At the end of the school day, we were obviously chaperoned by a few of the parents who were able to make the trip with us. We were escorted to the airport where we waited in the lounge area while Mrs Swiler along with a few other teachers from other classes that won the raffle too.
“Are you ready for this, Ivy?” I asked her, giddy, shaking my legs in excitement. I never got to leave the state so much as the town.
If you exclude the move here from the town OVER which was at most, on a usual slow
traffic day, a 30 minute drive.
“Huh?” She looked up from the ground, scanning the area. She seemed like she just got out of a trance as her eyes landed on me.
“You good?” I gave her a look of concern.
“Yeah…no…maybe?” She looked up at the ceiling, debating on the next words that she should say, “my mom is gonna be chaperoning this trip.”
“Oh, and is that a bad thing?” I questioned, confused.
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” she took out her phone from her pocket and started playing a game as Mrs Swiler finally returned with our tickets.
The plane ride there was uneventful to say the least, by that I mean I slept the entire time with one of those sleep mask thingies that they give you. No one, not even this plane crashing, would wake me up. Well, that’s dark but you get the gist, right?
We touched down in Forseo and made our way to the Seascape Hotel, the illustrious hotel that the internet had built up my anticipation of.
The fresh smell of salt from the ocean escaped the revolving door as we made our way into the lavish interior of the hotel. The walls were stories of water tanks and aquariums with various species of fish swimming along the inside, without a care in the world. Schools of fish dashed by customers sitting at the freshly polished mahogany tables as they exclaimed their excitement being in an environment such as one like this. The chandelier’s reflection gleamed off of the tabletops as the light burned brightly, giving the Seascape Hotel an otherworldly feel like we had just stepped into a different world altogether.
“Ah, what’s up?” Alyssa bounced in front of me as I stared in awe at the surroundings.
I scoffed at her and turned on my heels to walk away.
“You don’t even want to hear what I have to say?” She smiled, bubbly hiding the devil we all know.
“Nope,” my shoes clacking, echoing against the quartz.
I said that. Although, I was very interested. I just couldn’t let her win.
“I’ll tell you anyway,” she walked next to me.
“There’s someone who’s got a crush on you,” she whispered in my ear before running back over to her clique of preppy girls and annoying jocks.
Really? Someone likes me? I wonder who. Love isn’t an entirely new emotion to me but it’s one that’s unexplored. One that I’ve only experienced for a short amount of time in my short life.
My mind flickered to Ivy laughing in the bowling alley.
A small individual was in my path as I nearly trampled them.
“I’m sorry,” I walked around them. The girl grabbed my arm. I turned and looked at them. She wore one of the assigned name tags that we were given on the plane so we don’t get lost from each other.
“I’m in your 3rd period. The one where your group—”
“I’m aware of what my 3rd period is. Can I help you with something?” I cut her off and cut to the heart of the conversation.
“I’m not too sure right now but I’d like to introduce myself,” her voice was soft, yet it carried power, a sense of authority.
“Well…?” I ushered her to proceed.
“I’m Piper,” she held out her hand. Her hands were small and soft as I made contact with her hand with mine. We shook for what seemed like a long time, her eyes never leaving mine.
“I’m assuming you know I’m Wyatt then.”
“Of course I do,” she quickly snapped back.
“You can let go now,” I looked down at her hand interlocked with mine.
“Sorry,” she let go while she adjusted her flowy white blouse made of soft, lightweight fabric. The blouse has delicate lace detailing around the collar and cuffs, the sleeves are slightly puffed. Her pants were high-waisted black tailored trousers that are fitted yet comfortable. She wore a long, pastel-colored cardigan that flowed down to her mid-thigh over her blouse.
“That’s a beautiful cardigan,” I said, trying not to sound too forward.
“Thank you, I bought this at the beginning of the school year for winter. Good thing too, this cold has been awful,” she replied, lifting her hand up to cover her mouth as she let out a soft chuckle.
She reminded me of Kendall. The elegance… the royalty aspect of her.
“I know… that’s why I’m wearing this,” I lifted my black pullover hoodie, “it’s barely fall and it’s already this cold.”
