The World We Knew

Chapter V

After splashing and fooling around in the water for some time, us - three girls, decided we wanted to sunbathe.

“So what’s going on between you two?” Gabriella asks as we are adjusting our towels on sand. I tense up. What does she mean? What should I reply? If I answer too quickly it will be suspicious and it will look like I am defending myself. If I ignore her question..well that will be just plain rude. But I also can’t admit that anything is going on. Because it’s not.

“You mean between Matt and me?” Isa speaks up, just as I opened my mouth to start nervously rambling. I leave out a sigh look at Gabriella - who teasingly nods her head at Isa. Thank god. She is not talking about me. But honestly I should stop jumping to conclusions and thinking everything is about me. 

My attention shifts back to conversation. Isa - who is lying in the middle and has a crimson red face, explaining to Gabriella how it’s nothing but a silly crush and that he probably didn’t even notice her. Which makes both of us laugh. “Oh how can you not see it? Even now he is looking at you and in the water he was constantly next to you.” Our new friend says. 

“Gabriella is right Isa. Anyone can see he is interested in you.” I nudge her shoulder, making her giggle.

“Girls you can seriously call me Ella, all of my friends are calling me that. And don’t think we didn’t notice how Nathaniel looks at you Alexis.“ Now it’s my turn to blush. Two girls and I spend the next few hours sunbathing, chatting about Ella’s and Liam’s relationship, about school, history projects and so on. If boys wouldn’t come out of water to complain how hungry they are, we would still be laying there and talking.

Since our team thel bet we also got to choose where we will be eating. Jacob acted like a little child and begged for burgers and shake so here we are now. Ordering lunch at Beachcomber. Isa and I decided we will split our burger and fries, since they serve really big portions here -  Ella did the same with Liam. Everyone else except Jacob orders their own burger, Jacob being the one who orders two. 

Waitress barely manages to put all the plates on the table and I admit we are very squished. We choose a booth to sit, on one side there is me, Isa and Ella. Liam and Jacob are sitting on extra chairs, which we asked for. On the opposite side are Kaden, Matt and Nathaniel. I feel someone kick my leg repeatedly but I am too invested in my food to check who it is. So with full force I kick the person back. “Ouch!” Kaden yelps out. “What the hell? Why did you kick me Alexis?” I sheepishly look at Kaden while the rest of the group snickers. Nathaniel’s face plastered with smirk lets me know I kicked the wrong person.

“Sorry Kaden, I thought that was Nathaniel’s leg.” I admit and continue eating once Kaden says - with his mouth full of food might I add; that is okay but we need to stop playing footsies. The rest of our meal is devoured in silence. Occasionally one of the guys broke that silence to ask Jacob to stop chewing so loud.I admit I was too focused on food to even hear him. As normal teenagers we obviously ate way too much. And I am sure my stomach isn’t anywhere near being flat. Jacob easily finished both burgers and also helped finish Isa’s and mine. 

Taking a short walk back to our towels, the group disperses into different activities. Liam and Ella go for a romantic dip in the water. Jacob and Kaden chase after some ‘hot looking bikini’ girls, or at least that is what they called them. Matt and Nathaniel are playing cards with Isa and I am collecting shelves. Lucky for me St. Augustine’s beach has a lot of them. From conch, cocklel, murex ones to ceriths and sand dollar ones. There are many broken one, so you need to be patient to find whole ones. 

Good thing is that I brought a plastic container full of grapes for a snack. Don’t worry plastic is eco friendly. Now I use it as a container for beautiful shells. That is also one of the traditions my mom’s left me with. Every year on the fourth of July my family had a beach day, on which we collected shells and when we came home we had to create something with them. Then we evaluated which masterpiece is the best, although Lucas and I always got the price. 

I still stick to it, few times a year I collect shells and then create something. I place it in a special box in the garage - one that I know no one looks at, with dedication to my mom. I guess all these little things became my routine, something to make me feel like nothing has changed. They are also keeping my mind busy. There is nothing worse than an unoccupied mind. Suddenly I see a silhouette blocking the sun and I look up to it.

