Telesa - The Covenant Keeper

by Lani Wendt Young

  “Huh?”

  “How long? How long are you back for? Don’t you head back home to the States soon?”

  “No.” I swallowed and nervously pushed my hair off the side of my face. “Plans have changed. I’m sticking around for a while. Probably a long while.”

  No, I wanted to scream, I can’t ever go back home. I’m a freak remember? I’ll lose my temper one day and blow up my school or something, and a team of mad scientists from The X files will swoop down and lock me away forever. No, I’m stuck here forever. Those are all the things I wanted to say. But didn’t.

  “Danny, you’ll be late for our practice. I’m waiting babe.” It was Mele. Slipping her hand into his, fingers curling into the empty spaces that had once belonged to mine. I was stunned. Daniel didn’t pull away from her. He didn’t let go of her hand. He smiled at her. A half smile that had once quickened my heart rate and set my world alight.

  I felt sick. Empty. Mele was pulling on Daniel’s hand and he was turning to follow her. “Good to see you’re well, Leila. See you round.” They walked away while I tried to pick up the shattered pieces of my heart that lay like a million glass fragments on the ground all around me. Catching the cruel sunlight, blinding me, burning me raw. No, I whispered to myself, no burning, Leila, no burning. I wanted to run back to the jeep, I wanted nothing more than to leave school immediately and get as far away as possible from the reality that confronted me. Daniel and Mele. Mele and Daniel.

  I walked in the opposite direction, wanting to get as far away as possible from the encounter. But there was no privacy to be found. Simone caught me. And his eyes lit up with sincere pleasure. “Leila! I wasn’t sure whether or not to believe it. Maleko said you were back. Where have you been? And why didn’t you answer any of my texts? We thought maybe you’d gone back to the States early …” his voice died away as the same look of surprised awe as Maleko’s crossed his face. Trust Simone to be direct though. He put one hand on his hip and his tone demanded truth. “Leila, what in hell have you done to yourself girl?!”

  I was nonplussed, my hurt at seeing Daniel and Mele momentarily forgotten, brushed to the back of my mind. “Why do people keep asking me that? Whaddya mean? I haven’t done anything. I’m still me. Same hairstyle, same face, same me.”

  Simone shook his head. “Nope. That’s crap. Leila, you were okay-looking before, but now, you are something else entirely. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but you’re different. Something about you is different. What did you do?”

  In reply I just rolled my eyes and then pulled him over to sit with me in a corner of the classroom. I knew Simone well enough to know that he wouldn’t let the issue go and the only way to distract him would be to really give him something to look at. I inched up my uniform skirt and showed him my tattoo. “You’re right. There is something different. I got a malu done. That’s one of the reasons I was out of school for so long.”

  His squeal of excitement had heads turning our way. “OHMIGOSH girlfriend, no way! No freakin way!”

  We talked and it felt great to be catching up with teenagers in the ‘real world.’ Where things like lightning strikers and fire summoners had no sway. Where I could feel, for a brief while, like a regular person.

  School. Although everything seemed the same, some things were different. The school was caught up with preparing for its annual culture night. Every student was assigned to one of four ‘houses’ – Vaea, Stevenson, Williams, and Calliope. Each house had to present an assortment of traditional skits and dances. Everyone was busy with learning songs that accompanied the skits that were all based on early myths, and periods were shortened every day so that there was time for the practices. Ms. Sivani assigned me to be in Williams House. I was glad because that was the same as Simone. But when we got to the sweeping tamaligi tree where the practice was being held, I wasn’t glad anymore. Because a familiar figure caught my eye. Daniel stood at the front of the seated group of about eighty students. He held a guitar loosely in his hand. My heart sank even further when I saw Mele in the group. Laughing delightedly with her friends. I groaned. Simone gave me a sideways glance.

  “Problem, Leila?” the usual teasing tone was missing. So I was more honest than I usually was with him.

  “I don’t want to be in the same house as those two. I hate seeing them together. I hate it.” I spoke vehemently, fists clenched.

  Simone’s eyebrow raised in question. “But Leila, you’re the one who dumped him. Everyone knows you didn’t want him.”

  My reply was agonized, “No! I did not dump him. And I do … I do …” My words trailed and I took a huge breath to steady my emotions. Because although I did want Daniel more than breath, more than fire wanted oxygen, I couldn’t. I couldn’t want him. I couldn’t be near him. And if that meant seeing him with Mele, than that was as it should be. I turned a smile on Simone. “Oh, never mind. You’re right. Me and Daniel were a passing moment. And it’s just silly for me to get bothered if he’s moved on with Mele.”

  Simone now raised both eyebrows questioningly. “Moved on with Mele? Where did you get that from ? She wishes.”

