anything, at least she’d end up with an even tan.
“I find that will be rather difficult,” Kelley said blandly. She continued to pace, ignoring Tobin’s impatient huff.
Tobin rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the food she was meant to have eaten already. Her father wouldn’t be pleased if he was told that she hadn’t eaten a full meal at least once that day. Pushing the platter aside, Tobin watched Kelley stomp around the deck like a petulant child. Tobin hid a smile behind a bite of bread.
“I’ll just put weights in your pockets and make you walk the plank,” Tobin said, gesturing offhandedly. She wasn’t joking, there was a plank on board somewhere. Usually, when the ship lowered its anchors, the crew took the plank out for guests to dive off. Kelley had many traumatic experiences that involved Tobin and the plank.
Kelley threw her an exasperated expression and scowled as threateningly as she could. Tobin obviously didn’t understand the dilemma at hand. A month early at school! Classes stressed her out enough as it was, no matter how easily she found them. Not to mention, Tobin had no idea about Kelley’s intelligence. Kelley needed to keep it under wraps. Tobin couldn’t find out.
“I’ll tell your dad that you haven’t eaten all day,” Kelly said with a serene smile.
“You wouldn’t!” Tobin gasped, betrayed.
“I’m going back my room,” Kelley said, stopping her pacing, “if you leave even a crumb, rest assured, your father and I will have words,” She warned. Tobin pouted.
Kelley glanced at a tall man in a suit, who was watching the exchange in silent amusement, and gave him a small nod, “come along.”
…
“Miss O’Hara?”
Kelley looked up from behind a thick textbook. Her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Her teachers weren’t going to make them understand all of these concepts? This was cruelty. Kelley swallowed a sigh and gave her butler a wry smile.
“What is it, Michael?”
Michael had been at her side for as long as she could remember. She couldn’t recall when she first met him, probably because he had been there since she was a baby. Much like how Owen, the Heath family butler, was with Tobin.
“I am to inform you that you and Miss Heath will be heading back to school ahead of your required return to campus. Your parents send their wishes and affections,” Michael paused to glance at his rather volatile charge before adding, “I am only a messenger.”
Kelley chose to ignore his last comment and instead huffily wondered again why she had to return earlier than her other classmates. She couldn’t be in trouble because of her grades – they were impeccable –, or her enrolment. She and Tobin’s families virtually owned the school, if not were its greatest benefactors. Tobin was probably aware that they were leaving today. Kelley glowered.
“Tobin’s a little shit,” Kelley told Michael with a frown. Michael wisely chose to nod. He, like for sixteen years, found her frown to be quite adorable. Kelley propped her head on her elbows and moped. Michael chose to nod sagely at his charge’s complaints.
…
“You knew we had to return today, didn’t you?” Kelley accused, resisting the urge to childishly fling some of her pasta at her best friend.
They had both chosen to dine in a private section of the deck. Both girls garnered plenty of unwanted attention from nearly everybody on the boat with their presence. It seemed as if people had never seen teenage girls before, what with their prying every time they made an appearance. It bothered Tobin and Kelley to no end. The ship’s crew and staff were already familiar with the teenagers’ presence during the summer. Though they were treated with utmost respect, Kelley and Tobin knew they weren’t wanted there.
Kelley twirled some pasta on her fork and stared at her friend with mild amusement.
“Of course I knew. Father told me before we left. We’re meant to take helicopter to the airport and a plane in a few hours,” Tobin smiled at Kelley, “I’m not sure of the time, but it’s definitely today.”
“And you couldn’t tell me that at some point in the month we’ve been here?” Kelley said sarcastically. Tobin shrugged and it made Kelley want to throw her fork at her.
Kelley wrinkled her nose. Summer had been relatively enjoyable that year, having Tobin for company while her parents did whatever it is they did. She even got to be in the same room with them for a few hours – they had dinner with Tobin’s parents before the ship left the dock – and that was her idea of perfection. It was pathetic, really, that she made time for her. Albeit, the sheer size of Mr Heath’s ship made it easy to lose people. At least Tobin was aware of his presence, Kelley thought enviously.
Tobin chewed on her beef carefully. She turned to her own butler, disgust across her features.
“You know I hate this stuff, Owen,” She dropped her fork with a loud clang.
“I am so sorry. I didn’t know they served you the wrong dish, Miss Heath,” Owen said apologetically.
Although Tobin was the calmest soul he had ever met, she was quite dangerous when it came to choosing food. She was the pickiest eater he had ever cared for. Kelley stared at her friend warily. She already knew Tobin was going to be dramatic to get out of eating. Tobin snatched her plate up and hurled it overboard, much to Kelley and Owen’s mortification. Kelley pinched the bridge of her nose. Owen scurried to call some wait staff. Tobin then picked up a nearby wine glass and tossed it, smirking with satisfaction at hearing the glass smash. They had caught the attention of more curious onlookers. He would probably have to give them all a discount on dinner or something. Kelley rolled her eyes. Here comes the French.
As expected, Tobin had angrily stalked into the lobby and was muttering a string of insults and curse words in rapid French. Tobin was not one to throw wanton tantrums; she preferred subtlety plotting revenge. Tobin was being so juvenile.
…
“You are so childish.”
“Shut up.
“You realise that half the boat was staring at us?”
Tobin scoffed. Of course they were staring, they were always staring. The only difference this time was that she had given them a proper reason to look. She turned back to Kelley tried to look a little bit regretful.
“Am I supposed to be surprised? They’re always staring at us!” Tobin looked up at Kelley and waved her hand dismissively, “and don’t exaggerate. There were barely fifty people there. Besides, we’re leaving now anyway.”
It was Kelley’s turn to scoff. That was no excuse for poor manners. Tobin had been raised better than that. Michael and Owen rolled their eyes at their childishness.
“I haven’t packed my things, Tobin,” Kelley hissed through her teeth. Tobin grinned at her, and Kelley wanted to punch something.
“No Miss O’Hara, we’re on schedule,” they both looked at Michael expectantly, “everything has already been prepared. You needn’t worry about anything but yourselves.”
Owen looked thoroughly embarrassed. He hardly ever made mistakes when it came to Tobin’s food choices and he prided himself in that. He stiffly followed after Michael completely red-faced and hot.
A rushed half an hour later, Tobin and Kelley were already involuntarily packed, changed and seated in the Heath helicopter and on their way back to the mainland. Michael and Owen clearly well practised with these particular tasks.
“Do you even know why we had to leave so soon?” asked Kelley prodding her friend in the arm. Tobin frowned and shook her head. She pulled Kelley closer to herself for some added warmth. Her coat was useless. Kelley nudged Tobin’s knee and allowed the hug.
“Maybe this is their attempt to tame us before the term starts,” Kelley said trying to make her friend smile. She knew Tobin got easily home sick. Or rather, boat-sick, during the first month of school. Tobin managed a grimace and shivered from the cold night air blowing through the helicopter window. This year was going to be a wild one.
…