Page 49 of Into the Mountains
“Weird how?”
“I don’t know.” She tries to busy herself with setting things up around the deck, setting down the small cooler she brought along and storing it in one of the bench seats.
“It’s like we’d be having a good moment one second and the next, they’d look at each other or I’d catch them looking anywhere but at me. And then they just get this look.”
“A look?”
“A sad kind of look and I know there’s something they’re not telling me, I just can’t figure out what it is.”
I contemplate her words for a minute before responding. “That must be really frustrating.”
She looks back at me with a shocked expression like she’s surprised anyone would ever validate the way she’s feeling. “It is.”
Busying her hands, she points to the rope secured around the cleat connected to the dock. “Take us away?”
I nod and start unwrapping the rope. Once I’m done, I climb into the boat with the rope and set it aside.
“So, what will you do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Will you stay frustrated or will you ask them about what’s going on?”
Instead of answering, she puts the key in the ignition and starts the boat, muffling out the sounds around us. She’d have to yell at me if she wanted to answer and by the way she started the engine as quickly as she could, she’s avoiding it.
I watch from her side as she carefully backs out from the dock. Once she’s clear, Charlotte puts it in gear and starts easing out of the marina. The air has gotten a few degrees cooler since we left the car and I’m glad I decided to wear my favorite soccer hoodie. It’s faded from years of use, but it’s still a good fit for me and it’s always my go-to.
The wind whips Charlotte’s hair around so much, I’m amazed she can even see where she’s going, but she keeps the boat steady and steers around two logs just fine.
We both enjoy the ride in silence, but I put my hand on her shoulder to let her know she’s not alone. I want to be here for her. For whatever it is she’s about to go through with her parents and for whatever she has to go through in the future. It’s like when I saw her on that app, the old crush of mine came out of its hibernation and by the way it has clawed its way out, I don’t think there’s any chance it’s going back to sleep again. Ever.
Charlotte starts slowing the speed as we come to a beach I’ve never been to before. It’s secluded and a few miles away from the marina. A few boats are already anchored a few yards away from shore and there’s loud music coming from the beach. A group of people are crowded around a fire with red cups I’m assuming are filled with alcohol and I’m just hoping these are college kids and we aren’t about to come into a party with underaged drinking. That’s not my style.
“We aren’t going there, are we?”
“Oh, hell no. This is the way we have to go to get around.”
She maneuvers around the rocks off to the side until the music fades away enough that I can’t understand the lyrics, but can still hear the base echoing on the island. There’s a hidden dock on the other side that could only be found if someone had previous knowledge of it and with the ease that Charlotte pulls next to it and ties off the boat, I’d say she’s one with previous knowledge.
“You comin’?” She asks from the dock and I realize I’ve just been standing on the boat staring at her in awe. Grabbing the cooler, I make my way to her, my feet making a wet slap onto the dock as I land.
“How do you know about this place?”
“I explored a lot when my dad gave me free rein to use the boat by myself.”
“He let you do that?”
She hits me with a deadpan expression. “How do you think we are out here right now, Elias? I’m not one to take something like that of my parents’ without their permission. That’s not me.”
“Right, sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you would.” I feel stupid now and I wish my brain would catch up with my mouth sometimes.
“It’s fine. I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“Should have known that.” And I should have. This form of relationship may be completely different between us, but this is still Charlotte Monroe. The one who never ever stopped challenging me. I find myself smiling at her, because I don’t think I ever want her to stop.
“Anyway, I know the other side of the island was always used for partying on the beach, so I figured maybe the other side would be vacant. And I was right.”
We’re off the dock now and are walking on a much smaller beach than the other side. Definitely not one that would beusable for parties. “I feel like you’re taking me back here to kill me or something.”
