Magic Within the Waves

Chapter Ten - First Date

Chapter Ten

First Date

***

Life in the few days leading up to Friday changed my entire school routine – my entire everyday routine. Thomas began abandoning his group of friends more than usual during recess and lunch to join me, Carmen and Ruth, as we watched the jocks and most of the guys from his group, tossing the football around the oval. He was never overly chatty with the others and kept his eyes on me, soaking up my every movement or word. In our short space of closeness, I had grown used to seeing him. And when he was gone, I was lost … a part of me was left empty.

Not only were my days filled with him, but my nights were also haunted by his soft green eyes, his face and his laughter, all drifting through my dreams like he was right beside me. The second the early Friday morning sun danced through my window, I was overpowered by a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I hurried out of bed before my alarm.

All eyes were upon us every time he accompanied me to my lessons that day ... our hands entwined. Gabby glared at us and our growing closeness with such jealousy that I imagined a bolt of lightning would strike me down where I stood.

‘’Till I see you tonight, Mel,’ Thomas whispered in my ear, his lips caressing my ear lobes. ‘I miss you when you’re not around.’

‘Tonight.’

‘I will count down the seconds…’ He kissed my cheek, nodded at Carmen and Ruth, and then raced off to join Aaron, Chris, Daniel, and the other boys waiting for him by the goalposts.

Daniel waved at me, while the others probed Thomas with hundreds of questions, taunting him and laughing. He rolled his eyes and ignored them. He was happy. We were happy.

‘Make sure you call us afterwards,’ Carmen demanded, stroking my arm. ‘And be safe. Promise me you will be safe.’

‘I promise.’

Both girls had escorted me to the waiting bus, eager for any information I could give them already. The only problem was that I was in the dark. I no idea where Thomas was taking me or what the plans were. All I did know, dinner was at a local restaurant, after that was a mystery.

‘And I promise to call you both the moment I get home and give you the complete lowdown.’

‘You better, missy,’ Ruth teased, hooking her hands on her hips. ‘I want to hear every nitty-gritty detail.’

‘Just be safe...” Carmen repeated. ‘Please…?’

During my walk home, I passed the beach and stopped behind the safety rails and what remained of the cliff. The memories from that day were still fresh in my mind. And just like every other day, I peered down at the figures scattered about the sand and sea for any signs of my hero. Once again, I was without luck. This hero was starting to become nothing more than a wonderful dream. Maybe that was for the best. Thomas was on my mind... there was no room for another hero.

Just as I turned away a shadow emerged from the distant rocks. My heart leapt. I spun back instantly and peered closer at the figure. But it was too dark – the figure was blending in with the distant rocks. It had to be him. Something inside could sense it. I blinked and the figure vanished.

I shook my head. Wishful thinking, Melinda.

When I reached the driveway, Dad’s car wasn’t parked in its usual spot on the lawn. I peered around the garden and realised the car wasn’t there at all. Being Friday, Dad was often home about the same time as me. I pulled open the front door and found the house in the kind of silence you knew held some deep dark mystery that needed to be uncovered.

Since I was alone, I played my music ridiculously loud as I showered and prepared for the evening – my very first date. For Thomas, I had to make sure everything was perfect and light, in the same way having his hands linked between mine made me feel. Once I straightened my hair, I decided to wear a simple off-white dress and a splash of Mum’s sweet perfume. It had been over a year since I had her help to apply makeup so my hands trembled.

‘Mum, I wish you were here. I need your comforting advice for tonight.’

The second I stood up and saw my reflection in the mirror it was like she had risen within me. I was more than just her daughter – I was her mirror image.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Dad came home. Standing in the shadows of the hallway, I watched his usual routine of throwing his paint-stained clothes into the washing machine and then boiling the kettle for his coffee.

‘Are you home Bright Eyes?’ he called. ‘Sorry I took so long … When of the other workers accidently took the office keys home. We had to wait until he came back.’

‘Sure am, Dad.’ Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the light. ‘I was starting to worry about you.’

‘I’m fine,’ he was settled in his usual chair with a coffee, the newspaper and a box of chocolates set out in front of him. ‘But Bright Eyes, I have something to tell you ...’

Before he could continue his eyes fell on me and he froze. He swallowed his words, making his Adam’s apple wobble. ‘Molly,’ he gasped, his eyes almost bulging from their sockets.

‘Dad,’ I giggled, taken away by the sudden youthfulness returning to his face. ‘It’s me … Do I really look like Mum?’

