34. I Couldn't See

Goji woke to the gentle music that replaced her harsh alarm. Midmorning sun peered around the curtains. The condo was quiet, and the nightmares stayed at bay once more. She silenced her phone and saw the banner of a waiting text from Marie. It sent no panic through her – just pleasant curiosity. They had a date for tonight, their third since the party at the Boatswain, and each one had been easier. At home after each, she felt herself slide into anticipation of the next whether or not Marie had to go in disguise. Tonight was the first time Goji agreed to go to Marie's suite for a home cooked dinner.

She lay back in bed and finally read the text: [Have a little surprise for you tonight.]

[Remember I'm coming right from work,] she replied. [What're you planning?]

[I can't spoil it but you won't have to do a thing.]

Goji smiled. It must be a gift, and Marie's gifts usually involved music. She wondered if Marie remembered her favorite jazz charts from years ago. Surely she did. Marie remembered everything down to the way Goji liked her toast.

[I'll be all ears.] Fresh butterflies in her stomach, she got up to get ready for work.

Dance beats thumped from the plaza's tower speakers, ringing in the start of summer and a new league season. A week into their vacation, Kiyo and his team had filled each day with all the training they could stand. Now he, Omin, and Yuma clustered by the door of Cooler Heads scanning the rosters for familiar names while they waited for Lita to arrive. She was running late as usual, but this time Kiyo wasn't impatient. Unlike Omin and Yuma, he wasn't excited to meet the girls of Sweetstrike.

"I'm asking Molluska out. You watch," Yuma was saying. "Buying her a drink on her first break. Rich girls like boldness."

"Do they?" Omin drawled. "What forum told you that?"

"Dear Omin," Yuma sighed. "You have so little faith. Akara will be my girlfriend by the end of the season."

"It's not like they'll be here every day," Kiyo said. "They're visiting with Lita once. They don't play leagues, remember? School teams only."

"Someone is salty," said Yuma. "You really think this is the end of us, don't you? Lita won't let us down. If anything, she'll play better to impress her little sniping queen."

"She should give her best for the team – for us – whether her crush is watching or not. And she better not be distracted showing off."

"Kiyo," Omin said. "Would you at least wait until we've played a match to start worrying about performance?"

Kiyo grumbled, but he was interrupted by their phones all chirping with a group text from Lita. She was waiting at the entrance and wanted to find them in the crowded plaza. They left the shops and pushed through the masses to the gate. Not far inside, Lita hopped up and down waving to them. Next to her, eyes wide and bright, was a girl with deep emerald ink. The barrel of the E-Liter slung on her back reached over her head. A third teammate, cotton candy pink with headphones around her neck, leaned on a folded carbon roller. Behind them, crimson tentacles in a tight braid and an N-Zap holstered on her hip, stood one who could only be the captain, Akara.

"Guys, over here!" Lita shouted. "Come meet the team!" She introduced each of her new friends. "This is Midori Konyo, sharpshooter extraordinaire…" Midori's cheeks flushed, and she gave a shy wave. "…Our roller is Susomi Karika…"

"Heya! 'Somi' is fine. Not such a tongue twister."

"…And finally, our fearless leader, Akara Molluska."

"How do you do?" Akara nodded to them. "The plaza's changed since I saw it last. We thought we'd play a few rounds, but I doubt we'll get many chances. Is it always this… full?"

"In the summertime, sure," Yuma jumped to answer. "I'm Yuma, by the way. Yuma Kurisho. Charmed!"

"It isn't usually so chaotic," Omin said. "This is opening weekend for the leagues. It won't be so busy again until playoffs in the fall." He was closest to Akara and offered his hand, which she shook politely. "Omin Sion. An unexpected pleasure to meet you. Lita doesn't often talk about her peers, but I recognized your name."

"Oh, really? From where?"

"Well, Molluska Enterprises, of course."

"Of course," she said coolly. "It's nice to meet you, Omin." Her eyes drifted back up to the Squid Sisters' studio window, and Omin's ears dipped.

"How about a tour of the plaza?" Yuma offered.

"We can look around on our own," Akara replied. "We don't want to keep you from your tournament. Best of luck."

"We don't need luck. We have Lita," Kiyo said. Lita gave him a thumbs-up.

Midori spoke up for the first time. "Don't be so modest. Lita's talented, but one player can't carry a team. She told me you've been competing together for years in Junior Leagues."

"We go way back, but this season's our first shot at proving ourselves on the real leaderboards," Kiyo said. "We should warm up and get in a lobby. Get this show on the road."

"Want to break at noon for lunch?" Yuma asked. "We'll meet you by the food trucks."

"Count me in," Susomi said.

"It's a plan," Akara agreed. "Make us proud out there, Basana."

"Aye aye, boss."

