by S. L. Giger
‘It’s so early.’ Eric protested.
‘I’m kind of tired.’ I said. I wanted to be in shape for the game, to make a good impression. ‘But I might have some interesting stories to tell tomorrow evening.’
‘Can’t wait to hear them.’
I slept like a baby that night. No worries and only sweet thoughts in anticipation of the next day on my mind.
Chapter 3
I was not surprised to see that the beach was already very crowded with families and younger teenagers when I arrived in the morning. People of my age most likely stayed out late the night before and did not care too much about the activities which were going on down here during the day.
It already looked like it would become a beautiful day. There was not one cloud in the sky. Maybe it would even get hot enough that we could dare to jump into the water.
As I was a little early, Fiona was not there yet. Suddenly the idea came to my mind that she might not come at all. Perhaps she had changed her mind. I tried to push this thought aside, and instead signed us in and picked up our game schedule. Our first game was at half past ten, so there would still be a bit of time for warming up. If she came, that was. I watched some other couples passing a volleyball between them. Then I checked my watch again. 5 minutes late already. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, which I always did when I was nervous.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally saw her stumble across the sand, the strap of a sports bag over her right shoulder, this time wearing flip flops, short pants, a tank top and sunglasses. She was alone, which made my stomach do a somersault but I did not want to count my chickens before they hatched, since her friends or even worse; Ryan could show up later.
Her hair was tied in a ponytail again. When she spotted me, she smiled.
‘Phew, hey, am I late? I am sorry, I had to drop off my little sister at the soccer field and should have calculated a little more time for that.’ She put her bag on the ground and pulled her ponytail tighter.
‘It’s okay to have to wait a little for a beautiful woman.’
She blushed slightly but then firmly said: ‘Just to be clear, for this day to work, you are not allowed to flirt with me.’
‘I can’t promise anything and in case it happens again, I surely don’t mean anything bad by it. By the way, this is our timetable.’ I changed the topic.
‘Sweet, thanks for getting it. When is our first game?’ She took the sheet from my hand and studied it.
Then we searched for a place where we could leave our bags.
‘So, you have a sister? How old is she?’ I asked.
‘Yes, 14, and a rather energetic and annoying little bundle.’ She readjusted the strap of the bag on her shoulder.
‘You seem quite active as well.’ I remarked.
‘Well, yes, but I put my energy into sport only and not into yelling and being loud at home. Do you have any siblings?’
‘No but I have a dog. Sometimes I feel like he understands me better than any human could.’
‘Yes, I know what you mean. I always wanted a cat but my dad hates them and so we never got one.’
We dropped the bags at the edge of our first field. A game was going on already and so we couldn’t warm up on that space but that did not matter. Fiona produced a volleyball out of her bag and we started to pass it back and forth a few feet aside from the field.
‘Perhaps, I should have told you yesterday, that I haven’t played volleyball in a long time.’ I said and passed the ball back to her.
‘Well, so far so good. You haven’t made a fool of yourself yet.’ She laughed. ‘But same here. For me, this is more about the fun and being outdoors.’
‘But you are a quite a competitive person, aren’t you?’ I asked.
‘I am but I can make a difference between what is worth to be competitive about and what not.’
‘Ah intelligent and aspiring.’ I said in a praising tone.
She caught the ball and raised an eyebrow.
‘What?’ I looked at her straight-faced.
She shook her head. ‘Nothing.’ And played the ball back to me.
The referee blew the whistle and we placed ourselves on our side. I did not know our opponents. Neither did Fiona. They were about in their thirties. The woman was unnaturally tanned in fancy new sports clothes and the man looked more like a couch potato. The opening whistle was blown and we could start with the serve because our names were listed on top. While it was not very hard to attain points against the other couple, the game was very entertaining. The woman was practically standing at the same spot like a pole the whole time shouting commands at her spouse, who was tripping after the ball all over the field. Sometimes Fiona and I could only grin at each other and shake our heads.
The game was over when we reached 21 points. For the two of us, this game was good to get used to each other as a team. We even had a few nice passes. As we had another match on the same field right after this game, we could stay there. We drank some water and she ate an apple.
I took off my shirt because even if I did not have to move a lot in the game before, it was getting pretty warm. Fiona was still wearing her yellow tank top and black hot pants but I could see the strings of her bikini under the shirt. We talked a little about school and track but there was not much time until our next opponents showed up.
You could see that this game was going to be much tougher. This couple was only a little older than we were, moreover they looked very sportive. The man was also only wearing bathing shorts and he had a visible six-pack. I wished I hadn’t taken off my shirt. My body clearly wasn’t built as well as his was. I glanced at Fiona who directed her concentration at the woman who was about to serve for the first time.
The ball flew so fast that even though we attempted a slight jump, none of us could catch it. The other couple high-fived each other. ‘Ace!’.
Fiona looked at me and I shrugged. ‘I guess we have to put some effort into this now.’ I said.
