The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) (19 page)

             
“Then it is good I’m buying,” he answers as he covers the prices. “Order what you want.”

             
“I’ll have the shrimp,” she says after scanning the menu for a couple seconds.

             
“Alexandra?” Sven asks.

             
I’m also having sticker shock. Before I can order the cheapest thing on the menu, Christian takes it from me. He hands it to the waiter and says, “She’ll have the lobster with rice and extra lemon wedges. Also, please also bring us five dishes of your crème brûléé.”

             
“Yes, sir,” the waiter hurries away. 

             
“I wish we were in Denmark,” Sven sighs. “Sea food is always better with good wine.”

             
“Do you guys realize that you just spent more money on this meal than I make in a month?” Jen asks, incredulously.             

             
“A good meal is always worth the money,” Sven responds.

             
“With the way you guys spend money on food, I’m glad you buy second-hand clothes. At least you’re frugal in that aspect,” Jen rolls her eyes.

             
“We buy second-hand clothes because it’s better for the environment, and we hate to waste resources,” Sven corrects, causing Jen to roll her eyes a second.

             
It is surprising how quickly our food makes it to the table. The guys must have given them a lot of money. While the tables around us wait, we are served our food.

I don’t realize how hungry I was until I notice my plate is empty. Christian smiles and puts his arm around me.

              “How did you know I wanted the lobster?” I ask.

             
“I’m very observant. When you ate with us at Marjory’s, you only finished the lobster. You should order what you want, not the least expensive item.”

             
“And you should stop wasting money,” I say, thinking of the large amount they must have spent on Dan’s hospital bill. I worry that they will drain their bank accounts with all the eating out. I definitely need to have a conversation with him about saving his money.

             
“It’s about time! The service is terrible tonight!” Jackson Powers yells from behind a decorative screen. “We’ve been waiting an hour!”

             
“We’re sorry, sir,” a waitress says. “It’s a very busy night.”

             
“I don’t have the time to sit around and wait for your other customers to be served! I’ve been voted Homecoming King and can’t be late! Now, we’re going to have to eat our food quickly! You are completely incompetent! Don’t expect a tip!”

             
The middle-aged waitress emerges from the screen with tears in her eyes. She runs to the kitchen. I look at Jen.

             
“I didn’t know he was voted king,” I hiss.

             
She nods. “You won by a landslide, but he narrowly squeaked out a victory.”

             
“I don’t want to go to the dance.” I put my napkin on the table.

             
“Jackson does not have power over us,” Christian says. “We will enjoy our evening, regardless of him.  Thomas, Marjory, and Peggy will be waiting for us.”

             
“And here comes our crème brûléé,” Sven says. “Let’s finish our meal and continue with our plans.”

             
The crème brûléé is absolutely wonderful. Sven pays for the meal, leaving obscene tips for both our waiter and Jackson’s waitress. On the way to the car, Jen hounds him about wasting his money, which just makes him chuckle and throw her over his shoulder.

             
“Let me down, you big brute!” She pounds his back, and not too nicely.

             
It makes his laugh louder as he walks. He gently puts her down next to the car.

“You have a mean sting for such a skinny jellyfish!” He laughs.

              “You and your strange Danish sayings!” she exclaims. “And of course I’m skinny by your standards! The three of you have shoulders the width of refrigerators!”

             
Sven continues to chuckle to himself as he opens the door for her.

             
“Christian, Jen’s right,” I say as he opens the car for me. “It’s been fun eating out and all, but I think that from now on we better stay closer to home and save your money. It would be bad if it ran out before your year in Maine was over.”

             
“Girls, you can put your fears to rest,” Henrik tells us. “Our family enjoys a comfortable financial situation.”

             
“It won’t remain comfortable with the way you spend money,” Jen says.

             
“Henrik is correct. You don’t need to worry about our finances,” Christian interjects.

             
Jen and I look at each other. We’re both thinking the same thing. We’ll have to steer the guys to less expensive forms of entertainment.

             
When we get to the school, we find the gym packed with people. Sven directs us through the crowd to the dance floor. We wave to Gramps, Peggy, and Marjory, who are sitting with the community on the bleachers.  Christian puts his arms around me and holds me closely as we dance. Sven and Jen have a great time talking about soccer as they dance next to us. Henrik stands close by, texting on his phone, and refusing offers to dance.

             
“Who’s the oldest of you three?” I ask Christian as we dance.

             
“I am.”

             
“Really? I thought Sven was.” I furrow my brow in confusion.

             
“He’s actually the youngest but has the most forceful personality.”

             
I nod in agreement. “You are very close for cousins,” I say.

             
“Yes, we are extremely close,” he says. I detect a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

             
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

             
With this question he smiles. “I have a sister, Kerstin.”

             
This revelation surprises me. I realize that I know very little about him.

“How old is she?” I ask.

              “She’s attending her second year of college.”

             
“I’m sure you miss her.”

             
“Yes, but I’ll go home for Christmas break to…” He doesn’t get to finish as Principal Irons steps onto a makeshift stage.