“I know. Hopefully, it’s only today,” she flipped her hair and looked past me. I turned around and watched her friends wave her over, “Anyways, I do need to get going. It was nice to meet you,” she walked away, her lavender scent wafting into my nose as she walked away.
“Who was that?” Ivy walked over, a bottle of water in her hand.
“She said her name was Piper—”
Ivy spit her water out onto my shirt.
“Are you serious?! What was that for?!” I shouted at her, grabbing napkins from the front desk, wiping myself off.
“Piper? Piper Lockheart? She got about,” she gestures to just above her shoulders with her hand, “yay long hair. Sort of platinum colored hair?” She grabbed my shoulders and locked eyes with me.
“Yeah, why?”
“Dude. You think guys have crushes on me? I’m nothing compared to her. Every. Single. Guy. Has a crush on her, name one guy and I can guarantee you that they have a crush on her. That and she’s actually ridiculously smart, highest GPA, Exam Scores, any category that requires some academic skill she’s number 1.”
“You’re fangirling,” I push her back slightly, “since when did you take interest in people like her?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“We’ve been friends for a long time, since elementary school,” she retorted.
“I thought Daren was your first real friend?” I recalled when she told me on the bus.
“Well, I guess I should’ve said first real ‘guy’ friend. We saw how that ended up,” she cleared her throat and continued, “but Piper’s a really good friend of mine. I’m surprised. She’s never asked about you before, though. I didn’t even recognize her from over there.”
My mind dwindled back to the girl staring at me during our group presentation. It must’ve been her, right?
“How come? We’re in the same 3rd period,” I inquired Ivy.
“She’s never really been the type to ask me about certain types of people. She likes to give everyone fair chances. Usually, she’s reserved, likes to keep to herself. I’m surprised she talked to you first,” Ivy took a swallow of water from the bottle.
“I did almost run into her—” I chuckled, scratching the back of my head.
“You’re a moron,” she quickly stated before walking over to the class.
“OKAY, CLASS!” Mrs Swiler looked ecstatic, WAY more excited than the students here. We were thrilled to have been picked here and I’ve never been out of the small state we lived in but I’m pretty sure she just wanted a break from the heathens that wreak havoc in her class every morning, “I will bring a group of you and we will go to the front desk and grab your room keys. The school and the donors who graciously provided us with this have rented out a section of the rooms specifically for us—but the girls and boys will be separated.”
The boys groaned while the girls pumped their fists.
I looked at Ivy who was chatting fervently with Piper. Piper was as engrossed in the conversation as Ivy as she responded animatedly, her eyes popping along with her passion. Something about her grabbed my attention. What caught my attention? I’m not sure. I’m not really too great with this. I always thought I was the type of guy who didn’t like girls for their looks, not like the shallow guys but maybe I was wrong.
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My mind jumped to a conversation between me and Mom.
“What? Honey,” Mom wrapped her arms around me, “just because you like a girl for her looks doesn’t make you a pervert—” she laughed to herself, “I don’t even know where you learned that word.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I leaned into her, not realizing I’d lose her some time down the road.
I returned to my senses as Mrs Swiler finished her conversation and picked the first group to get their keys.
I walked over to one of the empty tables by the back of the lobby and sat down. I pulled out my phone and put in my headphones. I bumped my head to the music that hummed in my ears, a pleasant melody bringing me back to a world where I don’t need to worry about being shallow or being without my parents. A world where I can nod my head and sing along. I closed my eyes and looked up—the light poured through my eyelids but that didn’t matter.
The table suddenly moved. A chair was pulled out from under my feet, one that I was using as a footrest. Ivy had yanked it from me after seeing I was using it and laughed when I bolted upright.
Piper was next to her, giggling. Her laugh ringed in my ears, filling my body with a burning sensation as it rose to my cheeks.
“Very funny,” I took out my headphones and put them back in my pocket along with my phone,”was there something you wanted or did you just wanna scare me awake?” I asked Ivy.
“Well, you’re the person I can tolerate the most besides her,” she jabbed her thumb next to her at Piper.
“I never see you two talking much,” I said, pondering to myself.
“Well, that’s because Ivy thought that if we were seen together it’d bring her unwanted attention,” Piper answered.