It was quite exhausting and after a while, even Fiona became too hot to keep her shirt on. I swallowed hard, took a long breath and all of a sudden became very eager in examining the ball. How could one girl look so damn good?! She was svelte but not too thin and she probably knew why she bought this green bikini top because it fitted her perfectly. Having her in my vision somehow made me lose my muscle control and I served the ball directly into the net.
‘Ugh, sorry.’ I ran my hand through my hair.
‘No worries. My wrists are not used to this. I kind of wish for an ice pack.’ She rubbed her wrists which had the consequence that her boobs were slightly squeezed together and looked even better. I rubbed my eyes and stared to the opposite side of the net. This time, I caught the ball and played it high in front of the net, so that Fiona could jump and smash it down to the ground on the opposite half of the field. Score!
‘Now that is what I call a good interaction.’ I yelled.
‘Yes!’ My team mate was so happy that she came and gave me a hug. I swear my heart skipped a beat when she did that. I grinned at her and she grinned back, her eyes sparkling. At least that time my huge smile was appropriate, the others did not have to know that the score was not the only reason for it.
When the ending whistle blew because they reached 21 points we congratulated them.
‘Oh well, was still fun though, wasn’t it?’ I said to her when we were back at our bags.
‘Yes, we had some great interactions! Sometimes we could even keep up with them.’ She gave me a beautiful smile. ‘But what are they doing at a game like this anyway. They are pros and should play in the real league and not here with us ordinary people.’
‘I’m curious who else we will encounter today but now I’m ready for a break.’
‘Yes, me too.’ She rubbed her wrists again. ‘Good that our next game isn’t until later.’
‘Let me see your arms.’ I held out my hand. She held her hands palms up so that I saw that
her arms had some traces of yellow.
‘Ouch, yes, in my professional opinion as a sports doctor I’d say you need some cooling sea water on them.’
‘You want to go into the water now?’ She made an incredulous face. ‘It’s October!’ She exclaimed.
‘But it’s summerlike warm, so why not?’ I made a few steps towards the water. ‘Come on!’
‘You first.’
I bolted to the water. It was colder than I had expected. Too late, I already dove. When I reached the surface I saw that Fiona was still standing only with her feet in the water.
‘Come on, it is not as bad as it feels at the first moment,’ I yelled.
She carefully advanced one step but then waited again, immobile.
Thus, I waded back to her. I took her left hand and pressed her wrist against my cold upper arm. Her skin was soft and warm.
‘Oh, my personal ice pack.’ She smiled.
‘Does it feel better now?’ I asked, feeling an agreeable warmth spread over my body from where her skin touched mine.
‘Yes, it does. My other wrist needs some help as well.’ She held it against my other arm. We were standing pretty close now. I didn’t dare to breathe, and my heart pounded very fast again.
She laughed shyly, took a step back and tucked some hair behind her ears.
Could it be that this was a sign of nervousness on her side as well? My breath returned to normal. ‘I think I could use a warm towel now.’ I said.
‘Good idea.’
I lay down and rested while Fiona sat up and wrapped herself in her towel.
‘By the way, thank you for coming today. You did not have had to do that.’ She said.
‘My pleasure. I wanted to play and I am having a lot of fun.’
‘Yeah, me too,’ and then she added in a more serious tone, ‘Ryan behaved like such an idiot yesterday. I am really glad you came.’
‘Well, it’s Ryan’s loss. I wouldn’t miss a second I could spend with such a beautiful woman.’
‘You are sweet.’ She smiled.
‘Topic switch, are you also hungry? Do you want to get a bite to eat?’ I asked.
‘Now that you mention it, I am starving.’
Consequently, we put some clothes on and went to the food stand paradise.
‘When did you start running?’ I asked her.
‘Hm, I don’t remember. My mum likes to jog, and I accompanied her as a child already. At school, I always did sports that involved running, and in high school, it showed that this might be my chance to receive a scholarship.’
‘Good for you. I started with track in 9th grade. I enjoy it a lot but above all because it gives me a reason to go outdoors. I used to take Brownie, my dog, on a daily run but now he is too old.’
‘What else do you like to do?’ She asked.
‘I’m good with my hands. I like to fix or build things. I can spend weekends fixing my neighbor’s lawn mower or if you have a piece of IKEA furniture, I gladly put it together for you.’
‘Ah, good to know.’ She said. ‘And what do your parents do?’
‘My mom works as a secretary at the court. My dad used to be a constructing engineer but he died when I was two.’
‘Oh, no, I’m sorry.’ She furrowed her brow.
‘It’s okay.’ I didn’t want her pity. ‘I was too young to know him. Plus, I don’t feel like I missed out on anything. You always hear other people say, father and son bonding is important, it builds character, blah, blah.’ I snorted. ‘I learnt how to make a fire or how to set up a tent at boy scouts. And with the help of my friends and my family I turned out pretty fine I’d say.’
‘Yes, I think so, too.’ I detected another sparkle in her brown eyes.
In the afternoon we had three more games. In the first one, the strength of our opponents was about the same as ours. However, Fiona seemed to be a little more relaxed than in the morning and with every point, we high-fived each other or even hugged. When we won, I lifted her up.
‘Woohoo.’ She yelled and laughed.
