The Lake

by Grant, AnnaLisa

  “Great! Tell you what, I’ll text Caroline and Gwen tonight and see if they have an extra pair of hiking shoes you can borrow. If not, sneakers will be fine. I’ll pick you up at nine.”

  “That sounds great. Thanks for including me. It’ll be great to see the girls again.” It really is going to be great to see them again. I like them very much, and I think they like me. It’s nice being around people my own age. “Oh, and Tyler and Chris, too!”

  I feel awkward as we stand there. I don’t know if I should extend my hand to shake his, or if I should initiate a hug. I’m not really one for hugs, but I’ve already held his hand, even if it was just for my stability. It seems to be an appropriate display of friendship among Will and my new friends, so I step forward with my arms extended.

  “Well…thank you, again,” I say as I lift myself onto my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.

  He hugs me back, holding me close with his arms around my waist and says, “Thank you.” I’m overwhelmed by how good it feels to be in his arms, how safe I feel. It’s a feeling I am getting reacquainted with, first with Luke and Claire, and now with Will.

  We linger in the moment longer than I anticipate. When we let go, Will steps back and looks at me for one intense second and abruptly says, “Ok! I’ll…see you in the morning then. Nine AM, and my goal is for you to have a better than nice time.” Stepping backward, he finds the porch steps and walks down to his car. I stand in the doorway and watch him make his way out of the circle driveway and onto the street. I sigh as I close the door behind me. Leaning against it for a moment I can’t help but smile. I did a lot of that tonight.

  Chapter 7

  Will picks me up nine o’clock sharp. Instead of his Prius he has his mom’s Denali. It’s the same model as Luke’s, only in white. It seats seven so we’ll all be able to ride together. We pick the others up at their equally beautiful and huge homes in the neighborhood and get on the highway.

  I’m halfway turned around in the front seat most of the way there so I can talk with the girls. The rest of the time I’m taking in the exquisite beauty of our scenic drive. Caroline brought an extra pair of hiking boots for me so I won’t be stumbling on the trail in my sneakers. Since we’ll be in the car almost two hours, I decide to wait and put them on when we get there.

  The drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway is stunning. I can only imagine how striking it will be in the fall when the leaves change color. I’ve only seen that spectacle in books. It feels odd to now live in a place with four actual seasons. Where I’m from, we were good to get two distinguishable ones. Will must have noticed the awed look on my face and read my thoughts.

  “You should see it in October. There’s no green, only shades of red, orange, and gold,” he says.

  “It’s beautiful,” I say, not breaking my stare out the window. In my mind I compare the commercialized streets of Orlando to the peaceful nature of my current surroundings. There are no neon signs, no pink flamingo mascots. There is no one standing on a corner waving a sign for discount theme park tickets. No, with the exception of the asphalt, here there is only the perfection of what has been here since the beginning of time. I think about the time it has taken these trees to mature and become the steadfast pillars they are and wonder if nature thought it took too long, as I feel it is taking me too long to become comfortable in this bark of mine.

  We arrive at the gate into Grandfather Mountain right at eleven o’clock. Will failed to tell me that there is an admission fee. I tell him I’ll pay him back when he drops me off but he says I’m not allowed.

  “I would have brought money had you told me!” I protest.

  “It’s not a big deal. Consider it your ‘Welcome to North Carolina’ present.” He gives me the same you’re-not-going-to-win-this-debate look that Luke did, so I let it go. I have a feeling I need to learn that it’s pointless to argue points of chivalry with him. He makes me so nervous sometimes. I just need to calm down and go with the flow.

  Tyler taunts me and says that as part of my “initiation” I’ll have to cross the Mile High Bridge. It‘s funny because he says it like a dare. He has no idea that the prospect of being that high up is exhilarating for me. We climb the 50 steps to reach the bridge and I pause to take in the view.

  “I guess they don’t have this kind of view in Florida, huh?” Gwen is right next to me taking in the vision as well.

