The Merworld Water Wars - Finned Part 8

"Behind the Waves. Timeless song," said Troy, smiling mischievously. "It's probably my favorite song of all time."

"Right, whatever," I said, rolling my eyes.

And then, he sang. "Through the crest, beyond the storm, my crying heart sees its forevermore, and I find you, behind the waves." I have never heard a sound more fascinating; his voice was like a mesmerizing lullaby. He looked at me, studied my lips, smiled, and whispered, "You have no idea how those lyrics haunt me. I'm no stranger to big band tunes."

I was speechless...truly, magnificently speechless. All I could muster was a disbelieving smile.

"What?" he asked.

"You! The longer I'm around you, the more you surprise me."

"Think I can say the same about you, Rubylocks," he chuckled, gently tugging my hair. "So, why have you been ignoring me? You've barely looked at me since Halloween."

"Halloween. I heard what you told Benji. Don't get me wrong, it's okay I'm not your type. I get it."

"No, you don't get it."

"Oh, yes I do. But, next time, just cowboy-up and tell me to my face you don't like me. Don't pull hay from my hair, say little flirty things, give me the gotta-have-it eye, or stuff like that. Not cool."

"I do like you, very much," he said, staring blankly over the water.

"Well, that's not exactly what you said to Benji, now is it?"

"I lied."

"Which time? To Benji or me?"

"To Benji," he said, turning to look in my eyes.

I wanted him to kiss me so badly. "Then why did you say those harsh things to him on Halloween?"

"I had to. You wouldn't understand."

"You had to protect yourself from ridicule. 'Ooo, Mr. Popular Fairhair likes a Normal!' Scandal."

"Not to protect me. It's you. It's all about you." He wasn't lying.

"Okay, protect me from what, then?"

"Nothing. Don't ask again," he snapped before I could, you know, ask again. "You do believe me now, don't you? That I didn't mean what I said to Benji?"

"I don't know. It's all just words. Words are the easiest thing in the world to say and the hardest to believe."

"What will it take to get you to believe I like you?"

"Prove it."

"You want me to prove it?"

"I want you to prove it. Actions speak louder than words."

He tightened his jaw for a moment before speaking. "Fine. I'll prove it. Happy Thanksgiving." With that, he stood up and jogged back to his house.

"Strange boy, that one," I said to no one in particular. "Well, baby seal, I have to get inside now." The little pup started nuzzling my bosom. "You really are a boy, aren't you? Ouch. What's this?" Something repeatedly clanged against my b.o.o.b. Around his neck was a little bottle, and I could see a rolled up piece of paper hiding inside.

The minute I found the bottle, the little seal sat very still and allowed me to retrieve the note. GASP! Trey's handwriting. Scribbled on the slip of paper was his nickname for me-Squiggle-followed by the word 'ONLY,' written in big letters. Beneath my nickname was a circle with odd spikes along the top. Inside the circle was an arrow, which started near the spikes and traveled down until it angled to the right and pointed directly at the number '17.'

"Trey sent me this, didn't he?" I asked the seal pup. The pup simply nodded and waddled off.

Whether the seal pup really understood me or not, I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet the little guy came to me on Trey's orders.

"So, 'Squiggle only.' Trey clearly wants me to keep this clue to myself. That much I can figure out. But the rest? Seventeen...one, seven...an arrow pointing to the number seventeen written inside a circle with spike-y things along the top. Huh?"

Trey must wear a cloak of vagueness because this was completely nonsensical. What on earth was he trying to tell me? My life has never been weirder.

Chapter Seven.

A Christmas Eve Gathering.

December: One word-CHRISTMAS!

Monthly Life Caption: "Merry Christmas & A c.r.a.ppy New Year"

Mood: Merry (well, merrier...at Christmas, you believe in the unbelievable and set aside the inexplicable) Eating: Christmas cookies, cake, candy canes...oh, just everything Music: h.e.l.lo? What else? Cla.s.sic Christmas tunes December 5th: Troy & tree shopping. For my mom, trying to choose a Christmas tree was about as speedy as an ancient and confused turtle trying to decide whether to cross the road. Making the process particularly annoying was the weather: cold, wet, and gloomy. I was most definitely NOT in the Christmas spirit, and my soggy, raw feet weren't helping.

"Hmm, I just can't decide which would look better with the ocean as the backdrop," said my mom, tapping her foot in a muddy puddle.

Ugh, I must remove myself from the cold...now. "Mom, would you mind if I drop by The Bay Shop?" I really don't fancy spending Christmastime with a snotty nose and sore throat.

"What? Oh, no, not at all. I'll be here at least another twenty minutes," she said.

The poor tree lot attendant grimaced and groaned.

While my mom pondered the pros and cons of a fir, I gladly stepped out of the cold and into the warmth of just about the merriest store in downtown Saxet Sh.o.r.es. Every inch of The Bay Shop shimmered with a large variety of unique Christmas decorations. Nestled among the gla.s.s ornaments and plush reindeer were all sorts of goodies to buy, from the d.i.n.kiest of plastic toys to the rarest of gems. Without a doubt, I could find my mom a Christmas present in here.

While weaving in and out of the narrow little aisles, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Marina?" Troy, cradling a stuffed Christmas bear, sauntered towards me.

"Hey. New friend?" I asked, eyeing the bear.

"Nah, just setting him out for sale. You wouldn't be interested, would you?"

