Underwater

by Doe, Anna B.

  “Tonight then.” I return his grin. In the end, shyness takes over, so I make myself turn around and walk back to Noel.

  “What the hell just happened?” she asks me as soon as I sit down.

  “I went big,” I mumble, still not believing I actually did it.

  I asked Taylor Reed on a date.

  A freaking date.

  My whole body shivers in anticipation. If I weren’t in the middle of the school cafeteria I’d probably do a happy dance.

  “Went big how?” Noel looks at me with curiosity in her eyes. Curiosity and something else.

  Admiration maybe?

  “And how big are we talking?”

  “I asked him to the movies. We’re going tonight.”

  “You…” Her mouth hangs open, shock written on her face. I don’t know what surprised her more. The fact that I asked Taylor out, or the fact that he said yes. Because honestly, I still can’t believe either of those things happened.

  “Yes.” I nod my head, smiling widely. “We’re going on a date.”

  “Now what?”

  “Now…” I look at her, the whole situation finally settling in my brain. What the hell do I do now? “What do I do now, Noel?”

  I look at my best friend expectantly. You’d think she has all the knowledge in the world, or a glass ball like those charlatan witches during the fairs who can give me some answers about my future.

  “How do I make him fall in love with me? I tried googling it, but the advice that came up was so lame. Just be yourself. Be kind. Smile. I’m doing all that, and he doesn’t even know I’m in the same universe as him, much less that I’m even a girl!”

  Noel purses her lips, thinking. “Maybe that’s the problem.”

  “What is?”

  “He’s so used to seeing you as a friend. Maybe you should try being more of a girl.”

  “And do what?”

  A Cheshire cat smile spreads over my best friend’s lips as she wiggles her brows. “It’s time for a makeover.”

  “This is so not what I had in mind when I asked you for help.” I look at my reflection in a full-length mirror that’s next to the door that leads to the balcony.

  “Do you like it?”

  I look myself over critically. There’s no worst enemy than yourself, but I actually like what I see in the mirror.

  After school, Noel dragged me to the closest mall, which is more than an hour away from here. We spent the afternoon in the hair salon where I got my hair cut, something that was long overdue, and we both had our nails done. The hairdresser even went as far as curling my hair into soft beach waves.

  With freshly painted nails―I picked light, mint green and Noel went with bold, hot pink―she dragged me to a few shops and boutiques where she made me try on dresses and skirts.

  Now, it’s not like I never wear dresses because I do. Sometimes. But these dresses are so girly. Revealing and sexy.

  The materials are silky, in different colors and patterns. They hug my curves, giving special attention to my decent-sized breasts, narrow waist and round hips. At five feet five, I don’t have long legs, but they are toned and tanned from all the time on the beach. All the dresses and skirts reach mid-thigh, showing off a decent amount of skin.

  The dress I’m currently wearing is white with a light yellow flower pattern. The light colors make my tanned skin stand out. Or maybe it’s the other way around.

  The upper part is skintight on the front, and thin strips hold the material in the back, leaving most of my skin bare and making wearing a bra impossible. Noel even wanted me to wear high heels, but I was drawing a line at that. My trusty flip-flops will do just fine.

  “I do,” I admit, still transfixed with my reflection.

  I’m digging the whole wavy hair. It gives the look a touch of softness. Makes me look vulnerable and almost shy. I didn’t put on much make-up. Just a little bit of mascara and pink lip gloss and I was ready to go.

  “You should. It looks so good on you! I don’t know why you don’t dress like this more often.”

  Noel has always been the girly-girl in our pair. I like to dress up occasionally, but usually stick to shorts and tank tops. I consider myself dressed up if I wear jean shorts and a cute shirt.

  “It’s just easier this way.” I shrug. “I should probably go. I don’t want to be late.”

  Our town is too small to have a movie theater, so we always have to go over to the next town.

  “Ty’s not picking you up?”

