by K. K. Allen
Frowning, I nod, knowing she is right. “Okay, I guess a new outfit won’t kill me.” Charlotte’s cheekbones heighten at my surrender.
“We’ll go school shopping later. Today we’ll just get you one nice dress for Saturday – and maybe a pair of shoes. And some jewelry.” Charlotte continues to rattle of items excitedly and I can’t help but laugh. Maybe today won’t be so bad after all.
The shops in Brandon are supposed to be the best, according to Rose. Apparently everyone in Apollo Beach goes to Brandon during the summer, just to get away from the inter-coastal city.
Three dresses, matching shoes, two purses, and a mini treasure chest of jewelry later, Charlotte assures me that I need a new bathing suit, a pair of jeans, and a work out suit for my runs. How Charlotte knows that I run is yet another mystery.
As we shove our bags in the back of the car I think of the bookstore we passed earlier.
Charlotte slams the rear door and faces me. “I forgot. I need to run back in to buy some makeup. Then we’ll grab lunch a bit closer to home. You want to join me or meet up in an hour?”
Perfect. “I’ll meet you in an hour. I’m just going to go check out the bookstore.”
Charlotte smiles. “Sure, sure. Here.” She hands me a wad of bills and steps away towards her cosmetics store. “Just in case. Call me if you need me.” She points to my clutch purse that holds my new iPhone.
Last night Charlotte came home with a cell phone for me. I was up until midnight trying to learn how to use it. I’d only ever had a house phone with actual buttons. Almost everyone my age has one of these things but I’ve never needed one. Given the new circumstances, living in a new home with new guardians, I can understand the need.
Charlotte and I part ways from the car and I aim for the bookstore. My curiosity was spiked when Rose brought up my birthday. All this talk about the Summer Solstice intrigues me. What is the big deal with my birthday and why does Rose feel the need to celebrate it?
I’m deep in thought as I cross the street towards the bookstore when a sporty, red Audi slams on their breaks in front of me, allowing a bicycle to pass by. “Sorry!” I hear a girl’s voice from the drivers seat as her blonde hair streaks by me. Another blonde hoots beside her. I roll my eyes but then catch sight of the bicycle.
It would be nice to have my bicycle again. Apollo Beach would be the perfect place to ride it. The bicycle that I had back home is still in storage, along with all other items from the apartment I shared with my mother. I’m not ready to go through everything yet.
“I’m looking for some information on the Summer Solstice. How cultures have celebrated the Solstice and why. Do you think you can help me find something like that?” I ask the first sales person I see.
The man smiles and leads me to a special section near Fiction named Mythologies. I thank him and scour the S’s for anything that can feed my curiosity. By the time I’m done, I’ve picked out three books.
Once the books are purchased and bagged, I head for the door. I round the first corner, meanwhile digging through my purse for my phone to call Charlotte.
Suddenly I’m plowing headfirst into a moving target. The blow stings, and I stumble backwards before apologizing.
“I wasn’t looking.”
“I’m sorry, that was my fault.”
“No, I should have been paying attention.” I say, so flustered that I don’t even realize whom I’m speaking to until the apologies are done and I’ve looked up at him. An overwhelming sense of alertness comes over me. My pulse begins to quicken.
We smile at each other in recognition, though I’m not sure if I’m happy to see this boy again. When we first met, it was under such strange circumstances.
“Are we going to meet like this every time?” He jokes with me.
I groan. “I really hope not. I am sorry though. I was trying to find my phone…”
“It’s okay if you are doing these things on purpose just to talk to me.” His eyes glimmer as he teases me. He’s friendly. My reaction is clear as my cheeks flush over.
The silence lingers longer than I’m comfortable with so I let out a small laugh. “You’re onto me.”
The strange boy smiles before looking down in his hands. I follow his gaze to see that my books have landed there. Or maybe they fell out of the bag he picked them up. Funny, I didn’t notice. “What’s the fascination with the Solstice? Can’t be a school project, classes haven’t started yet.”