I wanted to say, "What, are you for sale?" I didn't. "He's pretty cute, actually. But, I'm here to put my allowance to good use and find something for my mom."

"What are you looking to get her?"

"Dunno. Something special." Troy followed me around while I continued browsing. "Oh, wow! What are these?" I asked, pointing to a small gla.s.s treasure chest. Inside, earrings, pendants, rings, and bracelets sparkled in iridescent purples, blues, and greens.

"New Zealand pua sh.e.l.ls. They're known as the sea's opal," said Troy. "They're thought to represent stars, or the eyes of the one you love."

Swoon. "They are beautiful. Can I see the earrings?"

"Sure," he said, unlocking the chest and removing the earrings.

"I'll take them. Her earlobes look lonely."

"Lonely earlobes? You have a way with words, I'll give you that. What was it you called me the day we met? An 'I am man, you are woman Neanderthal' with a...what was it again?"

"A Jesus complex," I muttered. "If your smile gets any bigger you can be your own Joker card."

"Well, anyway, I guarantee she'll love these. See anything else?"

"The necklace is probably my favorite. It reminds me of one my dad gave to me when I was ten. Helena Hambourg took it from my neck the day I arrived at the inst.i.tution."

"It must have been horrible for you and your friends."

"It wasn't hoggy-warty fun. I'm half-tempted to get that necklace." I flipped the price tag and nearly choked. "Oh. So un-tempted now. Just the earrings, then."

"Would you like them gift wrapped?"

I couldn't help but grin at him. "You gift wrap?"

"What? Gift wrapping is an art! Really, it's just that I man the shop for old Mrs. Waterberry from time to time. She's getting on in age now, but she still loves to impart her knowledge on me, including how to gift wrap."

"How very Mr. Good Neighbor of you."

"It's nothing," he said, moving behind the counter to wrap my mom's present. "Besides, she's all alone. Sometimes she needs someone who'll listen to her stories...you know, to keep her company." I think my heart just melted a bit. "What are you doing for Christmas?"

"Oh, you know, ornaments, twinkle lights, cookies, presents, roast beastie, having faith when common sense tells me not to. Holiday usual. You?"

"Just hanging out at home. And I'll be going to the Christmas party at the community center on Christmas Eve. Are you going?" he asked.

Ick. I forgot about the town Christmas party. Mom started the guilt trip soon after Thanksgiving, and I always succ.u.mb to her guilt-tripping. Really, I'd much rather stay home and work on Trey's clue. So far, I've come up with...absolutely nothing but a headache.

"Yeah, I'm going with my mom."

"Here you go! Not too bad, huh?" he said, handing me the little golden box.

"It's beautiful, thank you," I said, handing him the money. After an odd moment, I added, "Well, I should be going. My mom can't decide between a fir and a pine. I'm just going to tell her to go for the pine, so we can get out of this weather."

"I'd go for the fir. They last longer." His smile was so gentle.

"Thanks," I muttered. "See you at school."

"Hit those books hard. Mega tests coming up."

"Bet I outscore you."

"Ya think?" he said.

"I do think. Hey, um, would you say we're becoming friends now?" I couldn't help but ask, albeit awkwardly.

"You know, I would say we're becoming friends now," he said, smirking.

"Well, isn't that just kick me in the gut surprising," I said, tripping out of the door.

"There's a step there, you know."

"Yeah, well, that's what friends do-make idiots of themselves in front of one another and quickly disappear. See ya later."

"Bye," he said, laughing.

Friends. I'm officially friends with Troy Tombolo. Who would have thought? Ooh, I bet Katrina will hate this little development.

After about five minutes of convincing my mom to choose the fir, we finally headed home. We spent the rest of the day tree-tr.i.m.m.i.n.g and baking cookies, and it couldn't have been more perfect.

December 24th: Christmas party. I should be thrilled. I'm done with exams, and Christmas was officially here. Yet, I feel nothing but dread. Dread. I DO NOT-repeat, DO NOT-want to go to this stupid party and hang out with Fairhairs who recoil in the presence of Ravenflames. And I DO NOT want my mom anywhere around Mr. Smarmy, who seems to be spending more and more time with her at school.

While my mom twirls down the hall in her new dress, I remain slumped on my bed in my best pair of jeans and green woolly sweater.

"Marina! You ready? I hear there will be dancing! I'm going to twist again, like I did ten summers ago. Or maybe do a little dirty dancing with Mr. Gibbs."

BARF. "Mom, if you do that, so help me Santa...I'm just getting used to the idea of you flirting it up. I don't need the mental imagery of you grinding with my teacher."

"Oh, don't be a stick in the mud."

"Besides, if you carry a watermelon to Mr. Gibbs, he'll have a coronary."

"Point made and taken. Keys, keys, where are my keys?" said my mom, rifling through her bag. "My keys are gone! Someone's stolen my keys! Wait. Found them. Let's go."

The dome-shaped community center was right next to the school. People flooded the brightly lit building as we pulled up. It looks like the whole freakin' town decided to make an appearance. Peachy. Once inside, I had to admit the decor was actually cutely lavish and not at all cheesy. Color me surprised.

"Go mingle and have fun," said my mom, skittering off to talk to Mr. Gibbs...and there goes Mr. Smarmy to chat her up.

Hmm. Mingle. Tricky. It wasn't like I had too many choices.

"Marina!" Hallelujah! Polly and Meikle rushed towards me.

"So glad y'all are here," I said.