Splash part 7

The spot was nothing more than a clump of trees that had grown in the middle of the beach. It was well away from the water but not too far that it didn’t offer its shade to swimmers and surfers. Usually they had the spot to themselves. It was far enough from town, the younger kids never came to it. The older kids prefered using their priveleges and going to the other side of the island where it was private.1

Kanoa and Lea were already there. Kei was at the water’s edge, letting the tide wet his feet.2

“Took you long enough Kaela. We thought maybe you forgot how to put a swimsuit on.” Kanoa said as soon as he saw her. For years, he had picked on her mostly because she was Kei’s sister but also to hide his feelings for her.3

“Oh haha. Laugh all you want. I was only three or four at the time. Will you ever let it go.”4

“Of course not. What would I laugh at then?”5

Kaela looked at Lani and saw the question forming in her eyes.6

“What happened was I was about three or four. We were going swimming with Kanoa’s uncle, but neither mom or grandmother was home at the time. I had always had help with my swimsuit especially with tying it in the back. So I put it on backwards so I could tie the knot in front. Which of course looked hilarious, and the only reason Kanoa remembers is because his uncle saw fit to take a picture.7

Lani laughed. She had the mental image of a little Kaela with a swimsuit on backwards. As that image faded out another took its place. It was of another little girl about three or four. She was wearing a swimsuit playing in a sandbox with a shovel and a bucket. There was a man and a woman in the background, yelling at each other. At first glance of the little girl, Lani thought the fight wasn’t affecting her but looking closer, Lani saw tears sliding down her face. Lani tried to walk to the girl, but as she moved the image melted away. Lani felt something cool and wet sliding down her cheeks. It was a tear.8

“Are you ok?” Lea asked. Kanoa and Kaela had started to argue after the story and walked towards the water. Lea had stood by Lani. She saw the distant look and knew Lani was thinking something. Not wanting to break the possible memory, Lea had waited. When she saw the tear, though, the silence was broken.9

“Yea. I had an image form. Maybe a memory. A little girl was playing in a sand box while her parents fought in the background. The little girl was crying. I think the image Kaela brought up of a little girl in a swimsuit triggered it. The little girl was wearing one. Don’t say anything to the others. Please. I don’t want to spoil their fun.”10

“Ok. I won’t. But we better get down there before the water gets cold.” Lani met Lea’s eyes and they both started laughing. Taking hands, they ran to the water’s edge. Kei was already a good ways from them. Kaela and Kanoa were still argueing a little ways out. Lea pulled her shirt off and threw it with the others.11

“Come on. Don’t be afraid. If you get into toruble, both Kei and Kanoa licensed life guards.” Lea said before running onto the ocean to join Kaela. Lani looked out at the water before slowly pulling off her shirt. After putting it with the others, she walked slowly into the water. 12

Kei had watched Lea and Lani talk on the beach. He saw Lea run into the ocean and join Kanoa and Kaela. He started to turn away from the beach when something caught his eye. It was Lani. Kei’s breathe caught in his throat as she slowly lifted up her shirt. He was mesmorized. He started to breathe again as she walked towards the pile of shirts but lost it again as she walked into the ocean. The red and yellow of the swimsuit went so well with her complexion. With each step into the water, the sun seemed to shine from a different angle. It was reflecting off of the water and her swimsuit. Kei couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was so radiant. As the water started to climb up her body, the wind picked up. It sounded almost like angels to Kei. The glow about Lani dimmed as the swimsuit was covered. It was then that Kei was released from the spell. Furious with himself and his thoughts, he swam out farther into the ocean, hoping exercise would drive them from his body.13

A pair of eyes were witness to the scene. These eyes had saw the way the girl had struck Kei motionless. They had burned as red as fire. The eyes belonged to Meli. She hated the new girl with a vengence. Meli’s mind was running wild. Thinking of ways to bring Kei back to her, ways to get rid of the girl. With these thoughts in mind, Meli snuck down to the pile of shirts. The group wasn’t paying attention. Meli grabbed all four of them. Childesh perhaps, but it would mean the girl would have to walk to town without one. Allowing all of the guys to get a look, and giving Kei competition. And if all things went to plan, the guys would free Kei’s hands for an afternoon or two, just long enough for Meli to set herself into action.14