“Mind if I join you?” Nathaniel’s rich voice reaches my ears. 

“Of course. You don’t need to ask me for permission.” I grin as he squats down and helps me with collecting shells.

“What will you do with so many of these anyway?”

“I was thinking of making some jewelry or something. My family used to do this every year and it’s something I still enjoy doing.” I explain, trying to not overshare. We had a great day today, no need to end it with my sad story. I also don’t want his pity. Or anyone’s. 

“Sounds artistic and interesting. My little sister loves to -.” As if he let out a top secret information, Nathaniel suddenly shuts up, not even finishing the sentence. I don’t question him on it, since I understand very well how it feels when you don’t want to talk about something but people pry. So I change the subject.

“Do you play any instrument or anything?”

“I know how to play a bit of guitar, but that is self taught so I am not very good at it.” He chuckles a bit while shaking his head. “And you?” He adds not even a second later.

“I play the piano. I know only a few pieces and could learn more of course. But I enjoy playing the same ones over and over again.” I shrug, hoping he won’t ask me more questions about piano, since then I would have to talk about my mom again. Thankfully Nathaniel is very observative and just falls silent. I must admit even silence with him is comfortable and I enjoy it.

After some time I speak up again: “I think we have enough of them.” My voice soft. 

“Okay let’s go back to our friends then. It’s getting late anyway. We could go for a quick dip and then home.” He suggests while we make our way back. Our friends were all already at the towels and all happily agreed to go for a swim, then call it a day.

“Is it possible for you to find a ride home?” Isa asks me and comes standing next to me when we are dressing up. I grin at her knowing what that means, but I decide to tease her.

“And what is the reason for you to be ditching your best friend?” At my question, blush overcomes her cheeks - for the hundredth time today. I am happy for her that she is living the life she wants. And if Matt is the reason behind her blush and smile, I am happy they are getting along.

“Matt asked me out on a date. But he came with Nathaniel and Kaden. So we would be taking my car. I am sure boys will gladly take you home.” She says, her mind absent because of a certain boy.

“You go and have fun Isa. It’s not far from my home. I am happy for you.” I pull her in a hug, then push her towards Matt. Choosing not to trouble Nathaniel and Kaden and seeing it’s not too late I decide I would rather take a walk home. She happily skipps away and Matt takes her hand. I take another minute to admire the warm sun, blue water and soft sand. Saying bye to the rest of my friends I start my walk. 

“Alexis wait!” Nathaniel comes running after me. “Is it because I am such a bad company or do you just enjoy walking that much, that you don’t want to ask for a ride.” His tone is teasing, but I hear some genuine question underneath it, making me blush. I should stop embarrassing myself, all he did was ask a normal question.

“No, not at all. I just didn’t want to bother you and Kaden. You could have some other plans and then you would feel obligated to change them, so I decided to just go by foot, avoiding awkward situation.” I ramble, hoping I make sense.

“For someone so small you sure have big brains. Brains who tend to overthink. Kaden and I will happily take you home.” He gently grabs my hand and drags me to his car. Kaden is already in the passenger seat, so I take back seats. When Nathaniel closes my car doors, I apologize to Kaden and thank him for the ride. Even though it’s Nathaniel’s car and he is the one driving, I felt obligated to apologize to Kaden too. If he had plans he will now be late, because they will take a detour. Kaden being the kind person he is flashes me a smile and tells me it’s really no problem. 

Finally at ease that I am not a burden to anyone, I buckle my seat belt. Nathaniel does the same and then takes off.  I look out of the window and Kaden turns the radio on. Few minutes later I see our driver speed up right past my street. “Hey that was my street!” I half exclaim. 

“I know. We will first drive Kaden home first, then I will take my time taking you home.” Nathaniel winks at me, I wouldn't have caught it - if not for the rear-view mirror. Kaden doesn’t say anything, but I think I did hear his chuckle.