‘Wow…’ Dad shook his head. ‘Of course, it is … Its just … I mean I … yes – I just realised how much you look like your Mum.’

‘You think so?’

Standing before me, he twirled me like a ballerina and then placed a tiny box of mint chocolates in my hands. ‘Yes – she was as beautiful as you. Maybe I should invest in a bat. Looks like I’m going to be fighting off the line of boys who will be waiting for you. But maybe I will just do what Uncle John suggested all those years ago.’

‘Oh, Dad…’ giggling, I tucked the box of chocolates into my handbag. ‘Uncle John would be scary enough on his own. Just make sure he’s here... and no one will ever come knocking.’

Dad laughed. ‘Yes, Uncle John can be a scary man.’

We were interrupted by a knock at the door. My heart raced. I rushed to the door, trying to settle the twang of nerves in the pit of my stomach. Thomas stood in the glow of the front porch light. He looked so handsome. The blue shirt he wore beneath his jacket brought out the tan of his skin. There were more streaks of brown in his bleached hair, and it suited him. I was speechless.

‘Well, Mel. I have to say beautiful is an understatement.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Are you going to let the poor boy in, Bright Eyes?’ Dad asked, his voice travelling from the lounge room.

Thomas hoisted his right eyebrow. ‘Bright Eyes ...?’

‘That’s my nickname. Dad gave it to me when I was a kid and it’s stuck.’

‘I see why.’ Stepping over the threshold, he handed me a small box, wrapped in a shiny red ribbon. ‘I know I have never seen anyone with such bright, hypnotising eyes.’

I glanced at the gift in my hand and then back up at him. ‘You shouldn’t have, Thomas. Thank you.’

He shrugged. ‘I had to. I saw it and instantly thought of you. Open it.’

His eyes were on me like a hawk, interested to see my reaction after I ripped off the ribbon and flipped open the lid. Inside I found a gold owl pendant with jade-green eyes.

‘Do you get why I got it for you?’ he asked, with a slight grin.

‘Yes, I do. That’s what you saved me from. It’s beautiful. I don’t know how to thank you.’

‘Just your smile is thanks enough.’ He took the necklace from my hand and held it before me. ‘Let me help you put it on.’

I turned around and held up my hair. His fingers brushed against my neck and sent chills down my spine. My entire body tingled. Letting my hair fall back over my neck, he took my hand and spun me around. Never had I experienced this strange, yet glorious sensation his touch was now giving me. ‘Those are real jade gemstone eyes…’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Yes,’ his face drew closer to mine. ‘They look perfect on you, but anything is perfect on you.’

The tingling sensation grew stronger the second our breath mingled. His lips brushed over mine and I closed my eyes on instinct.

‘Ah hum,’ Dad cleared his throat, separating us.

‘Oh, hey there, Mr Brown.’ Thomas reached for Dad’s hand. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’

‘Likewise, son.’ Dad took the offer of his hand, his eyes narrowing in on him. ‘Say, let’s have a quick chat before you whisk my daughter off on your bike.’

‘Oh, no sir, I borrowed a friend’s car for the night. I thought it was more suitable.’ He turned to me, a comforting look deep in his eyes. ‘I care for Mel. Her safety is my number one concern.’

Dad’s eyes, as well as mine, grew wide. Then he straightened up tall, proud and taken by what he had heard, trying to conceal a growing smile.

‘Well son, I think that little conversation may be brief.’ Dad nodded towards the lounge room. ‘Shall we?’

‘Yes sir, as long as we don’t miss our reservation.’

‘It will be quick.’

I followed behind them, my heart swelling with joy at the way Dad was treating Thomas. I could picture Mum’s eyes glowing, watching us from her place amongst the stars.

As I stepped into the hallway, something white scurried between my feet, knocking me off balance and backwards into the wall. ‘What was that?’

Dad and Thomas were too involved in their discussion to notice my mishap. I quickly regained my balance and hurried after the creature. It was no mouse and from what I had seen, it was no cockroach. That aroused my curiosity. I was intrigued. Maybe after seeing the batterowl this would be the next magical creature. Finally, little by little, Mum’s world was unravelling around me.

‘Hey, don’t be afraid of me,’ I whispered, tip-toeing down the hallway and into the spare room, where I had seen it dart.

