Until We Meet Again(7)

golden line of the moon emerges, huge and trembling in the

residual summer heat, out of the dark water. And then, something inexplicable happens.

A flash of light. A brilliant pulse of white emanates from the rising moon and soars across the ocean, touching the shore like

a kiss.

I sit up with a start, eyes wide. It was so fast. Faster than a blink. So fast that I’m almost not sure if I saw it. Maybe it’s

my eyes. Flashes of light are early indications of retinal tearing. Or was it glaucoma? Jade’s dad is an optometrist, and she’s always worrying about some intense eye problem that

could happen to her. But before I can grab my phone to call

her, I notice a shape.

There’s a figure on the beach. Standing over near the shoreline. How did I not see him come out onto the beach? Was I too busy staring at the moon?

I squint against the darkness. The figure is definitely male.

And young. Even from this distance, I can tell that. I watch

him, not moving. I probably should be nervous, alone on a

beach with a stranger, especially a stranger who is possibly a

ninja. Mom gave me a handy travel-size canister of pepper

spray to carry on my key chain for just such an occasion. I

always thought she was a touch paranoid. She’d probably be

furious with me for not running at the first sight of this guy.

But I think I’m safe. Studying him, I deduce that he’s a party guest. The slacks and dress shirt give that away. He’s even wearing a tailored jacket. A little overdressed. Trying too hard. I can’t tell for sure from this far away, but I’d peg this guy at

about my age. Seventeen. Maybe a year or two older. I don’t

remember seeing anyone my age at the party, other than Travis

and Brandon. More compelling evidence that he’s a ninja.

Not noticing me, the stranger steps down to the shoreline.

Tucking his jacket behind him, he stuffs his hands in his pockets and gazes out at the ocean. I feel the impulse to make him aware of my presence, but something stops me.

Maybe it’s his oddly fancy clothes. Or something about the way he’s standing there. Maybe it’s because he looks as lonely

as I feel.

He walks a few steps to the water, kicking a rock. He’s tall and lean, and even his walk is pensive. What’s he thinking about so

intently? Maybe tragic, impossible, first love? I hope so.

He bends to pick up the rock and throws it into the ocean. I should stop staring. When he notices me, it’s going to be pretty

awkward to explain why I didn’t make my presence known. I

should sneak out while his back is turned.

Or maybe I could watch him a little longer…

It’s almost as if I’m waiting for him to pull out a notebook

and start to write exquisitely sad poetry. Is it pathetic how

quickly I assign a persona to a complete stranger and then start

imagining what it would be like to fall in love with him? In real

life, he’s probably a snotty rich kid, obsessed with his soupedup Camaro or getting laid in the backseat of said soupedup Camaro, or both.

I sigh. A little too loudly. Ninja Boy whips his head around

and looks right at me.

My spine straightens. I contemplate running. Or perhaps

feigning blindness. Anything’s got to be better than owning

up to the fact that I’ve been creepily watching him for the past

five minutes.

Great. He’s walking over.

“Sorry,” he calls out. “I didn’t see you there.”

I open my mouth to sputter some fumbling apology, but

then a stab of rebellion cuts through me. What’s the point? I

don’t owe this guy an apology for sitting on my own property.

So what if he thinks I’m weird or psycho? After this summer,

I’m never coming back to Crest Harbor, which means I’ll never

see this guy again.

My pulse speeds up in spite of my resolve, but I stand my

ground.

“Don’t mind me,” I say. “There’s plenty of room on this beach

for all brooding loners.”

A half smile pulls at his lips. “That so? Well, is there a required

distance between brooders or can I take this spot here?”

He’s pointing to the sand right beside me. Without waiting

for a reply, he sits down and smiles. It’s a pretty fantastic smile.

Add to that sandy blond hair that’s been slicked back and deep

brown eyes, and it’s settled. He’s too gorgeous to be anything

but a rich jerk looking to get laid.

Sad, really. I almost don’t want to talk to him and have my

perfect construction ruined. Couldn’t he have stayed in the distance looking mournful and poetic?

He bends back on his hands and looks out over the water.

“Some moon, huh?”

I follow his gaze. The moon is now a huge, golden circle

of light.

“Yeah, pretty spectacular.”

“Very interesting moonrise too.” The boy shoots me a sidelong glance. “Did you by chance see…?”

I tense. “See what?”

Looking suddenly self-conscious, he shakes his head.