  “Uh, no. We’ve got the ocean, which is pretty spectacular, but this is so different. Oh! Caroline’s boots! I left them in the car.” I turn around to look for Will so I can run down and grab the boots out of the car but Caroline stops me.

  “Don’t worry! I’ve got them!” she says.

  I swap out my shoes for the boots and put them in the backpack Tyler is wearing, along with a few bottles of water stashed in there for each of us. We decide to do the bridge after our hike, so the boys pick a trail they say they think will lead to less whining from Gwen, Caroline, and me and I begin my first real encounter with nature.

  We hike the trail for about two hours before we turn around and make our way back to the famous bridge. I spend most of the time walking with Gwen and Caroline. They talk about their excitement for senior year, and general girl stuff like clothes and boys. I add my two cents every now and then, but mostly just listen and answer questions they have for me.

  “So, Layla, did you leave a heartbroken boy back in Florida?” Caroline asks. I have decided that it is impossible for her not to be cute. She could make Jules Vern’s Mysterious Island sound adorable.

  “No, no one. I didn’t really have time for boys. Not that I was interested in any of them anyway. They were…not my type. Of the guys I knew, I’m pretty sure their dream vacation is going to Comic Con dressed as obscure Star Wars characters.” A few boys come to mind and the thought of anything romantic with them makes me shudder. “What about you two? Are you dating anyone?” I ask. Anything to get the conversation off of me.

  Gwen answers for both of them, “We’re not dating anyone right now. We both have been totally into Will. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? But nothing ever came of it. Tyler and I went out a few times but found out we were better suited as friends. Caroline and Chris actually dated for a year before it ended. Can you believe they’re still friends?”

  I’m impressed. I would never have known they had been an item. I always figured people broke up under awful circumstances, which meant they couldn’t be friends.

  “Gwen! You make it sound like it was a terrible break-up!” Caroline squeals. “It was just like you and Tyler, only you realized early on. Neither of us wanted to be a quitter, so we held out longer. When our feelings finally came out we were both so relieved. That’s why we’re still friends.”

  “What about the guys? Chris, Tyler…Will? Are any of them…you know…seeing anyone?” My attempt at sounding nonchalant is weak, but I have an unyielding need to know what Will’s story is. He spent a lot of time with me yesterday, more than a guy with a girlfriend should. Twenty-four hours ago I wouldn’t have cared, but after being on the dock with Will last night I have to know.

  “No. Chris and Tyler aren’t dating anyone, not that they aren’t teaming with choices,” Gwen answers. “And Will…” She smiles as she catches me snapping my head up and I know I’m busted. “…he’s not seeing anyone either.”

  “Oh.” What else was I going to say? I quickly change the subject. “So…I’ve got a little bit of Will’s take on it, but what’s the scoop on Heyward?”

  “Heyward is, well, it’s interesting. The entire school is made up entirely of our own little neighborhood community, and only our neighborhood community. It’s a bit incestuous, really. Anyway, 95% of the people there are absolutely obsessed with how wealthy they are. They talk and talk and talk about their cars, clothes, trips to Aspen…blah, blah, blah. It drives us crazy, especially Will. Don’t get me wrong, I love being rich. Actually, I love the opportunities that being rich brings me, but it’s not everything.” Gwen answers. “That�
�s what binds the five…”

  “Six!” Caroline corrects.

  “…yes, six of us together. We like the advantages of wealth, just not the annoying, pretentious part. Had we not met now, there are any number of vultures who would have tried to take you under their wing.”

  “Yeah, we’re glad you’re here, Layla!” Caroline giggles, “Now Gwen and I aren’t outnumbered!”

  Gwen and Caroline give each other a look and then put their arms over my shoulder and around my waist from either side. I feel incredible emotional warmth from them followed by the sting of tears coming to my eyes. I fight the tears back and relish in the realization that I have just been inducted into their sisterhood and I couldn’t be more honored. I’m pleased at how easy I seem to be adapting to life with people my age. It gives me hope that all is not lost. My friendship with them is less than 24 hours old and already it is the most satisfying friendship I’ve had in five years.

