Chapter Thirty-One

We weren't far from the shore in the ocean. We couldn't touch the bottom, but we could if we moved over about a foot. Beth and Samantha were kissing, moving against each other. Jason and I talked as we kept an eye on them to make sure they weren't going to pass out and drown.

"Fun graduation, right?" Samantha turned to us. "Lets see who can hold their breath the longest while under water." Jason and I looked to each other as she counted down from three. The four of us went under, Jason and I sitting on the sandy floor. Samantha and Beth struggled to stay under, splashing around as they tried. I glanced to Jason, watching him stick his hand in the sand. His golden eyes found mine and I moved to sit in his lap. I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I just did it. I kissed him passionately as I heard a splash above us. Smiling at him, I swam up. Pulling me against him as we surfaced, he kissed me.

"How do you-!" Samantha started. "Hot."

"They look so in love. I can't wait for him to purpose." Beth beamed excitedly. I looked to them, wrapping my legs around him.

"We can hear you." I smirked. Beth just stuck her tongue out then she and Samantha swam to shore.

*~~*~~*~~*

The whole graduating class stayed on the beach most of the day. We grilled, danced, and swam. The sun was falling down behind the horizon as Jason and I sat next to each other in the sand. My legs were covered in little grains from playing with the sand.

"They're about to start!" Brice ran over to us. Jason nodded and Brice ran off.

"Start what?" I watched Jason stand. Slowly, he pulled me to my feet.

"Blake, ever since we met, I've been in love with you. I always looked forward to seeing and being with you. I don't think I could ever live without you." He held my hands gently. Out of nowhere, the sound of explosions echoed above us. I gasped, startled and tightening my hands in Jason's. I looked up to see the colors popping in the sky over the ocean. I watched in awe. It was rare to see fireworks where we lived. What was so special about our graduation that we were able to have fireworks? Everyone began to crowd us and to the side, I could see my aunt, uncle, and Earl. They looked excited and full of anticipation.

"What-" I felt Jason moving so I looked to him, my heart erupting with sudden love. Jason was on one knee, holding a black box that was small and fuzzy looking. He opened it and inside was a beautiful diamond ring that sparkled in the light of the fireworks. Jason's green eyes seemed timid.

"Blake, will... will you do the amazing honor of being my wife?" Jason stuttered from nervousness. I felt so happy that tears fell and took my ability to speak away. I nodded quickly, tackling him with a hug. He fell backwards into the sand and everyone clapped and cheered. Another firework went off, Jason laughing as I kissed him. "I love you so much." He said through my kiss. I sat up on his hips and he slid the ring on my finger. I hugged him again, smiling like a Cheshire cat. When the fireworks stopped, we stood up and went towards my aunt, uncle, and Earl. They turned around when they saw is coming.

"We see you!" I called, waving my hand in the air. They faced us, my aunt looking like she was about to get into trouble. "How long have you all been planning this?"

"A... year almost." My uncle responded.

"A year?" I looked up at Jason. We had been friends for four years now, meeting when we were freshmen in high school. He nodded, looking a little red-faced. I brushed the sand from his chest. "I'm flattered." His skin was smooth even where his tattoos were.

"You deserve more than what I was able to do." He smirked.

"I'm happy with what I have." I bumped him with my shoulder. "Plus, you arranged fireworks! I've only seen them two other times in my life. It's really special."

"Blake! BLAKE!" Samantha screamed. She seemed really unsteady on her feet. There weren't a lot of people on the beach now. Just those cleaning up and us. Jason grabbed her as she stumbled and fell, holding her up. She looked terrified and was out of breath.

"What's wrong?" I studied her, no longer smiling.

"T-There are p-people in red suits!" She panted. We all looked down the beach to see four people in red, armored, suits like the white Atlantean ones. These were guards from a different ocean. One grabbed Brice and threw him. Imprudently, we all ran over.

"What ocean are you from?" I ordered. They looked down at me and frowned inside their water filled helmets. "I order you, as Ocean Master, to stand down!" One stepped forward, glared, then punched me in the stomach. I was catapulted several feet back, slamming into Jason.

"Soldiers from the Mediterranean Sea." Jason helped me up as I flinched and huffed. "Med suits."

"We have come here to kill the Ocean Master and Princess of Atlantis." They said in unison.

"Princess of Atlantis?!" Samantha shrieked. One Med suit went to her and instinctively, I pushed my arm towards him. Waves tangled around him and pried his helmet off.

"You are committing treason!" Jason boomed. "As Prince of the Mediterranean, I demand you leave and never return!" Two Med suits held up large, strange, guns that lite up as they pulled the trigger. They shot us, blasting us into the ocean. My tail appeared before I hit the water and everyone's eyes were on me.