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And I feel like an idiot. And a judgemental cow. “Sorry. I didn’t think something like that might be a problem.”
He just shrugs.
“So, why did you message me? I’m from back home.” I’d always want to know the answer to that question, but it feels like a legitimate one, given what he’s just said.
He doesn’t answer right away but just smiles at me again. It’s a knowing smile like he’s got the answer, and I’m in the dark — and I am.
It’s infectious, and I forget about the misunderstanding. Because all I know is that I want to stay looking at that smile.
“Hot chocolate?”
I nod.
He orders and pays for both drinks, and we head back along the sand.
“So, how many people are coming to this thing tonight?”
“I don’t know, a bunch. We do it every week or so through the summer. It’s Max’s time to shout the beer. The crowd changes depending on who’s here and who they invite.”
“Girls?”
“Don’t worry, Anna. You won’t be the only girl there.” He chuckles and takes a sip of his chocolate.
But I secretly wish I was the only girl for Jeremy.
“Come on. We can watch the sunset. They don’t light the bonfire until it gets dark.”
We walk back and see the crowd has more than doubled in size. And, like Jeremy said, there are a few girls.
Just like back at school, the girls are all about Jeremy. As soon as we get close, a couple of them head over to us.
“Hi, Archer. Good to see you again.” The taller one sways towards him.
“Hey.” Gone is his smile, and he looks more like the moody guy I see every day at school.
“Who’s your friend? Haven’t seen her around the Cove.”
He turns to me and reaches his arm back to rest his hand on my shoulder again. “This is Anna.”
I have to bite my cheek to stop laughing as both their faces drop in shock at his action. He doesn’t introduce me as anything but Anna. And I love it.
“Hi.” I smile at them before looking at Jeremy. He glances at me, and we seem to know what game we’re playing.
The girls don’t say anything else but head back towards the others.
“Rude. Are they all like that?”
“Mostly.” He pulls his hand away. “Come on.” He leads the way down in front of the bonfire and sits, claiming his uninterrupted view of the ocean. I join him, burying my toes in the sand.
It might be summer, but the nights feel like they are already drawing in. It isn’t even nine, and the sunset has started.
“No matter what, I’ll never be tired of this view,” he muses.
It is pretty spectacular. It makes me feel small and insignificant as I watch. It’s magical, the way the light spreads out and turns everything gold. The reds mellow and turn bright all at the same time.
I’ve never experienced romance before. I’ve read about it, and I’ve longed for it — in my teenage way — but this is the closest I’ve ever got.
I tilt my head and look up at Jeremy — the boy I’ve always wished for.
