--marella redek--

Biana wasn't kidding when she said she and Sophie would kick some ass.

The second Fitz announced the start of the game, Biana went straight for Keefe's head, knocking him off the float and into the water. Sophie threw a beach ball at Tam and he toppled like a domino.

"Hey, you can't tackle people! That's against the rules!" Fitz scolded his sister. She snorted.

"Says who?"

"Says you! You're the one who came up with the rules. You clearly said that tackling people wasn't allowed."

"I didn't say that." Fitz scoffed.

"Dex, Linh, Marella, back me up on this," Fitz said, turning to the three in a desperate search for the proof he wasn't gaslighting Biana.

"She did say that," Dex agreed, hands resting on his hips. "But I think the rule's kind of stupid. After all, no smart player would try it unless they had nothing to lose. Tackling someone means willingly jumping off the float yourself, doesn't it?"

"See, Dexy agrees with me!" Biana said, throwing her hands up in the air. "All in favor of tackling being allowed?"

"Linh, Marella, Fitz, and Dex weren't allowed to tackle when they played," Tam reasoned, climbing out of the pool with soaking-wet hair plastered to his cheeks. "If they were allowed to do so, the outcome of the games might've been changed. That's not fair to them."

"I guess," Biana grumbled. "Okay fine. Rematch?"

Fitz nodded firmly. "Rematch."

Biana and Sophie still beat Keefe and Tam, even without tackling anyone. Keefe and Tam muttered curses as Sophie and Biana gave each other obnoxiously loud high-fives.

"I think we should let the teams talk strategy," Dex whispered in Fitz's ear. Fitz nodded.

"Alright, you can get out and talk strategy now," Fitz announced to the teams. Biana pulled Sophie aside, grumbling something about Dex being a better announcer. Keefe and Tam got out of the pool and glared at the other team.

I turned to Linh. "I think they might need a little help..." Linh smiled and nodded at me, taking my hand as the two of us skittered over to the corner they were whispering in.

"Need help talking strategy?" I offered. Tam didn't seem too happy to see me (he never really was, but then again, he wasn't too happy to see a lot of people), but Keefe nodded vigorously.

"Any ideas?"

"On Team Sophiana, Sophie and Biana are equally useful: Sophie's the battle strategist and Biana's the fighter. Brains and brawn, if you will. But Sophie's primary use expires the second the game starts because Biana would need more time to process the orders during gametime. You need to try to take out Biana first."

Keefe whistled. "Woah, Military Leader Marella is sharp. Alright, taking out Sparkles is at the top of the priorities list. But how do we do that?"

I grinned. "Glad you asked. I would suggest clinging to each other so Sophie can't throw you off your float and aim at Biana at the same time. That should be enough to win the battle."

"Wait, I have to do what now?" Tam interrupted, his face recoiled with disgust and yet at the same time blushing bright pink. "NO. PERIOD."

I shrugged, struggling to keep the smirk from taking over my face. "Do you have a better idea, Wise Guy?"

"No...but-" Tam started.

"Then you can take my advice or lose the game. And you know how much Biana would rub it in your face."

Tam groaned. "Fine. But this better-"

"Work. Yeah, it will." I winked. "Trust the Pyrokinetic."

"Last time I trusted the pyrokinetic, you burned my favorite hoodie."

"How was I supposed to know it was flammable?!" I shook my head. "Anyways, good luck. Linh and I will be rooting for you." Linh whispered something into her brother's ear I couldn't quite catch and hurried to catch up with me.

"I have a good feeling about this," Linh admitted to me.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." Her smile shone brighter than the sun. "You're a good battle strategist, by the way. Remind me never to get on your bad side."

I chuckled. "I don't think you ever could."

Linh smiled again, but this time more sinister. A chill ran down my back. "I think you're underestimating me, Mel."

"Me? Never." I faked a gasp of shock, dramatically fanning my face. Linh giggled.

"Yeah, okay. Sure." Her gaze, to my slight dismay, returned from me back to Keefe and Tam, now placed on their float and ready to fight. Her eyes twinkled with pride. "I've always thought they bring out the best in each other."

I snorted. "Try telling that to Tam."

"Oh, I think he knows. Deep down." Linh's smile disappeared. "He deserves to be happy."

I hummed in agreement, resting my head on Linh's shoulder and feeling the refreshing coolness of her touch on my cheek. She pulled me closer, sending goosebumps prickling across my skin as she placed her hand on my neck.

This is where I want to be. Forever, I thought to myself. With her.

An angry battle cry shook me out of my thoughts, dragging my attention back to the teams on the water. Tam hesitated before clinging to Keefe's back and aiming his gun at Biana at the same time as Keefe. They nodded to each other and fired. Biana fell into the water and Sophie fell in soon after.

"Nice job, guys," I congratulated as Linh squealed with joy. "You got one more round to win. It's best out of three." Tam and Keefe nodded at me, repositioning themselves on their ship.

The second round was over as quick as it started. Sophie and Biana fought like hell and despite the power of the Keefe and Tam duo, they were no match for the Sophiana rage.

Tam hoisted himself out of the pool and walked over to me, Keefe trailing behind him. "We're gonna need a better plan. Got anything else?"

"Uhhh..." My mind was blank. I turned to Linh.

"We could use the element of surprise by doing something they won't expect," Linh offered.

"What won't they expect?" Keefe asked.

"They won't expect you to target Sophie first," I said.

"Yeah, but then Biana would send us flying!" Tam argued. Linh's eyes lit up, shimmering with triumph.

"I got it! They're going to expect you to shoot first!" Linh declared.

"So you're saying you want them to duck the second the game starts?" I inquired.

"What happens when they start shooting down at us?" Keefe asked again.

"Jump," Linh said, though it sounded more like a question.

"Too risky. What if the float moves under us and we slide off?" Tam said.

"You could use something as some kind of shield," I offered. "Like...a beach ball!"

Tam scoffed at me. "That's your brilliant plan? A beach ball shield?"

"Once, you don't seem to have a better idea. You-" A grin spread across my face and the three others turned to me, waiting with anticipation.

"I have the perfect idea," I beamed, and whispered Keefe and Tam the plan.