Beach Crush

1

Y ou’re fifteen? the blonde girl asked with a sneer.

Macy nodded her head, feeling smaller and smaller. This girl had spent the last five minutes tearing her down in every way possible. It was hard enough to leave Emerald Isle, the place where she felt comfortable, and go to Swansboro High School. Now, she was going to get made fun of because she was one of the oldest people in her grade.

Shouldn’t you be in tenth grade, then? the girl asked.

Macy shrugged. She could explain that her birthday was just last month, but this girl wouldn’t care about Macy’s explanation. Macy faced the front of the auditorium and desperately hoped that whoever was running this show would hurry up and get it started. She should have sat in the back row by herself instead of next to this girl she thought might be nice.

Macy touched the ends of her long, black hair and tried to appear busy. Her mom had told her she wouldn’t need her phone at high school orientation, so here she was with nothing to do.

Did you get held back? the girl beside her asked.

Macy pretended that she didn’t hear the girl’s question as she shoved her hand in her pocket like her phone might be in there. She pressed her thumb into the jewel on her shorts pocket. It left a tiny dent in her skin. Maybe Macy could pretend to go to the bathroom and find a different spot when she came back.

Macy had just risen when someone important-looking walked onstage. Macy froze in a half-crouch before plopping back into her chair. Too late now.

Welcome, everyone! the man with the thin mustache shouted into the microphone. Half of the students covered their ears in protest, and Macy bit her lower lip. The skin was already raw, and it started bleeding with that final bite. A coppery taste filled her mouth as Macy worried the skin with her tongue.

"I’m so glad you’re here and ready to get to know the high school! We are going to have a lot of fun today!" The man’s mustache seemed to jump up in excitement with each one of his exclamations. Macy hoped the orientation would be short. She still technically had one week of summer vacation left. Who had planned high school orientation on August twenty first?

The first thing we’re going to do is get to know each other! High school might seem a little scary if you don’t know anyone, but no need to worry!

If Macy had been with her best friend Nicole, then she would have made a joke about his mustache jumping. But Nicole wasn’t going to Swansboro High School. She was going to be homeschooled. Macy burrowed further into herself and wondered if there would be a test on this. She wanted to just zone out and think about what she would do at noon when she was set free from the school.

All of you in the back rows, I want you to crowd up closer here. There should be no seats between people. I want you side by side. Come on! Get down here! The mustached man was almost singing, and Macy rolled her eyes. He hadn’t even introduced himself, but she had a feeling that he was either a very strange director or some sort of counselor who thought he was fun. Either way, he was a strange individual.

The aisles began filling as students crowded down to the front few rows. Macy caught movement in the corners of her eyes as students began filing into the row in front of her. Then, a few people came into her row, but Macy tried not to look at them straight on. She didn’t want their judgemental eyes on her. She wasn’t allowed to wear makeup, and she wasn’t wearing anything that could be considered fashionable.

But when someone plopped into the seat next to her, a scent wafted over her, a fresh, earthy smell. Macy tried to study the person out of the corner of her eye, but all she could really see was that it was a he. She had guessed as much by the scent.

Macy started gnawing on her lip again, but then forced herself to stop.

Now, that’s much better! the man at the front of the auditorium cheered. We’re going to get to know each other better. Everyone turn to the person on your right and ask their name.

Macy turned to the blonde girl, but she was facing the person on her right. Macy got a good look at the back of her head.

Well, no, the man flustered, realizing that it hadn’t gone according to plan. Everyone turn to the person on your left! There, that’s better!

Macy turned slowly until she could see the back of the boy’s head. He had brown, curly hair that stuck out, bush-like all around his head.

Okay, this isn’t going to work I see. Let’s do groups. Yes, groups! the microphone squealed at him, and Macy covered her ears and her elbow bumped the guy next to her.

Oops, sorry! Macy said, her face flushing. She got a good look at him, and at how handsome he was. His face was smooth, and his eyes looked curious, not judgmental like Macy felt so many people were.

No problem, he said.

Macy quickly looked away and tried to pay attention to the mustache man’s instructions. We’re going to split off into groups of four. So, you four, you four, you four. Every row, just like that. Can we do that? Groups of four! Excited by his new plan, the mustache was dancing again. Even though Macy was nervous, she giggled just a little.