He looks at me curiously now. I take the books from him, stuffing them back into the bag and shrug. “It’s nothing, just bored I guess.”
His eyes tell me he doesn’t believe me. “People aren’t usually curious about the Solstice. At least I’ve never met anyone that is. So you were bored, huh?”
I allow my eyes to meet his and hesitate. I don’t know this boy at all and here I am faced with his criticism. “My birthday is on the Summer Solstice. I don’t know what the fascination is but it means a lot to Rose so I thought I’d do my homework. She’s into all this Greek Mythology stuff. Maybe I’ll understand her obsession.”
He makes a face and nods. “Greek mythology?”
“What?” I ask him, curiously.
He shrugs and gives me a boyishly handsome smile that melts me down to my toes. “I’ve always associated the Summer Solstice with Wiccans.”
He must see my puzzled expression because he adds. “Witchcraft.” Then he holds up a book. “Where do you think this all comes from? It’s witchcraft. That’s scary stuff to be messing with.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t follow you. These books are about celebrating nature and fictional creatures. There’s nothing in here about witchcraft.” I let out an uncomfortable laugh.
He hands my books back to me and shrugs. “Wiccans believe in the four elements of earth, wind, fire, water. They believe that gods and goddesses control these elements. It’s a religion. Wiccans believe the Summer Solstice is something celebrated as a day to give themselves to their greater beings through sacrifice.”
“That’s crazy. I’m not – Wiccan, or whatever. And neither is Rose.”
I don’t know why I get so defensive but I’m grateful for the conversation to be over now.
He smiles. “I believe you.” I stare at him as he speaks, his mouth moves so perfectly. His wide green, wondrous eyes make me slightly dizzy.
Finally, the tension has vanished and his hand shoots out toward mine.
“Alec Stone. We forgot this part the other day.”
I let out a breath, relieved that the uncomfortable conversation is over. My smile is unstoppable as I return his introduction. My cheekbones feel the strain of my perma-frown from the last few months. “Katrina Summer. You can call me Kat though. I just moved in with my grandmother. I guess we’re neighbors.”
He stands up straighter, a surprised look on his face. “Oh.”
“What?” I let out a laugh, suddenly self-conscious.
He shakes his head, as if apologizing my misinterpretation. “No, I am just surprised that’s all. I assumed you were here visiting. I knew that Rose was your grandmother but before that I never knew she even had grandchildren.”
“Now you know.” I probably shouldn’t say what comes out of my mouth now but it’s out before I can stop it. “We were never close.”
“So why now? Why live with your grandmother in this boring old town and start studying Greek Mythology?” His smile is gentle. I know he doesn’t understand what he’s asking me, so I try not to get emotional on him.
“I don’t have any godparents. No aunts or uncles – that I know of anyway. So when my mom died, Rose was the one who took me in.”
The smile on his face disappears and his apologies are evident in his face. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have been so nosy. Kat, I am so sorry.”
It’s my turn to shake my head. “Don’t be. I’ll have to get used to that question.” I smile now, wanting to change the subject. “But I don’t think Apollo is boring at all. It’s around the
same size as Spring Lake, North Carolina. That’s where I’m from. But it’s the old town-feel that makes it charming.”
Alec doesn’t miss a beat. “So, you’re from North Carolina?”
“I was born in Apollo, but my mom moved me to Spring Lake when I was a baby. I’ve lived there my whole life.”
He winks at me. “You know, Rose is a pretty big deal around this town. I guess that’s why it was a big shock when I met you.”
I respond with an amused look. “I’m gathering that. She really cares about this place.”
Alec nods in agreement.
I hesitate to ask my next question. “Did you know my grandfather?”
“No. I just moved here last year. My dad got a pretty big job offer with the University. I don’t know what exactly made them think to move to Apollo but here we are.”
A shrill voice startles me upright. “Alec, we found you.” The girls’ singsong voice is disturbing. And to make it worse, she edges up to Alec, as close as possible, and my heart sinks. He has a girlfriend.