  When I talk with Chris and Tyler they mainly quiz me about how daring I am. It was like interviewing for Fear Factor. Will and I chat generally about how I’m settling in. Some of it is repetitive conversation we’ve had before around the lunch table with Claire. Since he’s careful not to bring up any personal conversation we started last night there isn’t a whole lot more to talk about. Everyone also does their best to begin preparing me for fall and winter weather: two seasons that Central and South Florida don’t really have, at least not like it is here.

  As we approach the bridge, Will, Tyler and Chris pretend they’re going to push each other off the side of the mountain. Boys. Caroline and Gwen are by my side making sure I really am ok to cross the swinging bridge. It had apparently taken them several trips to the bridge before either one was willing to cross it. They have no idea what a daredevil I can be…used to be. I haven’t accessed my daring side for a long time. It used to be that the faster and higher I could go the better.

  Adrenaline pumps through me as I approach the bridge. It’s definitely high, and it’s definitely swaying in the high-altitude wind. It’s not the most daring thing I’ve ever done, but it’s the first time in five years that I’ve done anything really and truly exciting. There aren’t a lot of people on the bridge, so I take my first steps without anyone in my way. I stop halfway across and stare out at the cloud-covered mountains. I thought everyone had passed by me to reach the other side of the bridge, but I feel someone standing next to me and realize it is Will.

  “I’m really glad you came today,” he says staring out at the view with me. “The girls are smitten with you, and Tyler and Chris already consider you a little sister.”

  “I really like them, too, and I’m really glad I came. Thanks for inviting me. I had a nice time,” I say.

  “That’s too bad. My goal was for you to have a better than nice time.” Will smiles and locks his blue eyes on me, but the moment turns awkward when his smile fades like it did at the movie theater. “I’m gonna catch up with the others,” he says as he releases his gaze and crosses the remaining length of the bridge.

  Did I do something wrong? I wonder if he thinks he’s giving me the wrong impression. I want to tell him not to worry, that I don’t have any ideas of grandeur, but how do I put his mind at ease without sounding ridiculously presumptuous?

  It’s 3:30 and really hot, even for this Florida girl. Gwen and Caroline beg for an early release from the heat and ask if we can head back. The boys agree, although I’m sure they would have played outside until the sun went down. Gwen gets Will’s keys from him so we can get a head start to the car and put the air on. I take Caroline’s borrowed hiking shoes off and wait for Tyler to return with the backpack containing my sneakers and the water our throats are craving. I slip my sneakers on just as Will is getting in the car. I had considered that maybe I should not sit up front with him, that he doesn’t want me to sit next to him, but it’s too late as he is quick to start the car and pull out of the parking lot.

  All in all, it was a good day. Despite the awkwardness that seems to keep showing up between me and Will, I bonded with girls my age, which is something I haven’t been able to do for so long, and I got to see some of the amazing scenery of the state I now call home.

  We make good time getting home. It was four o’clock when we left Grandfather Mountain and 5:30 as we arrive at Caroline’s house first. We drop Tyler off next, followed by Gwen and Chris who live three houses apart from each other. At first I’m a little surprised that none of them suggested we get something to eat, but then think that they probably already had plans.

  With my handle on the door of the car I take a breath with the intention of thanking Will for the great day, and apologizing if I had done anything to upset him earlier. I wracked my brain all the way home, replaying the day, but still could not think of what I could have done to make his demeanor change so quickly on the bridge. When I open my mouth something entirely different comes out.

  “Do you want to come in? Get something to eat…or something?” I ask, immediately regretting every syllable. What was I thinking? If he’s unhappy with me, I’ve now put him in the even more awkward position of having to politely bail out when all he was most likely hoping for was to drop me off and end this day.

  “Um…yeah,” Will replies hesitantly. He must still be upset, but doesn’t want to be rude. He is one of the most polite guys I’ve ever met.

