Derrolyn Anderson - [Marinas Tales #1] - Between The Land And The Sea (18 page)

“This land is all part of the Khang family farm.” He said, gesturing from the bluff to the hills. “Lue’s selling me the five acres right here between the freeway and the ocean.”

“Wow!” I said, “It’s beautiful out here. What are you going to do with it?” As we walked along the field he told me how he wanted to start a nursery growing native and drought resistant plants. He told me what a good spot this was for growing, and how he was working for Lue to pay for the plot. He was planning to study landscaping design, horticulture and business at the local university.

As he spoke, his eyes lit up. He reminded me of my father when he was onto a particularly interesting line of research. I thought about what Lue Khang had said about Ethan’s “earth spirits” and I couldn’t help smiling.

“What?” he asked, suddenly self-conscious.

“Nothing,” I shook my head, “You just remind me of someone. Now I see what you’re working so hard for.”

We continued our stroll until we arrived at a spot with a perfect view of the sun setting over the sea.

“I’d like to build a house right here someday,” he said, and I could suddenly see it in my mind as if it already stood right before us.

“
It’s going to be beautiful
,” I said, with an intense spasm of pain right behind my eyes. I pressed my palm to my temple and staggered back a step. Not again… not now.

Ethan turned to me, puzzled. “What did you just say?” he asked. He was looking at me the same way that Cruz and Megan had...

“Nothing,” I said, feeling the blood draining from my face, “I’m just a little dizzy.”

“We haven’t eaten all day,” said Ethan, “Do you want to go get some pizza or something?” I blinked, and forced a shaky smile, “OK, that sounds good.” He took me by the arm to steady me as we walked back to the car. As we drove back up the coast my head was reeling with the knowledge of what I’d done. I had just blurted something out in garbled mermaid language right in front of Ethan. I felt like I was losing control of myself and it scared me. I imagined talking to Lorelei on my surfboard and began to feel a little better.

I could see Ethan’s worried glances over at me in my peripheral vision. I tried to act normally, to beat back the panic and steady my breathing. We drove to a place he knew and took a quiet booth in the back. He ordered right away and made sure I got some water. I knew he was watching me, and I did my best to act as though nothing was wrong, and my whole world wasn’t being turned upside down more and more each day. I put everything that was going on out of my mind.

“Do you feel better?” he asked after we ate some pizza.

I nodded and smiled, trying to reassure him, “Yes, much... thanks.” He seemed to relax and I followed suit, leaning back and sipping on my soda.

“So, you really never went to school?” he asked, “I mean, you seem so… smart.” I laughed, finally feeling like myself, “I’ve had lots of teachers! You don’t need to be in a classroom to learn.”

He chuckled, and I really liked the way it sounded, “I guess so… I was wondering,” he switched topics, “You’ve looked like a totally different person every day this week at school...

How come?”

I looked down, pressing my lips together, “My Aunt Evie sent a bunch of my clothes down to me along with the Porsche. Cruz likes to pick the outfits for me.” He didn’t look convinced.

I smiled sheepishly and added more truthfully, “Also, those girls at school get... irritated....

by all the things that Evie gives me. So, I thought I’d just give them just a little more to be annoyed about.” It sounded petty when I said it out loud and I felt a twinge of guilt.

“You little instigator,” he chuckled again, and I looked up into blue eyes sparkling with amusement, “You don’t need to do all that stuff. I like you best the way you are right now.”

“Uhm, thanks,” I said, my cheeks burning, “but I can’t deny Cruz
all
of his fun.” Now I changed the subject, asking him more about his plans for the future.

We discovered that we shared the same birthday in January, which struck us both as an unusual coincidence. He would be eighteen the same day I was to turn seventeen, and I couldn’t help but remember all of Evie’s talk about destiny. Whether it meant anything or not, our common birthday made me feel closer to him, like we had a special connection.

The more I got to know Ethan the more impressed I was, for he was totally unlike any of the other boys at school. He was far more serious about mapping out his future than most people our age. It was as if he needed to know precisely what was going to happen in the future, and he worked hard to make sure things turned out like he planned. I wasn’t sure if it was good to work so hard, or bad to be so inflexible. He reminded me of my dad.

