Page 34 (1/2)

"He caught you a lionfish?"

I nod "He did I was obsessed with them I told you that day we became Six that I touched theyou?" Jah "They’re veno, like four or five times My dad was so pissed, he finally said I wasn’t allowed to snorkel anymore"

"This was before or after the present?"

"Before"

"So Nick gave you the forbidden fruit And you were allowed to keep it? On the ship?"

I nod as I reh to take care of it ourselves It was big too Of course, we had a guy on board who really took care of it But back then Nick and I felt like ere in charge We had a pufferfish too"

"You did not" Ja card of mine"

"We did," I exclaim as I try to sit up and make my case But James pushes ht it "That came after Because one day we came upstairs and all the fish were dead Oh my God, I cried so hard over those fish No one knehat happened My father was furious I’ like an idiot over it, or the inconvenience of replacing them But we cleaned up the tank and a feeeks later ere near a reef and Nick got pero catch fish"

"And he cauess," Jas soive him such a fantastic present?"

I shake my head but suddenly it’s difficult to talk as a lump of sadness appears in my throat I s it down and findspecial like he could"

"I think you were his so special, Harper I’m sure he didn’t need a present to let hih "But I wish he had so when you receive a gift froift says you’re special"

"Well," Jaift I’ve gotten that actually… ifts?"

"No, I did Cars Trips Shit like that Shit rich kids get But to s Were you spoiled, Harper?"