Making Waves

by Nicole Leigh Shepherd

  Zoe rolls her eyes.

  “Uh, Abby,” Kylie mutters.

  “Just one sec, Kylie,” I answer, my eyes never leaving my best friend. “Zoe, I really need to talk to you.”

  Zoe turns her back toward me, facing the other girls.

  “Wait … What’s wrong?” I tap her shoulder.

  Zoe doesn’t say anything.

  “Earth to Abby.” Missy waves her arms.

  I shake my head and am about to repeat my earlier line of questioning when I’m distracted by the sight of Brody walking up to Lexi. She nods at Brody and then calls out to the group. “Okay, it looks like everyone is finally here.”

  Zoe dashes away from me to join the crowd that’s gathered in front of the captains—Katie and Lexi.

  I follow her. “What’s your problem?”

  Before Zoe can answer, Lexi interrupts. “Okay, everyone please take a seat,” she shouts. “We have a lot of stuff to get to tonight.” Lexi clears her throat. “But first we have a very special presentation.”

  The crowd claps. A few lifeguards let out a cheer.

  Brody and Katie carry out a white screen and place it behind Lexi.

  Zoe makes her way to the opposite side of the crowd. I’m about to chase after her when Kylie and Missy pull me down to the sand.

  “Abby, we have to tell you something,” Missy says.

  “Shh …” I reply. The last thing I need is to interrupt a sacred lifeguard tradition. With Lexi on my tail, I have enough to worry about.

  A projector clicks on, lighting up the screen. Lexi and Brody plant themselves in front.

  The DJ plays Green Day’s “Time of Your Life” while photos fill the screen.

  “It’s important,” Kylie whisper-screams to me.

  Again, I shake my head, trying to focus on the shots of my co-workers as kids. It’s better than watching Lexi whisper into Brody’s ear.

  “Abby, remember that girl we saw at the pier? The one who was hanging out with Brody?” Kylie leans over to me.

  Onscreen Zoe and Zach play with a sand pail as toddlers. Katie licks an ice cream cone. Brody swims and splashes with Lexi in a blowup pool.

  I face Kylie. “Yeah? Brody’s sister.”

  “Yeah, we just found out about that connection,” Missy chimes in from her spot on my other side.

  “What about her?” I look back and forth between them. “Brody and I talked about her a while ago. We’re all good.”

  A picture of a few club members at cotillion appears onscreen.

  “Yeah, so she’s one of Lexi’s closest friends,” Missy replies, a strange look of guilt on her face.

  “That makes sense. Brody’s dad and Lexi’s dad are business partners.”

  The screen now fills with a shot of Lexi running. She’s clearly decided that she’s the star of this show.

  “We didn’t know that,” Kylie says. “And we didn’t know that she and Brody were related.”

  “Yeah, Missy just said that.” I tilt my head, still puzzled about why we’re having this conversation.

  Kylie babbles on, “You should know that she goes to boarding school. She and Brody didn’t used to hang out together and—”

  “Wait, why are you telling me all of this?”

  The crowd lets out a gasp.

  “She’s the one we got fired.”

  I turn back to the screen. An hour-old picture of Brody and me making out stares back at me.

  “She’s the reason why you have a job.”

  I run as fast as I can away from the bonfire, away from Kylie and Missy, away from Lexi and Brody, and away from the Beachwood Country Club.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Unfortunately, I can’t stay away from the club as long as I’d like. Snack bar duty calls the next morning. As I shine the counter, I think about how just a few weeks ago, the granite seemed so opulent. Now, it just seems like an overpriced slab.

  Not that it matters what I think. I’m sure Denise knows all about my relationship with Brody by now and is heading over here to kick me off the team quicker than she can say, “Last Blast.”

  To make things worse, Brody hasn’t called since I bolted from the bonfire. Figures that he’d disappear after we finally make out. He’s no better than Nick. He got what he wanted and bailed. Exactly like my brothers predicted.

  I don’t have a choice anymore. I know what I’ll have to tell him when I see him.