His mustache is unreal, right? the boy asked.

Macy laughed again and nodded.

You’re new here too? she asked, then closed her eyes in frustration with her idiocy. This was a high school orientation for incoming freshmen. It wasn’t like juniors came just for the fun of it.

Yeah, he acknowledged.

We’re dividing into groups of four, the blonde girl said, leaning into Macy and getting her first look at the boy. I think that means we’re all together.

Macy looked behind the blonde girl and saw another girl. She was staring at the ground like she hoped it would open up and protect her from this awkward high school orientation. Macy could understand that.

So, I’m Lilly, the blonde girl said, smiling at both Macy and the boy. What are y'all's names?

Macy, Macy said quickly, to get her turn out of the way.

Marcus, the cute boy said. Macy immediately latched onto his name. Marcus. She hadn’t ever met a Marcus before. Mark yes, but not Marcus.

Everyone looked at the pimple-faced girl whose eyes shot down to her lap. She said something, but it was too quiet for Macy to hear. She didn’t want to ask the girl to repeat her name, so she just said, Nice to meet you, while she scrambled for something else to say.

You two weren’t in Swansboro Middle School, Lilly said, taking the lead. Where did you go to school?

Macy didn’t want to say she had been homeschooled her whole life. She knew what they would think of her. They would either think she was an extreme nerd or that she didn’t have any friends. She wasn’t nerdy at all, and she did have one friend. She knew other people too, but she wasn’t the type of person to have a thousand friends.

I just moved here, Marcus explained. My dad got a new job, so we moved in July.

Oh, that’s so neat! I’ve always wanted to live somewhere else. Where did you live before? Lilly leaned forward until she was practically in Macy’s lap. Macy leaned backward so that she wouldn’t be in the way. She had a personal bubble, but Lilly didn’t seem to understand that.

Students! Students! the man on the stage shouted. Macy viewed him through a blonde curtain of Lilly’s hair. He was waving his hands up and down. Macy opened her mouth to say something, but she wasn’t with Nicole. Lilly didn’t care what she had to say. She caught only the tail end of what Marcus’s answer was.

Myrtle beach. Marcus looked down at the stage. Maybe we should listen.

It’s really cool that you lived at Myrtle Beach. You’ll have to tell me how it compares to Emerald Isle, Lilly said, still talking.

As a last resort, the mustached man tapped the microphone, and a booming sound filled the room. Macy started biting her lower lip again. She tried to force herself to stop, but her high school experience was off to such an awkward start that she wasn’t sure how to deal with it.

Now, I’m going to pass out some question sheets. Each group should take one and pass it to the next group. See if you can answer all of the questions before the five minute timer goes off! No fair looking at the questions until everyone has a sheet of paper!

The man handed a stack of half-sheet papers to the students in the front row, and they started passing them around. Macy’s group finally got them, and Lilly, of course, took the lead. She grabbed a sheet of paper and leaned over Macy to pass it to the person on the other side of Marcus.

Macy took a deep breath. Personal space obviously wasn’t her thing.

Oh, wow! Lilly said, her eyes scanning the paper. This’ll be easy.

You’re not supposed to— Macy started.

Lilly frowned at her, and Macy decided it was better not to try to follow the rules. That wasn’t cool, and she didn’t want to be embarrassed anymore.

Okay, first question is your age. We’re all supposed to be the same age. We’re fourteen, freshmen. Lilly shrugged, then looked up at Macy. "Well, she’s actually fifteen already."

Macy’s cheeks reddened. Why did this girl hate her so much? Macy tried to slide her eyes over to Marcus to see his reaction.

So, do you have your permit already? he asked. He was looking directly at Macy.

Uh, well, I’m actually supposed to get it this week. The DMV was backed up with appointments, so I had to wait.

That’s cool. Marcus smiled, and her heart fluttered just a little. Her imagination started going wild. She had never really talked with a boy before, let alone a cute one.

Lilly reminded Macy where she was by asking the next question. She now seemed to be completely ignoring the pimple-faced girl behind her.