“Well, yeah. Look at them now,” Ivy pointed to the crowd of people whispering and pointing at the two of them.
The two of them talked freely as I got up to use the bathroom. I didn’t actually need to, it’s the same thing as Ivy was talking about. I don’t need the unwanted attention. That and I hadn’t been a part of the conversation so I didn’t think it mattered. I walked down the brightly lit hallway that had been reflecting the aquarium’s colors back onto the quartz beneath my feet. After a while of walking, I saw a sign posted on the wall next to a door. I walked closer to get a better look.
Pool.
I looked left and then right, behind me as well to make sure no one followed me before going in through the door. There was a large man, his veins bulging through his muscles. He looked like he had been sculpted. Art in its purest form. His back was bigger than me, it seemed. An elderly man, a skinny frail man, sat next to him as they bantered. The large man broke out into boisterous laughter and the man next to him laughed a hearty one as well. I walked past them and into the changing room.
We were instructed to bring swimming wear along with a few essentials for the trip.
I quickly changed into my swimming attire and hopped into the pool. I swam to the edge of the pool and leaned against it, the same way those two were. I wish I had a friend like that, someone I could just talk to, have a good laugh with.
“Hey, kid,” the large man said aloud.
I pointed at myself, “Me?”
“Yes, you. Are you here alone?” He questioned.
I looked at him with a look of suspicion as I slowly began to leave the pool.
“Relax. It’s not that. You’re not supposed to be here without adult supervision and we’re not babysitters,” he insisted.
“Oh, sorry. I’ll be out of your hair,” I began making my way out of the pool again.
“He’s kidding. Mostly,” the elderly gentleman remarked.
“Oh, okay,” I lowered myself back into the pool and enjoyed the coolness of the water.
“What are you doing here by yourself anyways?” The elderly man asked.
“I was on a walk and then got lost. I saw the sign and came in here,” I explained.
“I see. Do your parents know you’re here?”
My chest tightened. Suddenly, it got hard to breathe as I propelled myself out of the pool. I grew drowsy as I tried my hardest not to think of them. The muscular man stood in my way and held my shoulders.
“You okay, kid?” He looked down at me, a worrying look in his eyes.
“I’m fine. My parents are a hard subject for me,” I tried to get out of his grip.
“Kid, I understand how you feel,” he towered over me, his muscles rippling throughout his body. His face betrayed his previous attitude as leaned over and wrapped his arms around me. Regardless of our relationship as strangers, as a random person who had walked into the pool by accident, he hugged me with a certain kinship, a real hug. One I haven’t received in a long time.
“I lost my mom 3 years ago,” he pulled back and held onto my shoulders with an ironclad grip.
“Does it ever get easier?” I asked him, looking up at his shining head reflecting
underneath the light above.
He paused. He let go of my shoulder and had a look of appraisal on his face. A look of sorrow suddenly flickered across his face as it left as fast as it had appeared, “I’d say it does but it never truly does go away,” he looked back at the man and then back at me, “why don’t you come hang out with us?” His sudden change in attitude from the brute who said they weren’t babysitters kind of freaked me out.
“Splendid idea, Brock. Come, young one,” the elderly man laughed.
I nodded and walked over there and dipped my feet into the water without fully submerging.
“Don’t be shy, kid,” the muscular man’s voice boomed throughout the empty pool room.
“I’m fine here, I probably can’t stay for too long anyways,” I explained.
“Well, that’s a shame,” the man paused for a moment, mulling over the words he should say, “when did they pass? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“About 3 months ago,” I clenched my fists by my side.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” the elderly gentleman said, “I lost my wife, Elizabeth, 5 years ago today. Everyday, we’d come here and spend the days in our hotel room, ordering room service, walking the gardens, and enjoying the aquariums,” he sighed and looked up at the ceiling. He let out a long breath and then looked at me, “how’s school, young one?”
“School?” My mind flickered to the memories of meeting Kendall and Leo, the disaster between Daren and Ivy, Alyssa, and Ivy. I looked back at him, meeting his eyes, “It’s been weird.”
He and the man chuckled to themselves, “That we understand.”
“What do you mean?”
