Kingdom of Salt and Sirens

by J. A. Armitage

  “Lilly, I’ve been thinking about clubs lately.”

  “And…”

  “Well, I want to join the marine biology club.”

  She pulled the car over to the side of the road, “you’re crazy, right? You can’t join that club.”

  “Why not?” I asked confused.

  “Have you forgotten about your family’s business?”

  “The aquatic center?”

  “No, you dingbat. The other one.”

  My heart sank. I had.

  “Now are you feeling me?”

  I nodded. “Wow. I thought I’d finally found something I might enjoy more than swimming in the ocean. But you’re right. If they caught wind of that, they’d probably put me on trial.”

  “Okay, now that’s going a little overboard. But they’d definitely put pressure on you,” she pulled back on the road once she saw it was safe, “look, there’s a lot going on at our school. Take your time. I know I kind of pressured you. But you don’t have to pick for another two-weeks. Grab packets or go to the websites. Eliminate the definite no’s and research the maybes. You’ll find something. And when you do, it will be perfect.”

  She was right, I’d find the perfect club.

  “So where are we going?”

  “About that.”

  “Lilly?”

  “Well, it happens to be at Mason’s house.”

  “What? No. Lilly. We can’t go there. We’re not invited. I saw him today and he made no mention. Sorry. Just drop me off here. I’m not going where I wasn’t invited. I’d crash anyone else’s party but his.”

  “You are totally exaggerating.”

  “Lilly?!”

  “Arya, please. I never ask you to do anything for me. Please. Just for me. Just this once,” she said giving me those sad puppy dog eyes.

  I wasn’t sure why my friend was having this sudden urge to want to do these things that weren’t typically to her liking, but she was asking for my support. The least I could do was give it to her, “fine. But I’m agreeing under duress,” I said laughing.

  “Yes! Thank you, so much. I have a feeling you won’t regret it.” She said, turning up the volume to her upbeat pop song. She had a feeling I wouldn’t regret it? And here I had an awful feeling at the pit of my stomach to avoid his place.

  We pulled into a gated residence. Beautiful landscaping. A combination of desert meets beach meets island oasis. The contemporary house sprawled across a private area of beach, with its open views. Floor to ceiling windows that opened, completely disappearing into the walls. We pulled into the long driveway and followed a lit path toward the beach side of the property where the party was happening. I was surprised to see a table setup with food. Like real food. Catered food with attendants, only making me feel worse about being there. surely it was a private event and now we really would be caught.

  Lilly immediately darted in the direction of a group of people, where my sister Drina happened to be. Maybe I’d been too caught up in my own issues, but Lilly seemed to be crushing on a senior, and I hadn’t noticed it before.

  “Arya, what are you doing here?” Drina said, locking her arm in mine.

  “Lilly convinced me to come, but now I’m not so sure. I don’t think we should be here,” I said looking around for a quick escape. Maybe I could call an Uber?

  “Don’t be silly. You’re already here. If someone say’s something, I’ll say you’re with me. See if they’ll dare challenge that,” Drina said with a raised eyebrow.

  I shrugged, “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t have a good feeling about being here. Drina, will you ask someone to pick me up, please. I just want to go home. I don’t belong here.”

  “Who doesn’t belong here,” a familiar voice said from behind.

  Drina smiled, “Mason, this is my little sister Arya. I hope you don’t mind that I invited her and her friend Lilly.”

  I hesitantly turned to find him grinning at me. “Of course, I don’t mind. Any sister or friend of yours is most welcome. Besides, I believe she and I have already had the pleasure of meeting.”

  My heart sank. The last thing I needed was anyone at home knowing I was cliff diving. My two younger sisters knew, but even they weren’t going to keep it from our father if I was doing this too often. That, in their eyes, was reckless.

  The look in my eyes must had been telling, he immediately covered, “we bumped into to each other in the cafeteria. We have the same lunch.”

