The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer)

by Teresa Rae

“Alex doesn’t belong to you!”

  “I never said she did. However, I will not stay my hand the next time.”

  * * *

  Taking long, even strokes, my body slices through the water. The sound of cheering is muffled by my ear plugs and swim cap. My body and mind are on autopilot. I stay right with Jen, and we make the final turn. Jen quickens her pace, and I quicken mine. We have swum together for so long that we easily mirror each other’s movements. Stroke after stroke, we stay together. We both hit the wall. The audience goes wild.

  I pull out my earplugs.

  “Jenifer Marsh comes in first, closely followed by Alexandra Singer!” the loudspeaker announces.

  “We did it!” Jen screams and throws her arms around me. “Now we just have to do it for the relay!”

  Couch Jones throws us towels as we get out of the pool. Jen eagerly waves to her large cheering section of brothers. I smile at Gramps. He points to the Pedersens who are cheering so loudly from the top bleacher that the fans around them are plugging their ears and shooting them dirty looks.

  “Go get ready for the relay!” Coach says.

  We join the rest of the team in the trophy room, receiving celebratory pats on the back as we go. We pace the wall to keep our bodies limber for our next swim.

  “Alex, I just want to apologize again for my poor behavior earlier.” Jackson walks next to me. “I was a thoughtless jerk and would like to make it up to you. I would really like for you to join my family for dinner after the meet. My earlier invitation still stands.”

  “We already have plans.” Jen stretches her arms above her head.

  His brows furrow. “Don’t tell me that you’re going on a date with that German,” he says to me.

  His tone irks me, especially after what I overheard earlier.

  “First off, they’re Danish,” I say. “And second, they’re our friends, nothing more. I already told you that I don’t have time to date anyone.”

  “You seemed pretty cozy on the beach,” he says, accusatorily.

  “So what if they were? It’s not like it’s any of your business!” Jen snaps.

  “I’m just a concerned friend…”

  “Girls relay, we’re ready for you!” Coach Jones calls into the room.

  “Sorry Jackson, we’ve got to go.” Jen smirks as she pulls me from the room.

  * * *

  “That was a great meet!” Sven exclaims as he turns into the pizza joint. “I loved it when your relay team came in a half a pool’s length ahead of everyone else.”

  Jen laughs from the passenger seat. “That was pretty awesome, but I liked being on the podium with Alex, over and over again.”

  I take the medals from around my neck and throw them in my swim bag. “Frankly, I liked seeing Vanessa trying to worm her way to dinner with us, and Henrik telling her to go eat a steak. It was funny watching the gears churning in her brain as she tried to decide if he was complementing or insulting her.”

  “That is unusually spiteful for you,” Christian says.

  “Yeah, I might be more sympathetic if she hadn’t filled my swim cap with Crisco before the meet.” I throw my bag on the floor between my feet.

  “That’s why you were washing it out?” Jen turns and looks at me. “That little monster!”

  “What do you expect? She can’t beat you in the pool so she lashes out in the only way she knows how.” Sven puts the car in park. “Guys do the same thing. I’m expecting something terrible from Jackson anytime.”

  “Let him try.” Jen jumps out of the car. “I’ll deck him if he does anything to you.”

  Sven laughs merrily as Henrik gets out of the car.

  “Alexandra and I will be just a moment,” Christian says to his cousins. They frown at him.

  “We’ll order and save you a place.” Jen opens the door and pulls them into the pizzeria.

  “What’s wrong? I haven’t even complained about you guys buying pizza,” I say in confusion.

  “I noticed that. What brought about this sudden change of heart?” he asks in his beautiful accent.

  “I just decided that I’m not opposed to us being friends. The five of us get along really well, and it is more fun when we hang out together.”

  “You and I are more than just friends.” He pushes the button to release my seatbelt.

  “No, we’re not.” I change the subject. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

  “Actually, I wanted to ask you a question. I want to know why you let Jenifer win every time you race against her.”

