Page 8 of Under the Boardwalk

Then it hits me. I know that voice. I've been searching this whole seaside town for that voice. I take off, going around the front and checking the loose board that leads under the carnival's boardwalk. Few people know about it, but Beck found it when we were in high school, and we used it to run up and down the beach side of this area.

I slip through the loose board and rush down the path that leads to the water. I hear the laughter from the rides above; the music playing the same old tune, and even the sounds of the game stations handing out prizes when the buzzers sound. It all fades to the back, though, when I hear her sweet melodic voice. It's carrying me toward the water just like a siren's call, but I'm too far gone to ignore that fact. I break through the path of overgrown grass and see her, a solid figure, sitting alone on the beach.

I slow down my steps and listen carefully to the song she's singing. I recognize it as an old sailor's song, but I have no clue how I know that or where I would have heard it. However, I would bet every dime to my name that I know this song. It's eating at me right there on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite spit it out.

“And he lay with her soul, rocks below……” She finishes the last line, and I barely catch it, but somehow, I hear the catch in her voice, the sob that breaks off the final note.

I’m still trying to work out the song. I know the voice is my carnival girl. Without a doubt, it's her siren's call, but the song sounds so familiar. Like I've heard it in the white noise over and over again. I could even write out some of the lyrics. I close my eyes, singing it through again, and I feel like I’m back at a familiar booth, sticky table, and…..

The diner! That's where I know that voice from. Was she sitting that close to me all this time, and I just didn't notice? I place one foot in front of the other, letting my feet carry me to her. I reach my hand to her shoulder, trying to open my mouth, probably to utter something idiotic, like “Hey! I've been searching for you, basically trying to stalk you..”

My words cut off as she gasps and turns to look at me. I catch one glimpse of her eyes, then let my gaze travel down her body, over her uniform, and to those beaten-up shoes. It feels like the waves crash around me, and I feel like I've been shocked. I know those shoes. I know that uniform. I've seen them countless times. I would know the beat-up shoes anywhere as I only glance up floor level when I'm entranced in a book. I’m too stunned to move, and of course, the words that flow from my mouth are stupid as hell, but I'm just shocked, and all I can utter is….

“You?”

Chapter Seven

Alina

“You?”

Oh no, oh no, oh no! He’s figured it out. Did he figure out if I was me at the diner… or me at the carnival? It has to be the diner, right? Oh my gosh, this can't be happening right now. Not at the worst time of my life. I duck my hair and look the other way, trying to hide my tears and bloody face. How is this happening? I’ve wanted this guy to see me for so long, and on the lowest night of my life, he shows up in the most secretive of places. What did I ever do to the universe to deserve this?

“It is you, isn't it?” he asks again.

“U-uh, me?” I ask dumbly.

“Yeah, you were the girl on the Ferris wheel that night, weren't you?” he repeats, lowering to the ground beside me.

Oh no, is he mad at me? Please don't tell me he’s about to yell and scream at me. I really don't think I could handle that in my current state. I can feel myself start to panic. I'm alone in the dark with a guy who might be very, very angry with me. Before tonight, I would have bet everything I hold dear Riley would never hurt a woman, but then again, before today, I would have never guessed my own brother could attack me.

“You know, you really helped a guy out that night. It would have been so embarrassing having to ride it alone.” He bumps his shoulder against mine. My breathing evens out. He’s not mad at me. He actually seems to be messing with me.

“Umm…”

“No, no, no. Don't try to weasel your way out of this one, Siren. I heard you singing. I know exactly who you are. Though I have to say, you look a bit different.” I wince at that remark, and he must notice because he continues quickly. “Not bad different. I didn't mean it like that. Just uhh… I mean… Shit.”

Seeing Riley struggle and stutter his way out of his embarrassment has a laugh bubbling up in my throat, and I have to slap my hand over my mouth to stop it. I don't want to hurt his feelings or embarrass him more, so I decide to quickly put him out of his misery.

“That was me that night on the Ferris wheel. I had a friend.” I try to explain Frankie, my fairy godsister, the best I can. “She saw me trying on a dress and wanted to play dress up, I guess. Anyway, I saw you needed a partner that night and decided to help you out.” I shrug, trying to leave it at that.

“I feel like there might be more to the story there, but I’ll let you get away with it for now, though I still don't know why you changed your appearance so much. My question now is, why did you run away? If you were at the diner right under my nose this whole time, why didn't you ever say anything?” he asks cautiously. Maybe it's the peace of the ocean, or maybe it's the vulnerability after tonight's attack, but I decide what the hell. I might as well go for broke.

“I’ve been working at that diner now for six years. I’ve seen you and your friends come into that diner at least twice a week since I started. I can tell you every item you like on that menu, you're allergic to cantaloupe, and you're the type of weirdo that likes pulp in their orange juice.” He chuckles like I hoped he would before I continue, “I know all of these things about you, but I can bet all my tips this week combined that you don't even know my name.”

I watch his eyes widen, and he opens his mouth to deny my words, but then quickly shuts it again when he realizes I'm right. I gaze back to the dark waves, wanting to finish this last part. Then maybe he can leave me to my misery alone, and I can go back to the dark hiding spot where I belong. Where I don't get hurt.

“Don't get me wrong, I know you always have your head in your books. I even got up the courage once to compliment you on one. Then your friends came in, and I was once again pushed to the back. But it's not only your fault. I'm a wallflower. I fade and blend into the background; normally, that's where I prefer to be. But Year after year, I hoped you would look up and see me one day. When you never did, I thought maybe I could do something to get your attention. That's where the mysterious carnival girl came from. After I left that night, though, while playing Cinderella for one night was fun, I knew that wasn't me. I went back home, changed back into that pumpkin, and decided if you were going to like me, I wanted it to be for me. If you were going to see me, I wanted it to be the real me.”

“I won't lie and say I ever saw you in the diner, but it really is nothing personal. Tessa is my best friend's little sister who also works there, and I couldn't pick her out of a lineup. I can tell you right now I recognize those shoes. I’m so sorry I never took my nose out of my books to take the time to notice you. I can tell you I would notice that song, that voice, that siren’s call anywhere. I must have heard you sing it a dozen times while at the diner.”

Oh my gosh. He’s listened to me sing?

“You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. I swear I would follow it to the depth of the seas. What's your name, Siren?”

“Alina,” I reply softly.

“Alina,” he repeats just as softly, almost like he's testing the word on his lips. “Well, Alina, you're not running now.” He leans in closer to me.

---