In Over Her Head (5 page)

“Desperate for her love, he agreed, and ordered each of his sixteen ships to stay behind until they had gathered the most rare and exquisite jewels in all the land. In order to meet the king's demands, the ships were delayed by a month. This setback led to a most unfortunate event. A week into the voyage home, a terrible hurricane struck, the likes of which had never been seen before. All sixteen ships of the king's fleet sank, taking with them countless lives, untold riches from the New World, and, of course, the queen's precious jewels.”

The fact that I could upchuck at any second doesn't sway my desperation to find out what happens next.

Patrice takes a sip from his bottle of Perrier. “I do hope you have enjoyed the little history lesson, and now it's time for lunch! Who's hungry?”

Lunch? How can he stop there! What about the rest of the story? I need to know what happened next!

“Come on, people.
On y va!
Let's go. I'm starving!” Patrice waves for us to follow him inside.

Obviously just as hungry as Patrice, the group eagerly scurries behind him to the dining room.

“Wait!” I screech as the last crewmember sits down.

Everyone turns and gawks at me.

“Oh my gosh, I can't be the only person here who wants to know more!” Suddenly, I'm hit with a brand new wave of nausea, and realize I've forgotten all about looking at the horizon. My stomach is churning more than ever. Even still, I can't help myself. I'm dying with curiosity. I have to know! “Did she freak out? I mean, when the ships went down and she didn't get her jewels? Did she leave that fat, old …”

Oh my gosh … no! Opening my mouth was a seriously bad idea. Here it comes …
I pull the fancy silver bucket up to my face and proceed to power puke over, and over, and over.

“Oh my gawd, Hannah!” Piper screeches. “Stop it!”

“I can't … stop …” I gurgle, and then barf again.

When I'm finally able to lift my head, I see Massimo running toward me with a roll of paper towel. He spies the bucket in my hands, and cries, “Oh, no …
bella
. Not the Star Trophy!”

“What?” I moan, looking down to see that the bucket I just barfed into has handles and …
OMG
… an engraving on the front. How could I have been so stupid? Garbage cans are not made of silver and they don't have handles. It's definitely a trophy!

“‘Seafarers Transatlantic Adventure Race, 1982, Captain John Steele,'” I hear myself reading aloud.

“Proudest moment of my life!” the captain's voice booms, as he appears out of nowhere.

I look down at the barf-filled trophy and then back up at him.

“Ah, Piper, my dear! What a splendid idea, bringing out the Star Trophy to show our crew! I imagine you're all feeling quite inspired looking at this wonderful piece of history! This trophy represents greatness! It signifies hard work and sacrifice. It is my most prized possession.”

I try to manage a smile just as another wave of sickness hits. Oh no, here it comes. I shove my face into the captain's prized trophy and puke again.

After a few more dry heaves, I look up into the captain's furious eyes.

“It was an accident,” I say, cracking a hopeful grin.

“You've had a very busy day, Miss Smart. Watch your step. You only have one chance left.”

Piper to the Rescue …

“D
on't
worry,
bella
,” Massimo says, handing me a cup filled with steaming liquid.

“What's this?” I ask, sitting down at the galley table.

“Ginger tea, it will settle your stomach. When I was a young boy, my mother would make this for me anytime I had an upset belly.”

“It works for seasickness, too?” I ask.

“Absolutely.”

“It smells funny.”

“Just try it, Hannah.”

I take a sip and it's awful.

“You don't like?” Massimo looks at me like I have rocks in my head.

“Um, well … it's different.”

“Oh, no, Hannah! I can't believe I forgot!” Massimo reaches into the cupboard and pulls out a bottle of honey. He squirts a generous amount in my cup. “Wait!” he exclaims as I attempt to take a sip. He grabs a lemon from a bowl on the counter and cuts a small wedge, which he squeezes into my mug. “Now, it's perfecto! Drink,
bella
,” he commands, smiling with pride. “You'll be feeling better soon; I promise!”

I take another sip. “Yummy,” I say, relieved that it is kinda delicious.

“How are you feeling?”

“I'm feeling a bit better, thanks.”

He holds up the teapot. “Another cup?”

“No, thank you, Massimo. I think this is all my stomach can handle right now.”

“Ah,
bella
. I wish you felt better.”

“Me, too.”

“I have an idea! I'll be right back,” Massimo calls as he scurries past Piper, A.J., and Henry on their way into the galley.

“How are you feeling now?” Henry asks, taking a seat beside me at the table.

“A bit better.”

“You need sleep, Hannah,” adds Piper, hiking herself onto the countertop. “I should know, I mean, I've been on boats my whole life.”

“Massimo just went to get something to help me feel better.”

Piper's face breaks into a grin. “Gravol — that's what he's getting. I'm sure of it. Trust me; when you're seasick, there's nothing better.”

“Really?”

“Oh my gosh, absolutely!” Piper exclaims. “Actually, I beat Massimo to it. I just picked some up for you from the First Aid kit!”

“You did?”

“A.J.,” Piper purrs, batting her eyelashes, “be a sweetie and go tell Massimo that I have Hannah's Gravol. I don't want him searching all over the boat for nothing.”

A.J. pops up from his chair. “No problem, Piper. I'm on it.”

“Henry, can you grab Hannah a can of ginger ale from the fridge?”

Henry raises an eyebrow. “Um … sure,” he says reaching into the fridge.