  I nibble at my lower lip, nervousness returning in full swing. What if he changed his mind? What if I get to the movie theater and he’s not there?

  “He texted he’ll meet me there since he went surfing again after school.”

  Slowly, Noel nods her head. “Text me when you get back, okay? I want to hear everything!”

  Marissa

  The theater is packed once I get there. I could barely find a decent place to park, but finally I snatched a spot just as somebody was leaving.

  I look around the busy lobby. My eyes scan the space searching for a tall guy with a mop of messy blond hair. With every face that isn’t Ty’s, my stomach sinks further down.

  Did he ditch me? Will I stand here waiting for him while other people go into the theater and watch the movie?

  Ty wouldn’t do that. He’s kind and caring…

  I turn around and bump into a hard chest. Blushing bright red, I lift my head. “I’m so sor―”

  Words get stuck in my throat when my eyes reach the face of the person I crashed into. High cheekbones. Square jaw. Mesmerizing brown-green eyes. Full lips. And that damn piercing.

  “Caleb…” His name comes out like a pant.

  Those hypnotizing eyes settle on me. Not one muscle softens as he stares right into my eyes. My cheeks burn even brighter from his hard stare, but it holds me hostage and I can’t look away.

  “Risa.”

  As soon as I hear Taylor’s voice I try to turn around, but the strong hands that landed on my shoulders to steady me when we collided don’t let go. If it’s even possible, the grip they have on me grows stronger.

  My eyes find Caleb’s again. His face is impassive, a cold mask that doesn’t reveal a thing. I have no idea what I’m looking for, but whatever it is, I know I won’t find it.

  His fingers caress my skin as he, somewhat reluctantly, lets go, his hands falling to his sides. As soon as they’re gone, my skin aches for him to return them to where they were, but I shove that silly wish deep down inside.

  What the hell is happening to me?

  What is it about this guy? One look from him and I’m an unnerved mess. One touch and I melt under his hands. One whisper from his sinful lips and I’m a lunatic spiraling out of control.

  Gripping my hands into hard fists, I plaster a smile on my face before I turn around to look at the boy for whom I’m doing all of this. The boy I need to make fall in love with me so I can break this curse and finally get what I’ve wanted all these years.

  “Ty.” I smile as I look at him. “You came.”

  He looks handsome in his jean shorts and blue T-shirt that makes his eyes stand out. His blond hair is slightly damp―from surfing or a shower―and it looks like he dragged his fingers through it before giving it the okay and leaving.

  “Of course I did.” Ty grins his famous, crooked smile that makes the girls melt from the inside out, and I’m no exception. “I didn’t know when you’d get here, so I decided to go and buy us our tickets.”

  This is really happening!

  My smile widens and I want to squeal loudly, but I get my excited self under control. “That’s so ni… wait, us?”

  “Yo, Ty! Caleb! Care to give me a hand?” An obnoxiously loud voice draws our attention.

  Ty looks over his shoulder. He sighs, giving me an apologetic smile. “I should…” He gestures in the general direction of Robert, one of his surf buddies who goes to our school.

  I nod my head in understanding and watch h
im go. He grabs snacks in both of his hands while Rob grabs the drinks. They laugh over something as they come back to me.

  When he notices me, Rob takes me in from head to toe. My cheeks start to heat under his watchful eyes, self-consciousness washing over me.

  “Marissa, looking good.” Rob whistles when he finally gets to my face.

  “Leave the poor girl alone, Marshall.” Caleb stands next to me, his hands crossed over his chest.

  His body heat slams into me, and I can feel myself shiver.

  How did I forget he’s still here?

  Why is he still here?

  I want to die from embarrassment.

  Rob is generally a nice guy. A jokester. He’s like a little kid in a grown-up body. Lean and tall. Taller than both Ty and Caleb. His dark brown hair is cropped close to his scalp, and his brown eyes always twinkle with mischief. But he’s also loud and sometimes crude.

  Robert lifts his full hands up in surrender. “Chill, man. Just noticing. Nothing more.”