  “It’s no big deal...you don’t have to. I was just thinking…”

  “No, I want to. I mean…I am hungry.” He smiles and makes everything better.

  It’s astonishing to me how with one small gesture, Will can completely turn my thoughts and feelings around. I feel silly for having spent so much time trying to figure out what I had done to upset him. I’m just so used to being the core of someone’s sadness. It is quite a learning curve to exist in a space that doesn’t revolve around my transgressions.

  Will sits at the counter while I make chicken salad sandwiches. Claire always has one of those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store deli on hand. He’s quiet and stares while I tear the poor chicken to shreds. It’s in this very ordinary moment that my nervousness at being alone with Will begins to slowly dissipate for what I feel hopeful will be forever.

  “Are you ok?” I ask, noticing the in-thought look on his face.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I was just wondering something…about your parents,” he says.

  “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought them up.”

  “No, it’s ok. What did you want to ask?” I brace myself and pray he isn’t going to ask about the accident. Everyone always asked about the accident. I continue to chop and dice the ingredients without looking at him.

  “Well…I was wondering what your favorite thing about them was,” he says.

  “What?” I look up at him mid chop, surprised.

  “I’m sorry, was that too personal?”

  “No, not at all. It’s just…no one’s…ever asked me that before. It’s a nice change.” I pause to think for a moment because there were so many things that I loved about my parents. I reflect for a few short moments on my childhood. It’s nice to spend some time focusing on the joy instead of the tragedy. “I think the thing that I loved most about them was also the thing that drove me the craziest. They were structured, but let me do almost anything I wanted. I don’t mean I was allowed to stay up until three in the morning. I mean that whatever I wanted to do or try, they let me. It was great because it made me feel like they loved me enough to understand I was my own person. It was terrible at the same time because sometimes, after I failed miserably, I wished they would have shown some parental insight and protected me from getting hurt. But…they were always there to celebrate or pick up the pieces.”

  “Hmmm. That’s really interesting,” he says thoughtfully. “Most of the people I know don’t want their parents involved in their lives at all. They prefer to keep their distance, being allowed to do whatever they want. Your perspective is…refreshing,
” he answers.

  “Well, isn’t that what parents are for? Aren’t they supposed to protect us?”

  “Yes. But what happens when they want to protect you from something you don’t need protection from? What if they think they’re protecting you, but in reality they’re keeping you from being the person you’re supposed to be?”

  “Well…maybe you have to respectfully stand up and make your case, and take responsibility if whatever it is you want to do blows up in your face.” I know from our earlier conversation that Will is talking about his dad. Will has dreams that are nightmares to his father. I don’t think it’s fair. It’s clear that Will is not a suit and tie kind of guy, and the idea of being forced into corporate America is slowly killing him.

  “Yeah. That’d be nice.” Will shakes himself and changes the expression on his face from deep in thought to ready to eat so I put his sandwich on a plate and hand it to him. “This looks really good. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll share my secret tips for a perfect chicken salad sandwich with you someday. I have to know I can trust you and that you won’t steal my recipe and create a chicken salad sandwich empire!” We laugh and it makes me happy to see him smile again.

  “You can definitely trust me, Layla.” He smiles at me and I know he means it.

  Chapter 8

  School is starting soon and I still haven’t been to see the campus. I’m already registered so it’s just a formality for me to visit before classes start. Formality, or not, I’ve got to get the lay of the land before I set foot onto the battleground. Claire insists that today is the day for me to see Heyward Washington Preparatory Academy and I can’t argue any longer.

  Claire tells me the school isn’t too far from home. We turn off the main road and down a secluded, wooded drive. Pulling up the drive I’m sure Claire is running an errand on the way to the school, dropping off some legal documents at a high profile client’s office. The building I’m staring at looks like the White House. Its architecture is startling in the middle of what I would call the woods. Tall columns stretch the height of the three-story building, with two two-story wings jetting out from either side. It’s so out of place.