  Simone was interrupted by the lead teacher calling everyone to sit. Practice needed to start and our conversation was forgotten. A senior student led the singing practice. Samoan group singing is like nothing else in the world. Everyone follows the commands of the faipese, the conductor, who is a complete comedian. Ours was a slight sixth former who walked with a limp. He used his whole body to lead the songs, calling for the group to clap out intricate beats in time with the music, dancing, and pirouetting as we sang. It was an exhilarating experience to be part of the music. Everyone swayed in unison, clapped and laughed together at the right moments. I was caught in oneness. Even though I didn’t know the words, it made no difference. After the singing, the girls took to the field in the sun to dance. I sat back with the rest of the boys, excused for today. The dance was exquisite to watch as their hands moved through the air, telling a story. It wasn’t difficult to pick out who the lead dancer was. Mele’s grace was unmistakable as she danced in the front line. I sighed, even an idiot like me could see what a natural dancer she was. No wonder Daniel was with her now. I looked over where he stood with the other prefects in the shade. He was looking at me. Again our eyes caught, again sadness and longing wracked me. Resolutely, I turned my eyes back to the dance. Focus, Leila, focus.

  When the dance ended, the boys moved on to the field, taking their shirts off as they went.

  Lined up in rows, sun glinted on brown skin and muscle. And, at their lead, was Daniel. The familiar tattoo that I had once felt under my fingers, rippled as he led the boys in a slap dance. I was awestruck. No European dance routine could compare to the amazing sight of forty bronzed Polynesian ‘warriors’ pouring fire and passion into their war dance.

  Beside my ear, Simone laughed. “Beautiful aren’t they?”

  The dance ended with a roar as the lines charged forward and the boys flourished in a final challenging stance before returning to the shade, sweaty and laughing. Everyone except Daniel. He walked to pick up the guitar leaning against the tree, returning to sit on a wooden chair in front of us. What was this? Simone leaned over to answer my unspoken question.

  “The house item ends with a duet number. Daniel’s singing about the legend of Sina and the dolphin warrior.” Knowing I had no clue what that was about, he continued, “According to legend, Sina was the daughter of a high chief from the coastal village of Nu’umanu. Her beauty and gift for dancing the siva was legendary and many warriors came from faraway islands to try for her hand in marriage. But she fell in love with a Tongan warrior named Vaea, which angered her father big time. There was a war, lots of killing, and Sina was taken captive by her own people and out to sea on a canoe to get her away from Vaea. He swam out to sea to try to be with her and turned into a silver dolphin that swam alongside the boat. And she was heartbroken and leapt into the ocean to be with him, changing into sea foam, forever da
ncing on the waves. Legend tells that every full moon, Sina and Vaea are changed back into human form for one night only and he sings to her on a golden shore in the moonlight while she dances.”

  “That’s so sad.” I exclaimed. “What a beautiful legend.”

  Simone rolled his eyes. “I guess so, but so unrealistic, like most legends. Because you just know what they’re really getting up to one night a month on a moonlit beach…singing and dancing, my ass!”

  I punched him lightly on the shoulder, “Simone! Keep the legend clean thank you very much.” Our banter was cut short, however, as the teachers called for silence so that Daniel could begin. Simone whispered in my ear.

  “He’s going to sing for our House item while one girl dances.”

  I knew the answer but I couldn’t stop the question. “Who?”

  Simone shrugged. “They haven’t picked a girl yet, but of course it will be Mele. She’s always the taupou, the lead dancer every year.”

  The whispered conversation stilled as Daniel began to play. A sliver of hurt spliced through me. He had never mentioned to me that he played the guitar. But then all thought fled as he began to sing. The words were Samoan, the melody unknown, but the song heartbreakingly familiar. The whole field hushed as he sang. Of heartache. He had loved. And lost. And the world had emptied of color and meaning. When the song ended, the silence ached with sadness, bittersweet. Then applause rang out, prompting a half smile from Daniel as he stood to walk back to the side.

  Everyone clapped, except for me. I was stunned. “Simone, I didn’t know he could sing like that.”

  Simone threw me a sly glance, “Yeah he’s a dream isn’t he? Too bad you won’t get to see what it feels like to have him sing you a love song ay? Seeing as how you kicked him to the curb!”

  I pretended to ignore him as we walked back across the field towards the classroom. But Simone was not fazed as he continued, “Yeah, Daniel’s the best musician in the school, he writes a lot of his own songs. But this year is the first time we’re going to use one of them for a solo like that. Usually the taupou dances while the whole house sings, but Ms. Sivan has us going for a more modern, artistic feel this year. Gotta admit, it should look really impressive when Daniel sings to the taupou” he gave me one of his devious grins, “Mele will LOVE it when he sings to her, a dream come true for her ay?”

  A grimace was my only answer. The thought of Daniel singing while Mele did her super duper graceful number in front of him had the heat surging and all I wanted was fire to burn the picture away, not good! I pulled myself together as I gathered my things and headed to the jeep. Simone was staying for netball practice and didn’t need a lift, but I did promise to pick him up in the morning.

