The Ocean

by Mia Castile

  There were now two minutes on the board. Mason threw the bal to Alex. He took it almost al the way up the field, and then he was taken down.

  They huddled up. We needed one touchdown, and we would win the game. The score was seventeen to twenty-one. Mason threw the bal to Travis.

  He ran. We al stood.

  I held my breath, and as I exhaled, I whispered, “Go, baby, go baby, go.” Abby squeezed my arm. Two big guys came barreling toward him; he dove for the end zone. They piled on top of him. When the guys jumped off him, their entire team was waving their hands sideways saying it was no good while al of our team had their hands up like a referee signaling touchdown. The referee ran to him. It was as if everyone in the bleachers was leaning toward the field goal. His arms went up in the air for a touchdown. We al cheered. Travis stood up, took off his helmet, and kissed his two fingers and pointed to me. I kissed mine and pointed back at him. Abby and I hugged each other, jumping up and down and giggling.

  We waited in the usual spot for the guys to get cleaned up. I was nervous about the bonfire, but not as nervous as I might have been had Abby not been going with us. At least I’d have her to sit with while the guys surfed. The three of them came up, and we al loaded into Mason’s SUV. We made our way to the beach, but went through a drive-through first because the boys said they were famished. When we arrived, they got blankets out of the back of the truck. I suddenly realized there weren’t any surfboards.

  “Aren’t you guys surfing?” Abby asked, realizing the same thing.

  “Nah, we just want to hang,” Mason said, draping his arm around her shoulders and kissing the side of her head. Travis took my hand as Alex went ahead of us to meet his date for the dance, Gloria, standing with the other cheerleaders near the sidewalk to the pier. We made our way and found a spot near the fire that was just getting started and laid out our blankets. I sat between Travis’ legs and leaned against him. He smel ed clean like the cologne he always wore. I shivered a little, and he handed me my sweatshirt. We sat there quietly while more people arrived, comfortable and enjoying the silence. Abby and Mason sat beside each other immersed in quiet conversation, and even though we were beside them, we couldn’t hear them talking. Alex sat across the fire from us surrounded by cheerleaders, including Jil ian, who was obviously flirting with him. He mostly ignored her, focusing his attention on Gloria, but I felt sorry for Brandon, who was Jil ian’s date to the homecoming dance. He sat off to the side completely ignored. In the distance I saw what looked like shadow figures in the surf. I knew there were about six guys out there surfing, including Chiz. They looked like ghosts from where we sat. I was relieved that Travis had decided to spend time with me rather than surf.

  “What are you thinking about?” Travis whispered in my ear.

  “Not much, just how nice it is to just be with you.” I looked up at him. His arms squeezed around me.

  “I like how you think,” he whispered in my ear, brushing his lips against it.

  Final y, after the boys who were surfing joined us, kids coupled up to go other places to make out, and after the fire died down, we folded our blankets, and Mason took us back to school to get Travis’ car. Travis drove us home. Alex said goodnight and went in, leaving us standing on the porch. The evening was a lot crisper away from the bonfire. I watched Travis as he watched the door close behind Alex. He looked back at me. He held my hand, searching my eyes. He didn’t say anything for a long moment.

  “Wil you be able to see me in the crowd tomorrow?” I asked, my voice a little shaky from his intense gaze.

  “I’l find you.”

  “How wil I know if you see me?” I looked down at the ribbed neck of his t-shirt, which suddenly seemed so interesting to me, only because I couldn’t take his eyes searching my soul. I couldn’t look into the eyes that penetrated me and knew me better than I’d let anyone else ever know me.

  “I’l nod to you. I can’t wave. Only the girls wave, but I wil nod to you, so make sure you wave to me.” He touched my cheek, guiding my face to look at him. “I don’t think I could make it through al of this if I didn’t find your beautiful face in that crowd. So promise me you wil be there for me to nod to you.” He was leaning into me now, about to kiss me.

  “I promise,” I whispered, as his lips pressed to mine.