Go! the mustache man shouted from the front of the room, but they weren’t the only group that had already started.

"This one asks: do you prefer summer or winter? Well, I prefer summer, because there’s no school! Plus, plenty of time to hang out at the beach. I’m actually pretty good at surfing now, even though this is only my first summer trying it. Lilly ran a hand through her hair. Do you surf, Marcus?"

Marcus shook his head. Nah, I think it would be cool to learn though.

It is. You should totally learn.

The Lilly show seemed to be over, and they both looked at Macy.

I prefer summer too, she agreed.

Oh, Marcus! You didn’t say which one you prefer! Lilly remembered.

Marcus shrugged. Summer.

Macy looked over at the other girl. She muttered something into her shirt, and they moved on to the next question.

Favorite subject in school? Lilly asked, her eyes on Marcus.

Marcus made a face, sort of a frown with bugged-out eyes. I guess P.E., but I don’t know how this school does it. At my last school, we played soccer every class, sometimes basketball if it was too cold outside.

Lilly primly answered. On the school’s website, it says that we’ll spend a month on each sport. I’m assuming that we’ll learn how to play some volleyball this year.

Macy sank into her seat. P.E. wasn’t a requirement when you were homeschooled, and since she didn’t like to exercise or play sports, she wasn’t looking forward to that class. Still, she felt Marcus looking at her even though Lilly was answering.

When Lilly finally finished answering, Marcus said, What about you, Macy?

I guess reading.

Reading isn’t a class. Lilly looked at her strangely. Do you mean ELA?

Macy wasn’t sure what that was, but she just agreed. Why wouldn’t they have a reading class in public school? Wasn’t reading one of the most foundational skills?

Last question, Lilly said. She pressed the card against her chest. Have you ever kissed someone?

Macy’s mouth fell open. She didn’t think that was the last question.

Marcus frowned. Sure you don’t need some reading classes? He reached for the card, but Lilly kept it pressed against her.

I’ll answer first, scaredy cats. She paused a moment, trying to make her answer as dramatic as possible. Macy already knew what she was going to say, but she waited for her answer anyway. Yes, of course, I have, Lilly responded, laughing. Who’s next to answer?

Marcus shrugged. I’ve kissed someone, yeah. Moving on.

Macy’s stomach churned. Was this normal, that everyone going into ninth grade had already been kissed? She’d never had a boyfriend, even though she thought about it. She felt even more out of place than she had before. Lilly didn’t want to let the question go. She looked at Macy.

Macy? What’s your answer?

Macy pressed her lips together, aware of how ragged they looked because she had picked at them. She didn’t want to answer, but she didn’t want them to look at her any longer either.

No, she replied, her voice sounding strange and very unlike herself.

Yeah, that’s what I would have guessed, Lilly said. The bell rang on the stage, and the game was over. Macy shoved her hands into her pocket and wished she could disappear. She felt so embarrassed that she never wanted to see any of these people again. At least, she wouldn’t have to see them again until school started in a week. Hopeful by then Marcus would have forgotten all about her.

2

Macy and her best friend, Nicole, walked down the beach, watching as families gathered their umbrellas and children and headed toward beach houses.

Why couldn’t you tell me last night? Nicole asked Macy.

Becauseeee, said Macy, drawing out the word, "my mom was lowkey listening to everything I said. I just know if she hears me talking about some boy, then I’ll get a lecture about how high school is not about having relationships that I’m too young for."

It’s about a boy! I was right then! Nicole patted Macy way too hard on the back.

It doesn’t matter anyway, Macy told Nicole, remembering the number of times Lilly had embarrassed her. It’s not like he would like me. Macy was trying to talk herself out of the possibility that he could, because getting her hopes up was the worst thing she could do.

"I want to know everything he said." Nicole wrestled her hair into a ponytail so the wind would stop blowing it into her mouth.

Macy smiled and watched her feet as she tried to recall the details as accurately as possible. "Well, Lilly, that’s the blonde girl who obviously thinks she’s way better than everyone else, she basically butted her face in every conversation. But, he asked me questions twice."

Ooh! What did he ask you?

