Chapter 7 - Sailboat
"Hey Fish Bait, how are ya?" Ian asked as he came running down the school stairs.
"I'm good. Where's Kori?"
"Oh, she's busy with somethin' right now."
"I see. Hey Ian?"
"Yeah?"
"How do you feel about Shon getting that boat?"
"Well I don't know, Fish Bait. But he knows a lot 'bout boats and that stuff. So it shouldn't be that bad. Why'd ya ask?"
"I don't know."
"Can't stay away from lover boy?"
"What? Ian, that's gross, stop!"
"Haha. I'm just jokin'. Well, see ya around, Fish Bait."
"Bye Ian."
Kori came running outside and was trying to catch up to me.
"Hey Lyly!"
"Hey Kori."
"Want me to walk you home?"
"What about your job, silly?"
"Oh yeah… I forgot. Poo! I just wanted to spend time with my bestie."
"Oh, it's okay Kori! We can once we're both free, okay?"
"Promise?" Kori asked, holding out her pinky.
"Promise." I answered, completing the pinkie promise contract.
"Okay then. Ian, wait up, silly!" she turned and waved," Bye Lyly."
I waved back with a satisfied smile on my face. It's moments like these that I can't stand to lose. Precious, happy moments with them. My family. Ceon, Curtis, Shon, Kori, and Ian. Unforgettable moments. That's why I'm terrified about what comes after high school. What will happen to us? Where will we go? Will we lose touch with each other? Forget each other? What will come next?
"Hey Lry." greeted Shon from behind me.
"Oh hey Shon."
"You're by yourself?"
I nodded.
"Want me to walk you home?"
"Oh, no. You'll be late or your job."
"Oh yeah, about that… I'm working part time there. So I thought I could still help out because it's just you, right?"
"You don't have to do that, Shon."
"It's fine. So how about that walk home?"
"Sure."
We walked the streets of town together, just like we always do, the afternoon breeze coming from the ocean, refreshing as always against the humid air. The sun set slowly on the ocean, making refracted light bounce around like lightning bugs on the water. Restaurants open for dinner time and shops turn on the lights so people can see the signs. Moments like these are the ones you never want to forget. Being with a friend you're comfortable around makes you feel invincible.
"Hey Lry?"
"Yeah Shon?" I answered while being pulled out of my thoughts. "Are you sure you're okay with this whole boat arrangement?"
"Hm.. Oh, yeah. Totally. Besides, I'm not your mom so my opinion really doesn't matter, right?"
Shon looked down at me with a worried, hurt, and confused look all at once. "Hm, yeah. You're right.
We got to the shop and got ready to open up. Half the time we get fan girls from middle school who just come here to see Shon. Then boys come to buy flowers for those girls to please them. It's an annoying cycle. But we do get regulars who buy flowers for special people. This place is a shelter from emotions. People come here sad, hurt, happy, or just scared, and I'm here to help them out. They rant about their feelings and I help them through. It's a nice feeling.
"Well , that's it for today, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right, Shon."
"Now I can finally buy that boat. I'm thinking of just going around the key for a test run."
"That's a good idea."
"I'll buy it tomorrow and then show it to everyone. I talked to the guy already and it's a nice boat for the price he's selling it at."
"That's good."
"Well, good night Lyr."
"Yeah, you too."
He left and I cleaned up the shop. I still don't have a good feeling about this. What if he sees me as a syren out there? What if he crashes?
Just because I don't want him hurt, I'll follow him.
We gotta look after each other, right? That's what I'll do then.
I woke up to a text about Shon and his boat. I got dressed and left without eating because I was excited.
Guilty.
Everyone was there as I ran down the docks, Shon showed everyone the boat, and the whole time he was smiling and had that light in his eyes as he gave the grand tour. He was happy. I can't take that away from him. We had lunch on the deck of his new boat. It was a sail boat for 2 people so you could stay in it for the night. It was your common sturdy sailboat.
"Hey Fish Bait, aren't you s'posta work today?"
"Oh I am, Ian. I should go. Besides, I've been out longer than I expected. Bye guys." I said as I hurried off the boat. Shon knows I'm extremely clumsy so he helped me off the boat and I ran to my shop. I got ready in a hurry and welcomed people in as usual. Ian, Kori and Shon came later for check up and an apology for making me stay long.
"Oh it's fine. It was my fault because I was late in the beginning, so don't worry about it."
Everyone had a surprised and suspicious look on their face as I pushed the trouble away. They soon left and I soon closed up shop later.
Tomorrow Shon is using that boat and I will watch him.
I set my alarm early and told everyone that tomorrow will be a day off. Then I fell asleep.