CARLOS POV
It's in the air. You could smell it from miles away. Most people would scrunch up their faces in disgust, but I welcome this scent with open nostrils.
Here in my town it was Fish Week. Where we celebrate the swimming creature for a whole seven days. I'm talking about parades, eating contests, and even fish movies. But what makes this day more exciting than the others is that today is the 26th annual Donald Baker fish cook off. Hundreds of hopeful fish grillers compete to win the title of best fish griller of the year. Even better is that my dad is in the last round with his all time nemesis Jack Gills.
Both of them are top rated fish grillers in L.A. When it comes to something like this, it's like the town is split in half. Some go to Jack's place while others got to my dad's.
I was out back near the river, setting up the judging booth next to the stage. "Carlos, is it done yet?"
"Yea dad it's done come and look." I said giving the booth a last check.
He was standing next to me. "Ah yes, very nice, good job son." he says giving me a smile.
"Thanks. So why did you choose to have the cook off by the river again?"
"Because there's no greater way of showing my passion then cooking fish by a beautiful clear river."
"Oh,well I guess that makes sense."
Dad smiled at me, patting my head."There's still an hour or so left before we get started so, why don't you go hand out with James for a bit?"
I thought about it for a half second, "I think I just might do that." I said smiling back and turning in the direction of James' house.
James has been my best bud since we were basically in diapers. He's a ladies man. Very handsome, with a singing voice to die for. Whenever he's not looking at himself in a mirror or drowning in Cuda products, he's a fun guy to be with.
I walk up to the front of James' house and rung the door bell. A few seconds later, Mrs. Diamond stood in front me. "Hello Carlos." she greeted.
"Hi, Mama Diamond." I said
"James is upstairs. You kids don't do anything too crazy, ok?" she asked suspiciously and moving out to the side.
"You got it, nothing too crazy." I said going inside. I go up stairs to the right of the hallway. I'd expect James to come out and greet me but I guess he doesn't know that I'm here yet. I heard rustling behind his door. I went over to it, and pressed an ear against it and listened.
"James you're sagging, try harder." a voice said
"I'm trying, you should shift your weight more." James responded.
"How am I supposed to shift my weight when I'm being held?"
With curiosity getting the best of me, I opened the door to see an interesting sight. James was holding up a pretty girl in the air, so she could reach the high placed posters that were on the wall.
"What are you doing, James?" I asked looking up at the gravity defying girl.
"Oh just...giving someone a lift." he gave me a quick glance
"Alright I got them, James you can put me down now." the girl said.
" 'Kay, ready?"
"Just don't drop me." she says as James tossed her into the air and catching her bridal style in his arms.
"As you can see I didn't drop you." he chuckles giving her a peck on the cheek.
"So...are you gonna introduce me to your lady friend?" I ask slowly
"Oh right, Carlos this is my girlfriend Clayanna. Clayanna this is my best friend Carlos."
"Hey." I say giving Clayanna a small wave.
"Hi." she smiles. Clayanna is a very pretty girl. She has medium blue colored eyes. Long light blonde hair with light green tips. And when she smiled, she showed me her pearly whites and her dimples. She was wearing a red tank top and yellow shorts. I knew I heard her name before, when James was blabbing on about their date a few nights ago. But I never had the pleasure of meeting her in person until now.
"So what brings you over here Carlos?" James asked.
"Well after I finished setting up for the competition, I though I'd hang out with you for a bit. But if you're currently busy then I could just meet up with you there?"
"Oh that's right, your dad is grilling against Jack Gill today. It's gonna start soon so there's no point in meeting up there. We might as well get going now so we'll make it in time."
"Your dad's fish is the best in the whole country." Clayanna piped.
"You've been to his restaurant?" I looked at her
"Yea that's where James and I had our first date."
" That's really cool." I smiled at her.
She smiles back. We all then left James' room, raced down the stairs, passed as she said "Tell your father good luck for me, Carlos."
"Will do Mama Diamond." I call back to her.
By the time we got there, people started showing up and surrounding the stage
"This would be the finals but its for fish. Now we are just minutes away from the food showdown of the year." an announcer said into the microphone, in front of the camera. "I'm standing here with four year defending champion, Hector Garcia. What is your plan to win this year?"
"That's a secret in itself, but I promise this year will be very close." my dad answered
"And you heard right here, people are counting down to one of the most favored events. It all begins in less than ten the best griller win."
James and I stood off to the side while we waited for my dad to finish up his mini interview.
"Carlos!" I heard my dad call me over.
"I think your dad wants you." James simply stated
"I think I already know that." I playfully rolled my eyes at him. I walked towards where my dad was standing, he had this some what serious look on his face. "What is it Papi?"
" I need you to do this important favor for me."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I need you to get my lucky tongs."
"Oh, yea sure I can do that." I said running back to the restaurant.
I had to look around in the bushes for a bit so I could find the spare key to the back entrance. Once I unlocked the door, I snake my way into the semi dark room which was the kitchen. I skimmed the shelves before seeing the golden tongs with a silver handle, hanging on a nail. "I have found you." I said giving an evil chuckle.
I walk back outside and a noise catches my attention. I look towards the direction of the sound. My dad's restaurant rests in the middle of a board walk, so that means there's water surrounding it. As I got closer to the edge, I saw bubbles coming from the surface. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the water coming up in little waves. I bent over a bit to feel the lapping liquid. Surprisingly it didn't feel as rough as I thought it would. After a few seconds of just touching the water I felt something underneath my fingertips. At first I thought it was see weed, but seeing that see weed isn't normally black, I knew it was something else. Slowly a shadow arose from the water. Within a matter of seconds, I saw another pair of eyes looking at me. Naturally I stumble back a bit as I look at this creature.
Under normal situations, I would be scared crap less right now and too startled to move, or do anything for that matter. But I'm not gonna lie but, these pair of eyes are very captivating. They were a bright greenish blue. The face that these eyes belonged to, out of the water with a mass of black hair sticking to it's forehead.
No doubts there. Thing is a human. We continued to stare at each other when a distant voice caught my ears.
"Carlos!"
My head snapped up and turned and that's when I saw James come running towards me.
"What? What is it James?" I ask looking at him briefly.
"They won't start 'til you come back with those tongs."
Crap. I had completely forgot about that even though they were still in my hands. "Oh right, you go on ahead I'll be there in a minute." I said handing him the tool.
"Ok. But uh what are you looking at?" he asks looking over the edge.
That's when the figure retreats back underwater.
"Oh what that? J-just some coral." I laugh nervously.
"Because coral is so amazing to look at." he said rolling his eyes. "Now come on let's go"
By the time we got back to the stage, people were taking sides and having verbal fights. I snuck around to the front with James right behind me.
"There you are Carlos. I thought you got lost while doing such a simple task." my dad chuckles while taking the tongs.
"I did get them I just got side tracked on the way back."
"Side tracked looking at coral." James added
"Well some days looking at coral is nice, but today is not that day."
"Grillers take your positions!" the official started
"Well there's my cue." my dad smiled at us.
"You can do it Papi. I know you'll win again." I said cheerfully.
"You're gonna destroy Jack." James smiled.
"Thanks boys." he said turning to go the stage.
"On your mark...get set...GRILL!"
I stood off to the side lines, watching my dad do what he does best. However my mind kept drifting back to the eye catching person I saw earlier. Makes me wonder if they've always been there. All those features that I can't seem to forget...I'm going to get to the bottom of this.