The Ocean (10 page)

“I don’t know how much more of her I can take.” I crossed my arms. “He clearly likes me right? I’m not reading too much into this? He asked me out on Friday.” I watched as he repeatedly wiggled away from her. Final y, he stopped and forceful y said something to her. She looked annoyed at me and stomped off. Mason shook his head and said something under his breath as they approached us. Travis was shaking his head. He stepped to me and wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Sorry about that drama,” he whispered in my ear. I just nodded. I put my arm around him, too. It felt nice. He squeezed me and took my hand. We walked to the cafeteria together. Today some of the guys from the team joined our table. Kiarah was discussing a local ordinance that she was hoping would pass to protect al igators. It was a heated debate between her and one of the boys who had joined our table.

“So am I invited to work on homework with you again tonight?” Travis leaned in and whispered in my ear again. Shivers ran up my spine.

“We can work in the dining room after dinner.” I had turned my face toward him. We were cheek to cheek.

“I can be trusted in your room.” I felt his breath on my neck.

“I’m not so sure about that,” I giggled. We were back to where we should have been. We were on track.

We went to the library for speech class. I checked out books on coping with loss in the family. He checked out books on domestic abuse. When I saw his books, I smiled my approval. We sat at a table together and did our research. Barely speaking to each other, we both got a lot of work done.

In my free period I did as much homework as I could. In art class I put the finishing touches on my drawing. Our drawings were due at the end of class. I was pretty confident it was already done, but I dragged out my shading. Abby was focused on her work.

“Have you ever kissed a guy?” I asked under my breath. I was pretty sure I knew the answer.

“No, does someone want to kiss me?” She didn’t even look up.

“Probably. But Travis and I almost kissed last night.” She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

“What do you mean almost?”

“Wel , we were doing homework; then he was tickling me. Then we almost kissed, but he pul ed away and then just left. He said my expression said I wasn’t ready. I don’t know what it was because I wanted him to kiss me.” I looked back down at my paper.

“Have you ever kissed a guy?” She was looking at me, not even pretending to work anymore.

“No, Travis is the first guy who has shown interest in me since Jesse.” Abby knew the Jesse story. She had lived through hours of my obsessing and blaming him for no social life al through junior high.

“No, Blake liked you, remember, last year,” she corrected me.

“That doesn’t count. Blake was a friend, and I couldn’t have a boyfriend while my mom was sick,” I countered.

“He stil showed interest. But maybe Travis was right and you weren’t ready, last night. Don’t try to rush it; it wil happen, and when it does, it wil be magic.” She went back to her drawing.

I went back to my art work and then navigated the rest of the day. When I got out to my truck, there was a note sitting in the driver’s side seat. I put it in my bag and went home.

I came in through the kitchen. I cal ed out to Oliver. There was no answer. I went to my room and sat down on my bed, took out the note, and read it.

Gia,

I wonder how OK it is for me to have such strong feelings for you, but I do. I feel very vulnerable sharing them with you, too. I thought about what you said yesterday, about thinking too much about the game. It’s the first game of the season. And it seems trivial to care so much when there is so much more going on in the world. I guess this is my big deal. I keep thinking that if I play well enough, I can get a scholarship and get into a good school, and maybe become a lawyer or something that my mom would be proud of. She has sacrificed so much. She’s a nurse you know.

She puts long hours in at the hospital and is raising my sister and me without any help from my father.

I might be thinking too much about our relationship, too. I don’t want to over analyze it. I want to enjoy my time with you. I feel like I would have a huge hole in my life if I lost you. It’s like there was something that was always missing, but I didn’t even know it until I met you. I hope you understand what I mean and it makes sense to you, because it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I guess that’s all I can say now. It’s time to go to practice. I will not be thinking about the game though. I will just enjoy practice. It’s because of you. I can’t wait to see you.

Travis

I held the letter to my heart as I fel back on my bed and rested in my happiness. I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, Alex was sitting beside me on my bed.

“We warmed up the leftovers. Are you going to come and eat?” I blinked as my eyes focused on him, momentarily confused as to what he was talking about. “Dinner is ready Gia.”

