A New Journey (Part 3)

Hello readers! Sorry for the delay, I was busy with school and stuff. I think this is the most exciting part and one of the best stories I’ve ever written. A mix of thriller, comedy, adventure, and romance will definitely be entertaining. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Later, Clara was getting dressed for her sister, Andrea’s birthday. She had invited almost everyone in town. Clara needed to look the best to avoid being embarrassed- again. Yep, it happens way too many times. She fixed her skirt, applied her makeup, and left.

She walked with Sam. “You and Jack are acting suspicious. What’s going on?” asked Sam.

Clara smiled. “Oh, it’s nothing much,” she replied. “Sorry, but I’m not allowed to tell you.”

About ten minutes later, they arrived at the party and Clara sat down. Suddenly, someone put their hands on her shoulders. She spun around and was surprised to see Jack. She brushed her skirt, clearing off any dust. She did not want to be embarrassed by one of her enemies.

“Why, you’re looking fancy,” he said, with a serious expression on his face.

Clara blushed. “Oh, thank you very much!” she replied. “I’m glad you’re here. I need to ask you something.”

“Yes, what?”

“I’ve been invited to the Royal Cruise ship,” she sighed. This might have been the bravest thing she has ever said. “Would you like to come? I have to take at least four people. It’s a beautiful cruise!”

“I’m not sure…” Jack brushed his bangs away. He leaned in. “But with our plan, will it fit into our schedule?” He was whispering. 

Clara leaned toward his ear. “Yes. Don’t worry, we can steal it. The cruise only lasts about three days.”

Sam glanced at them. “Why do you think they’re whispering, Andrea? They’re enemies,” she says.

“I’m not sure, but you should keep an eye on them. Maybe they’re plotting against you.”

“No way! They would never do that.”

Back to Jack and Clara. That evening, they ate, danced, ate, ate, and… ate. Clara tripped several times while dancing. Every time, Jack laughed and teased her. Oh, and someone bumped into Jack which made him kiss Clara. Accidentally, of course. What a thing to say! They’re hardly even friends. Clara’s face became and red and she turned away, smiling yet nervous. Sam took a video of this rare event and showed it to a few friends. (Don’t talk about it in the comments. I need to keep it appropriate; I only said that to make it exciting.)

Clara said her goodbyes to everyone and walked home by herself. Her brain was spinning. How will I ever steal the crystal? I shouldn’t have signed up for the cruise. What a mistake I made!

When she woke up the next morning, she saw her friends- well, Jack isn’t exactly her friend- in the coffee shop, waiting for her. There was Jack, Sam, Andrea, and her friend from France, Agnes. Agnes was a blonde girl, light hair, and cute little freckles were on her nose. She always wore a beret. 

“Okay! We can take a taxi there. We should arrive in an hour but the cruise doesn’t start until two hours. Which means we will have plenty of time to grab breakfast.”

They got in a taxi and they started their trip. Jack was sitting on the far left. Clara was next to Jack. Sam was next to Clara and Andrea was on the right. Jack stared out the window. He sighed. Sam was doing Andrea’s nails and Andrea was talking about some celebrities. Clara was silently watching Sam. Oh, right, and Agnes was in the front seat talking with the driver, who was also from France. They were speaking in French so the others couldn’t understand them.

“Hey, Jack,” Clara finally whispered. “Why did you… you know… do that thing to me last night?”

Jack thought for a moment. “What thing? What are you talking about?”

“You know. The thing,” Clara said. She took Sam’s phone and showed him the clip of last night’s accident. 

“Oh, that…” Jack muttered. “I’m very sorry. It was an accident. I didn’t mean it.”

About thirty minutes later, they arrived and boarded the cruise. It was grand. Andrea and Clara went to the room while Agnes and Sam explored the waterpark. Jack just followed Clara. 

Later that evening, Clara was sitting on the very edge of the ship. Jack saw this and ran over to her.

“I suggest you don’t do that,” said Jack.

“Jack, I can do whatever I want.”

“Well… be carfu–“

Jack was interrupted. The cruise came to a halt and Clara fell into the cold waters. “Jack!” she screamed. “Help!”

Jeck hesitated but dove in. He grabbed Clara. “Let’s see if we can go to the front of the ship and get a captain’s attention,” he said. They swam together but the ship continued and was too fast for them. Eventually, they got tired. They sat on an iceberg and stood up.

“Jack…” Clara said, putting her hand on Jack’s shoulder. “This is all my fault. I’m so, so sorry that I didn’t listen to you. But thank you very much for saving me.” 

“I had to save you, because you…” he stopped. And sighed. 

“You what?”

“Because I like you. And I never meant to be mean. This really isn’t my fault… I’ve just been a little competitive ever since I was a kid. But that’s not the reason I’m mean.

“Queen Miranda has been blackmailing me. She says I have to cause misery to everyone in town or else I’ll be kicked out. I’m really sorry. I’m actually a kind person!”

Clara’s mind nearly exploded. So Jack isn’t evil? Or mean at all? Does he want to be friends with me? 

Oh, and remember, they are still standing on that floating iceberg. Suddenly, the iceberg crumbled and they fell into the ocean. 

“JACK! I’M… DROWNING!” Clara yelled. She gasped for breath and coughed. She swallowed lots of water.

Jack grabbed Clara. He looked around and saw land nearby, about a few hundred meters away from them. A few minutes later, they were touching the sand between their toes on the beautiful island. Jack walked a bit and found an abandoned three-story house. The good news is that it wasn’t in bad condition or old. In fact, it looked almost brand new, but there was nobody in it. The bad news is that Clara was unconscious by now.

“Clara!” said Jack. “Clara! Wake up!” He slapped Clara’s cheek a few times but she did not move at all.

“Clara, Clara, Clara!” Jack yelled. “There is only one thing that can save you but… I don’t know if I want to do it or not.”

Clara stayed still. Jack was now afraid, a feeling he hadn’t felt for years. It was becoming dark. Wait… is there a roaring sound? Or is it the wind blowing against the palm trees? I’ve watched all kinds of scary movies, and it’s never the wind.

Jack sighed. He thought for a moment and leaned in. He couldn’t tell if Clara’s heart was even beating or not. He has seen some shows where a person hits the unconcious dude and then they immediately wake up. “Well,” he said. “As much as I hate to do it, maybe it will work. Ugh.” Just then, he leaned in, even more, gulped, and jumped back. This was a little scary. He leaned in again. This time, even closer. And then… he slapped Clara. Hard. Again! What is up with him?! He jumped back. “YIKES!” he cried. He stood there, hardly breathing, and staring at Clara.

Clara’s eyes slowly opened a few seconds later. “Jack?” said Clara. “Is… is that you? What did you just make me drink?”

“Yeah, it’s me. And you didn’t drink anything except for, like, ten gallons of water. Glad you’re awake.”

Clara stood up. “Did you slap me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Not sure. But at least it worked.”

“Oh. Thanks again, I guess. Yes, that was very smart. But where are we?”

“I’m not sure.” He took Clara’s hand. “Wow. Your hand is so… pruny! What a strange texture.” They walked into the house. Clara coughed every now and then. 

“What a nice place!” she said. Then she looked at Jack. “But… how do we get home?”

“I’m not sure. Don’t worry.”

Clara paused. “Are… are we friends?”

“Yes, of course.” 

Thanks for reading! Part 4 is coming soon because now I feel really motivated to continue writing this exciting story. Stay tuned!