Isis’s parents let her go to Sulani with the threat that if she was even one minute late coming home, she wouldn’t see the light of day until she was eighteen. Ever since she got caught having people over, the house had felt… different. Conversations clipped short. A heaviness in the air she couldn’t name. She missed feeling so close with her parents and the growing distance made her a little sad. But she was not going to let any negative emotions ruin this beach day, or her summer!
The girls wandered along the shoreline, letting the water chase their ankles as they bent to collect shells. The sun warmed their shoulders, and the distant cries of gulls blended with the gently crashing waves.
Isis bent to pick up a small piece of green sea glass, its edges worn smooth. She smiled, then turned to Jackie. “Open your hand.”
Jackie held out her palm, curious. Isis placed the glass in it. “This is for you. It’s the same color as your eyes.”
Jackie lifted it toward the sun, letting the light glow through the soft green. “You found sea glass! It’s perfect.”
They made their way back to their towels and Jackie asked Isis to rub even more sunscreen on for her. Poor Jackie had such pale skin and she didn’t want to get a sun burn.
Isis said, “Let’s get in the water first!” and started to prance back to the shoreline, kicking up sand as she ran.
Jackie tossed the sunscreen down and chased after Isis. They giggled like little girls as they walked into the turquoise water. Isis dunked her head and came up squealing. “Come on Jackie, it’s not that cold!”
Jackie hesitated for a second then plugged her nose and went under. She surfaced with a laugh. They swam past the waves, out to where the water was calm.
“So how are things with Roman?” Jackie asked.
“What do you mean? You see us all the time, we’re super good!”
“I mean, how far have you gone?? I know you’ll tell me when you do it right!” Jackie teased.
Isis flushed, “Jackie!”
“I see the way you two look at each other. I bet you’re bet you’re going to lose your virginity before I do.” Jackie laughed.
“No way. I don’t know if I’m ready. I mean, I want to, but… oh you’re making me blush!” Isis splashed Jackie.
They floated quietly for a few minutes and Jackie said “Isis. I wish I had what you and Roman have.”
Isis wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that and took a minute before she said “I’m sure you will soon. What’s going on with Miles?”
“Ugh. He’s kinda boring. I don’t think we have that much chemistry honestly.” Jackie laughed. “I want a passionate romance, Isis! I want a real man to sweep me off my feet.” She said whimsically.
Isis smiled faintly at her friend. Again, unsure of what to say.
Jackie thankfully kept talking. “I’m no good at picking guys. I’m a little on the wild side and some guys are drawn to that, but then they try to change me or tell me I’m too much. Then others just see me as the slutty girl and they hang around expecting to get laid. I let them hang around because… I just want to feel desired, you know?”
“Jackie, you’re so amazing. Don’t talk about yourself that way. Somebody will be lucky to snag you.” Isis replied genuinely and she was glad to see Jackie smile.
“Maybe someday.” Jackie said with a wistful sigh.
Isis leaned back and floated, letting the water cradle her. The sky above was impossibly blue, dotted with a few lazy clouds. The ocean wrapped around her like a weightless cocoon, and all her worries dissolved into the salty water.
Eventually they swam back to the shore. Isis rubbed more sunscreen onto Jackie’s pale shoulders, then dug into the cooler for the turkey sandwiches she’d packed. Jackie grabbed two sodas. They ate quietly, listening to the waves and the distant chatter of other beachgoers.
Isis must have drifted off, because when she blinked awake, the sun had dipped lower in the sky. She sat up slowly, stretched, and buried her toes in the sand. She looked at the empty towel next to her, wondering where Jackie was, when she heard giggling from behind her. She turned to see Jackie bouncing up to her.
“I had to find one for you. Look!” Jackie held out a piece of brown sea glass and Isis snorted, “Because I have brown eyes? As if that’s a pretty color!”
“They’re pretty to me because they’re in your head!” Jackie exclaimed.
She plopped down next to Isis and put an arm around her shoulders. Isis leaned her head on Jackie’s shoulder and they gazed out at the ocean, feeling happy and relaxed, wrapped in the peaceful moment.
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