Disclaimer: I own everything but their names.
July 16, 2001 – Santa Cruz, California
Smoke and heat billowed through the air around us as we made our way across the beach toward Jasper's friends. He'd said on the way over it was a small affair, just a few of his closest friends and that I shouldn't worry because everyone was cool. Despite the situation I was heading into, I wasn't nervous or scared. All I really felt was indifference.
My head was elsewhere.
I still couldn't figure out why Edward hadn't said goodbye. Could he have really been upset about me agreeing to come out with Jasper? Or was it something we'd said?
I'd struggled to remember the teasing conversation I'd been having with Jasper just before the register drawer slammed, but nothing seemed to stick out that warranted Edward's behavior.
It just didn't make sense. And that was frustrating.
Jasper tugged on my arm, pulling me toward a group of kids gathered around a fire pit. When we arrived, none of them even bothered greeting him; all eyes were on me.
"Who's your cute little friend, Jas?" some tall kid asked.
"Yeah, who's the chick?"
"Dude, show some respect for the lady," another boy interjected.
"All of you shut the hell up," a girl spoke over them. I giggled a little.
"Thanks Alice," Jasper said, smiling for just a beat too long before he turned and looked at me. "Everyone, this is Bella. Bella, this is… everyone."
I gave a little wave and shook hands as each of them came up to introduce themselves personally. Jared was the tall kid; he had this crazy black hair and eyes that wandered a little too freely. The other boys introduced themselves as Demetri and Felix, twin brothers who looked far too much alike for me to even try telling apart. The only girl besides me was Alice. Her tiny frame and short hair made her look more like a boy than some of the others, but I could see in Jasper's eyes when he looked at her that even if I had agreed to be his date tonight, I wasn't the girl he wanted to be with.
"Where's Nah?" Jasper asked, grabbing a beer from one of the coolers.
I think it was Felix who answered, "Where do you think, bro? He's in the water."
Jasper rolled his eyes and grabbed a seat, patting the space next to him. I sat down, and though I wasn't really a drinker, I took the beer Alice offered me.
Jasper leaned over and spoke quietly. "There's one more person I want you to meet."
Just then, Jared hooted and all eyes turned to the water. Silhouetted by the moon, someone rose up on their board and swished this way and that across a wave. It was amazing, but all it did was bring Edward back to the forefront of my mind.
When his ride ended, the guy on the board crashed to the water dramatically. The crowd around me filled with laughter. He sloshed up the beach with his board under his arm, dropping it into the sand as he shook out his hair.
"Can't stay out of the water for long, can you?" Jasper asked, jumping up to shake his friends' hand.
The guy stepped into the light of the flames, all wavy brown hair and big pouty lips. "Not for long." He grinned and turned his eyes to me; they were the color of fire. "And who's this?"
"This is Bella," everyone seemed to answer him at once.
He picked up a towel to wipe his hands, and then sauntered over to us, squatting down to offer me his hand. I took it and smiled up at him.
"Bella," he said in greeting. "I'm Nahuel."
After our introduction, Nahuel stepped away to peel off his wetsuit, dressing beneath a towel. He pulled a hoodie over his head and joined us by the fire, taking the seat right next to mine.
He lifted his hands toward the flames for warmth. "So, Bella, I hear you're new in town."
I glared at Jasper for a second. "I swear sometimes you gossip like a female," I joked.
Everyone laughed and agreed wholeheartedly.
"Fuck you all," Jasper muttered, standing up and traipsing down the beach all pouty-faced. Alice followed him.
I laughed and shook my head, returning my attention to Nahuel. "Yep, I am new in town."
"And how are you enjoying our fair city?"
"It's not too bad," I answered, grabbing a handful of sand and letting the tiny grains run through my fingers.
"I hear E's teaching you to surf?"
At the mention of Edward, my chest constricted. I sipped the beer in my hands, hoping the wince the flavor brought on would hide my reaction.
"Yeah. I grabbed my first wave today, in fact."
Nahuel closed his eyes and smiled softly. "Ah, you never forget your first…"
"Bro, we're not talking about sex," Jared called across the fire, interrupting us.
"We might as well be," Nahuel argued with a laugh. "There's nothing better than riding."
Felix (or was it Demetri?) snorted. "Fuck you, Nah. You're just saying that 'cause you get paid to do that shit now."
"I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it," Nahuel replied. "The sponsorship's just an added bonus."
"Says you, man!" Demetri (or was it Felix?) yelled enthusiastically.
"Wait. You're sponsored?" I wondered aloud. Hanging around Jasper and Paul so much, I had heard all about the local celebrities in the surf scene; those who'd been scouted and plucked right out of the water and thrust into stardom in the surf world. I was more than a little fascinated.
Nahuel nodded. "For the last year or so. I'm actually only home for a few days before I have to head back out for a competition."
"Wow," I said. "That must be amazing."
He grinned. "It really is. I can't see myself doing anything else."
"I bet."
"How do you like it? Surfing, I mean…" he asked.
"It's been great. Today was…" I shook my head. "I can't even describe it."
"You don't even have to try; I know exactly what you're talking about."
Nahuel and I kind of faded into our own little bubble. He told me all about surfing in other countries and I listened with admiration, envy and maybe even a tiny bit of jealousy. He'd been to so many places I wanted to visit, and I couldn't get enough of the attention he was giving me.
It felt nice to finally be noticed. Plus, he wasn't bad to look at, either.
He stayed by my side all evening, his cute smile and infectious laugh keeping me from thinking about what tomorrow would bring when I faced Edward again.
I'm drawing a blank on what to say here… so I'll say this: you are all awesome. Thank you so much for reading and rec'ing and tweeting about this story. My smile is an almost permanent fixture these days.
Huge thanks to mcgt for her lovely review of Going Under over on Twific Reviews! Link is on my profile if you want to check it out!
Reviews are love.
Until tomorrow!
xx