Sharks (2 page)

"I know. We will keep in touch, right?"

"OMG, there's a spider," her voice quivered.

"April fools…"

"No, really!" Lilly pointed at his hair, trying to appear frightened, terrified. "Get it out," she screeched as if the spider would jump onto her. The fury eight-legged creatures truly traumatized her.

Jacob stared hard at her, the lines of his mouth thinning, "You can't get me. There is no spider in my hair."

Her hand shook as she continued to point at his head. "Really, really, I'm n-not lying this time." Practical jokes were her forte and she loved April Fools Day.

Wide-eyed, Jacob rose, seeming to study her. She could almost read his mind and his hesitancy. Without warning he dove in the water.

By the time he reached the surface, her laughter made her body shake--this time not with fear. She pointed at him, doubled over, choking on her humor. "You are such an easy mark."

He grinned--a devilish smile--as he stroked to the wall.

"Oh, no…no you don't," she backed away, quickly turning to run. Too late, he grabbed her by the waist and easily tossed her into the water. He followed and as she rose to the surface, he gave her just enough to time to breathe in a lung-full of air before dunking her.

"Easy mark--just means I trust you even though I shouldn't," he told her as she came up for air a second time.

He can trust me with his heart
.

Synchronized, they swam to the edge. Both hands on the side of the pool, he kicked hard and was on the edge, lending her a hand.

He pulled her out and close to him, "I will always trust you."

~ * ~

Graduation Day 2006

"I can't believe it!" Jacob said, smiling at the circle of students and shaking hands with the teachers--hugs to his favorites.

"Believe it, Lilly said, "in less than 2 months we are both leaving this town behind." Lilly grinned, standing on tiptoes to give Jacob a great big bear hug. When she finished, she adjusted her cap. "They don't make these attractive. And they certainly don't do anything for the hair-do."

Jacob tussled her hair. He loved the way she smiled and acted as if she cared about a perfect coif.

"Line up," the principal motioned for everyone to get in line. "The way we practiced this morning."

"So, how many principals does it take to get seniors to form a line?" Jacob asked. He tugged on Lilly's hand. "C'mon, walking partner, let's show them how it is done."

Lilly jogged to keep up with Jacob. They were at the front of the line. They always seated the seniors who would be recognized in front. Lilly was senior class president. She had a speech she'd prepared and Jacob was valedictorian. He too had a speech to give.

Jacob didn't feel nervous. Although he was sure by the time his speech rolled around, butterflies would be dancing inside. Looking at Lilly he decided she wasn't the least bit anxious.

She never was. Public speaking seemed to be easy for her. He could see her being the president of a big company. She liked to be in control, direct people who didn't seem to have a focus.

The music started and the students began the slow march to their chairs. Everyone in the stadium was grinning. Flashes from cameras blinked all around them. Jacob cartwheeled twice just to get attention.

One ceremony is much like the next. He'd attended four graduations since his freshman year in high school. However, this one was the best. It was mine. Jacob leaned back in his folding chair placing his hands together to rest on his stomach. Just one more speech and I will have my turn. Speech notes were crumpled into a little ball in one fist. Closing his eyes, he went over the words he knew by heart.

"Now we will hear from our valedictorian, Jacob Whittier"

Applause resounded through out the stadium, echoing off the grandstand, to give him a bit more confidence.

"Thank you, thank you everyone. I am honored to be here…"

He finished then walked down the right side of the stage, knowing Lilly would be walking up the left side to give her gifts to a certain teacher and thank
you's
to all the teachers. One of those leaving the hallowed grounds of Whitmore High was her favorite teacher and ASB advisor.

"Mrs. Hilton, would you come up here please?" Once again the applause was thunderous. "On behalf of the student body, we would like to present you with this package and a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant."

Mrs. Hilton was shaking her head at Lilly. She bent down and whispered but the microphone picked up a bit of their conversation. "I told you not…do…"

But looking at one of the school's favorite and most controversial teachers, Jacob knew Mrs. Hilton was thrilled.

A few minutes later, Lilly joined him. They were given the signal to rise--diploma time. Music resounded. The march began. Before--baby pictures--and present pictures flashed on the movie screen to the left of the stage as each student made their way to the platform to receive their diploma.

When all was finished, the principal made a grand sweeping gesture. "Welcome Whitmore High's class of 2006."

Hats flew into the air. Cheers of joy rang throughout the stadium. They all were about to embark on a new stage of their lives. But first they had the all-night graduation party to attend.

"Got your bag?" Jacob asked, smiling at her.

"Yes, it's all packed--swim suit, towel, goggles, a change of clothes for later tonight. You…"

"Yup, guess we'll smell like chlorine before the night is over."

"Thought you knew it was my perfume of choice," Lilly said, undoing the pins in her hair and pulling it back to wrap a
scrunchie
around it.

"I'd guessed that a time-or-two." Jacob let the principal rummage through his bag then watched as he did the same with Lilly's. As much as he didn't like the fact that it had to be done, he knew someone would ferret booze into the party then they would all be in trouble.

"Sure you don't want to sit by Ryan?" Jacob asked.

"I'm sure. We're through. I never really cared for him that much." Lilly leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Ryan cheated on me."

"The bastard."

The warm sensation of her breath sent skitters of heat waves down his arm. He didn't know why, but Lilly's closeness always affected him that way. When he watched her, always when she wasn't looking, he saw everything he'd ever wanted in a woman. But they'd dated a couple of times and it had been the most awkward sensation of his life. As much as she made his heart pound, he knew she wasn't for him. Too different--besides they had plans to attend colleges that were miles apart. They wouldn't see each other for long periods of time. He didn't plan on celibacy. And he was sure she didn't either.

Good grief, what did they have in common? Absolutely nothing. But he'd always heard, opposites attract. Was that it? Was he just curious about her different beliefs and way of thinking? No, curiosity did not send chills up ones spine, or cause a person to catch one's breath at the site of her. Nor did it cause the heart rate to zoom out of control.

She sat for the longest time staring out the window of the bus then, "I'm glad. We didn't make each other happy. We argued all the time. That is no way for a relationship to work."

"Of course, you're right. I don't seem to argue with my dates. We rarely even talk. I don't know why."

"Airheads."

"What?" he asked.

"Your dates. They are all one hundred percent certified dummies, not meaning to be rude. Of course they could all be pretending. But why would anyone want to pretend to be stupid?" Lilly had turned her full attention back to Jacob.

He wanted to reach out and push a lock of hair from her eyes. But he didn't. He felt the need to reach out and pick up her hand, traced the lines in the palm of her hand, but he restrained himself.

"Who will I talk to when you are at Stanford and I'm at the Art Institute?"

"Call or text, night or day, I will always answer," she told him.

"You can't make that promise."

"Of course I can. We are BFF's. That is what it means to be friends forever. Whether you are sitting next to the person or thousands of miles away. You are their friend, forever." He absently toyed with his class ring. He'd never given it to anyone, never thought to, even though he'd had several girls gush about it. He knew they were hinting, and when it wasn't forthcoming, they would usually call the relationship a failure and leave him for what they probably perceived as better hunting.

"That is an exaggeration. We won't be thousands of miles away," Lilly said, turning her attention to the building where the school bus was pulling to a stop.

"When I can't drive to see you any time I please because you are to far away, feels like a thousand miles. You ready to party?" Jacob held his hand out to Lilly. "Take my hand and let's see what our parents planned for us."