  “Oh! Nice. Well, don’t let her fool you. She’s feisty,” Drina said, “thanks again. If you need me, Arya, I’ll be over there with Justin.”

  I was alone with Mason feeling quite uncomfortable, “thanks for having me. Although, I’m technically crashing.”

  “Nah, I thought of inviting you. But you didn’t seem like the type that would come. At least according to my sources.”

  “About your sources. Who are you asking about me?” I asked with a smile on my face, hoping to charm him enough to tell.

  He snickered, “you’d love to know, wouldn’t you? I think I’ll be keeping that to myself for now. Hey, are you hungry? We have plenty to eat. My parents insisted on catering. But no one seems interested in the food. Weird huh?”

  I followed him to the buffet, “wow, your parents weren’t kidding. They really went all out.”

  The long table was filled with the best of finger foods that most teens would devour, and delicious seafood. So much seafood. It had to have costed a fortune.

  Then a massive ice sculpture, I found rather amusing, “a Trident?” I teased.

  He shrugged, handing me a plate, “it’s a family joke.”

  We each walked alongside each other picking out different things. I sampled along the way.

  “You know, you’re not like other girls I’ve ever met.”

  I finished my mouthful of shrimp before replying, “how so?”

  “You’re carefree. And you don’t seem to bother with the trivial things most other high school girls do. Your beautiful, but it’s as if you don’t care. You can hang with the guys as if you were one. And you have their respect. Your best friend? I can see how much you care for her. Its genuine. No strings attached. You’re even different from your sister, Drina. Heck, I didn’t see that one coming.”

  I was nibbling on a scalloped wrapped bacon, taking it all in, “and you eat. Like real food.” He added. I laughed. That was true. Well, that and my friendship with Lilly.

  “So, you think you’ve got me figured out?” I smiled, teasingly.

  “Arya, no. But I surely would like to start, if you’d let me.”

  7

  I tossed and turned, restless all night, thinking about the words Mason had said. What had he meant? Surely, I’d misunderstood. And why hadn’t I attempted to clarify? All I did was smile, like some type of goofball, and continued marching down that buffet line, stuffing my face.

  I finally got up and went downstairs to get something to drink. Except, I wasn’t sure what I wanted, and water didn’t sound particularly good. Rambling through the fridge, I found a bottle of sweet tea, probably one of my older sisters. Whoever it belonged to, she’d have a conniption when she couldn’t find it. Hopefully I wouldn’t be around when it happened.

  I could see the moon shining brightly outside, sparkling off the pond. Without a second thought, I walked out the back, barefoot and sat at the edge of the pond, where the fish swam to greet me.

  “Hello,” I said to them, puckering my lips. “It’s been an interesting day,” I continued speaking as if they were old friends. “I got to cliff dive again today! It was amazing. So, exhilarating. I wish my dad understood how great the ocean is for me. I also met this guy. Well, I go to school with him. Still, I hadn’t really met him met him until today. Then I went to his house for a party. It was so embarrassing. I think he likes me,” I confessed to the fish, who simply stared back at me.

  I couldn’t help but laugh at how crazy it was. “Anyway, thanks for listening to me. And sorry I have
n’t been by more.” I said heading back into the house.

  Ella was waiting for me inside, “do you know what we call people who talk to fish? We call them crazy!”

  I laughed, “I know. But you wanna know a secret? You can tell them anything, and they won’t rat you out. You should try it sometime. It’s very therapeutic.”

  My arm brushed hers as I walked past, and she broke out into laughter. “Oh Arya, little Arya. I don’t even know anymore.”

  “You don’t have to know anything,” I said waving good-bye from behind.

  Keeping secrets from Lilly wasn’t a habit of mine. However, I wasn’t ready to say anything about my conversation with Mason, figuring I’d see how things played out. Besides, it seemed she too had been feeling something out herself and neglected to share the details with me as well.

  “What’d you do yesterday?” Lilly asked as soon as I got in the car.

