Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,61
thinking?”
“I wasn’t thinking,” I replied evenly.
“I hear that!” snorted Megan.
“You should never have gone in after her– you’re lucky she didn’t drown you!” Ethan said.
I smiled facetiously, “I have been said to be lucky.”
“It’s not funny! Especially after what she did,” his jaw clenched at the thought. He must have heard the whole tale from the surfer crowd. “That was really brave. You saved her life,” he said, looking at me in admiration.
I looked down, ashamed.
“It was no big deal, besides, everybody else was too drunk to do anything,” I felt a flush of guilt, because I knew that I didn’t deserve any praise for saving Shayla. He was right about her nearly drowning me. I looked up at him with pained eyes, “Can we just drop it please?” He shook his head and smiled at me, “Marina, you are one strange girl.” Cruz chimed in, “You don’t know the half of it!” They all laughed for their own reasons while I twisted in the wind, forced to take the credit for something I didn’t do.
The rest of the day literally crawled by. I kept looking at the classroom clock, eager to get to the beach. I wanted Cruz’s help to get down with my gear and be there with my clothes when I got out of the water, so I kept reassuring him it would be fine. I was certain Lorelei wouldn’t hurt me, desperate to know the truth about my mother.
When we got to the parking lot Shayla was standing there waiting by the Porsche. She looked meek and contrite, and I knew instantly she was there to apologize. Ethan and Cruz stepped forward as if to protect me, but I waved them away from us. She needed a chance to speak her piece.
“Go now!” I snapped at them, eager to get the school day over with. I walked up to Shayla, looking her in the eye.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” she said, her voice filled with shame. She dropped her head as if awaiting a blow, “You must hate my guts. I don’t know why you did it. I don’t deserve to be alive.”
“Please– Please– Just forget about it,” I pleaded, “Everyone needs a little help sometimes.” I was thinking about Lorelei.
Shayla looked down at me incredulously, “I was wrong about you.”
“Yeah, well, we all mess up. Let’s put it all behind us and start over.” She shuffled her feet a little, “I owe you a purse,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it,” I held up my hand, “Seriously– not necessary.”
“Thanks for being so cool about it,” she said, lifting her head to look at me curiously, “You know... Ethan really likes you.” She met my eyes intensely, “He’s not as tough as he looks– just don’t play around with his feelings.” She turned to leave with her head down again.
“Shayla?”
“What?” she asked, turning back suspiciously.
“Lay off Cruz and Megan, okay?”
She looked taken aback, “Sure.”
She walked away and Ethan rushed over, searching my eyes for a clue as to what had transpired between me and Shayla.
“Are you still up to go surfing tomorrow?” he asked.
“Absolutely! First thing tomorrow,” I smiled even though it hurt my cheek.
“See you then,” he said, watching as I climbed into the Porsche.
I looked over at Cruz, slowly walking towards us, “Come on!” I called out, “Chop- chop!” Cruz rolled his eyes at me as he slid into the passenger seat, “Can we re-think your after school plans?”
“Not a chance!” I said as we pulled out. I looked back to see Ethan standing by his truck, eyes glued to us as we drove away. I waved goodbye.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
BUOY
When we finally arrived home I scrambled to slip into my swimsuit and pack my wetsuit, my hands clumsy with impatient energy. I made sure to include the gloves, boots and hood, remembering how my hands and feet got numb while surfing. Rushing Cruz out the door, I carried my bag while Cruz toted my surfboard down to the beach, dragging his feet. I marched my reluctant cousin across the sand to the waterline and looked around. There were a few beachcombers and someone throwing a stick in the water for an enthusiastic black lab. I left my things with Cruz and raced up the steps to the pier.
I flew down the weathered wooden planks and onto the wrecked ship. When I got to the fence I could see sea lions on the concrete chunks below and a thrill of excitement made my heart pound in my throat.