  At eight-thirty the next morning, I got a text with a picture Travis had taken of himself in his bathroom mirror, wearing his tux. He wore a white shirt and a white tie. He looked so hot, and I was very jealous of Jil ian getting to stand beside him in front of our whole school district. There was a knock on my door. Alex came in without waiting for a response and did a twirl so I that could see his tux.

  “Lookin’ good, Daddy,” I smiled.

  “Mrs. Nichols just cal ed and said that she can give you a ride, and you can sit with them at the parade. Then she said she got you a mani-pedi and hair appointment for after you guys do lunch. I don’t know, but I think she real y likes you,” he chuckled, as he checked his hair in my mirror.

  “I didn’t know she was going to do that.” I sat up in bed.

  “Where are you getting ready for the dance, here or at Abby’s?” He looked at me in the mirror.

  “I guess here. I hadn’t made plans with Abby to go over there.” I shrugged.

  “Good, because I think they are al coming over here first. We’re going to take pictures, and this is where the limo is picking us up.”

  “What limo?” No one had said anything about a limo.

  “Mason got a Hummer limo. Can you believe that dude? Just for the six of us, but it’s a limo. He wouldn’t even let Travis or me chip in.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t say anything to Abby; he doesn’t want her to freak out.” I nodded OK.

  “Better get ready if you want to get a good seat. You have to get there early.” We heard the doorbel . “Gotta go.” He turned to leave, but Oliver stood in the door and blocked his path to the hal way.

  “Would it be OK if I took pictures of you and your friends this evening?” he asked Alex. Alex looked at me and shrugged. I just looked from one of them to the other, not saying anything. What could I say?

  “I think that would be OK,” Alex said, moving past Oliver and stomping down the stairs before I could object.

  “Wel , Gianna, it sounds like you have a busy day ahead of you.” He gave me a weak smile and turned toward his bedroom, sipping his coffee.

  I shook my head in confusion. Final y, I rose and found some black Bermuda shorts and a soft blue top. I got cleaned up, and just as I was finishing my orange juice, the doorbel rang again. I answered the door, and it was Hailey. Melanie sat in her car on the curb.

  “You look pretty Gianna.” Hailey smiled and took my hand, leading me to the car as I closed the door behind me.

  “Thank you. So do you, Hailey.” She wore jean shorts and t-shirt that had Travis’ name and number on them. Her dark hair was in French braids that trailed to the middle of her back. She had green glitter al through her hair and the number 31 painted on the side of her face.

  “Should I be wearing one of Travis’ shirts?” I wondered out loud.

  “I don’t think so. You are his girlfriend, and you should look pretty for him.” She climbed into the back seat, and I climbed into the front.

  “Good morning,” Melanie smiled.

  “Good morning.” She was wearing jean capri pants and a tank top. I felt a little better about not wearing his number. We arrived downtown and found a spot on the sidewalk. We sat at the curb while others who had brought lawn chairs were finding places of their own.

  I leaned over toward Melanie and told her, “Thank you for making the appointments for this afternoon. I didn’t even think to do that.”

  “I figured as much. Alex told me the other day when I cal ed your house that this was the first dance you’d gone to in a while. So I thought you might not realize al the preparation that is involved. Pictures are at your house, too, right?” she smiled.

 
; “I feel so out of the loop; I just found out about the limo, too. I hate surprises.” I half-smiled and half-sighed.

  “I know,” she giggled, “but these are good surprises, don’t you think?”

  “Mom, ICE CREAM!” Hailey squealed beside me, pointing to a cart at the corner of the street.

  “Do you want some ice cream, Hailey?” her mom asked sarcastical y.

  “Yes!” It was lost on her. Melanie handed her some money, and she was off to get her ice cream. We both giggled. I could hear the high school marching band in the distance.

  “The parade must be starting,” she said, as a man walked around passing out flags. He offered us two as Hailey came back with her packaged ice cream. He handed her one, too. She rejoined us on the curb and waved her flag as she ate her ice cream.

