I didn’t recognize her sweet voice at first. I’d only seen her—glistening underwater, sparkling through an algebra classroom window, and giggling in Hanover’s class. Now she was standing in front of me almost out of breath herself.
What could I say to her now that I had the chance? I had waited what seemed like an eternity to see her again. Hadn’t I made a fool of myself enough today?
Still, I was elated. While she recovered her breath and pushed back her hair, I wished it were my hand exposing her perfect face. A million questions raced through my mind. Had she seen my ad? Where was she from? What was she doing in the ocean yesterday? I could barely believe that this beauty had pressed her savory lips on mine! But the words turned to alphabet soup when I opened my mouth.
“You know who I am, don’t you?” she asked forcefully.
I now realized why she was here. Not to let me thank her, like I’d originally intended, but just to get her necklace back.
I nervously fingered the chain in my pocket, as if I had ripped it off from a jewelry store. “I waited at the stadium. Did you get my note?”
“Yes, but I overslept. I looked all over school for you,” she said, agitated. “But I thought your hair was dark red.”
“I change it every week.”
“Is that normal? Do you change your name every week, too?”
“It’s normal for me. But my name’s always Spencer.”
“Well, Spencer, can I have the necklace?” she asked suddenly.
If I returned it to her now, I’d lose her. She’d show up for school tomorrow, hand in hand with Calvin Todd. I’d be destined for the rest of my high-school days to watch her sparkling smile radiate toward him at football games as he scored touchdowns and more. I only had one choice. “You saved my life, and I don’t even know your name,” I said urgently.
“Well…people around here call me Candy.”
“Candy, I wanted to ask you something first. Before I give you back the necklace,” I began, my grip slipping on the surfboard as I tried to muster up courage. “I’d like to pay you—”
“I don’t want money,” she insisted. “I want my necklace.”
“But I want to thank you, properly. After school…Take you to the pier for dinner…Then I’ll give it back.”
She didn’t respond, but impatiently looked toward the ocean.
“What’s your favorite restaurant?”
“I can’t stay for dinner,” she blurted out.
I glanced around, wishing Chainsaw were here. What would he say now? Then I noticed the Starbucks on the pier. “Then how about a cup a coffee now, on the pier?”
She looked up with sudden interest. “I’ve never been on the pier before.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I said, leading her to my favorite hangout.