Carl pulled over at a very serene and private beach and they both got down. Maria never knew such a place existed. It was so beautiful. The stars in the sky reflected their rays onto the waters making them sparkle. Maria got down from the car and removed her shoes and looked at the place.
''Wow. This place is so beautiful. I didn't know such a place existed''. Maria said as she looked around.
''This is a private beach. It belongs to my family. My elder brother bought it and developed it. He comes here whenever he wants to relax''. Carl said standing beside her.
''Huh, and you brought me here? What if we meet your brother or other family member? This won't do. Let's get out of here. Take me back before anyone sees us'' Maria asked worriedly.
''Relax, Lisa. My brother is outside the country and no one knows this place except me, my brother and my cousin. I brought you here because I wanted you to relax and calm down. You didn't look good''. Carl said.
''So nosy. You didn't have to but thank you''. Maria said and sat on the sand.
She removed the pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Carl sat closer to her quietly watching her.
''You won't tell anyone that I smoke or drink right?'' Maria asked as she lit the cigarette.
''No, but I will use it to blackmail you''. Carl said with a smile and added ''don't worry. I want to be the person you are most comfortable with''.
Maria took a drag before looking at the boy. ''Why? Why do you want me to be comfortable around you?'' She asked and looked at him trying to read him.
''Because I like seeing you happy''. Carl said, making Maria's heart flutter. She blushed and looked away.
''I am sorry for acting that way to you this morning. But, I am not sorry for eating your food''. He said.
''Ah, is that an apology or not? You are only sorry for being an ass but you are not sorry for snatching my food? What kind of apology is that?'' Maria asked.
"A sincere half apology by Carl Denarius to Maria Portia Lee" Carl said flirtatiously and Maria blushed because his gaze was fixed on her face.
'What is wrong with me? Am I actually falling for this boy?' Maria asked herself internally before she stretched her hand to take a beer.
Carl also unknowingly stretched forth his hand to take the beer and their fingers touched each other. They turned and looked at each other before Maria retrieved her hand away immediately and tugged her hair back behind her ear.
"I don't mind," Carl smiled.
''I don't smoke but I drink when I'm with my brother''. Carl said and opened the can beer that their hands touched and took a sip.
''Hey, you are still a minor''. Maria tried to snatch the beer from him.
''I am 19 years old, Lisa. You are only 3 years older than me''. Carl said as he drank the beer.
"But, still you're a minor and I am your teacher" Maria said to him and frowned.
"Lisa, we are not in school. Here, you're not my teacher and I am not your student. Can you not kill the buzz for me" Carl replied as he took another sip.
''Do you have DID? Or bipolar? You seem completely different from when you were in school?'' Maria couldn't help but ask.
''I don't have DID nor do I have bipolar. I am only like this because of you''. Carl said, meeting Maria's gaze. His eyes seemed to burrow deep into her soul making it impossible to tear away.
''Why is it because is me?'' Maria asked, unsure of why she asked in the first place. She was somewhat afraid of what he would say.
''I thought you knew it already? I like you Lisa''. Maria twitched her eyes and flushed and felt her whole body go numb at that moment.
'Did I just confess? Did this boy just tell me he likes me' Maria's brain seemed to have gone through a brain flush as a wave of emotions took over her.
The cigarette in her hand was burning out and she didn't even realize it until the fire touched her fingers and she hissed and let go.
Carl immediately took her hand and looked at it worriedly saying ''you should be careful. It didn't burn your hand that much. Why do you smoke when you can't even hold a cigarette properly? What if it had burnt your hand just now. Wait here, I think I have a band aid in my car''.
Carl hurriedly stood up and went to open his car.
Maria watched him as he did all that and returned to her. He took her hand and wiped it with a wet tissue he brought out and covered her finger with the band aid.
His movements were so smooth and effortless. Maria watched him with a complicated gaze. An array of complicated feelings went through her mind and heart. She was confused. How could something that was clearly wrong feel so right? This feeling was new to her but she was someone who was always clear about her feelings and right at that moment she knew exactly what she was feeling.
'Lexis was right. I like you and you are my first love'. Maria said those words to herself because they didn't come out and the boy looking at her didn't know about that. He was only sure of his own feelings.
''Lisa, are you alright?'' Carl asked and leaned in closer to her face. She zoned out.
''Huh? Yes, I am fine. Thank you''. Maria said and took a beer standing up. She opened it and walked away from Carl while drinking the beer.
Carl watched her as she walked far away from him and murmured ''why did we have to meet as a student and a teacher? Still, I can't help being greedy and selfish over you. I don't think I can let you go either, even though it is wrong. I will regret it if I let you go, so forgive me for barging into your peaceful life because I am not going to let you go so easily"
He didn't go after her. He knew they both needed space to calm down. The atmosphere just then made him almost kiss her. It was good that she decided to walk away. If not, he didn't know if he could have been able to stop himself from doing something.
Maria stopped walking when she realized she was not being followed by him. She really needed to calm down. She was clear about what was going to happen earlier on.
Carl was going to kiss her and she was just going to let him. She felt all her senses were lost at that moment. She was about to be kissed by a boy whom she taught in class.
Maria sat down and gulped down the can of beer. She started drinking and would occasionally smoke when she was 17 years old. Her father's constant abuse made it impossible for her to have any friends.
Whenever her father came home drunk and wanted to beat her, she would run out and hide. One day she saw a group of youngsters smoking and drinking at a beach. They invited her to join them and she did. They taught her how to drink and smoke. She almost wasted her life by being with them until she met Lexis' father who was a psychiatrist.
Through him she met Lewis and they became friends. Lexis's dad used to tell her that it was okay to smoke or drink occasionally since she was going through a hard time.
Those years were the worst. Maria was always glad she met wonderful people that brought her back to the right track. Lexis' parents were lovely and understanding. They never treated her badly nor did they judge her.
Maria turned and looked at the distance she came from. Coming back to her senses she stood up and started to walk back. It was getting late and she didn't want to keep a high schooler outside. That would be irresponsible of her.
''Should we go now?'' Carl asked her when she got to him. Maria nodded and got into the car.
''You can send me to the substation. I will get a bus from there to my place''. Maria said as she put on her seatbelt.
''I brought you here and I am sending you home. That way I won't be worried about whether you got home safely or not''. Carl said and drove out of the beach.
''Why would you be worried? I am not a kid''. Maria said looking outside the window.
''You are not a kid but a woman. My parents taught me manners, you know? I cannot leave a woman to go home by herself when I was the one who brought her out. Besides, you are the woman I like. Even though it's impossible between us''. Carl said as he turned on the ignition.
Maria closed her eyes saying ''wake me up when we get there''.
Carl smiled and focused on driving.