  “The beach for a swim. Then home and binge watched a new show. You know, the typical Sunday for me. Why? What’d you do?”

  When she didn’t immediately reply, I turned to look at her, she was blushing, “oh my gosh! Lilly! What did you do?”

  “Well, I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner. I was a little shy about it and well, you’ve been a bit caught up with your family issues. There’s this senior, Rafa, and, well, he asked me out!”

  My jaw dropped. Of course, I was happy for her. Yet, I didn’t see that coming. I had a suspicion. I just didn’t think it was happening that soon. I knew exactly who Rafa was. He was one of our schools up and coming computer software engineers. He was pegged to be the next big-time software developer, surely to make millions before he was thirty. He was even cute, just a little too thin and pale for my taste. But it was because he spent most of his time behind a computer screen, indoors. Definitely not my MO. And not really Lilly’s either. She wasn’t much of a swimmer like me, but the girl loved tanning, which often caused contention in her family. Her grandmother apparently had ideas about sunbathing. Old Chinese beliefs. Lilly, however, was so far removed from that way of life. She participated in certain social events. But her parents, although both Chinese, were very modern in their way of raising their children.

  “Lilly! That’s awesome! I had a sneaky suspicion something was up. I’m happy for you.”

  “So, I heard from Rafa that Mason’s been asking about you. Spill the beans? I saw him warming up to you at his party.”

  Nope! I wasn’t ready. At least not yet. “Just talking. Like I’d said earlier, he’d been at the cliff. We were talking about dives and swims. That’s it,” I said catching her rolling her eyes back at me. “Sorry, my love life isn’t quite as exciting as yours.” I laughed.

  The morning had gone by as always, uneventful. Yet I found myself nervous as lunch time approached. I knew seeing Mason would be certain, still I was afraid.

  Would he ignore me? Or would he make good on his word of wanting to get to know me better? Oh gosh, should I had tried to look cute? I’d thrown the first thing I could find when I walked out the shower. Realizing only then that it looked just like that, like now thought had been put into it.

  Drina caught up with me as I approached the cafeteria, “hey! How are you?”

  I looked around, wondering why my sister was speaking to me. We didn’t normally talk to each other at school. Granted, of all my sisters, she was probably the one I spoke to the most, we still didn’t make a habit of really seeking each other out. Or should I say, my sisters preferred it that way.

  “I’m good. What’s up?” I said stopping to give her my attention.

  “I don’t want to swim anymore either.”

  The words caught me by surprise. And I wanted her to take them back. I wanted no part in knowing it. Without a word, I turned to walk away. It was the best solution I could come up with.

  She pulled me back, “where are you going?”

  “Anywhere but here,” I said pulling away from her.

  “You can’t just leave me here,” she said as I kept walking away. “Arya, I’m your sister! Won’t you have my back?” she said with a righteousness that put me on edge.

  Without thinking I turned back and slowly walked in her direction, like a barracuda, I found my mark, “have your back?” I said with an eerie command of tone. “Like you had mine?”

  “That was different…”

  She started and I cut her off, “different?” I laughed. “Different because it was me and I’m always the odd one out? Because I’m the youngest. The least like the rest of you? The one who is willing to take a stand for what she believes in even if means her entire family turning their back on her? That kind of different? Where were you, Drina, when dad just about disowned me? Hm? When Tina and the others made me out to be some horrible daughter. Person? Were you there? Picking of the pieces? Did you have my back? Oh! No. That’s right. You were busy stabbing it. Don’t think I don’t know that Rista and you were the ones who outed me the first chance you got just to save face when your swim times were less than stellar. Don’t take me for a fool, Drina. Because I don’t take you for one.” I said, turning back only to find Lilly and Mason standing a few feet away listening to it all.

  Lilly tried to reach out to me, but I pushed her away, “not right now, please.” I said, holding back the tears as I ran for the main entrance and out the doors. I needed space from everyone. I hadn’t realized it, but the pain was still very much there. The pent-up anger, I was still carrying it around.