"And don't call me that…"

Akara, Midori, and Susomi went off to explore while Kiyo's team headed for the locker rooms. Once the girls vanished in the crowd, Yuma snickered at Omin. "You got shut down."

"I was only making introductions."

"Sure. You tried to slide in between me and my girl."

Orange spots peppered Lita's mantle. "Your girl? I just got Akara to like me, and I need Akara to like me to stay on Midi's team. If you embarrass me, I swear I'll start throwing matches."

"Okay, okay, chill! I was kidding."

"Sure you were," muttered Omin. "Now who got shut down?"

By lunchtime, Kiyo's team was 12-8, and he was crestfallen. "Where are we slipping?" he pondered as they trooped downstairs to the plaza. "We averaged 85% wins all last week."

"More of those matches were against random groups," Omin said. "Competition is stiffer this week. Everyone's coordinated and playing their best."

"We could've had two more wins easily if that cheap coward of a roller hadn't fouled me," Lita fumed. "I'm reporting his ass after we eat. Was the ref blind?"

"He didn't foul," Omin said. "I'm not arguing that he targeted you, but using stealth gear as a roller isn't illegal."

"There you have it, straight from Doc," Yuma said.

"Piss off," Lita snapped.

"Easy," Omin protested. "We're still sitting above 50/50. It's only day one."

"We should be doing better," Kiyo said. "Stop arguing, and let's get our heads back in the game after the break."

"Yeah. We'll find our rhythm," Yuma said. "But – happy faces, boys and girl. The ladies are waiting."

Midori, Susomi, and Akara sat at a large table in the food truck circle with four empty chairs under a wide umbrella. Lita plopped down beside Midori, who was tuning the scope on her E-Liter. She peered at Lita under her emerald fringe.

"Bad rounds?"

"We'll bounce back," Lita grumbled. "Only way to go is up."

"We could be doing much worse," Omin insisted.

"Where do you stand?" asked Akara.

"Twelve and eight."

"Mm. Not the best way to start a season, but you're right. It could be worse. Some teams here must not even practice. We've been watching the boards between matches."

"Pfft, yeah – a match every hour," groaned Susomi. "Next time, we need a dedicated fourth if we actually want to play."

"I liked looking in the shops," Midori piped up. "Sheldon at Ammo Knights was very nice."

"He roped you in?" Yuma laughed. "The trick in there is to not make eye contact until you're ready to pay."

"He's brilliant. He let me try a prototype of his in the practice range." Her smile brightened Lita's mood like a cloud moving from the sun.

"That Sheldon's a character," Lita said. "Never know what'll happen when you walk through his door."

The boys shared a look. Lita's impatience kept her far away from the young Horseshoe Crab except when in dire need of weapon parts.

"At least the music here is fresh," Susomi said.

"You all should come back next weekend for Splatfest," Yuma said. "The Squid Sisters always play live."

"I've been to a few 'fests," Somi said. "More for the bands than the battles. These two've never been, though."

"I'd love to come, if you're inviting us all," Midori said.

"Absolutely!" crowed Lita.

Akara shrugged. "Why not? Our season's over. Saturday night, right?"

"Right," said Omin. "You're in for a good time."

Kiyo tried to be excited as Lita regaled the group with stories of past Splatfests. Through all the years of Junior League he'd dreamed of this day – of joining the real competition and making names for themselves – and here they sat shooting the breeze while Lita, Yuma, and Omin wooed prep school tourists. "We should grab food so we can get back out there," he said.

"Yeah, I'm starving." Lita tugged Midori's arm. "C'mon. I'll treat you to that waffle truck I told you about."

"I'll stay and hold the table." Akara passed a credit card to Lita. "Could you pick up something for me? Midi knows what I like."

"Sure thing, boss."

"I should stay too," Yuma suddenly decided. "In case you need backup."

"I have it under control," said Akara.

"Come on." Kiyo elbowed him. "The lines are only getting longer."

Arm in arm with Midori, Lita led them to her new favorite food truck – one just opened by the former manager of Shrimp Kicks – boasting about how it was the city's best-tasting way to be unhealthy. "But it's okay. We'll run off twice the calories in matches."

Midori chortled and said something too softly for Kiyo to hear at the back of the group.

He didn't care to hear anyway.

At the end of her shift, Goji changed out of her scrubs and said goodbye to Ruby. Her wary boss wished her good luck. Ruby wasn't pleased that Goji was still on speaking terms with 'Oly,' but she was placated since Goji felt safe and was free of panic attacks.

"If you need anything, call me right away," Ruby said. "Even if it's just somebody to talk to."

"I will. Promise."

Goji walked to her car in the early June dusk. The sunset's fading glow reddened the west while the silver moon sailed overhead. The air was warm and alive with the hum of lights and crickets' songs. She was a little late leaving, but she was in no great hurry. She drove with the windows down and enjoyed the wind on her mantle after a long day.