Well, Lilly had the question card, so she would ask the question, then answer it herself and make Marcus answer next. Then, he would ask me the same question. And he remembered my name! Macy tried to hold back the squeal. She knew in the back of her head that she was far from cool, but she also thought that Marcus was really nice and cute, a good combination.

"What does he look like?"

He’s got brown, curly hair, and he smells like he just stepped out of a magazine or something.

Nicole laughed as she pulled a loose strand of hair out of her mouth. The wind was getting worse. I’m not sure I know how a magazine model is supposed to smell.

Macy laughed too. Well, not like BO, and that’s a serious improvement over some of the boys we’ve met, well, most of the boys.

Can I just call him magazine boy from now on? Nicole asked.

No, his name is Marcus.

Yeah, but magazine boy is a lot more fun.

A sudden gust of wind made Macy stumble into Nicole. They both laughed, then Nicole looked up at the sky, her face turning serious.

"Do you think we should go back? Those clouds are really dark."

It’s not going to rain today, Macy told her friend. That’s what the weatherman said. It’s not going to get bad until tomorrow. Plus, Macy didn’t want to go back home where her mother would be listening. Even if they went to Nicole’s, her mom would probably report anything she heard to Macy’s mom. To Nicole’s mom, Macy was the weird homeschooled child who was being sent to public school like an experiment.

They aren’t always right. Besides, they said it was a hurricane.

It’s going to miss the coast. We’re just getting the edge of it. Macy studied the sky as well. She wasn’t afraid of Mother Nature like Nicole was, but she didn’t want to keep walking on the beach by herself either.

Let’s go back, Nicole begged. My mom will kill me if it starts and— Nicole’s phone started ringing, and she held the screen out to Macy with an ‘I told you so’ look. Hey, Mom. Nicole stopped, and Macy could hear her friend’s mother talking rapidly on the other end of the phone. Yeah, we’re actually turning around right now. She glanced at the octagonal house they were even with. We’re at the octagon house. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes…, okay, yeah, twenty. We’re hurrying.

My mom said we have to come back. The weather’s getting bad.

Macy glanced up at the clouds. They did look really dark. Okay. She glanced at her phone and wondered why her mom wasn’t calling her. Maybe she’d already talked to Mrs. Denice.

They started walking back. Now, the wind was blowing their hair out of their faces. Macy could tell that Nicole was worried. She always got more worried about these sorts of things than Macy did. Macy tried to bring up the topic of Marcus again, because he was all she was thinking about.

Won’t it be weird with me going to public school this year? Macy asked. I don’t know when I’ll see you.

Yeah, because I heard that in high school, after you come home, you still have hours of homework to do.

Macy stuck out her tongue. Don’t remind me. She didn’t know yet how much homework she would have, but she was worried that her classes might be a lot harder than they had been at home.

Maybe I’ll help you do some of it, so that I can see you occasionally.

Occasionally? You better see me more than that.

Thunder rumbled ahead of them, then a clap of lightning struck the ground somewhere along the island. Nicole froze for a second. Okay, let’s jog back, she said. Nicole’s house was right along the beach, but Macy had to cut away from her and cross the highway to get to her house.

I’ll go to my house now, Macy said when they got to the point where they normally split.

You should come in our house, Nicole suggested, glancing up at the clouds. My mom won’t care.

Macy shrugged. It’s okay. My mom probably wants me to come home. She hugged Nicole. Let’s hang out tomorrow, okay?

Okay! See you then! Nicole jogged off toward her house, and Macy stayed in place for another minute. She studied the clouds up ahead. She heard a strange sound and realized that there was literally a wall of rain heading toward her.

She froze for a minute, wanting to feel the water on her back, then she remembered her cell phone. If it got wet, it would be ruined, and she knew her parents wouldn’t buy her another one.

Macy started running for her house, her sandals dangling from her hand. She knew she wasn’t fast enough, but she couldn’t risk taking her time either. The rain caught up with her and soaked her through before she was over the dunes. The wind blew sand in her eyes, and Macy could only see through slits as she tried to keep going.

Her eyes scanned the area for some sort of shelter, a place she could stay until the rain calmed down. She spotted a yellow beach house with a for sale sign in front of it. There were no cars in the garage, so Macy