He was always polite and serious, but never without a sense of humor. He wasn’t vain at all, which I found unusual for such a good looking guy. He seemed indifferent to all the girls that flocked around him at school, ignoring them as they tried to catch his eye. I was no better than any of them, I thought, embarrassed by how quickly he had crept into my psyche, appearing in my dreams regularly.

He asked me about some of the different places I’d lived and I asked him more questions about surfing. We talked for a long time, and when the restaurant finally closed we reluctantly started for home.

Ethan pulled up and we climbed out of the little car.

“You better get some rest,” he said, walking me to the door. We stood there awkwardly for a moment while I searched in my bag for the house keys.

“Thanks for today,” I said nervously, fiddling with the lock.

“Let’s go again next Saturday,” he said.

I smiled, turning the knob, “Sounds like fun.”

He hesitated, and then turned to leave, “Goodnight Marina.”

“Goodnight,” I called after him.

When I came inside, Cruz was waiting for me on the couch. He peppered me with questions about the day, teasing me about being out so late with Ethan.

“Let’s see, you’ve only lived here a couple of months and already you’ve almost drowned twice, discovered a mermaid, and are dating the cutest guy in school!” He shook his head theatrically. “What are you going to do for your next act?” I scowled at him, “We’re not dating.”

“He took you out to eat on a Saturday night.”

“So?” I said. He just laughed at me as I headed down the hall to bed. “Good night Cruz,” I called over my shoulder.

“Good night Marina.”

The next week at school started uneventfully. It looked as though things were going to blow over with Shayla, but I knew it was only because she didn’t want to make Ethan angry with her.

Nevertheless, I relaxed and stopped looking over my shoulder so much. I was getting used to the routine, and while my classes were for the most part boring I enjoyed spending time with Megan and Cruz. Ethan was friendly with them, I enjoyed art class, and the mean girls avoided me.

Maybe my dad was right about me needing to be here.

“Ethan’s a really nice guy when you get to know him,” Megan said. “I guess I just assumed that all surfers were jerks.”

“You know what happens when you assume...” Cruz added.

Ethan began joining us at lunch, and always escorted me to art class afterward. Our new-found camaraderie infuriated Shayla and her gang of followers. If looks could kill I would have been in real trouble. I toned down my look a bit, but always included at least one truly flashy piece of designer wear in each outfit. I could see them check out each new handbag, jacket or pair of expensive shoes I wore to my great amusement. Eat your hearts out, I thought.

I started attracting the attention of a new round of boys. They would try to sit with me in class or strike up conversations in the halls. It was a little disconcerting, but Evie would have loved it. I think it had something to do with the red hot sports car I drove to school each day, Cruz nervously coaching from the passenger seat. Ethan often seemed to materialize by my side when they came lurking around, a protective presence that came as a welcome relief. When he was nearby I relaxed and let my guard down, and I felt a little better about everything that was going on.

Every day after school I went down to the beach, hoping to find myself alone on the cement ship. Lorelei had proven to be unpredictable, so I never knew when I might happen upon her. I hadn’t seen any sea lions for quite a while and I was growing discouraged, starting to think I’d never get another chance to meet with her. That Thursday after school I packed my bag and wandered down to the pier in the hopes that today might just be my lucky day.

It was cool breezy afternoon, and the beach hosted only a smattering of people. I lingered on the pier, waiting for the ship to clear off. Making my way down to the fence, I looked through with my fingers crossed. My heart sank when I saw no sign of the sea lions or Lorelei. Pressing my face to the fence I squeezed my eyes shut and concentrated.

“
Lorelei!
” I called out, hoping I could summon her, “
Sister!
” I scanned the wrecked concrete, sighing in frustration.

“Well if it isn’t our local freak!” Shayla’s voice called out behind me. I turned to see Shayla and Heather approach me menacingly. Jamie hung back a little with a scared look on her face.

There were three of them, and I wondered how badly they were planning on beating me. I considered jumping off into the water, but the wild surf and Ethan’s warnings about the pier stopped me. I steeled myself for the worst.

