It was set in a small but shaded part of the island only about a half a mile from the main camp. The canopy was great a veil from the hot sun and it cast a light through the leaves that made our little clearing look divine. Green was our main light, since the sun never got directly to us on the ground.
We discussed what supplies were needed and what we had. Who was working and who was not, who was making trouble and who was helping plenty and needed a break. We also decided jobs that were to be done and who was to do it. The woman got the fruit and prepared it, while the men did the exploring, building, and hunting for the animals that had not appeared yet.
I had begun to admire some of the members of this counsel. They were strong in character and were honest and had integrity. Dayne – whom I had known almost my whole life, and had really risen to the challenge in his calling here - was chosen to make sure that all the tents and structures were safe and livable. His partner was Dean of course. Dayne and Dean really hit it off – even though Dayne was 20 years younger than Dean. I had overheard them joking like brothers and just enjoying each other’s company.
I was happy to see him getting along with others. I was overjoyed that we were getting along with everyone.
During a meeting one day, while Travis was talking about the fresh water spring he found up by a waterfall, I glanced up to see Eric staring at me. Once I had caught him, his cheeks flushed and looked away, suddenly finding an interest in his worn down shoelaces. I wondered what he was thinking. Why did he always stare at me, why in the curious way with his head slightly tilted and eyebrows pulled together? I had no answer to these questions but soon enough the answer became apparent to me.
After that certain meeting Eric came up to me, while I was standing by the water -spout. It captured rain from the canopy top. Timid and shy as he was, still striking of course, he was cute in an endearing kind of way.
“Hello,” I greeted him with a smile.
“Hi,” He breathed.
“I am happy that there weren’t any complaints about disturbances today,” I scrambled to start small talk. I hated an awkward conversation.
“So am I,” he smiled, “it seems like a good thing considering our… situation.” He laughed and so did I. An awkward forced laugh on my part.
“I was wondering if you would join me for a talk,” he said looking down at his coconut fashioned cup.
“Sure,” I smiled struggling to keep the dialogue light. “Is there a certain purpose for this talk?”
“I just want to get to know you better.” It sounded more like a question than a reason.
Oh. So he has a crush on me. Like I really didn’t know. I wished vainly that wasn’t the case, but I was determined not to make any rivals on this island.
“That sounds like a very nice offer,” I allowed. I couldn’t turn him down and then continue to face him everyday. I already felt guilty for thinking such rotten things.
“Could we go right now? I heard that you had enough food for the group for about five days, so they shouldn’t miss you at your ‘food gathering party’.” He smiled again and I began to see the charming side of this curious mysterious man.
“Yes, I think that would be okay,” again I smiled. I felt like I couldn’t stop smiling. He was a comfortable person to be around. I hadn’t really felt awkward this whole time.
His hand touched my lower back as he escorted me away from the spout. I really had no idea where this talk would be happening but I had told myself to ‘go with the flow’ since I was doing this at all. He led me from the waterspout and away from any lingering eyes. Which included Bridgett and a very taken aback Bowen – I wondered why that was.
We walked for a long time; I think the length of the island really. But it was a nice walk. Neither of us talked, but it wasn’t uncomfortable, as I would have thought. Finally we came to the tree line, breaking through. It was a small part of the island I had never seen before. The sand was whiter here than on any other part of the landmass, and the water seemed to be still, a lagoon I soon realized. It was crescent shaped, the shore, and there were strange black and white striped rocks lining the sides. I guessed they were granite the way they shined.
“Wow,” I said breathless, this place was really spectacular.
“You like it?” I looked at him and our eyes met. He quickly looked away. He didn’t give me a chance to answer. “I found it when we were supposedly hunting. I tried to tell the guys that we would cover more ground if we split up. I have to say, I really wasn’t hunting, I just wanted to be alone, but they liked the idea enough. So we went off in different directions and I stumbled on this place.”
“I love it,” I said. “I have always liked the sea, even when I was younger. I constantly took the chance to swim on vacations. I think it’s just so expansive and I love it. I hate being closed in. I think that is why I have been feeling annoyed on this island.” I chuckled, laughing at my own personality traits. He joined in.
We walked closer to the shoreline and Eric turned away towards one of the white and black striped boulders. I stopped and looked curiously at what he was doing. He reached behind and pulled out a blanket. Smiling a bit, I waited for him to set it out in front of me before I sat down. Then I sat down as gracefully as I could.
“So have you always been a flight attendant?” I asked, trying to break the silence.
“Not exactly, I was switching jobs in and out trying to find out what I really enjoyed doing for a while before I started. I was taking a trip to my parents for Thanksgiving up in Maine and one of my friends from high school was the flight attendant on the plane. I caught up with him and he told me about his job and I was surprised to hear that I liked the description.” He grinned at me, finishing his story and I smirked back at him.
“That’s… cool,” I said awkwardly. I did like his story but I couldn’t think of any other word besides ‘cool’. How lame I thought. “I mean it’s a really nice story,” I tried to amend quickly.
He was smiling more broadly, showing all of his teeth in the front. He must think I’m a freak. I looked down and fiddled with my hands.
“I think so too,” He was smiling, I could hear. “So…” he was searching for a topic and I could feel the awkwardness come back, “what do you do for a living?”
“I am actually a student down at UCLA. My friends and I thought it would be a nice trip to go to the Bahamas for spring break. Ha.” I scoffed at the irony of spending time on an island with my closest friends. I never knew it would become living with them on the island.
“That’s why you knew half of the people so well.” He mused.
“Yes. Austin, Bowen, Taylor, Bridgett, Bailey, Travis, Logan, and Dayne. They are my best friends in the world.” I answered him, even though it wasn’t a question.
“That must be nice, knowing the people your stranded with.”
“Kind of.” I smiled, “I know all of their flaws and sometimes they can drive me crazy.” He laughed and so did I.
The rest of the ‘date’ - I didn't know any other way of putting it - went smoothly. We talked about his family and mine; he was an only child, while I was oldest of six. We started telling stories about our families and their weird obsessions and quirks. I surprised him with how much I had to do when I was younger, cooking, cleaning, babysitting, etc. etc. But it was just how I was raised I assured him.
“That is probably why I haven’t gotten married yet.” I laughed. “I don’t want to have kids just yet. But it also poses a problem because my whole family got married young. Me being 24 and not hitched means that I’m either a. unattractive or b. lesbian according to my family.”
“That’s absurd!” he laughed. “You are definitely not unattractive, not by a long shot.”
I blushed and looked down.
The sun was setting on the horizon and we had to get back to camp. The others would be worried if we didn’t show up soon. We both started to get up and fold the blanket.
The way back to camp was a quiet walk as well.
1 comment:
Hehehe I like it. :) Who's Eric?
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