  My eyes open wide, and I put a hand over his mouth. “Shhh, keep your voice down!” I growl.

  He gently removes my hand from his mouth. “Your actions just confirmed my suspicions. Why do you do it? I know my friends wouldn’t want me to purposefully lose to them.”

  “It’s none of your business, and if you say anything to her, I will deny it!” I snarl.

  “How can you deny it? Your relay times are faster than hers. There is nothing incompatible with being intelligent, beautiful, and athletic.”

  “I never said they were incompatible. I really wish you would mind your own business.”

  He raises an eyebrow, and I know he’s not going to let it go.

  I grumble, “You will never, and I mean never, speak a word of this to anyone.”

  He waits silently for me to continue.

  I take a deep breath. “I’m already receiving academic scholarship offers. I have been ever since I took the SAT last year. Even though Gramps and I don’t have any money, I’ll be able to pick and choose where I’m going to college. Jen’s only chance at college is an athletic scholarship. Her parents have seven children, and her dad is a teacher. There’s no way they can pay for her to go to school. I already know I’m going to college, I’m just trying to make sure she makes is there, too.”

  “What if she isn’t good enough for an athletic scholarship and you’ve done all this for nothing?”

  “I’ve kept up with the state records and standings for the past three years. Jen is so competitive that she swims slightly ahead of me during practice. I’ve gradually increased my speed, and she’s now breaking records every time we swim together. She will have schools knocking at her door before the end of the season.”

  “You are a very good friend,” he says, quietly.

  I shake my head. “No, she’s the good friend. You saw what she did for me today at the beach. She’s always there when I need her, no questions asked. Getting her to college is a very small thing compared to what she’s done for me.”

  He is silent.

  “Remember that you promised you wouldn’t tell anyone,” I demand.

  Christian tenderly lifts my hand off my lap and takes it in his. The warmth emanating from his white glove surprises me. The fact that I don’t pull away surprises me even more. There is something comforting about his hand surrounding mine.

  “I promise not to tell,” he says.

  “Hey, are you two coming?” Jen yells out the door. “This nasty seafood pizza is getting cold!”

  I pull my hand away, and he follows me into the restaurant.

  5

  Grounded

  Monday morning begins normal enough. I ride to school with the Pedersens and train with the swim team. It is on my way to first period that I first became aware that everyone is whispering as I walk by. I keep my head down as I walk into Calculus. The room silences the moment the other students see me.

  “Dan, how are you feeling?” I ask, happy to see him up and about. I try to ignore the stares while I take a seat.

  “My head’s a little sore, but I’m feeling much better. Thanks for the cookies and card you brought by,” he says.

  “You’re welcome. I’m happy that you’re feeling better,” I say, opening my book. “Did you two get all your homework done?”

  They nod silently.

  “I had a little trouble on number seventeen. What did you guys get?”

  “I got 37y,” K
yle finally finds his tongue. He clears his throat. “Alex, can I have your autograph?” he asks. He pulls a magazine out of his backpack and hands it to me.

  It is the latest issue of Vogue. I nearly scream when I see myself on the cover. I am lying in the sand in my dark green bikini.

  “Where did you get this?” I barely whisper.

  “I saw it at the gas station. At first I didn’t think it was you, but there’s like twenty pictures of you inside. Everyone’s trying to get one. They’re selling out all over the village.”

  My hands tremble as I put the magazine on my desk.

  “There’s got to be some kind of mistake.” Gramps face flashes in my mind. “I’ve got to go,” I mumble as I get up.

  “Miss Singer, class is ready to begin,” Mrs. Smith says as I nearly run in her. I wordlessly leave the room.

  The village is a blur as I run home as fast as I can. I never guessed that Colin would actually use the photos of an awkward seventeen-year-old. I thought I had ruined the shoot, but I was the shoot. He wasn’t disappointed with me. He was disappointed with everyone else. I reprimand myself for being so stupid!