“Leave me alone!” I hissed, and tried to walk boldly passed them. Shayla shoved me hard and I stumbled backwards, falling to the pavement.

“Shayla, we should go...” Jamie said quaveringly, looking behind her. There was nobody there to call for help.

“Whersh your boyfriend now?” Shayla was taller than I remembered as she closed in on me.

She lunged for me but I scrambled to my feet and backed up. “Little miss I’m so-o perfect and my parents are rish. Ethanz so stupid– he only likes you cuz a your car.” She was drunkenly ranting, and started cursing me out, calling me every vile thing she could think of. I recognized the pain in her voice and realized how much my petty games had really affected her.

I could hear Heather laughing hysterically as I dodged Shayla’s first punch, “Kick the crap out of her! Pull
her
hair out of her head.”

Shayla swung again and connected, splitting my lip against my teeth. I could taste blood in my mouth and I fell back down again. She stood over me, seething with rage.

“You think you’re so great but you’re just a stupid freak!” I could smell the alcohol on her breath, and her eyes were bleary and unfocused. I tried to crawl away, watching as Heather collapsed in stitches on the pavement. Shayla reached down and snatched my purse. She staggered over to the side rail and dangled it over, a triumphant grimace on her face. She stumbled, and the weight of the bag combined with her height tipped her over the edge.

Heather’s eyes swung open in shock.

We all ran to the side and looked down. At first we couldn’t see her but she finally surfaced, her face white with shock. Her head started bobbing in the churning foam. Jamie stood frozen in fear and Heather started wailing and crying. We stood watching Shayla gasping for air and flailing as the currents sucked her down. I was pretty sure she was too drunk to swim.

I looked up, “Go get help!” I bellowed at Jamie.

Heather was squatting on the ground, sobbing incomprehensibly. I looked down into Shayla’s terrified eyes and remembered how it felt to know that you were going to die. Without thinking, I kicked off my shoes and dove in. The familiar shock of cold water cleared my head. If I could just get a hold of her I planned to drag her away from the treacherous currents and swim in for shore away from the pier.

I groped in the foamy surf until I found an arm and started to try and swim away from the shipwreck. Desperate hands clawed at my clothes and grabbed me by the shoulders. I could feel her weight force me under as she tried to pull herself up on me. I remembered reading about how drowning people often go into a panic, taking their would-be rescuers down with them.

Nice job, I thought to myself, as I struggled to get free from her death grip. I kicked furiously, not ready to die. All I could think about was Ethan. I managed to break the surface and catch a breath. Then I saw her face, and I was overcome with relief as Lorelei plucked me away from Shayla and swam a short distance away.

“
Thanks!
” I gasped, catching my breath as she held my body up, looking into my eyes searchingly. “
I came to see you! I need to talk–
” She looked at my bleeding lip with alarm and started to swim away, taking me with her.

“
No!
” I cried, “
We need to take that girl to shore!
” I hoped she would listen to me this time.

She nodded, and holding me by the waist we flew through the foam. She grabbed Shayla’s wrist and pulled her along. I thought fast as she powered us to shore.

“
Lorelei– meet me here tomorrow. I have a wet suit now, I can stay in the water longer!
” She looked confused, “
Tomorrow? What is tomorrow?
” It occurred on me that she had no concept of time. I tried to think of how to explain it to her.

I pointed up, “
The next time the sun comes, alright?
” she nodded, her eyes lighting up.

“
One sleep!
” she said with a brilliant smile, and dropped us off at the water’s edge. I scrambled to my feet, looking around for witnesses, “
See you tomorrow.
” I dragged Shayla by the arms as far up the beach as I could and collapsed in the sand. I looked back to see Lorelei had disappeared.

Shayla’s eyes were rolling in her head. I turned her onto her side and pounded on her back.

She began spewing salt water with alcohol fumes. I looked up to see Jamie frantically rushing up to us with a couple of the surfer boys in tow. I recognized Long from the farmers market.

Shayla was retching and coughing now but at least she was breathing. Jamie started telling them what had happened, and they both looked at me in awe. Heather staggered to the beach behind them, fell to her knees and began to vomit.