  I walked toward the transit line, the sweltering heat rising from the street made me feel delirious. Pacing back and forth by a bench not thinking of anything really, other than to get away, a bus rolled in and I hopped on. Thank goodness, I had a bus pass.

  I found a seat near the back close to the AC and allowed the cool breeze to blow over me as my tension started easing up and I put a plan into motion. I recognized the route. The beach. Perfect. Besides. I was always prepared, carrying a few extra items in my bag.

  When I finally reached my destination, I found a spot where I could easily manage a change, and quickly run out into the ocean.

  A deep breath and under the water I went, feeling the tingling sensation on my skin. That excitement that I felt every time the saltwater touched me, and the bubbles escaped my nostrils. I opened my eyes, surprised at how clear the water was, and kept going, swimming deeper into the underwater abyss.

  My legs made little effort to kick, it was as if my body contoured to the water, effortlessly as the water caressed me in every way. Enchanting. I thought.

  I paused for a moment, watching as my long red hair swirled around so beautifully, bringing a smile to my face, then I continued.

  Swimming in the vast ocean, I knew I’d have to surface for air sooner or later, yet my body had no desire.

  There was an awakening happening within me each time I swam in the open waters. I was starting to notice. My senses were heightened, and I could go without breathing for longer periods of time. I was building up better stamina since I’d been away from the chlorinated pools.

  “Arya!” I thought I heard.

  I looked around. Surely it wasn’t underwater.

  “Arya!” The voice was muffled.

  I kicked to return to the surface, shocked to find how far from shore I was. Almost to Tesoro Island.

  How on earth did I get this far? I wondered.

  “Arya!” The voice came from within the water, I could make out a figure, swimming.

  “Over here!” I answered back. No use in causing any worry.

  “Don’t move!”

  I’d heard clearly, still I didn’t care. I wasn’t some damsel in distress that needed saving. I swam back, only to find, “Mason? What are you doing here?” I said, wondering how on earth he’d found me.

  “Are you all right?”

  His face was full of worry. It was almost pathetic but cute too, in a weird kind of way.

  “Of course. What would make you think otherwise?”

&n
bsp; “Let’s get back on the beach. Are you fine swimming on your own?”

  I ignored his comment and swam. I swam so fast I was sure he didn’t think I had it in me. But Mason was an excellent swimmer. Still there was something about him that I couldn’t peg. He was almost too good of a swimmer.

  When we reached the beach, I didn’t bother with a towel, turning to him to confront the situation head on, “why are you out here, Mason?”

  “Look, I heard you and your sister. I wasn’t trying to. But I did. I followed you out and then when I went to get my car, I lost you. I had to track Lilly down and she said you’d probably headed to the beach. She was on her way, but I asked her to let me come out and get you.”

  “Okay, but what were you doing in the water?”

  “Making sure you were okay,” he shot back.

  “Why?”

  “You were upset!”

  “So, you assumed I was going to hurt myself?” I was incredulous.

  “I didn’t know what you were going to do. I just followed you and then when I found your stuff and didn’t see you, I came into the water looking for you.”

  “Well, as you can see, I’m fine. Thank you, for caring. Seriously, I do appreciate it. I really do. But I also need my space. As you saw, I’m not necessarily in a good place right now to be entertaining anyone.” I shoved past him.

  “Wait, I have a question.”

  I stopped, “what?”

  “I was out here, for a while. You didn’t come up for air. For a long time. How did you do it?”

  His eyes studied mine, not missing a beat. I didn’t have an answer. Because I didn’t even know it had been that long.

  “I came up for air, you just didn’t notice.” I replied turning back toward my things.

  “I can do that too, you know. So, if you ever want to talk about it. I’m here for you.”

  He could do what? I had no clue what he was talking about. But deep inside, I was starting to realize there was something different about me, yet I was too scared to accept it.

  8