  “I will never forgive you if you don’t give me a ride in your Wrangler, Leila, absolutely refuse to be your friend ever again” was his stern threat as he farewelled me. I laughed. And then stopped. There were four boys standing beside my car. My pulse quickened and my steps slowed. Daniel? But it wasn’t him. Instead, it was Maleko’s eager grin that welcomed me, he and Sam – the hulking ex-prisoner – were waiting for me with another two boys from the rugby team.

  “Leila, there you are! We’re checking out your sweet car. Can we get a ride to Pesega field? We’ve got a late game there this afternoon.”

  Without waiting for an answer, they piled in, Maleko shoving for the front passenger seat. Rolling my eyes, and muttering, bloody nuisance boys, I hopped in the driver’s side. “Well I guess I can’t say no now can I? It’s not like I can physically eject you hulking beasts out of my car.”

  Mika’s raucous whoop had heads turning as we reversed and started out the drive. Not for the first time, I was thankful that Nafanua didn’t care what I did because a car full of boys wasn’t something I wanted to explain. The ride to Pesega was loud and rambunctious. They wanted the stereo on full blast. I conceded to midway. They wanted to see how fast we could go on the smooth new road at Vaimoso. I refused. They called out to St Mary’s schoolgirls crossing the road, inviting them to come take a ride in our jeep baby! I told them to shut up or else get out. I was relieved when we finally got to Pesega, which was crowded with different schools, spectators for the afternoon games. Everyone piled out, calling out their thanks before taking off. Everyone except for Maleko. Unusually subdued, he waited till they were out of sight before turning to me with a hesitant grin.

  “So Leila, you wanna come watch the game?”

  “No thanks. The last game I went to I got caught in the middle of a brawl, remember? Rugby is not really my thing.”

  He laughed quietly but he was still not ready to get out. “Oh yeah, that’s right, the one where you came to watch Daniel.”

  I didn’t bother to try and deny it. A shrug. He rushed on. “So what’s up with you two anyways? Anything going on?”

  I tried to hide my surprise, reminding myself that boys weren’t known for confiding in each other. “Nothing. Nothing’s going on. I guess we’re friends. You know, regular, just regular.”

  “You know, me and Mele aren’t going out anymore.” He announced it triumphantly, like telling me I had just won the lottery, pausing to see how excited my reaction would be. I gave him puzzled eyes.

  “Umm no, I didn’t know. I’m ah … sorry to hear it.” I had no clue where this conversation was heading. So his next question knocked the wind out of me.

  “Yeah. So I was thinking that if you and Daniel aren’t a thing and me and Mele aren’t a thing, then that means you and me could hang out sometime. You know, like go out. Together. You and me.”

  I stumbled for a reply. One that wouldn’t offend. “Oh. I didn’t think. I didn’t realize. Umm, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. You know, because you and Daniel are good friends, wouldn’t that be weird?”

  He waved his hand airily. “Nah you guys are through. Why would it be weird?”

  I tried again, groping blindly through a blank repertoire of ‘ways a girl turns down a boy she doesn’t want to go out with.’ Seeing as how I’d never had to do it before, I wasn’t confident of much success at finding a ready solution.

  “Oh I don’t know Maleko, we don’t really know each other at all.”

  It was the wrong thing to say. Right there in the afternoon sunlight with people milling about only a few feet away, he leaned towards me, sliding one arm smoothly behind me on the seat. He spoke softly, inviting me to move my head closer to his so I could catch his reply. “Leila, that’s why we should spend some time together. I can’t wait to get to know you better. I just know that you and me, we could make beautiful music together, ay?”

  It was so much like a bad teenage movie that I wanted to laugh. But in that split second, something happened that drove away all thoughts of laughter. A battered green truck pulled up beside us. Daniel’s truck. He turned and looked directly at us. At me. At Maleko with his arm around me, the way his mouth was inches away from my ear. Time froze. But for no-one else but me.

  Daniel smiled, a cold tight smile at the both of us, getting out of the truck, slowly getting his bag of rugby gear from the back. Maleko jolted to his feet, rocking the jeep slightly.

  “Hey Danny, Leila’s Wrangler beat you here ay? You better retire the green bomb.”

  His reply was ice cutting through the hot afternoon. “I didn’t realize Leila was providing a taxi service to rugby games now or else I would have hitched a ride too.”

  I stared at my schoolbag on the front seat, cringing at his tone but Maleko seemed indifferent to the tension. He straightened up but left his arm on the back of my seat. A grin. “What do you think, is Coach going to let me play wing today?”

  “Oh I don’t know, you were kinda slow at practice yesterday man.” Daniel came up to the window, keeping up the banter with Maleko while all the while his eyes were on me. Unsmiling. “I think a game against Avele needs someone with a bit more speed and power, you know?”

  Maleko hopped out of the car, reaching for his bag. “Whatever ma
n! Coach knows I’m ready for it. Today’s the day, I’m sure of it.”

  I sat still in the front, a smile plastered on my face. Daniel paused “So, Leila, you coming to watch the game today? I guess you want to check out Maleko’s moves on the field?” His eyes dared me to contradict him. Maleko answered for the both of us.