  “You both better chill. You invited your sorry asses,” Ty shoots an apologetic look my way. “Are you good to go?”

  I scan the boys around me, and when my eyes come to Caleb, I see him lift his brow in question. That simple, almost invisible movement on his stone hard face mocks me.

  It’s like he can read my mind and knows exactly what I’m thinking at this moment.

  My cheeks start to heat again, and I have to bite into my lower lip to stop it from wobbling.

  How did I even think this would be a date? That it would be just the two of us? Taylor never said anything about a date. They’re all probably wondering why I am the only girl with them watching this stupid movie.

  I bend my head forward, hiding behind my wavy hair, trying to compose myself.

  Why did I listen to Noel and go to the salon? Buy this silly, girly dress… it’s not like he noticed it anyway.

  I want to kick myself in the ass for being so presumptuous and then run away and hide. But I don’t. It would be super weird and just confirm what everybody else apparently knows―I’m in love with Taylor Reed and he’s too clueless to notice it. Instead, I plaster a smile on my face before I lift my head to look at Ty.

  “Let’s go!” I say cheerily.

  Throughout the whole movie, I could feel the tension in the air. Or maybe it’s just my nerves. I got stuck sitting between Caleb and Ty with Rob on Taylor’s other side. Usually I love Avengers. Seeing all the Marvel heroes in one place is Epic with capital E, but I can’t concentrate. My mind wanders, questions and doubts not leaving me in peace to concentrate on what’s happening on the screen. I’m self-conscious and jumpy.

  Just as I settled into my seat, my elbow brushed against Ty’s and I jumped out of the chair and right into Caleb’s arms. And then I jumped again because I could feel his hard, warm chest pressed against my naked back and a zap of electricity run down my whole body.

  I don’t know what’s happening with me. I’m a hot mess.

  After that, I did my best to blend in with the chair and paid special attention not to touch anybody anymore.

  That made it even harder to concentrate on the movie. The guys, however, seemed to enjoy it. Rob couldn’t stop commenting between shoving handfuls of popcorn into his mouth.

  Around the end of the movie, my skin started to itch again. I guess my mermaid half wanted to let me know it’s time for a swim. It’s so irritating and distracting. So distracting, I almost missed a loud gasp that spread around the theater. In that moment, I decided to call it quits. I didn’t even care anymore about what was happening on the screen. I’ll have to re-watch this movie again anyway. And next time alone so I can fully concentrate on my favorite heroes.

  The credits finally rolled, and I wanted to jump in excitement. This day has been a complete disaster and a waste of time.

  Not only did Taylor bring his friends on what I assumed was our date, but I also missed the entire movie because I was so preoccupied with the whole situation. And let me tell you, you don’t get preoccupied when you watch Marvel movies.

  “This was…” Rob drags as we walk out of the theater. His face is still in a complete state of shock.

  Ty shakes his head as Caleb grunts something behind my back. We’ve been going to school together all our lives, and of course I know he and Ty are friends. Which is strange because they’re complete opposites.

  One is light and the other is dark. One is always happy and the other one broody. Ty is open and kind-hearted, while Caleb is closed off and silent. The only thing I’ve noticed they have in common is surfing.

  “What did you think of the movie, Risa?” Ty looks at me, waiting for my answer.

  “It was…” I was too preoccupied to pay attention so I have no idea, but thank you for asking. “Good.”

  They all give me a skeptical look. And I can’t even blame them. You don’t call yourself a Marvel fan and say the movie was just plain “good”.

  “I think I should go home,” I finally say, lightly scratching my forearm.

  Or better yet, for a swim and then home. I’m so done with this day.

  “You drove here alone?”

  “Yeah, my car is close by,” I answer, pointing in the general direction of where I parked. “I managed to snatch a place when another car was pulling out.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay driving home alone?” Ty looks at the dark sky and almost empty parking lot, a worried expression on his face. “It’s really dark. I’d go with you, but I drove the guys so…”

  I feel my heart melt at his thoughtfulness. There is no way anybody can stay mad at this guy for long. His goodness and sincerity won’t allow it.

