“Oh yeah, what kind?” I sigh heavily, thankful for the reprieve.
“Convertible bug.”
“Is that what you wanted?” I glance over at her and she shrugs.
“I didn’t really want anything but did all the same. If that makes sense.”
“It does,” I tell her. “My parents are like that, often buying things without asking.”
“It’s a nice trait, but kind of annoying. I mean what if I wanted a truck?”
“Did you?” I can’t help but laugh. I turn down one of the main roads off Sunset and continue to drive to nowhere. I have no idea where to take her and I definitely don’t want the night to end.
“No, but it would’ve been nice of them to ask, is all I’m saying.” Every now and again, her accent shines through, and it makes me smile. I like that she’s not from here, that she’s different from all the other women I know.
“Where are you from?”
We happen to look at each other at the same time and it’s like time is standing still. There’s a wave or current, something between us that’s pulling us together. A horn honk, and I swerve. My heart’s beating out of my chest as I try to keep my car on the road.
“Sorry,” she says softly.
“For what? I’m the one who almost got us killed.”
“I don’t know. I just thought I needed to say it.”
We drive in silence and before I know it, we’re at the beach. It’s still dark and the sun won’t be up for a few hours, and I’m nervous. I should’ve offered to take her home after I almost crashed my car. Instead, I selfishly kept her with me. She’s probably ready to flee.
She does just that. Nola opens the car door and gets out quickly. I half expect her to slam the door, but she doesn’t. “Are you coming?” she asks, bending down so I can see her.
“Yeah.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of my car to meet her at the front. Together, we walk side-by-side, trudging through the sand, both of us holding onto our shoes. It’ll be my luck that the cops are out tonight, and we’ll get busted. They won’t care who I am or anything. It’ll be jail time for the both of us, on our first date.
No, this isn’t a date, no matter how much I want it to be. I follow Nola down to the surf, praying she doesn’t want to go swimming, although I’d be up for it. She finds us a place to sit, with our backs resting against some driftwood.
“This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.”
I’ve been here many times, so I know what this place looks like. However, it’s dark and the pier lights don’t exactly illuminate the area well.
“Have you been here before?” Dumb question on my part, I know. Of course, everyone’s been here.
“Once. We drove by. My roommate and I,” she says. The clarification on roommate shouldn’t make a difference to me, but it does.
“Do you surf?”
She shakes her head. “It’s funny, I grew up close to the ocean, but other than playing in the waves, we never really went out in the water unless we were on a boat. Sharks, ya know, and my mother is paranoid.”
“Most moms are.” Mine is. Each time any of us go out, she sits on the beach, watching us. She tells us it’s because she likes to see us in action, but she’s not fooling any of us. After Peyton’s accident, she changed. Not for the better or worse, she’s just different, more the protective mama bear. If she had her way, we’d all live next to her so she can keep a watchful eye on everyone.
“What about you, do you surf?” she asks.
“All the time. My dad taught me when I was little. It’s something we’ve always done together, and my uncle’s daughter is an amateur surfer. She’s going to be pro someday.” I have no idea why I just told her about Eden. It’s very unlike me, and yet I feel like I can tell Nola everything. Never in my life have I felt this way.
“Wow, that’s amazing. She must be really good.” Nola pulls her legs to her and sets her head on her knees.
“Are you cold?”
“No, just tired.”
“Do you want me to take you home?” I start to stand, but she pulls me down quickly. I fall, landing into her. “I’m sorry.” When I go to right myself, she holds onto my arm. I use this movement to adjust and sit closer, mirroring her body position.