have a massive splash war going on. A couple of the other swimmers joined in, and I was laughing hysterically when I took a step forward and plunged under. I pushed myself to the surface, spluttering, and Joelle swam over.
âIt gets deep fast; watch it!â
I tried to splash her again, but it was hard while I was treading water. My eyes stung from the salt, but now that Iâd been submerged, I leaned back against the gentle swells, floating. The buoyancy felt different than when Iâd been swimming before, even the couple of times when Mom had taken Susie and me to Atlantic City when we were kids. Sarah and I had sat on the beach at Nice despite the rain, but weâd never gone in the water. âEven the water feels different,â I commented, staring up at the aqua sky.
Joelleâs voice was muffled by the waves. âYeah, I know what you mean.â
I scooped water over my stomach. âItâs almost magical. Like it can wash away everything thatâs worrying you.â
âSo, what all is worrying you?â
I straightened up, kicking my feet gently. Joelle was hovering in the water a few feet away from me, watching me with a serious expression.
âMoney,â I said, exhaling slowly, âand guys.â
She laughed. âNeither of those things sound life changing.â
I shook my head. âI donât have the money to stay in art school. Maybe I should just drop out.â
Joelle stopped paddling, and the water around us settled into stillness. âWhat?â
âNever mind. I shouldnât have said anything.â Feeling too exposed, I turned and headed toward the beach. Joelle may have been my travel buddy, but she was still practically a stranger.
âCamie, wait!â I heard her splash behind me, but I didnât look back. I swam back toward the shore, wishing I hadnât said anything to spoil the morning. I was back in my beach chair, dripping through the mesh, when Joelle got out of the sea.
She sat down in her chair and shook out her short dark hair. âCamie, do you want to talk about it?â
Sarah peeped out from behind her sunglasses. âWhatâs going on?â
I shrugged, lying back in the lounge chair. âJust something stupid. I donât want to dump on you guys.â
Joelle propped herself up on her hand. âCamie, thatâs what friends are for. If we canât help you through the bad times, whatâs the point of hanging out when things are good?â
Sarah nodded. âAre you thinking about Hunter again?â
I shook my head, surprised. âNo.â
âCamie says she canât pay for school.â
Sarah looked at me. âI canât, either. The most money Iâve ever seen in my life came from nannying.â
Her honest admission surprised me. âThen why are you traveling around Europe?â
She stared back at me with her bright blue eyes. âWhy are you?â
I shrugged. âIt seemed like a good idea at the time.â After another momentâs hesitation, I told them the whole story. Everything about Jim and the scholarship, about academic probation and my student loans. Sarah covered her mouth when I told them how Iâd borrowed extra to be able to afford the summer trip to Europe.
âAnd now I donât even know if itâs worth it to go back to school. I mean, how will I ever dig out of this hole? Itâs not like you can make much money with art.â
âYou donât know that,â Sarah began quietly. âWhat do you want to do after you graduate?â
The idea of working as a professional artist had been growing in my mind, ever since Hunter had asked me almost the exact same question in Paris. âI want to sell my art. I donât know, maybe in a gallery or something. But people canât live like that.â
âWhy not? You havenât even tried yet.â Joelle said. âAt least you have something youâre