Kaela, Kanoa, and Lea were swimming in circles, talking of the past and what the future held. Lani swam about for alittle. It felt so natural to her. It was as if she had been swimming all of her life. After a while she grew bored of the three’s chatter. She looked around and spotted Kei just a little ways out. Without a second thought, she started swimming towards him.15

Kei had tried to keep her off his mind. Constantly his eyes were drawn to her figure swimming about. He couldn’t believe it when she started swimming towards him. She swam with the grace of a swimmer. For a few seconds he stared in awe of her swimming abilities before the realization that she was coming towards him sunk in. By that time it was too late to do anything. She was already beside him. She was a little bit out of breath when she asked…16

“Is there something wrong?”17

Kei looked at her with surprise written on his face.18

“Nothings wrong. Why do you ask?”19

“Well you’ve been distant all day and haven’t said much. I just thought something was wrong.... Or is it you’re just happy to have time to swim?”20

Kei looked at Lani. ‘What was she talking about. She was right. This summer he hadn’t got to spend alot of time swimming, but how would she know that unless.... Kaela...’21

“Kaela’s been running her mouth hasn’t she.” At Lani’s look he added, “Oh don’t worry I won’t tell her. Yes. I’m happy to be swimming again. My mother tells me I was swimming before I could walk. I love being in the water. I’m sorry. I’ll try to be less distant. I don’t want you thinking you’re the reason I’m quiet.” Kei added, though truth to be told she was the reason. The whole time she’s been swimming beside him, he’s wanted to take her in his arms and never let go.22

Kei mentally shook the thoughts away. He couldn’t be thinking like this. 23

“I’ll race you back to the beach.”24

“Ok. I know you’ll win though.”25

“Oh we’ll see. You never know. I watched you swim out here and you have a great form.”26

“Thanks.” Lani said with red creeping its way across her cheeks.27

“Ready.”28

“Yea.”29

“GO!” Kei took off just as he said go. Lani Laughed and was right behind him. It wasn’t long before they were swimming side by side. Then something happened that Kei couldn’t believe. Lani pulled ahead of him. He tried to swim faster but she stayed ahead of him and started to lengthen the distance between them. Lani laughed as she ran onto the beach. She sat down and tried to catch her breathe.30

Kei couldn’t believe it. He had never been beaten in a race before. Swimming came to him naturally. He had swam against everyone on the island atleast twice and had won everytime. The local swim contest the island held each year had been won by him since the year he came of age to compete.31

Kanoa, Kaela, and Lea were speechless. They had watched the two of them swimming and couldn’t believe it when Lani had pulled ahead. When Lani had sat down, their eyes were glued to her. They couldn’t believe that what they just saw had actually happened. A couple of minutes had gone by before the silence was broken. Lani had noticed the silence and looked up. She saw everyone was starring at her.32

“What guys? Is there something wrong? Do i have a crab stuck to my suit?” Lani laughed at her own little joke but fell silent when no one else said anything.33

“Nothings wrong. It just looks like you got a little red.” said Kei as fast as he could. He glared at the others as if to tell them to not tell her. That was all he needed was for it to get out that the Great Kei had been outswam by a girl.34

“Let’s get our shirts and head back. I’m getting hungry.”35

“Great idea Kanoa. What about getting changed then going to May’s. May will want to meet Lani.”36

“Ok Lea. Meet you guys there in 15?”37

“Sure.” After that was agreed the group walked to where they had put their shirts but instead they found nothing but sand.38

“What in the world. The tide never comes this high. Someone must have taken them.”39

“It could have been some of the younger kids just playing jokes. We’ll get them back. Come on Kei. Let’s just go get changed.”40

Kei wasn’t happy. Someone taking their shirts wasn’t big problem. He just didn’t want Lani walking back to the house without a wrap. He knew what type of sensation she would cause. They made it half way home without any instances. The town seemed deserted. When their house came into sight, Kei started to relax. Hiapo and his friends walked out of one of the stores. As soon as Kei saw them, he knew there would be trouble. He walked closer to the girls as he watched Hiapo and his friends talk. By the look on Hiapo’s face he knew there was going to be trouble.41