Two ghosts - Lo'ak

Chapter 18

Pandora Reef
Metkayina Clan

Why Teya thought drinking as much alcohol as she did the last night was a good idea, she will never know. Her head was pounding. Her palms were sweaty, and she couldn't resist the undeniable feeling of being sick. Teya opened her eyes to see she was one of the first awake on the beach, Tsireya and Kiri were still fast asleep next to her, and all the boys huddled around the burnt-out fire: Ao'nung and Neteyam's tails tangled around each other. She looked around the fire, but there was no sight of Lo'ak; Teya quickly sat up, which she realised was a mistake, but she ignored it.

"Lo'ak", she called out, but no response. Teya stood up, holding her head; she knew she would vomit. She quickly walked away from the group bending over a small rock. Teya coughed all the alcohol from the previous night, spilling onto the beach. Teya's mind was too clouded to feel the two hands pulling her hair in a ponytail behind her. She could faintly feel someone rubbing their hand on her back comfortably.

Teya slid down to the floor, the person behind her copying her actions as they pulled her into their chest.

"Morning", the person behind her smiled.

Teya groaned, putting her head on their shoulder. "This is so embarrassing, Lo'ak. You did not need to see this."

Lo'ak kissed her neck "no, but what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't?" he mused.

Teya smiled, but it quickly vanished when her stomach began making noises again. "I don't think I'm done yet".

"Come, let's get you home Princess."

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"We should not be here", Neteyam stressed, looking towards his brother, who was with Payakan. The group excluding Lo'ak, hid behind some seaweed, watching Lo'ak talk to Payakan.

"Lo'ak wanted to show you that he isn't a killer", Li'teya returned, scratching her knuckles.

"And how do you know he isn't?" Tsu'tey asked, turning to his little sister. Teya shrunk under his gaze.

"I've already met him, and he isn't what you say. He is kind and understands how Lo'ak feels".

Tsireya nodded her head, believing what Teya was saying. The group turned back to the Tulken as he opened his mouth. Lo'ak didn't hesitate as he swam inside his mouth, disappearing from their view.

Neteyam started to swim towards his brother, but Ao'nung held him back. "Ao'nung, let me go; that is my brother", he gritted out, fighting against Ao'nung's grip.

"Lo'ak is bonding with Payakan," Ao'nung said, facing Teya.

The forest na'vi all had confused looks.

"They are bonded for life; he is now his spirit brother", Tsireya smiled.

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The eight teenagers trailed behind the Olo'eytan as he took them to his hut. Teya looked up at Lo'ak, who was in front of her with his head hung low. She felt Rotxo give her hand a quick squeeze of comfort. The teenagers all stood in a circle in the hut where Teya had spent many hours learning the way of the Olo'eytan.

"You allowed this? You allowed him to bond with the outcast," Ronal fumed as she paced past the teenagers. All of them lowered their gaze to the ground, especially Tsireya, whose saddened appearance didn't go unnoticed by Tsu'tey.

"Tsireya", Tonowari spat, his voice harsh and cold. "You disappoint me, daughter."

Teya noticed the tears forming in her best friend's eyes, desperate to say something, but she knew it would make no difference and land her in more trouble.