She’s pretty too. Tall. Blonde. Pretty brown eyes. Legs for days. She slings an arm over his shoulder and peers at me with suspicious eyes. “Who’s your friend?”
Alec looks between us and shifts his feet awkwardly. “Hey girls, this is Kat, Rose Summer’s granddaughter.”
By the expression on the girl’s faces I get the distinct idea that they aren’t exactly thrilled by the information. The shorter blonde makes a face. “Rose has grandchildren? I didn’t even know she had children.”
The tall blonde ignores her friend and asks me pointedly. “So how long are you in town?”
Again – an awkward silence fills the air. I sigh finally. “Until I’m 18 I guess.”
I watch as her expression changes from uncaring to annoyance. Her stance grows so she’s no longer leaning on Alec, but standing tall and answers. “So you live here?”
What is up with this girl? “I do.”
The taller blonde finally lets out a smile that closely resembles a smirk. “Well, then welcome to Apollo Beach. I’m Iris. This is Ava. We’ve lived here our whole lives so forgive my surprise.”
Ava smiles now, mimicking Iris. “That’s right, we rule this place.”
Iris shoots her a glare and turns back to me. “What Ava means to say is that since we’ve lived in this small town so long, it’s natural that we think we know everything about the community.”
I spy a glimpse at Alec as Iris speaks to me. His feet are shifty and his eyes wandering. He manages to take a step or two away from Iris. Maybe they aren’t together. His eyes catch mine and he gives me a sympathetic smile.
Iris is still talking about herself. “I’m the captain of the cheerleading squad and head of the Events committee at school.”
I raise my eyes, knowing that I should be impressed. “That’s great. What about you Ava?”
Ava darts a worried glance in Iris’s direction and then puts on a half-smile. “My dad’s a cop.”
Iris lets out a laugh. “Ava is on the cheerleading squad too. You should try out this year.” The offer is a blatant challenge.
I shake my head. “Probably not, but thanks.”
Iris smiles with mock sympathy. “Yeah, it’s not for everyone.” She turns to Alec now. “You ready to eat babe?”
Alec nods, rolls his eyes and looks directly at me. “See you around? Or, you could join us, if you aren’t headed somewhere.”
“Thanks but I’m meeting up with Charlotte. Thank you though.” Despite my disappointment at the interruption of the two fiery blondes, I return his smile before he turns away.
As I watch the three of them walk off there’s a sinking in my chest. Before the girls arrived I was beginning to warm up to Apollo Beach. But Iris and Ava reminded me why attending a new school is harder than it should be. They have claimed their territory and I’m a threat.
A vibration in my purse causes me to pull out my phone and look at the screen.
Meet me at the car.
Char
Once we’re back in Apollo Beach, Charlotte takes a turn before our neighborhood’s main gate. A storybook land opens up in front of us, as tall green towering trees shield what comes next.
We pass over a short one-lane bridge with cement-sculptured rails and end posts. The bottom looks as if it’s made of cement and wood blocks. The large overhead sign reads Summer Island Community Center.
So this is Summer Island. We drive in a short distance and Charlotte approaches a guard gate. She’s barely flashed her magical smile before the wrought iron gate opens ahead. The letter S stands within a circle above the gate.
The tree cover fades past us as we arrive in an entirely new community, filled with historically structured townhomes that look as if they are used for office buildings. There seem to be tennis courts and swimming pools and – that’s all I can make out.
Charlotte turns left and enters the parking lot of a Bay front restaurant, The Island Bar and Grill.
As we exit the car and enter the large circular tiki-syle restaurant that’s both indoor and outdoor I notice beer brands and tattered nautical items scattered over all supporting wood pillars. The bar sits in the middle of the room with TV screens circling the upper frame of the bar. I see pool tables, darts, a Ping-Pong table, and even a stack of board games on the opposite side of the room. The outer tables, facing the Bay front are decorated with white and navy umbrellas.
This would be a fun place to work.