  What I still can’t figure out is what’s going on with Zoe. The only thing I can fathom is that the club changed her into a stuck-up member just like everyone else.

  “Why so glum today?” Jason slides in front of me.

  I ignore him and count the swirls on the granite.

  “Not talking?” Jason picks up the salt and pepper shakers. He pours a little bit from each shaker on to the palm of his hand.

  I watch him lick the salt and pepper off his palm.

  “That’s disgusting,” I say, scrunching my nose.

  Jason wipes his mouth on his sleeve. “It worked. Got you talking. So, what’s up?”

  I continue to shine the countertop. The last thing I want to hear is another big fat I told you so from Jason.

  Jason leans across the counter. “So, what finally clued you in to the fact that you would never break in? Was it the slideshow? Or the sentimental way that Brody and Lexi looked at each other? Oh wait, I know. It was a certain photograph.”

  “Wait. Were you there?” I look up.

  Jason raises his left eyebrow. “Nope.”

  I freeze. “Is everyone talking about it?”

  “Yeah, but don’t worry about it.” Jason knocks into me playfully. “It’ll blow over.”

  “Jason, it won’t blow over. I’m going to be kicked off the team.”

  “Maybe. But even if you are, at least you did a lot of good here this summer.”

  I snort. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you almost had me convinced that the people here weren’t all that bad. That takes some doing.”

  I shake my head. “You should never have listened to me. You were right all along.”

  “I dunno. For a while there I even thought you might be able to change things.”

  I smile despite my mood. Then I realize what he’s saying. “Okay, now you’re just full of it. You never once acted like I got through to you.”

  “Maybe that’s just because I’m ‘kind of a downer.’” Jason grins at me, parroting what I said about him on my first day.

  I giggle and am about to thank him for cheering me up when I hear a familiar voice pipe up behind me.

  “Abs,” Brody says.

  My stomach tightens. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this until later today.

  “Let me know if you need me,” Jason says, slowly rising from the stool. He glances at Brody and they nod at each other as each goes their separate ways.

  Brody walks behind the counter and quickly kisses me on the cheek.

  I lean away from him. “How’s your mom?” I ask, fumbling for conversation.

  “She’s okay.” He pauses. “The question is, are you?”

  “Oh. Yeah. Fine.” I begin stacking some plates.

  “Abs, about last night—”

  I quickly interrupt him. “Look, thanks so much for all your help and training. But I think I’m going to take it from here on my own.”

  “Wait. What? Because of the slideshow? I already talked to Lexi and—”

  “Brody, it’s not just about Lexi. Sure, I was offended by what she did. But you know? I saw it coming and I tried to ignore it.” I continue stacking the plates.

  Brody grabs the plates from my hands. “She still shouldn’t have posted that pic.”

  “Yeah, we all do things we shouldn’t. She shouldn’t have posted that pic. You shouldn’t have ignored me after I ran out. And I shouldn’t have let you kiss me.” I grab the plates back from him. “Training together just wasn’t a good idea.”

  “What are you talking about?”
<
br />   I hold the plates up against my chest, then let my most recent discovery stream out. “Why didn’t you tell me I took your sister Mara’s spot?”

  “I didn’t think it mattered. It was my dad who wanted her to come back here anyway, not her, and I didn’t want to give you another reason not to let me train you.”

  “So you lied?” I squeeze the plates tighter.

  “Abs, it’s just that I thought that—”

  “Save it.” The plates clang as I drop them on the counter. I steady them with my hand and take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “Listen, Brody, I care about what’s going on with your mom. Really, I do. And I’m still so amazed by how much you’ve sacrificed to help her. But just because you’re a really nice guy—and you are, Brody, despite whatever happened last night …” My voice catches in my throat. I begin to tear up.

  “Yeah?” Brody says quietly, fear and worry in his voice.

  Tears slide down my cheeks. He reaches to brush them away and I jerk back, suddenly gaining strength. “I can’t do this.” I start to walk away.

  “Abs!” Brody yells out.