“I’l be down in a minute.” I sat up and rubbed my eyes. He stood and left my room. I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, and I had raccoon eyes from my mascara. I went to my closet and took out a square tin box and put the letter in it with al the other letters he’d written me. I went to the bathroom and washed my face, pul ed my hair into a pony tail, and smoothed my shirt and jeans. I went downstairs and ate dinner with my brother and Travis. Then Travis and I went upstairs to my room, and we did our homework. We actual y did it without many distractions. He was in a very good mood. He told me that he’d gotten his rhythm back. He said I was right, and he was grateful for me. After he told me goodbye, close to nine o’clock, I went upstairs and to bed.

On Friday, the last two periods of class were cancel ed. We al filed out onto the footbal field. Abby and I found a seat somewhere in the middle while Kiarah and a few of her friends sat around us. Final y, when al the students were out there, the cheerleaders bombarded onto the field. They did a dance routine before the marching band came out and played a song. The principal introduced the whole team, al the players one by one.

Then a few players and the cheerleaders did a few skits. We laughed at them, more because they were real y ridiculous than funny. I saw what Travis meant by “you’l see.” He sat down by the field. Even from where I sat, I could tel he was uncomfortable. He’d lean forward, sit back, turn and look in our direction, and the poor guy had to be in one of the skits. They had al worn their jerseys to school, and other students wore school tshirts.

When it was over, we were dismissed for the day. We slowly made our way down the bleachers. He climbed the bleachers two at a time to where we stood talking. He took my hand and spoke conspiratorial y with me.

“I don’t have to be back until five-thirty. Wil you come to my house?” I nodded my head yes.

“Good.” He turned to lead me away. I waved to Abby and Kiarah. We went to his car and were on our way.

“You should forget law school and go to Hol ywood,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.

“You should take your comedy special on the road.” He did keep a straight face. He reached for my hand and held it as we pul ed into the driveway of a house two blocks away from my home. He turned to me.

“If I asked you to do something, would you?” He seemed nervous. I nodded yes, wondering what I was getting myself into. He got out, and I fol owed.

He led me to his front door. We were inside in seconds. There was a yummy smel to his house. It reminded me of wintertime in Indiana and my mom making stews to warm us up. I stood there a moment taking in the homey fragrance. He led me upstairs to his room. It was a charcoal grey color. He had a desk in the corner, a dresser and chest of drawers lining the other wal s. Windows on a wal with a side view and a double bed centered between them. Shelves on the wal s held little league trophies that were too many to count from soccer, footbal , basebal , lacrosse, and basketbal . He had pictures of his friends, of his family, one of a woman and a man in black and white. I stepped to it and touched it delicately. He watched me as I turned around his room taking everything in; he had a pile of dirty clothes in the corner. He saw me look at them and blushed.

“Sorry for the mess.” He went to one of two closed doors and opened it. From the top shelf he reached and took down a plastic bag. He brought it to his bed, removing a kel y green shirt and a white shirt. He unfolded them. They were the exact same V-neck t-shirt replicas of his jersey—just in different colors. On the front they had St. Petersburg High School and the mascot, the Devils logo; Nichols was printed across the top of the back with a large thirty-one centered in the middle. His number, I suddenly realized, but I looked at him confused. Did he stash tshirts for al his random admirers?

He handed me the green one and asked, “Wil you wear this to the game tonight and to the rest of the games this season?” He looked shyly at me.

“Real y?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, I’d be honored to wear these shirts.” I smiled as I held one up. He reached in the bag and pul ed out a green zip-up hoodie that had the number thirty-one on the upper left-hand side. These were al women’s shirts and in a smal .

“Try them on.” He pointed to the second door. I went in and found a bathroom. I was assaulted by his scent, his soap, his cologne. My mind wandered to the vision of him shirtless. I managed to changed shirts. It actual y fit me perfectly. It looked great with my dark denim straight-legged jeans. I came out and did a twirl.

“Is it OK?”

“Great fit.” He smiled as he held open the hoodie for me to try on. I slipped my arms into it.