  “It’s okay. I can go by myself. It’s not the first time…”

  “I’ll go with her,” a low voice murmurs behind me.

  I turn on the balls of my feet and look at Caleb’s impassive face. It doesn’t reveal a thing.

  “There is no need…” I start, but neither of them spares me a look.

  “You sure, man?”

  “Yeah, we’re going in the same direction anyway.” He turns to look at me, finally acknowledging my presence. “You’ll drop me off, right, Marissa?”

  There’s something about the way he says my name. It almost seems like a curse and caress at the same time. A warning and a prayer.

  My eyes scan the group around me.

  “I guess I will.”

  Not like I have much of a choice, now do I?

  Marissa

  Caleb is not the chattiest of people. He’s quiet. Always standing in the shadows. Observing. Listening. I can feel his presence behind me, his body heat. That’s how close he is to me. And I can feel it in every cell of my body.

  As soon as we get into my Prius, I turn on the radio. There is no way I can sit in this agonizing silence for almost an hour.

  One of those popular top 40 pop tunes is on, not my favorite but it’s better than nothing. Old rock bands are more up my alley.

  Caleb slides into the seat next to me, squeezing his tall frame into the small space. If I weren’t so self-conscious about the whole situation I’d probably laugh, but since I am, I hold it in as I start the car and pull out of the parking lot.

  The drive home is awkward. To say the least.

  For a while, we drive in silence, music our only companion.

  I can feel his eyes on me every now and then. It feels almost like he, just like me, can’t avert them. He tries to look away, concentrate on the dark road in front of us, but his eyes keep sliding my way.

  There is something about Caleb Lawrence… something that pulls me to him, just like two opposite sides of a magnet attract.

  I don’t even have to look his way to know it. Every time those colorful eyes settle on me, I can feel his stare.

  The fire in his eyes.

  The curiousness.

  “I see it,” Caleb murmurs.

  His voice is low and raspier than usual.

  Husky.

&nbs
p; I glance his way before returning my eyes back to the road. “See what?”

  “The way you look at him.”

  “Who?” I decide to play dumb, but he knows. We both do.

  From the corner of my eye, I can see him raise his brows in question, his full lips curling into a smirk.

  “You wouldn't be able to hide it even if you tried,” Caleb continues, ignoring my question. “You have one of those faces that reveals everything. Every emotion. Every thought. It just takes somebody to look at your face to figure out all your secrets.”

  His words make me worry my lower lip, but I decide not to give in to his taunting, so I fire back. “Does this mean you look at me, Caleb?”

  Unforgiving eyes catch mine and don’t let go.

  Bump-bump.

  Bump-bump.

  I continue looking forward, doing my best to concentrate on the road. But there is no way I can ignore his piercing, hot gaze.

  “I see you Marissa.” His words are a hushed whisper. Their raspiness crawls over my skin, making me squirm in my seat. The gooseflesh rises on my naked arms.

  It's the way he says my name. He always calls me Marissa. The name rolls in his mouth before it falls off his lips, caressing me. The way he looks at me... unnerving yet exciting. It's hard to concentrate on other things when he looks at me like that.

  I see you, Marissa.

  What is that supposed to mean? What does he see exactly? A girl who’s unequivocally in love with one of his friends? A classmate? Just a girl? Or... does he see something else? Something strange? Something not human?

  Whatever it is, I won't figure it out. He, in contrast to me, is good at keeping whatever is inside of him hidden away. Always in control of his emotions and expressions, revealing only the things he wants the world to see.

  I lift my chin in defiance, although there’s not much of it left inside of me. “You see me? Should I clap or something?”

  He chuckles, the light sound filling the small space inside the car. He recognizes my bravado for what it is, just an illusion I try to put between us to appear stronger, more confident.