“School’s always a weird time for everyone. Regardless of if you’re popular or not, what your ‘clique’ is, you’ll always have those growing pains but those are the best memories. Years from now, you’ll be looking back and laugh,” the elderly man’s eyes lit up with joy, one that wasn’t there moments ago.
“I bet. I just don’t know what to do now,” I looked down at my hands.
The two of them looked at each other and chuckled a knowing laugh.
“Who’s the girl?” Brock had swam closer and rested himself against the concrete edge of the pool.
“W-what?” I looked away, embarrassed, “what are you talking about?”
“I didn’t know at first but now I do,” he pointed at me and peered past me at the old timer. They glanced at each other and burst out laughing. They cackled like mad men as they wiped the tears from their eyes.
“What?” I asked, surprised by their reactions.
“You don’t even know you have a crush!” Brock smacked against the water, splashing it everywhere.
“I don’t have a crush!” I said but it came out more like I was trying to tell myself that.
“Uh-huh. What’s she like?” Brock said.
“She’s…” I picked my brain to try to find the right words, “She’s totally rude. Her personality is spontaneous but she changes her mind more than I change my clothes. We enjoy the same things and don’t talk to many people besides each other but I guess I’m not allowing myself to feel what I want to feel.”
“Yikes, dude. You’ve got a weird brain in there,” Brock hopped over the poolside and poked me in the head, “Are you trying to punish yourself for your parents’ death?”
The thought hit me like a punch to the jaw. Maybe, I was. Or maybe, I was afraid of ruining the one thing I have here that allows me to be who I am. Although, the one thought that kept resurfacing was I was scared of being rejected. Being alone again.
“Kid, listen. It wasn’t your fault. I don’t know what happened or I don’t know how they passed but you aren’t the reason. This isn’t the end of the world. It may feel like it right now, without them, but it isn’t. You’ll meet so many and such amazing people that you’ll learn to love to live again,” his words resonated with me.
The elderly man chimed in with a gentle laugh. "He’s a softie, you know. Don’t let the muscles fool you."
"Take care of yourself, kid," the man said with a nod. "And hey, next time you feel like you're drowning in it all—whether it’s here or up here," he tapped his temple, "just come up for air. Got it?”
“Yeah. I got it,” I smiled faintly to myself. For the first time in a while, I meant the words I said.
I stood there for a second, trying to process everything I’d just experienced. Meeting someone in the same situation as me—it was rare. Maybe even unheard of. But maybe he’s right. Maybe it’s time to let my walls down, to stop living in the shadow of what happened, and start enjoying my life again.
Gripping the towel, I dried myself off. My hair, luckily untouched by the water, still framed my face, dry and familiar. The air felt heavier now, like the room itself had absorbed my moment of clarity.
I changed quickly and made my way back to the lobby, the vibrant chatter of my classmates hitting me like a wave as I approached. Ivy was the first to notice me, breaking away from her conversation with Piper to acknowledge me. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the encounter and rejoin the present.
“Where’d you disappear to?” Ivy asked, her tone light but laced with curiosity.
“I was using the bathroom,” I explained, “What are you? My mom?” I chuckled even though my heart felt heavy. Piper laughed as she hit Ivy on the arm, “You never said he was funny,” she said, playfully.
“Because he isn’t,” she sighed, “Look, Wyatt. She thinks you’re funny. Fix her.”
“I’m hilarious,” I patted myself on the back and sat down at the table with them, “so what have you two been talking about since I left?”
“Ivy’s been filling me in on everything I’ve missed this year and apparently, it’s been a lot,” she winked at me.
“Like what? The only thing I can think of is Daren and that weird love letter incident,” I said, a confused expression on my face.
“Oh, nothing,” Ivy and Piper giggled with each other.
I nodded absentmindedly, my eyes drifting over the crowd of students. Mrs. Swiler’s voice droned on in the background, and I silently willed her to hurry up.
I have a crush on Ivy. I didn’t think I’d fall for someone this fast—barely a quarter of the way into the school year—but here I am. I thought maybe this trip will give me more than a change of scenery. That maybe it would give me answers—or at least, the space to ask the right questions. And that question?
What do I do?