  I am panting heavily when I reach my house. Opening the door, I hope I can be the one to break the news to Gramps.

  “Oh, Alex!” Peggy exclaims from the living room. She throws her arms around me. “Congratulations! I’ve said for a long time that there isn’t anyone as beautiful as our Alex Singer! Now everyone knows it!”

  “Thank you for the magazine, Peggy,” Gramps says from his seat. His lips are down turned.

  “I bought ten of them!” She giggles. “I better go open the shop! I’m going to be calling my friends all day!”

  She shuts the door behind her.

  “Alexandra, what were you thinking?” Gramps asks quietly. “I trusted you when you told me you had gotten the money from a tourist, and then I find you’re on the cover of Vogue?”

  “I just wanted to help,” I say. “You can’t work without your truck and it was just a few photos. I thought that maybe they were for the JC Penny Catalog, not Vogue.”

  “You’re under eighteen. How can they use them?” His voice remains hushed.

  “I forged your signature.” I put my head down.

  “Go to your room while I sort this out and decide your punishment.”

  I spend the next couple hours watching the ocean from my window. I know that I’m in serious trouble. I lied and forged Gramps’ signature. While I’m waiting, I decide that whatever punishment he gives me will be worth keeping the truck and having the strong, double-pane windows. I will take my punishment, without complaint, because I deserve it, and because I’m grateful I was able to help him in a small way.

  “Alexandra, please come to the kitchen,” Gramps calls.

  The walk feels especially long considering I’ve never lied to Gramps before.

  “Someone has been very naughty,” Colin says in a bright pink leisure suit from the kitchen table. He isn’t alone.

  “Alex, you could have gotten us all in a lot of trouble,” Becky says in a dress suit next to him. The two look completely out of place in our kitchen.

  “I’m really sorry,” I say as I sit down. “I kind of thought it was a joke that someone would want to photograph me, but we needed the money, so I did it. I didn’t understand.”

  “We’re partially to blame,” Becky pats my hand across the table. “We’re used to dealing with adults with pushy agents, not teenagers. We should have personally talked with your grandfather.”

  “We’re all a little to blame,” Gramps adds. “Now the question is; where do we go from here? I have looked at the photos and found them tasteful. I am grateful that Alex worked with reputable professionals, but I don’t know what this means.” He holds up the Vogue issue.

  “That’s a hard question to answer,” Becky says. “The cover means different things to different people, but to Alex it means that everyone will recognize her wherever she goes.”

  “Yes, we’ve been receiving calls from all over the world wanting to work with our darling, Alex. “ Colin smiles at me. “You’ve been named one of the most beautiful people in the world.”

  “Do all photo shoots pay two thousand dollars?” I ask.

  “Alex, I paid you two thousand just to show up. Your fee was higher than that. It was placed in your bank account this morning.”

  “Not thinking about the money, is modeling something you would want to do again?” Becky asks.

  “I do think about the money,” I say.

  “Did you like the modeling aspect?” Becky presses for an answer.

  I think for a moment. “I didn’t like the other models, but I liked working with Colin. He didn’t make it feel like work. It felt like I was getting paid a lot of money to hang out at the beach.”

  Becky smiles at me. “As you’re only seventeen, I have a suggestion.”

  * * *

  After lunch, Gramps drives me back to school. I dash to English because I’m about ten minutes late. I cringe as I open the door. The class goes silent.

  “Ah, Miss Singer,” Mr. White says. “Please take your seat. We were just discussing A Tale of Two Cities.”

  I hand him my excuse note from the office, and sit in my normal seat between Kyle and Dan. I peek at Christian as Mr. White talks about the reading assignment. As usual, he is staring at me. When we make eye contact, he holds it until I turn away.

  Jen catches up with me between classes as I finish signing Kyle’s magazine. “I knew it!” she says. “It’s all everyone’s talking about!”

  “I wish they’d quit talking about it. It’s not that big of deal.”

  “Alex, you’re on the cover of Vogue! It’s a huge deal!” She suddenly thinks of something. “How did Gramps take it?”