The second game continued in a similar manner and again, we won.
‘Wow, if this continues like that we might have a chance of winning something today!’ She exclaimed.
‘My main prize is to be here with you.’ I smiled.
‘You just can’t stick to the rule of not flirting, can you?’ She flicked her hand down my chest but smiled.
For the last game, we didn’t have enough power anymore after all and lost that one.
‘So, what now?’ I asked.
‘Well, now we wait for the award ceremony! We still have quite a good track record, so who knows.’ She answered.
I didn’t mind at all, that my time with her wasn’t over yet. How would I get her to see me again though?
For once, luck was on my side because at the award ceremony predictably our second opponents were the big winners but guess what? Fiona and I made 3rd place and we received a small prize in the form of a voucher for a special “lover’s sundae” at Giovanni’s Ice Palace.
‘Well, I guess now we have to see each other again. Bummer.’ I pressed my lips together and shook my head until I couldn’t suppress a grin any longer. ‘But I am sure we could also ask for two small sundaes; in case you are worried about Ryan.’ I strongly hoped that she would say no. I held my breath to wait if she’d come at all.
‘No, I am very curious about this lover’s sundae and besides, we’ve earned it. Ryan did not want to play, so he is not allowed to complain now.’
I relaxed. ‘Great. When do you have time?’
‘Hm, I don’t know. Ryan usually is pretty busy anyway, so I don’t think it matters to him when we will use the coupon.’
These were great news for me and so I set a date with her for next Saturday.
‘So, where should I pick you up at, let’s say 7 pm?’
‘I’ll text you my address.’ She said and fumbled for her phone.
I gave her my number and sent a thank you prayer to the sky that we would stay in touch.
‘By the way, I really enjoyed today.’ She said, when we arrived at her family’s van.
‘Me too. I had a lot of fun and I am glad that this isn’t the last time we met.’
She smiled and nodded. ‘Well, see you Saturday.’
I already knew then, that this was going to feel like the longest week of my life.
Chapter 4
On Sunday evening, Eric and I were sitting on my bed, and I gently massaged Brownie’s neck. I couldn’t suppress a yawn.
‘If I bore you, just say so.’ Eric said.
‘No, not at all. I’m just tired already. Sometimes I go to bed at 10 pm but in the morning, I still feel like I haven’t slept at all.’
‘Maybe you are just stressed. What was it you needed to tell me yesterday?’ He grinned.
‘I kind of had a date today.’ I said.
‘You did? With Fiona? How did that happen?’ He asked surprised.
‘I ran into her and her boyfriend last night. Her boyfriend is such a douche and didn’t want to play in a volleyball tournament with her. So, I asked her if she wanted to participate with me and she did! It was awesome. She is very fit. I think she could keep up with me.’ I laughed.
‘Well, sounds good and nice, but what about her boyfriend?’ Eric wondered.
‘I don’t know. But we won a coupon to have an ice cream sundae and she will eat it with me. I need to make a good impression.’ I said.
‘Well, then, you can give up right now.’ Eric teased.
‘Man, I need some good ideas here, this is serious.’
‘Okay, okay. Wow, again, I’m amazed how this girl starts changing you before you even know her.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Well, just be attentive. Ask questions and listen to her. Only once I had Lea convinced that she was the center of my universe, she really trusted me.’
‘Center of my universe. Not at all demanding these women.’
I shook my head, thinking that already all my thoughts evolved around Fiona anyway, so how could she become even more my center?
At last, these seven long days had passed and I hit the road towards her house. After breathing deeply for three times I felt strong enough to get out of the car and walk to her entrance. It was a nice house but there was no space for a lawn, only a little porch.
I rang the bell and waited. Her mother, a woman in her late forties, short brown hair and wearing leggings and a fast dry sports shirt, opened the door.
‘Hello, you must be Kevin.’
‘Yes, I am. Hello Mrs. Mortenson.’ I held out my hand.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled but shook it. ‘Do you want to come in for a moment? Fiona will be ready in a bit.’
‘Okay.’ I stepped into the hallway, which was decorated with many paintings. Opposite the door was a stairway leading upstairs.
‘So, you go to Baldwin High School?’ She asked, placing one hand on the knob of the end of the stairway railing.
‘Yes, I’ll graduate next summer as well.’
‘Do you also have plans already? We really hope that it works out for Fiona and she can go to Florida.’
‘Florida?’ I asked more to make sure if I had understood correctly.
‘Yes, to this college in Florida who offered her a scholarship if her sports results are good enough.’
‘I’m not as aspiring as her but I’ve also picked out some colleges I’d like to go to.’ I overplayed my insecurity. Florida wasn’t exactly around the corner. If she really went studying there, what would that mean for us? If, anyhow, we’d become a couple until then. My shoulders relaxed when Fiona came down the stairs at that moment and, for the time being, saved me from more of her mother’s questions.
‘Have fun you two.’ Her mom said and off we were.
I opened the door of my pick-up truck for her.
‘Oh, thanks, what a gentleman.’
I guess that left a good impression.
‘So, what have you been up to the past week?’ I asked once I started the engine.