The hostess gives Charlotte a familiar glance and smiles. “Booth?” She asks bouncily. The girl looks to be my age. I wonder if we’ll be going to school together in the fall. Her nametag reads Trisha.
Charlotte responds with a nod and we are led to a booth in the back of the restaurant. Still admiring the décor, I barely notice Alec, Iris, and Ava sitting at one of the tables. Alec’s back is toward me but Iris catches my eye. I smile and lift my arm in a wave just to be friendly and am rewarded with a smirk. She looks away and continues her conversation.
That was odd. Surely she would have said “hi” if she saw me. She was probably just in the middle of a conversation. I follow Charlotte to the table while trying to ignore my negative thoughts.
I glance sideways at Alec, wishing that I wasn’t the new girl in town. Wishing that I could be at their table, sitting with them. Well, sitting with Alec.
Charlotte who excuses herself for the restroom disturbs me momentarily. I turn back towards Alec and his friends, and wonder again if Iris is Alec’s girlfriend.
“You’re new friend is so weird.” I hear the familiar voice but it sounds like a whisper all around me. I whip my head around, expecting to see someone speaking to me.
“Who?” Asks another voice. That sounds like Alec. I look towards their table again. Impossible. Their table is on the other side of the loud restaurant. I couldn’t possibly be hearing them.
The voices continue.
“That Summer girl you were talking to earlier. Rose’s granddaughter. How do you even know her?” Her tone is almost accusing.
“Her name is Kat.” The voice belongs to Alec. “We ran into each other on the beach.” I watch him shrug his shoulders and reach for his soda.
“You think she likes you?”
“I don’t know, why would I think that?” There’s laughter in his voice.
“Alec, you are so funny. The girl obviously has a crush on you. Just be careful.” Her tone reeks of genuine concern and now I’m embarrassed.
Alec is chuckling. “It’s really none of your concern, Iris. Just leave it alone. She’s just a friend. She’s new. She’s nice. I’m going to invite her to my Fourth of July party so she can get to know everyone.”
That sounds like fun, my hope to fit in, sparked.
Iris’s features are not returning his calm. She frowns and shakes her head. “Alec I’m serious. You know what I’ve told you about the Summers – my parents tell me that there’s something strange about them. And that old woman thinks she
rules this town. You shouldn’t be getting mixed up with her.”
Alec just laughs again. “Well, Rose does rule this town, Iris. She’s lived here longer than anyone else and she does a lot for this place. She’s the reason we’re sitting at this restaurant now. I respect her.”
Ava chimes in now, tone equally as disturbing as Iris’s. “Rose won’t always rule this town, Alec. She’s old. Others more suitable should run this place – and soon they will.” Ava speaks quietly but matter-of-factly.
Iris nods. “And when that happens you won’t want anything to do with Kat Summer.”
As grateful as I am to him for his defense of Rose, the disturbance of this conversation remains. Why would Iris and Ava be so possessive of this town? And why would Iris’s parents have anything mean to say about Rose?
Their words disturb me more than I want them to.
“Kat.” The next voice is clearer and right in front of me. I snap out of my trance and look up to see Charlotte sitting in the booth. She has a worried look on her face. “You okay?”
I recover quickly and nod my head. “Yeah, I just thought I heard something. What’s good to eat here?”
Just then, a scruffy guy, probably in his late teens, steps up to our table. I assume he wants to take our order but he says nothing. His brooding eyes and solid hands never leave his notepad. I watch him curiously. What is his problem?
Charlotte clears her voice, forcing my eyes to meet hers. Heat fills my cheeks. “The Summer salad is great,” she winks at me now. I forget about the waiter and laugh with her. I like that Charlotte is playful.
My eyes scan the menu. “Do you want me to come back?” A gruff voice asks above us. He speaks. I raise an eyebrow to his rough tone and impatient demeanor, and then lift my face to tilt my head at him. I can’t help but notice his unshaven face and tired eyes. He hasn’t slept much.