For whatever reason, she knew this to be true. There was something about Bowie that told her he’d always be honest with her. From behind, she heard a large splash and leaped toward Bowie, who wrapped her in his arms.
“What was that?” she asked.
“My guess, Wally. He’s either awake and coming over to see what all the ruckus is, or he’s looking for food.”
Brooklyn shivered in his arms. “I’m scared.”
“Don’t be; I’ve got you.”
The dock rocked, and a loud guttural growl came from the dark water. Brooklyn was tempted to lean over and look, but Bowie was pulling her away from the edge. She feared for her life but couldn’t be bothered to run. She had to see for herself what was making that noise.
Two large flippers somehow grabbed ahold of the dock and heaved the rest of its body forward. Brooklyn squealed and jumped back as a black blob wiggled out of the water. It let out another growl, this time louder, but stayed toward the edge.
“Meet Wally.” Bowie laughed.
Brooklyn slapped him in the chest. “You moron. That’s not a walrus; it’s a seal.”
“Is there a difference?”
“Ugh,” she groaned in frustration. “Don’t you pay attention in science class?”
Bowie looked away sheepishly. The answer, she was sure, was no. Austin did, though, and he would prove that she was right. She marched off toward the boat and stood on the dock, calling for him. He came around in a rush, asking her what was wrong.
“Nothing. I need you to come tell Bowie he’s wrong about Wally.”
Austin jumped onto the dock and walked toward Bowie and Wally. “What’s going on?”
Brooklyn crossed her arms and huffed. “Bowie seems to think Wally is a walrus. I said he’s a seal. Who is right?”
Austin ran his hand over his hat and adjusted it a few times. He let out a sigh and finally looked at Bowie. “Sorry, man. She’s right.”
“What?”
Austin shrugged. “I figured you knew.”
“Old man Potts said he brought one back with him, that it snuck on board.”
“Old man Potts is like eighty, and he’s been telling that story since he was twenty. If it were true, the walrus would’ve died a long time ago. Come on—we gotta go.”
Brooklyn smirked at Bowie and followed Austin to the boat. He helped her come aboard and held her in his arms for a bit. “I love that beautiful brain of yours.”
She blushed. He teased her often about how smart she was, but he was just as smart, if not smarter. They shared most of their classes together, and both excelled in science. As much as she wanted to be a nurse, she wasn’t ruling out going into marine biology or something of the like so they could work together. Silly dreams, she knew, but couldn’t help it.
Once Bowie boarded, he and Austin worked as a team to get the boat ready to go. As soon as Austin started the motor, he suggested Brooklyn put on a life vest and asked if she wanted to sit with him while he steered the boat. She thought she would stand next to him when she saw that there was only one chair, but he told her to sit. She did, and he stood behind her with his chest pressed to her back. He placed her hands on the steering wheel and told her to relax. Brooklyn loved being in his arms, and it was moments like this that made all the other stupid ones seem trivial.
They were sailing out toward the ends of the earth—at least that was the only way to describe it. It seemed that the farther they went out, the darker it was. The sun rose behind them, casting a beautiful orange, pink, and red glow over their town. Every so often Brooklyn would look over her shoulder and sigh.
“This is why we get up so early, so we’re reminded of how stunning our home is.”
“Like Bowie, you tell lies. You get up this early so you get the best fishing spots. It’s a sport, and like every sport it has advantages and disadvantages. I know enough to know fish bite better in the morning.”
“And where would you have heard such a thing?”
Brooklyn tilted her head toward Austin, and he smiled down at her. “This guy I met a few months back. He introduced himself as the resident heartthrob and local fisherman. He’s told me a few things about fishing.”
Austin chuckled. “What about the heartthrob part?”
“Meh,” she said, giggling. “The jury’s still out on that one.”
He let go of the wheel so he could tickle her. Brooklyn yelped and jerked the boat to the left. Bowie let out a string of curse words, to which Austin yelled, “Sorry, man.” Was he really sorry, though? Brooklyn wondered because he was hiding his laughter in her shoulder. Austin helped her get the boat back on course and instructed her to head straight. While she did, he held her and kissed her neck every chance he got.