Piper places a little peach-coloured pill in my palm. “Hannah, the sooner you get this into you, the better.”

“But I'm already starting to feel better,” I protest.

“Seasickness comes and goes, Hannah. Believe me, this will fix you right up.”

I glance down at the pill. I don't understand why she is suddenly being nice to me. Maybe she has a soft spot for sick people. Who knows?

“Henry!” Piper yells, impatiently. “What's taking you so long?”

Henry shrugs, and passes her the can. She snaps it open, sneering at him. “Um … could we have a glass please?”

“Whatever …” Henry says passing her a tiny glass from the cupboard. “Hannah, are you sure you want to take that?” he asks.

“Of course she's sure!” Piper barks back. “You want to feel better; don't you, Hannah?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, come on, then. Swallow it.”

“Are you sure that's what Massimo went to get me?”

“Massimo has worked for our family for years. When I'm sick, it's the first thing he gives me.” She looks down at the cup beside me. “Oh … after the ginger tea, of course. That seems to help a bit, too.”

I look down at the tiny peach pill in my hand and shrug. “Well, okay then.” I pop it in my mouth and wash it down with ginger ale.

“There, that wasn't so hard!” Piper exclaims happily.

Henry frowns and shakes his head. “I was really hoping you wouldn't miss the dive today.”

I frown back, confused. “What?”

“You're gonna be toast for the rest of the day,” he says, glaring at Piper.

“Did you find him?” Piper asks A.J., who has just returned from carrying out his orders.

“Massimo didn't know what I was talking about.” A.J. shrugs.

“Of course he didn't ” Piper says, pursing her lips. “He's just an old fool. Probably forgot what he was looking for.”

“She's going to be sleeping until suppertime, Piper!” Henry hisses.

“Simmer down, Henry.” A.J. says, scowling. “What's your problem, anyway? Piper was just trying to help.”

“Help? Hmm … I don't think so.”

“What do you mean by that, Henry?” A.J. asks, angrily.

“Doesn't matter. I'm just sorry Hannah is gonna miss the dive.”

“Well, don't take it out on Piper, dude!”

“Ginger ale!” Massimo exclaims happily, as he enters the galley. “Good choice, Hannah.”

“Piper gave it to me,” I say, yawning.

Massimo cocks his head to the side. “That was … sweet of you, Piper.”

Piper's cheeks redden and she bites her bottom lip.

Could she be ashamed over the nasty way she spoke about Massimo? She definitely should be!

But then, just as fast as it appeared, her shame vanishes as she pulls her shoulder up to her cheek and squeals, “I know, right? I was just looking out for my new friend.”

Massimo closes his eyes and gives his head a shake. “I'm glad you're all here. Patrice wants you out on the deck right away. The camera crew is already in position.”

“Awesomeness!” Piper squeals. “Patrice told me we're going to act out one of the famous scenes from
Titanic
!”

Henry shrugs. “I didn't see the movie.”

Piper's jaw drops. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.” Henry grins.

“
You've
seen the movie; right, A.J.?” Piper asks sweetly. “It's so romantic.”

A.J. scratches his head. “Um …”

Piper smiles at him. “It's
Titanic
's maiden voyage and the ship is packed with a bunch of rich and famous people, one of them is this boring dude who wants to marry Rose, who is beautiful and also super rich. Then Rose meets Jack, who is handsome and fun, but really poor. Rose hates her life because she always has to be, like, completely perfect
all the time
. Jack wants Rose to leave her amazing
life behind, because it's really not that amazing after all. Anyway, he takes her to the bow of the boat and tells her to climb up on the railing. He brings her arms out to her sides, and with the wind blowing in her hair, she cries out, ‘I'm flying!' At that exact moment, it's like for the first time in her life she feels free.”

“Oh,” A.J. raises an eyebrow,
pretending
to be interested, “cool.”

“Anyway,” Piper says, pulling her ponytail loose with a shake of her head, “it's going to be epic!”

Henry chuckles. “Who's doing the scene?”

Piper smiles. “A.J. and me, of course.”

A.J. has this goofy grin on his face that is just too annoying for words.

“Who made
that
decision?” Henry asks.

“Well, nobody, I guess … but I mean, come on. It's kind of obvious; Hannah's in no condition … I mean, just look at her!”

I'm too tired to care if they're all looking at me; at least I'm not sick anymore.

Massimo's face falls. “What's happened to her?”

“I gave her a little Gravol, that's all.” Piper answers.

“Hannah.” Massimo sighs in frustration. “Why?”

“Why … what?” I say, yawning.

“I told you I'd help you. You didn't need that pill.”

“But Piper said you were going to give me one,” I say, sleepily.

“I was going to do no such thing! We don't need any zombies on board this boat. And that is what you look like right now — nothing but a zombie!”

“I feel better, though.”

Massimo shakes his head. “You need to go to bed.”

“Mmmm … a nice, snuggly bunk sounds like heaven,” I reply.

“Here, put these on.” Massimo passes me two terrycloth bands that look like they're meant for a tennis player.

“What are these?”

“They put pressure on your wrists and will help you feel better
without
knocking you out for the entire day.” He fixes his eyes on Piper. “
These
were what I was going to give Hannah,
not
medication.”

“Ooops, my bad,” Piper chirps, linking elbows with A.J. “Come on, handsome. It's time for our scene!”