  “I’m sorry”—I sniffle—“but you’re just not the right guy for me.” I hold back the tears and turn on my heels. I don’t know where I’m headed, only that it’s not here.

  This time, Brody trails after me. “Abs, please. Let me explain.”

  “Brody, I’m begging you—don’t.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The next two weeks go by in a blur. And then suddenly, it’s the day of the Last Blast Competition.

  I can’t figure out how it’s happened, but miraculously I’ve managed to make it through without getting kicked off the team. I don’t know if it’s that no one’s told Denise—which I doubt—or the fact that Brody and I are no longer together (in any sense of the word) or that Denise is simply waiting for the right moment, but she still hasn’t said anything to me.

  Still, I’m not convinced that I’m in the clear.

  I’ve been wondering lately if my parents realize something’s up. I’ve hardly spoken to them since my blowup with Brody and they must have noticed that I haven’t exactly been seeing any friends.

  But I don’t have the time to worry about that. Every ounce of energy I possess is focused on winning the scholarship. I’m still desperate to change things at the club, but for now, I’ll just take what I can get.

  I arrive an hour and a half early for the competition, frantically hoping that Zoe is also already there. I spot her ankle deep in the ocean, chatting with Allison. She still hasn’t returned any of my texts and she ignores me every time she sees me at work. I’m desperate to get her to come around, and not only because we’re on the same team—the Malibu Mafia.

  I slowly wade through the water, steadying myself. “Can we talk?” I ask, interrupting her conversation.

  Zoe rolls her eyes. “Don’t you take a hint?”

  “Zo,” I plead.

  “I guess I better go,” Allison volunteers. I don’t know if she can tell how anxious I am to make things right with Zoe or if she just has better places to be, but I’m grateful for her quick departure.

  “Wait up, I’m coming with you,” Zoe calls out.

  “Zoe, don’t go,” I say earnestly.

  “Why shouldn’t I?” She starts to trail after Allison and I grab her hand, pulling her back.

  “Because you haven’t talked to me in weeks, not since the bonfire where I was humiliated. And you won’t return any of my calls or texts.” My volume escalates. “You at least owe me an explanation. Why are you ignoring me?!”

  “Me. Me. Me,” Zoe says in a squeaky voice.

  “What are you talking about?” A wave sprays my calves.

  “That’s all you care about this summer. Yourself!” Zoe shouts.

  “That’s all I care about? You’re the one who didn’t even thank me for saving her own father!” I shout back.

  “Don’t even go there. What about all the babysitting you were supposed to help me with this summer? Our business? But nooo … You were always busy with your super important life.”

  “Look, I get that you’re mad that I was busy training and couldn’t be there to babysit with you, but I did tell you that it would be tough juggling two jobs.”

  “And hanging out with Brody.” Zoe pretends to check her manicure.

  “And hanging out with Brody,” I concur.

  Zoe glances up at me, a look of satisfaction crossing her face. “Is that it? Are we done?”

  “No, we’re not. Not by a long shot.”

  Zoe crosses her arms as I soldier on.

  “I tried to call you over and over again after I saved your dad. But you never returned my calls.”

  Zoe yawns dramatically. “There you go again.”

  “Huh?” At this point, I’m lost.

  “Did it ever occur to you that maybe you shouldn’t have even left the club without first finding me? How you should have told me about my dad in person? Checked on me? Anything?”

  “It did, but—”

  “But you went off with Brody,” she says, spitting out his name.

  “I tried to see if you were okay ….”

  Zoe again rolls her eyes. “Best friends do more than call and text, Abby. But I guess you wouldn’t remember that.” She pauses and I can almost make out tears in her eyes. “Do you know how much you hurt me? It was my dad, Abby.”

  I’m tempted to reach out to hug her but I don’t think she’d like it. “Zoe, I’m sorry ….” She grimaces, setting me off. “Did you ever think that maybe something was bothering me and that’s why I was MIA so much?”

  “There Abby goes again. Me. Me. Me.” She stamps her feet, getting water all over us. “If it’s ‘thanks’ you’re looking for, thanks for being such an awesome BFF. Thanks for saving my dad. And thanks for finding the little girl who I babysit for.”