  “Here they come.” Melanie gleamed. The marching band came. We clapped along with the beat of the music. The band was fol owed by a float that the local boy scout troop had made. The fire department drove a couple fire trucks. The local Masonic lodge members drove smal red Indian motorcycles. Then the cheerleaders who weren’t in the homecoming court did some cheer routines as they walked along. Final y, the homecoming floats came. The freshmen and sophomores were on one, the juniors and seniors on a second. Travis, Mason, Alex, and Chiz stood behind four girls in beautiful gowns in an assortment of colors. Travis stood there, his hands on Jil ian’s hips. His face looked stoic from a distance. As he got closer, I could see that his eyes were scanning the crowd of faces. Final y, they found mine. He relaxed and smiled. I waved, and he nodded to me, almost bowing toward me. My smile broadened.

  “He’s found you,” Melanie said to me. I nodded to her. Their float passed too quickly, and he was gone. There were a few more floats after that, and final y we were making our way to the car.

  “Travis and Alex are going home to change and then meeting us at the sandwich shop.” Melanie unlocked her car, and we climbed in. “Are you excited about tonight?” She was now checking her mirrors as she backed out.

  “I’m more nervous than excited,” I answered honestly.

  “Just relax; you’l have a blast.” She was right. We laughed and enjoyed our lunch. The three of us got mani-pedis. Hailey got little jewels on her big toes and her fingernails. Melanie and I got French manicures on our toes and fingers. Then she took me to her beautician, who styled my hair in an up-do with tiny braids leading to a cascading bun, hair curling and twisting around the nape of my neck. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it looked.

  Melanie took me home and offered to come in and help me get ready. I smiled my thanks but thought I could get it from there.

  When I came in, both Alex and Oliver gave me a low whistle. We al smiled a tense smile; there were some things that were in the DNA. I went upstairs and stripped down to put on my strapless bra and matching undies. Then I did my makeup, taking extra care with my eyes. I sprayed myself with my perfume. I took out my dress and stepped into it. I zipped up the side and surveyed myself. The sheer fabric layered over itself and clung around my hips to the floor. It was gathered in a way that showed al my curves—maybe even embel ishing them a little. My chest looked larger, pushed together with cleavage, my waist looked smal er, and as I turned, my butt looked rounder. I sprayed my hair again, knowing that it was concrete and not going anywhere.

  The doorbel rang. I began switching purses, putting my lip gloss, cel phone, and ID into my matching clutch. I went to my closet, got my heels, and sat them on the bed. Abby came in, in her coral dress. Her hair was beautiful, and she looked radiant. We hugged, and she gushed about how pretty I looked. I returned the favor, making her do a ful turn. She messed with my makeup case and tried on another lip gloss that was in it.

  “I’m borrowing this.” She smiled to me through my mirror as I put on my shoes. I nodded OK. I stood, steadying myself. Travis stood in the doorway surveying me. It was like he didn’t even hear Abby say, “Hey, Travis.” But he did. He just didn’t take his eyes off me as he said, “Hey, Abbs.” He was wearing the same tux but now with a yel ow shirt that matched my dress against his white tie and vest. He held something behind his back. He brought it around and revealed a wrist corsage. I stepped to stand in front of him as he took it out of the clear plastic box. It had yel ow and white roses, which looked like the tops of them had been dyed black. Then white fil er, smal white flowers with yel ow centers and greenery. It was the most beautiful, unique thing I’d ever seen. I couldn’t take my eyes off the roses. I looked up at him. He nodded and whispered, “You’re stil mourning.” I held my wrist out as he placed it on me.

  “Pictures,” Alex said, as he rounded the corner from the stairs. We al nodded and went downstairs.

