“That’s not an option.” His voice was low and rough all of a sudden. Anger flashed in his eyes and he met my gaze with conviction. “Meet me at the Cape, Friday night at 8:30. You need to practice.” He took my hand, threaded his fingers through mine like he did on the beach the night before, and walked away leaving me standing by myself, confused.
When I got back to Maren, Kira was sitting on the couch talking to Phoebe and Carmen. She jumped up when she saw me walk in.
“Hey Stasia!”
“How are you?” I asked her as she gave me a big hug.
“I’m good! I can’t stay long, but I wanted to bring you something.” She reached into her Roxy beach bag.
“This is for you.” She handed me a wooden box with what looked like waves etched into its sides. Taking off the lid, my breath caught at what I found inside. It was a silver bracelet made up of beautiful blue stones. Turquoise. I looked up at Kira in surprise. Carmen and Phoebe ran over to get a closer look.
“Kira, this is amazing!” I could feel my eyes getting moist as I took it out of the box.
“Oh my god, it’s gorgeous!” Phoebe squealed.
“It was given to me by my mom when I started at Lorelei. I want you to have it.” She smiled and put the bracelet on me. Not having a Tyde mother there with me, a big sister was the next best thing.
“I don’t know what to say,” I gave her another hug and admired it.
“Just seeing it on you is all the thanks I need,” she said, “Turquoise is the stone that represents us. It protects the wearer from negative energy and brings good fortune. Ship captains used to wear it to ensure safe passage.”
“If only it could help me pass biology safely,” Carmen muttered. Phoebe poked her in the ribs.
“I’ve got to run, but you girls let me know if you need something.” She locked in on me, “We’ll talk soon. Keep your phone on.”
Chapter 14
When Friday finally arrived, a flock of butterflies had taken up residence in my stomach.
Finn wasn’t in class again, so I was a little worried he wouldn’t show. What would I do if he stood me up? I mean, it wasn’t like it was a date. He wasn’t obligated to me or anything. My palms started sweating and the butterflies doubled. It was just practice, so there was no reason to get all nervous.
No different than in class. Except that it was completely different than in class. Alone in the dark, in the ocean, with only our bathing suits separating us? What’s to be nervous about? Unfortunately, it was more of a date than I’d ever had before. Boys tended to stay away from me in Atlanta since
‘charity case’ didn’t really make for an attractive quality. There were a couple I had liked but they definitely didn’t make me feel the way Finn did. The things he made me feel were frightening, thrilling, and torturous all at the same time. The way he looked at me made every part of me come alive. I imagined what it would be like to touch his bare chest and have his arms around me. Just the thought made my body tingle.
My roommates had gone to the mainland to do some shopping and to see a movie. I made up an excuse about my stomach hurting so I could stay back, but I still felt guilty. I wanted to tell them about Finn, but after Carmen’s warning, I was afraid of what they might say. Besides, it wasn’t like there was anything to tell.
It was almost 8:30 when I began walking toward the Cap. I watched the horizon catch fire as the sun set. It left dramatic oranges and reds dancing across the darkening sky. The air was warm and the breeze wasn’t chilly even though I was wearing a bathing suit. The Cape was completely abandoned, except for a couple of seagulls and the charred remains of the bonfire. Several logs of driftwood still littered the sand and someone had left a blue beach chair to fend for itself. I picked a spot farther up the beach to sit on while I waited for Finn. The sand was warm and comforting beneath me, and I dug my toes in. The moon had begun to rise over the ocean and night was threatening to take over completely. Seagulls skimmed the waves and hopped around on the sand, squawking at each other. One hopped over, eyeing me. It gave me a squawk and came closer. As if hearing something, it turned its head to the water. I followed its eyes and a shock of electricity ran through me as a figure came out of the waves. Somewhere in the corner of my consciousness, I sensed the bird fly away, but all of my concentration was on something else.
Only wearing dark blue swim trunks hanging low on his hips, he looked straight out of a Ralph Lauren commercial. My eyes ran down his body of their own accord. His broad shoulders were strong and defined, followed by a muscular chest and washboard stomach. Even in the low light, I could see the water running down his sun-kissed skin and forced myself not to think about the parts of him I couldn’t see. He walked toward me confidently and ran his hand through his wet hair to get it out of his eyes.
“Hey there,” Finn grinned and sat down beside me, “enjoying the view?”
I could feel my face redden and I was thankful for the fading light. I just hoped reading minds wasn’t one of his abilities. I shrugged my shoulders, “Eh, It’s alright. I’ve seen a million sunsets.”
My lousy lie won me a chuckle and a crooked grin.
“I didn’t notice it; I was too busy watching something much more beautiful.” He met my gaze with a confidence that left me breathless. His blue eyes seemed darker than normal and I allowed myself to drown in them while everything around us faded away. I knew I was dangerously close to falling for him, and once I fell; there would be no getting back up. Even knowing the risk I was taking, I kept walking toward the proverbial edge with reckless abandon. He caught a stray piece of blonde hair blowing across my face, and tucked it behind my ear. I froze as the tips of his fingers brushed my neck and shoulder. The heat they evoked lingered like glowing embers across my skin.
His hand dropped, finding mine. He leaned closer and I saw something spark in his eyes as his lips curved upward. I held my breath.
“Time to see what you’ve got, Pasha.” he stood up, bringing me with him.
“What’d you call me?” I looked up at him with confusion.
“Pasha. It means ‘beautiful star’,” he translated for me as we walked hand in hand toward the ocean. He could call me anything and I’d probably answer to it. Well, almost anything.
The water resembled liquid silver as it lapped at the shore and that familiar longing to swim under the waves hit me again as I fought the urge to run to them. I let go of Finn’s hand when the water was up to my thighs and I felt the tingling sensation that always seemed to greet me. I stopped, closed my eyes, and held my palms right above the foaming water. A million tiny bubbles broke against my palm, tickling my skin. The water felt alive. I smiled and opened my eyes, but Finn had disappeared. After scanning the waves, I saw him a couple yards out and swam out to him.
“What should I try first?” I asked once I got there.
“See if you can calm the waves,” he suggested. Good one.
“No, seriously what should I try first?”
“I am serious. Try it.” He acted like I should be able to do it with both hands tied behind my back. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that same confidence in myself.
“But I don’t know how.” I frowned at him.
“Yes you do, just will it to be,” he explained cryptically. This was ridiculous. He really expected me to stop the waves crashing into the shore? Like I was any match for the tidal forces of the moon. At least he didn’t have high expectations. A laugh tinged with hysteria bubbled up inside of me and I faced the waves. Concentrating hard, I tried my best to picture them slowing down and becoming completely smooth. I pictured the water losing its foam as it flattened and stilled.
Unfortunately, back in reality, the waves continued rolling toward the beach like normal. After staring at them for what seemed like an hour, I turned to Finn in frustration.
“This is pointless. I can’t do it.” Carmen’s face popped in my mind, “Plus, don’t you have to be descended from someone who has that ability?”
“Not always. Try again. This time face me.” Like that would help my concentration. With zero faith in my abilities, I looked into Finn’s eyes. They matched the darkness of the ocean and the rest of the world faded away.