I fumbled for the light switch to see all Mum’s sewing gear sprawled out in the room. A week before Mum was taken to the hospital for her final time, I had been helping her to organise this room. She had always dreamed of designing costumes and one day owning a costume shop. In the city, she worked with a seamstress around the corner from our house. She loved the way the machines sounded and the feeling of scissors cutting through the material. It was with her help on my Tinker Bell costume that I won first place in the art competition at my old school. But it was hard to compete against Sarah and her Little Mermaid costume.

There was a rustle beneath a stack of newspapers. I stepped into the room just as they toppled onto the floor.

‘It’s okay,’ I cooed, keeping my voice at a whisper, trying to prove to the creature I was no threat. ‘Trust me. I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to know you are real so I can believe ... the way Mum did.’

I imagined Mum doing the same thing, whispering at a creature to soothe it and prove her worth. For her, it worked. Now it was my turn. Another rustle amongst the paper made my throat tighten. Kneeling before the pile, I shifted it to the side and found a single white rose petal laying against the floor.

I studied it and Mum’s voice filled my head like she was standing right beside me. ‘Don’t be fooled, daughter. It’s not what it seems, but a velvetini – a creature often mistaken for a butterfly. The wings and body are smooth like velvet. When it’s frightened or unsure it will fold itself in half, and that’s what gives it the rose petal look. Their six legs are made of brilliant bright crystal, which is worth millions to collectors. They are a sign of purity, luck and even love.’

‘What are you doing down there, Bright Eyes?’

Carefully hiding the velvetini in my handbag between my purse and the box of chocolates, I stood up to see Dad in the doorway with Thomas right behind him. ‘I – I thought I saw something but it was just my imagination.’

Dad’s eyes filled with curiosity and a curious smile spread over his face. ‘Ah, I see…’

Thomas gazed at me. ‘What was it? A mouse?’

Clearing his throat, Dad turned to him. ‘Ah, I forgot to set those damn mouse traps again. I better do that tonight.’ He patted Thomas on the back. ‘You kids should get a move on, or you will miss your reservations.’

‘Sure,’ Thomas took my hand, ‘are you ready, Mel? I had a chat with your dad and promised to bring you home no later than eleven.’

Nodding, I kissed Dad’s cheek. ‘Thank you.’

Once I had climbed in the car, I expected Dad to go back inside. Instead, he stood there waving us off until we were out of sight.

We drove past the school and the old church on the road into town. It was the first time I had been in a car with Thomas and already I felt safe. He handled the wheel with such ease it was like second nature to him.

Thomas’s eyes darted from me to the road then back to me again. ‘Mel, I have to say, you’re the most dazzling girl I have ever seen.’

I had to fan my face. ‘You’re a charmer, Thomas. Thank you.’ I looked up at the main street to see the sign for Hound Hunter Pizzeria. ‘So where are we going tonight?’

‘Well, first I thought dinner over there.’ He pointed towards Summer’s Castle, across the street. ‘I’ve been told by Heather it’s the best restaurant in town. And a place my parents met.’

Everything so far had been overwhelming and we hadn’t even made it to the car park outside the restaurant. As it was my first date, I had no idea what to expect but sitting here with Thomas’s hand on my knee and the knowledge of the velvetini’s good luck token in my handbag, must have been a sign that this was how it should be.

‘Tell, me something Thomas,’ I placed my hand over his, ‘why me? There are so many other girls at our school and a lot of them are more attractive than me. So why now ... a year after I arrived at the school?’

Thomas parked the car, switched off the engine and turned to me. ‘There have been things – personal things that have forced me to keep my distance. For the last year, I have been so fascinated by you and everything you do. I just couldn’t fight it anymore. You have a mature quality and a soothing calmness about you. You don’t seem troubled by comical schoolgirl nonsense like the others, especially girls like Gabby Ink and her group of followers. You’re sensible. But I have noticed that sometimes you walk around with your head in the clouds and miss things right in front of you.’

Laughing at my curious frown, he caressed my cheek. ‘I think it’s wonderful the way your eyes light up when something catches your attention. The day you moved here, the day we locked eyes in the hallway, I actually fell for you.’

‘Oh, I didn’t realise ... I mean it’s been a year and I had no idea. I thought you were avoiding me most of the time.’

‘No, like I said - just personal things. But it’s all good now. You didn’t even notice my many failed attempts to grab your attention the weeks before I asked you out, did you?

‘I didn’t notice at all.’

“You do have a tendency to have your head in the clouds.’

“That’s true, I will not deny that.”

We both laughed. Little did he know how true that statement was.