  Parents took pictures as we stood staggered on the stairs. The guys sat around on the stairs looking very GQ, and we girls acted as if we were the best of friends by the fence in the front. After group pictures, each couple took a few pictures individual y. A pearly white Hummer pul ed up, and we al took pictures in front of it. Abby teasingly slapped Mason for keeping a secret from her. He laughed and grabbed her around her waist, hugging her to him. Oliver was pleasant enough to the other parents, even making smal talk with Melanie. Hailey and I took a few pictures together, too. She loved it, tel ing me I looked just like a princess. Final y, we were on our way. We listened to the top forty radio station, talked loudly, laughing and enjoying the beginning of our evening. Gloria was very polite, jumping into the conversation easily. When we arrived, the first thing we did was get our pictures taken together. Then we got a drink and found a table. We sat with a few of the other boys from the team and their dates. After a few songs played, I convinced Travis to dance with me. We made it up to the dance floor as they switched the song to a slow song. He put his hands on my waist, and I put my hands on his shoulders. We rocked back and forth, turning in a ful circle occasional y.

  “This is fun,” he said, nervously sarcastic.

  “This is amazing.” I ignored his tone, and rested my head against his chest.

  “Yeah,” he sighed. “This is amazing.” After a few songs, a cheerleader came and tapped his shoulder. It was time for him to go backstage to be announced for the homecoming court. He kissed my cheek and fol owed the girl.

  I wandered back to our table. I sat down and was talking to Abby when suddenly I felt something cold and wet slide down my back. I gasped and turned to see Lila, a cheerleader, standing behind me holding a cup with one hand and covering her mouth with the other.

  “I’m sorry!” she gasped. I almost believed her. Almost. Abby was right by my side, taking my hand and leading me to the bathroom. We didn’t say anything until we were in there. I turned and saw my reflection in the mirror; a bright red line traced down the middle of my back where my dress line began and ending just above my butt. I gasped and could feel a tear stinging my eye.

  “Let me try to fix this.” Abby went to get paper towels. There weren’t any there. “I’l go get in the janitor’s closet. They must have extras in there. Be right back.” She left, and I turned, trying to see my back in the mirror. Suddenly the last stal opened, and Jil ian came out smiling at me. I held her eye contact in the mirror for long moment before I gazed back at my back.

  “Ah, that’s too bad,” she said sarcastical y. “Who was the klutz who did that? Such a pretty dress.” She washed her hands, even though I hadn’t heard the toilet flush. “Sometimes bad things happen to good people.” She pul ed a paper towel from the dispenser out of her purse. I just looked at her in the mirror. She took out a lipstick and began slowly to apply it to her upper lip. “You know, Travis and I have been together for a long time.

  And sometimes we’re on again off again, but we always end up together. I just get him like no one else.” She was only half way done with one lip when she continued, “I know he’s real y mad at me right now, but he loves me. He told me al the time, every day actual y, from the time we started dating. Has he told you he loves you yet?” She looked at me in
nocently as she began applying the lipstick to her lower lip.

  “Not yet, but we haven’t been dating that long.” I looked down at the sink.

  “Wel , did you ever think that there might be a reason for that?” She rol ed her lips blending the color. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. I’ve heard rumors about your mom dying. I’m just looking out for you; I think you are clinging to something that’s real y not there.” She was sugary sweet. It was stomach turning how sweet she was being now.

  “I appreciate your opinion, but this is between Travis and me, so if it doesn’t work out, I’m sure he has your number.” I held her gaze and kept my voice as level as I could.

  She smirked and closed her purse with a snap. She turned and left. I stood there for a few moments before Abby made it back in a huff.

  “Someone locked me in the janitor closet. Can you believe that bul ?” She sat the stack of paper towels on the counter. “Lila and Stacia let me out.” She took a few towels and wet them. She began to tap at the wet spot. She rubbed gently, and the color began to fade. It didn’t completely go away, but it was a soft pink by the time she was done.

  “We can pul your hair down. It might cover it,” she suggested.

  “Yeah, but it would look crazy around my face.” I contemplated her idea as I turned and surveyed my back again. I final y decided, “It’s done. I don’t want it to ruin the rest of the night.” She tilted her head into mine as she hugged my shoulders.

  “You’re so brave. I would be in tears right now.” I didn’t have the courage to tel her about the conversation I’d just had with Jil ian. I drew from her strength even though she didn’t know she gave it to me.