Research On You

Chapter 8 : The Beach Trip That Was Definitely A Date

"It’s not a date," Sera said as she threw sunscreen into her bag.

"It’s not a date," I repeated.

"It’s a research trip," Theodore said from the doorway. "Professor Celes said we should observe different environments."

"Professor Celes said no such thing," Cass said, deadpan.

"She implied it," Theodore said. "With her eyes."

We were all standing in my dorm at 6 AM on a Saturday.

Beach trip. As a group. To "collect data on coping mechanisms in recreational spaces."

Translation: Sera planned it.

"Okay everyone," Sera said, clapping. "Beach. Sun. Sea. Research. Fun."

"Fun is not in the rubric," I said.

"It is now," Sera said. "I added it."

Eli was already taking photos. "Documentation begins now."

Rel handed me a tote bag. "Snacks. Water. And extra sunscreen. Don’t burn, kid."

"Thanks, Rel," I said.

Theodore was leaning against the doorframe. Sunglasses on. Beach shirt. Board shorts.

He looked unfairly good.

"You ready, research spouse?" he asked.

"Ready," I said. "For research."

"For research," he agreed.

---

Two hours later. La Union.

The beach was perfect. Blue water. White sand. Not too crowded.

"Okay," I said, opening my notebook. "We need to observe—"

Sera grabbed my wrist. "No. We observe later. First, we swim."

"I didn’t bring a swimsuit," I said.

"Yes you did," Sera said. "I packed it."

She held up my one-piece. Blue.

"I hate you," I said.

"I love you too," she said. "Go change."

I changed in the restroom. When I came out, everyone was already in the water.

Except Theodore.

He was sitting on a towel, watching.

"You’re not swimming?" I asked.

"I’m on lifeguard duty," he said. "And documentation."

Eli was in the water with his waterproof camera.

"Come on," Theodore said, standing up. "I’ll race you."

"I don’t race," I said.

"You do now," he said. "Last one in buys coffee."

"Deal," I said.

We ran.

The water was cold at first. Then perfect.

We splashed each other. We ducked under waves. We laughed.

"Okay okay," I said, wiping water from my face. "You win."

"I always win," he said, grinning. "But you tried. That’s what matters."

We floated for a while. Side by side.

"It’s nice," I said.

"It is," he said. "The beach. And you."

I looked at him. "Did you just—"

"What?" he asked. "Say the beach is nice? It is."

"Right," I said.

We swam back to shore.

---

11 AM. "Research" time.

We spread out towels. Notebooks out.

"Observation 1," I said. "People at the beach seem more relaxed."

"Observation 2," Theodore said. "People at the beach also get sunburned."

"Observation 3," Sera said. "My best friend and her thesis partner keep staring at each other."

"We do not," I said.

"We do," Theodore said at the same time.

We looked at each other. Then looked away.

Cass was reading. Eli was taking photos of everyone.

"Group photo," Eli said. "For the thesis."

We all squeezed in. Me, Theodore, Sera, Cass. Sandy. Wet. Smiling.

"Say research," Eli said.

"Research," we said.

click

---

12:30 PM. Lunch.

We bought grilled fish and rice from a vendor.

"This is good," Theodore said, sitting next to me. "Better than cafe food."

"Everything tastes better at the beach," I said.

"Not everything," he said. "Coffee tastes better in the cafe. With you."

I nearly dropped my food. "What?"

"What?" he asked. "Coffee is good. You’re good."

"Right," I said. "Coffee."

We ate in silence. But it was comfortable.

After, Theodore said, "Walk?"

"For research," I said.

"For research," he agreed.

We walked along the shore. Barefoot. The waves hit our feet.

"So," he said. "How’s the thesis going?"

"Good," I said. "Data is solid. Thanks to you."

"Thanks to us," he said. "Team."

"Team," I agreed.

He stopped and picked up a shell. "Here."

He handed it to me.

"For you," he said. "For research. A sample."

"It’s pretty," I said.

"I know," he said. "Like you."

I held the shell tight. "Thank you."

"Anytime," he said.

---

3 PM. The sun was high.

"Nap time," Sera announced. "Mandatory."

She and Cass lay down on towels. Eli was editing photos.

Theodore and I sat under an umbrella.

"You tired?" he asked.

"A little," I said.