“They fit perfectly. How did you know my size?” I tested the zipper.

“I asked Alex. I ordered them Tuesday, and they arrived yesterday. This way everyone wil know you’re my girl.” He hugged me to him over my shoulders. I hugged him, too, around his waist. Was this official now?

“Alright, let’s go get something to eat.” He led me out of his room, as he added, “This isn’t our date either, in case you were wondering.” I smiled as we came down the stairs.

“Travis!” A little girl with long dark brown hair lunged for him, her book bag stil on her back.

“Hailey, hey, baby girl.” He caught her in his arms and lifted her up to him. A woman in scrubs came in behind her with an arm ful of grocery bags.

“Travis, I have more in the trunk.” She hadn’t noticed me yet, mainly because I was hiding behind him and Hailey.

“Who are you?” Hailey whispered, as she peered over his shoulder at me with big brown eyes.

“I’m Gia,” I spoke softly, too, as I smiled.

Travis cleared his throat, and added, “Mom, I’d like you to meet Gianna.” He pul ed me around him on the stairs.

“It’s nice to final y meet you, Gianna. I’m Melanie. Are you going to stay for dinner? It’s the least I can do after you’ve been feeding Travis al week.” She smiled warmly at me. Her brown hair was cut in a sleek bob. She had tan skin and wore minimal make up. She had to be in her mid to late thirties. She was very pretty.

“I was going to take her to get a bite to eat.” Travis led me down the rest of the stairs with the hand that wasn’t holding his sister.

“No, you don’t; you can’t hide her from me!” His mom teased him. He set down his sister and looked at me wearily.

“I don’t mind,” I smiled, as I squeezed his hand.

“Fine, Mom, we’l stay.” He kept his eyes on mine as he answered her.

We helped her unload the rest of the groceries and set the table for her while she prepared the food. She had a crock-pot of stew going. That was what I smel ed when I first came in. She got to know me by playing the twenty questions game.

“So you just moved here, right? Where are you from?”

“Indiana, Fishers, outside of Indianapolis.”

“Are you involved in any of the school activities?”

“Not real y. I never real y got into sports, and I stopped playing music when my mom got sick.” Melanie tactful y changed the subject.

“Do you and Travis have any classes together?” she asked.

“Speech, that’s it.”

“That’s nice. Travis loves to surf. Have you ever surfed?” He groaned and adjusted in his seat. She gave him an annoyed look.

“I haven’t. We moved away when I was real y young. I wouldn’t mind trying it sometime though.”

“Do you like to play dress up?” Hailey interjected. “I’m too old for princesses, but I like to dress up in my mom’s old clothes.” She kept her brown eyes intent on me.

“I only get to play dress up on Hal oween, but I used to love it, too.” I smiled at her.

And so it continued. Around five, Travis told his mom that we needed to go. He went upstairs to get my other shirts and came back down. We went to leave, but his mother held his arm and said something to him while I stood on the front porch. He came out, a look of relief on his face, and took my hand, leading me to his car.

“Wel , you pass with flying colors.” He smiled as he started the car.

“Was I being tested?” I asked, only half joking.

“Kind of. She only has Jil ian to compare, and she’s known her family for a real y long time, so I think it was a sort of test.”

“Wow, being compared to Jil ian, that’s a high standard. Do I even make it on the same level?” I felt real y insecure. Jil ian was gorgeous.

“You surpass her on so many levels. I promise that this is the only time you wil be compared to her.” True to his word, that was the last time he brought her up to me in that manner. He reached for my hand as he pul ed up to the curb.

“I’l see you in a little bit?” he asked.

“Yes, you wil .” He reached over and touched my hair, and I got out of the car and went inside.

I made it to the bleachers just as the boys were lining up to run out onto the field. I surveyed the crowd in the stands. I didn’t see anyone that I knew.

My heart began to race. Then I felt an arm wrap itself in mine. I turned, and Abby was standing beside me.

“Let’s go find our seats. Nice shirt. Is that a new style? I haven’t seen it before.” She led me to a spot near the band. We sat and watched the game.