  “I’m grounded for a month, without TV or phone privileges.”

  “Brutal,” Jen shakes her head.

  “Yeah, and you’re in trouble for helping with the cover up. Your mom isn’t going to be happy to see you after school.”

  “Thanks for the heads up.” She runs her fingers through her short hair. “I’ve got to get to class. I figure I better toe the line.”

  As I walk to Chemistry, I try to ignore all the points and whispers directed at me.

  “You think you’re really special, don’t you?” Vanessa says to me from her locker. “You’re still just white trash with a pretty face!”

  “I don’t see anyone knocking down your door,” Jackson joins us. “Even after all those modeling classes Mom and Dad paid for.”

  “Brother, you have terrible tastes in girls,” she glares at me before stomping away.

  “Alex…wow!” he says to me. “Everyone knew you were pretty, but you’ve left me speechless.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t be late for class,” I duck into the Chemistry Lab.

  There is an assignment on the board. The class has already begun pulling out their equipment. Kyle and Dan are working together and Christian is waiting for me at the table next to Henrik and Sven. He already has our equipment and chemicals arranged. There is a beaker boiling on the Bunsen burner.

  “You’re late,” he says to me.

  “What are you, the tardiness police? I got caught by Jackson,” I put down my book and put on my safety glasses.

  “I assume he wanted to congratulate you?” His voice is unusually icy.

  “Yes,” I reply just as frosty.

  “Is that what you want from me?” he asks.

  I’m not sure what I want him to say. I’m still confused to whether I should feel embarrassed or flattered to be a cover girl.

  “I feel badly about not telling you. I’m sorry,” I say truthfully. I do feel badly about not telling him sooner since he was the one to pick me up in Portland.

  “So am I,” he says. “I wish you would have told me about the windows earlier, and I could have given you the money to replace them.”

  “I don’t want your money,” I say, insulted. “I’m not a
n object to be bought!”

  “I wasn’t implying…”

  “Boys are all the same! They think they can solve all your problems, and when they do, they think they own you! I had a problem, and I solved it the only way I knew how!”

  “Alexandra, I wasn’t criticizing you,” he says calmly. “I simply worry about Jackson’s reaction. He will undoubtedly increase his attentions on you, and I worry about what this will mean for your future”

  “Christian, you hardly know me. You shouldn’t be worrying about my future.”

  “What are you talking about?” He smiles. “We’ve been on four dates.”

  “You can’t possibly count them as dates. We were just hanging out.”

  “Then go on an official date with me.” He adds more chemicals to our beaker.

  “Sorry, even if I wanted to, I’m not going anywhere for a month. Gramps grounded me for the photo shoot.”

  “And well he should! Traveling to Portland to have an unknown photographer take pictures of you was extremely dangerous. I shudder to think of you there by yourself.”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t one of my brighter moments,” I agree. “I deserve to be grounded.”

  * * *

  That day I have to escape out a side door with the help of Jen and the Pedersens to avoid the mass of journalists waiting at the front doors. We ride with the top up to avoid any attention in the village.

  “This is crazy,” Jen says when she sees the journalists in front of my house. “Why don’t you come to my house?”

  “I’m grounded,” I open the door. Christian hands me a pair of sunglasses, and I start for the house.

  “Alex!” the reporters call. Flashes frenzy. Countless microphones are thrust in my face as I’m bombarded with questions. I ignore them all.

  “Get off my property before I charge you all with trespassing!” Gramps yells from the doorway.

  “What is Alex’s next project?” someone asks.

  “Alex will only work with Colin Wright! Go ask him!” Gramps shields me from the cameras as he closes and locks the door behind us.

  * * *

  With the announcement that I would only work with Colin, the media shift their interest to him. This was the plan all along. Unfortunately, I start getting plenty of attention from other places. It seems all the boys in the school have asked me to the homecoming dance. I am grateful that I’m grounded and can’t attend.