"Me too," he said. "All-nighter last night."

"Why?" I asked.

"Finishing the interview transcripts," he said. "For you."

"Theo," I said. "You didn’t have to."

"I wanted to," he said. "I like helping you."

He leaned back. Closed his eyes.

"Don’t fall asleep," I said.

"I won’t," he said. "Just resting."

Five minutes later, he was asleep.

His head tilted toward me.

I should move away.

I didn’t.

I watched the waves instead. And him.

---

4:30 PM. He woke up.

"Did I drool?" he asked immediately.

"No," I said. "You were perfect."

"Perfect?" he asked, sitting up.

"Shut up," I said.

He laughed. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing," I said. "Just waves. And me staring."

"Staring?" he asked.

"Observing," I corrected. "For research."

"Right," he said. "Research."

---

5 PM. Sunset.

Everyone was quiet. Watching the sky turn pink and orange.

"This is the best part," Sera said.

"It is," Cass agreed.

Eli took photo after photo.

Theodore bumped my shoulder. "Pretty, right?"

"Yeah," I said.

"Not as pretty as you," he said quietly.

I didn’t answer. I just leaned my head against his shoulder for a second.

He didn’t move away.

---

6 PM. Packing up.

"We should go," Cass said.

"One more thing," Theodore said. "Bonfire?"

"Where?" I asked.

"There," he pointed. A small group was starting one down the beach.

"Okay," I said.

We sat around the fire. Roasting marshmallows.

"Tell a story," Sera said.

Theodore cleared his throat. "Okay. Once upon a time, there was a girl who color-coded everything."

"Hey," I said.

"And a guy who was always late," he continued.

"Also hey," I said.

"And somehow," he said, "they ended up writing a thesis together."

"And?" Sera prompted.

"And," he said, looking at me, "they figured out that research is better with someone."

The fire crackled.

"That’s it?" I asked.

"That’s it," he said. "Short story."

---

8 PM. On the bus ride home.

Everyone was tired. Sera was asleep on Cass. Eli was asleep on his camera.

Theodore and I had the window seat.

"You good?" he asked.

"Tired," I said. "And happy."

"Same," he said. "Best research trip ever."

"Best," I agreed.

He yawned. "Can I...?"

He gestured to my shoulder.

"Yes," I said.

He leaned his head on my shoulder.

I leaned my head on his.

We fell asleep like that.

---

11 PM. Back at the dorm.

Sera shook me awake. "We’re home."

I looked down. Theodore was still asleep on me.

"Theo," I whispered.

"Hmm?" he mumbled.

"We’re here."

He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Did we miss anything?"

"No," I said. "Just the bus ride."

"Oh," he said. "Sorry if I—"

"It’s okay," I said. "I didn’t mind."

He smiled. "Good."

We all said good night.

---

Back in my room, I opened my notebook.

Pink: Introduction.

Blue: Literature Review.

Yellow: Methodology.

Green: Results.

Purple: Unexpected.

Under purple:

Beach.

Shell.

"Not as pretty as you."

Head on my shoulder.

Bonfire story.

Best day.

My phone buzzed.

Theo: Home safe?

Me: Home safe.

Theo: Good.

Theo: Thanks for today.

Me: Thanks for the shell.

Theo: Thanks for letting me sleep on you.

Me: Anytime.

Theo: For research?

Me: For research.

Theo: Good night, Reyes.

Me: Good night, Theo.

I put my phone down.

The shell was on my desk.

---

Monday. Class.

Professor Celes looked at our photos. "This is good work. Different environment, same data. People cope better in nature."

"Yes, ma'am," we said.

After, Theodore handed me coffee.

"Black, no sugar," he said.

"Thanks," I said. "For everything."

"Anytime," he said. "Research spouse."

"Research spouse," I repeated.

Sera walked by. "You two have sand in your hair."

"We do?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said. "Cute sand."

---

That night, Eli posted the photos.

The one of us in the water.

The one of us under the umbrella.

The one of us at sunset, heads together.

Caption: Data collected. Memories made. #ResearchOnYou #BeachDay

Comments:

seraphina.s: MY HEART

cass.v: Good trip

theo.a: stop

eli.t: never

I looked at the photo of us at sunset.

Maybe this was still just research.

But it didn’t feel like it anymore.

END OF CHAPTER 8