             
“It is my privilege to announce this year’s Homecoming Court,” the principal says. Everyone cheers loudly. “Coming in second place; the Homecoming Prince is Christian Pedersen, and the Homecoming Princess is Vanessa Powers.”

             
The crowd fills with catcalls and more cheers.

             
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask Christian.

             
“Because it’s a nonissue,” he says, kissing me before heading to the stage for his crown.

             
Vanessa beats him to the stage. She arrogantly accepts her crown and a bouquet of flowers while waving with a constipated smile on her face.  Christian’s face is stoic as the student body president stands on his tiptoes to put the crown on his head.

             
“The Homecoming King is Jackson Powers,” Principal Irons continues.

             
Jackson struts to the stage, proud as a peacock. He smirks as he passes Christian, arrogantly accepting his crown.

             
“And for our Homecoming Queen, I am proud to present our very own cover girl, Alex Singer!”

The principal smiles as I walk up the stairs to the stage.

The crowd cheers, “Al-ex! Al-ex! Al-ex!”

I can feel my face turn red from embarrassment as I am crowned and given my flowers. Cameras flash, lighting up the gym. I put a fake smile on my face, holding tightly to my flowers to keep my hands from shaking. There are just too many people watching.

“Our Homecoming Court will now dance the traditional waltz,” Principal Irons says.

I cringe when I hear this. I don’t know how to waltz, and I definitely don’t want to waltz with Jackson. However, I can quickly tell that he doesn’t feel the same way about me. He takes my hand and wraps it around his arm as he leads me from the stage onto the dance floor. I frantically glance at Christian.  His eyes are on me while Vanessa pulls him down the stairs.

The crowd moves to create a space for the four of us to dance. Jackson holds me too close as he leads me around the gym. It is embarrassing and uncomfortable.

“Congratulations, Alex,” he says. “There isn’t any question that you deserve to be Homecoming Queen.”

“I don’t think Vanessa agrees with you,” I say, trying to waltz with him. I know the dance is being recorded by practically everyone and don’t want to look stupid for eternity.

             
“Don’t mind her,” he says dismissively before clearing his throat. “I would like to invite you to a celebration party at my estate. My parents have organized live entertainment and food.”

             
“Jackson, you know I’m dating Christian,” I say, still trying to smile for the cameras.

             
“Just go on a date with me, and I’ll show you that you’re with the wrong guy,” he replies.

             
“Why are you wasting your time on me when the school is filled with girls who want to date you?” I say, looking around.

             
“You and I are destiny. I’m the Homecoming King and you are my queen.”

             
Why is it guys think they get decide what my destiny is? I drop my hands from his shoulders. “You and I really aren’t suited for each…”

             
I’m silenced as Jackson forcefully kisses me. I pull away and wiggle out of his arms. Furious, I slap him across the face.

“Jackson Powers, you are
a pig!” I shout.

Theory #7 is upgraded to Fact # 9 – Jackson is a meddling jerk!

Proof – He kissed me in front of
everyone
to try to get me to date him!

I turn to leave. He grabs my arm. His grip is vice-like and hurts.

              “I just want a chance!” he retorts, his eyes pleading with me.

             
Refusing to speak to him, I painfully pull away my arm.

             
He grabs a hold of my dress to stop me from leaving. The ancient cloth can’t take the strain. Antique lace and beads scatter across the gym floor as my dress is torn down the front. I look down to find the bodice completely gone. I’m standing in front of the entire school in my transparent, lace bra. I immediately cross my arms over my chest, horrified.

             
“Alex, I…” Jackson stutters as he stares at me.

             
Christian is immediately at my side, protectively placing himself between me and Jackson. Saying nothing, Christian covers me with his tuxedo jacket. Then, he punches Jackson in the face.

             
Cameras frenzy, and I’m blinded by the flashes. Being completely mortified, I only have one thought.
RUN
! I am grateful for Peggy’s half slip and Christian’s tuxedo jacket as the remnants of my dress are strewn across the gym floor.
Holding tightly onto the jacket, I sprint out the side door and into the night.

             
I’m not thinking clearly as I run. I’m beyond humiliated, crying as my legs carry me away from the school. The cold night stings my face and legs. I ignore it as I continue to run in the dark. It isn’t until I came to a familiar rock that I realize where I am. I quickly move the rock and crawl into my empty cache, sealing the entrance behind me.

             
In the safety of my sanctuary, I curl into a ball, and cry myself hoarse.

             
I don’t know how long I’ve laid there when I hear voices in the wind outside. The voices come very close. I realize that they are yelling my name. Not wanting to be found, I remain motionless and silent in my emotionally numb state. The voices become fainter and fainter before eventually silencing.

             
I begin to shiver, but I don’t bother to try to warm myself. I feel so violated that I am physically paralyzed. I am so completely private about my life that I feel utterly exposed.

             
A shuffling noise sounds by the cave’s entrance.

             
“She should be here, but she’s not.” I can barely hear Christian’s voice through the cave walls.