  I narrow my eyes, questioningly. “You’ve lost me ….”

  “That little girl who you reunited with her mom? Red hair? Loves pink? She’s one of the ones I babysit for.”

  “I didn’t know ….”

  “Of course, you didn’t. You don’t pay attention. Anyway, you rock. You won. Are you happy? Can I go now?” Zoe begins to walk back to shore.

  “You think I’ve won?” I whisper, shocked at what Zoe’s just told me.

  “What else would you call it?”

  “I’d call it being desperate to survive here. At the club, I mean.”

  Zoe sighs dramatically. “What are you talking about? You’re one of the best swimmers the club has ever seen. Not a good friend, but …”

  I place my hand on Zoe’s shoulder. She jerks away from me right away, but at least I still have her attention. “Zo, I realize I’ve been completely self-absorbed lately. And I apologize for that. But there’s a lot more at stake.”

  “I know. You’re insanely in love with Brody.” Zoe pretends to stick her finger down her throat. “Puke.”

  “A, Brody and I aren’t together anymore”—Zoe’s eyes widen at my big reveal, but she quickly regains her composure—“and b, this is about way more than any relationship that I may have previously been a part of.” I gulp, concentrating on Zoe. “You’ll never understand. I’m just not like you.”

  “I know. I’m not selfish.” Zoe dramatically places her hand on her chest.

  “I’m not like you because I don’t belong here.” Zoe gives me a confused look and I continue before she can bring up any more disagreements. “You’re a member. I’m not. You’ve gone to B-Dub your whole life. I just started. You get to replace your carpeting at a single drop of nail polish. I—”

  “Nail polish? That’s your big example?”

  “All I’m saying is that I don’t just work hard to win. I work hard to prove that I fit in.” I feel a hot tear leak from my eye. “You never have to worry about that.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Of course you fit in.” Zoe motions me to the shore and we start to walk over, together
this time. “You’re from Malibu. Your dad and brother are cops here.”

  “Exactly.” I pause. “Cops. How many girls do you know at Beachwood whose fathers are cops?”

  Zoe’s forehead furrows.

  “Do you think I like hearing about how ‘refreshing’ my knockoff clothes are? Or how I’ll sometimes have to say no to certain restaurants because I just can’t afford them? Or how about how I constantly have to listen to everyone’s exotic vacation plans when I’m almost always stuck at home? Not that I fault anyone—I want all of you guys to have all of that awesome stuff—I’m so thrilled for you. But it just gets upsetting after a while to always be the odd man out.” I come to a stop, then tell Zoe the final truth. “And sometimes I think that the only way to ever be one of you is to win.”

  “I never realized you felt that way.”

  I inhale deeply. “I do. I always have.”

  Zoe and I walk to a lounge chair to gather her stuff before we meet up with the rest of our competition team. “So you and Brody are over, huh?” she asks now that we’re on better terms.

  “Yeah, I ended it.” I grab a towel from the club’s shelves as we walk past.

  “Why would you do that?” Zoe dries off her feet.

  “It was always one thing after another ….” My voice trails off. “Still, I can’t figure out how Denise doesn’t know yet. Must be a modern miracle.”

  “It’s no miracle. The guards don’t rat each other out. It’s like an unwritten rule.”

  “Yeah, but why would anyone ever want to protect me? It sure didn’t seem like Lexi was going to keep her big mouth shut.” I stare at the shallow water.

  “You ever guess that you’re not the only one with a secret lover?”

  “I dunno …” My voice trails off. And for a few seconds there’s silence. Then I look up at Zoe. “Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you’ve clearly been mad at me for a long time—you stopped wearing your friendship necklace eons ago—and I didn’t see it before, but you must have felt like I betrayed you.”

  “Yeah, I did, actually.” She pauses, thinking. “But we’ve been friends for forever and I get it now—you had stuff of your own going on. And it was more than just about training and Brody. It was also about this stupid club that I’m a part of. So …”