Jasmine’s dad followed. Arjun started to do the same, but Jasmine pulled him back.
“What?” Arjun snapped. He shook free and treaded the water. “What’s your problem?”
“You are,” said Jasmine. “What were you playing at down there?”
Arjun rolled his eyes. “I should have known you would freak out. I was just having fun, OK? It’s no big deal.”
“Yes, it is,” Jasmine insisted. She inflated her buoyancy-control device to help stay afloat in the water while they spoke. “We’re underwater. You can’t go pulling me down. That’s dangerous.”
“No, it’s not.” Arjun scowled. “It was a prank. You’re overreacting.”
“There are sharks—”
Arjun interrupted Jasmine. “They’re not going to come after us,” he said. “Whitetip reef sharks sleep during the day. Besides, even if they were awake, our bubbles would scare them off.”
“You don’t know everything, you know,” Jasmine said.
Arjun scowled. “Yeah, well neither do you,” he said. “You’re not the only one who wants to be a marine biologist like Mom and Dad. I know how to handle myself around the reef.”
“No, you don’t!” Jasmine took a sharp breath and tried to control her temper. “I saw you trying to play with the fish. You know you’re not supposed to do that!”
“That didn’t hurt anyone.”
“It could have,” Jasmine said. “If we get caught in the middle of a school of fish and a shark comes looking for food, that’s a problem. The sharks won’t be able to tell the difference between us and the fish. We could get seriously hurt. The bubbles from our tanks won’t help.”
“Kids!” Dad called to them. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing!” Jasmine yelled back. “We’re coming.”
“No one got hurt,” Arjun said. “It’s fine. You need to lighten up!”
With that, he turned and swam away, heading for the boat.
Jasmine’s heart sank. She and Arjun used to talk about being marine biologists together. They both dreamed of continuing their parents’ work studying the reefs.
But how am I supposed to trust him with something as big as rebuilding the reefs if I can’t trust him to respect the rules of scuba diving? Jasmine worried.
CHAPTER 3
JASMINE’S PLAN
“This is so exciting!” Mom exclaimed. She pulled Jasmine closer and pointed at the computer screen. “Look at all this lovely data.”
Jasmine laughed. “You’re the only person I know who gets excited about numbers.”
Dad and Arjun walked out of the kitchen. Arjun had a plate of mango slices for everyone.
Dad came over to the computer. “Is that the latest data?” he asked, pushing his dark hair off of his forehead. “This is so exciting!”
Jasmine shook her head. “Correction,” she told her mom. “You’re one of only two people I know who gets excited about numbers.”
“Nice try,” Mom said to Jasmine. She smiled at Arjun and took a slice of fruit. “I know you love learning about how the reef is evolving and changing, Jasmine.”
“I do,” Jasmine admitted. “The polyps that make up the reefs are amazing.”
Actually, they were beyond amazing. Polyps were tiny animals and relatives of anemones and jellyfish. They could live by themselves, or they could live in large colonies—the reefs—that became homes for other animals and plants.
“You know what’s really amazing?” Dad asked as he sat down. “You and Arjun learning about the reefs together. This is a fantastic opportunity for you both.”
Mom smiled in agreement. “I love that you both love the reefs as much as we do,” she said. “One day all of us will dive and study the reefs together.”
Jasmine laughed. “We’re already doing that now.”
“But just imagine how much more we’ll get to do when you both have degrees in marine biology.” She grabbed Arjun and covered him with kisses. “We’ll write papers and give talks and do research…. Think of the data and numbers!”
“Too many kisses!” Arjun pulled away. “It’s going to be awesome!” he continued. “I’m going to be the best marine biologist ever.” He picked up a slice of mango from the plate. “I’m going outside.”
How is he going to be the best marine biologist ever if he doesn’t respect the wildlife? Jasmine wondered as she walked to the table.
A variety of beach finds, from seashells to sand dollars and empty snail shells, sat in rows. She traced the objects with her finger.
“What’s wrong?” Dad asked, joining her at the table.
“Nothing,” Jasmine said.
“Aren’t you excited about us studying the reefs as a family?” Dad asked.