Golden Sands Club glittered in the falling night. The cars around hers grew flashier as she neared the radiant highrise, like a gauge telling her she was out of her depth. She hoped Marie would follow through with her remark about wanting to move. In the garage she texted Marie and waited for her to appear at the side door before getting out.

"Sorry I'm late."

Marie smiled and held the door for her. "You're not, and it would be okay. People depend on you." She gave Goji a cautious hug. "Got held up myself. Dinner just finished a few minutes ago."

They took the elevator to the top floor. Goji smelled tempting aromas before Marie opened her door, and in the suite she found a feast spread on the bar. Seaweed salad, rice, and wontons surrounded a bowl of udon tossed with fresh onions and snow peas. "Oh, Marie... When did you have the time?"

"I did some prep work yesterday."

Goji's stomach growled. "This is incredible. Thank you."

"I promised you dinner, didn't I?"

"You certainly did."

Marie took from the fridge a pitcher of iced tea infused with mint leaves and lemon slices. "Callie mixed this up this morning. She's turning into a first-rate barista."

"Is all this the surprise? Because I'm very pleasantly surprised."

"No, no. That comes later – and it's not dessert, either."

"There's dessert too?"

Marie laughed. "I've been waiting for a chance to spoil you personally. Wasn't about to waste it. Let's eat."

Goji didn't need to be told twice. She sat at the bar with Marie and filled her plate. With soft piano music in the background they ate and talked about their days. Marie brushed it off as just another season starter with too many starstruck kids outside the studio. Goji insisted she was too modest and also too interested in her account of an Octoling toddler with a fever.

"You made a difference in that kid's life," Marie said. "I just sang our old songs and drummed up turf war hype."

"I listened to the lunchtime show," Goji said. "I like hearing you sing."

"Well... if we're done here, I'll clean a few things up and start coffee. Your surprise only needs a couple of minutes. Then we'll have dessert."

"Does my surprise involve you singing?" Goji asked coyly.

"You have me figured out."

"Knew it."

Goji carried a few bowls to the sink before Marie shooed her into the living room. She made herself comfortable on the couch. Marie returned with her acoustic guitar and settled next to her.

"I know most people might call this cliché, but I haven't been great at explaining myself just by talking. I've been trying hard to be the girl you need – the girl you knew I could be. I want this to work between us."

"I know," Goji said. "I've seen it. Spending time together has been nice again."

"I hoped so. And as hard as these past months have been, and as long as the years were without you, I'm glad you told me what I needed to hear this time. You could have walked away for good. So. I wrote this for you."

Goji blushed as Marie strummed a chord. It spread into a hopeful melody, then Marie sang:

The sea, she holds her secrets close

occluded in the ebb and flow.

I found you in the currents when I fell.

I dreamed you made the waters help me

sing my rusty heart out as my

walls and armor crumbled into sand.

My love,

when your eyes met the rising sun,

I heard your name.

You're breathing warmth through these frozen lungs.

As every storm wears a halo of fire,

every stone will find her way back to the shore.

I dreamed of haunted wilderness

and shivered in the cold abyss,

but longing for your kiss will see me through.

I've wandered on the oceans, sailing

home to your devotion with the

stars all singing with me to the end.

My love,

from the moment your eyes met mine,

you called my name.

I couldn't see, but you made me try.

Now every day another compass is led astray,

but every night I have your song to guide my way.

Goji had heard many songs about transformation through love. Only one had been written just for – and about – her. When it was over, Marie looked quickly up at her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

"Shouldn't have what?"

"Sprung that on you. I debated. Almost didn't. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. It was beautiful."

"What I meant to say was that I still want to be your rock. Your port in every storm. I love to care for you, but you've shown me that there's a right way and a wrong way to do that. I want to do it right, to be together again."

"I hear you perfectly," Goji said. "No music needed. But you always had a way with lyrics. I hope none were just for poetry."

"None."

"You love me."

"You know I do, Goji."

Goji bit her lip. "I love you too. This you. The one who sings to me and makes me laugh and smile and feel safe."

"That's the only me I want to be. I know what's at stake."

"I believe you."

"I won't let you down." Marie seemed to be out of words. Her eyes dropped to her guitar strings.

Goji nudged her with her bulb. "Does my song have a name?"

"I didn't think about it. The message was more important than the title."

"I don't want to forget it. I'd love a recording."

Marie grinned then. "I can make that happen." A soft chime came from the kitchen. "Er. Coffee's ready."

Goji followed her back to the bar and waited while she poured two mugs and took a bakery box from the fridge.

"I didn't make this, if it wasn't obvious," Marie said. "But I managed to find your favorite."

"Chocolate?" Goji looked over her shoulder as she opened the box.

"With espresso icing."

"You do know how to tempt me."

"I hope I can do it for a long time to come." When Marie looked down to take a knife from the drawer, Goji swiftly pecked her on the cheek.

"Me too."