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“Thanks for taking us out,” Sarah said, sounding sheepish.
“My pleasure,” Charlie said before giving them general instructions on where to sit to avoid the ropes and the sails. “You’re islanders, aren’t you? Probably not foreigners to the water.”
“Naw. I grew up on a boat,” Evie explained.
“Good to hear,” Charlie said. “I taught my girls how to sail, as well. Of course, they took off for greener pastures at college the past few years.”
“Maybe they’ll be back,” Sarah tried.
Charlie looked regretful and wistful. “Maybe.”
With everyone assembled, Charlie ripped open the sails and eased them out from the harbor and into the glorious wild of the Nantucket Sound. Out there, the waves rippled over the sides of their boat and cast their bare skin with salty droplets. Alana lifted her chin toward the blue sky and allowed herself to fall into the haze of the teenagers’ conversation and Charlie and Julia’s whispers. Yes, she was alone within herself— yet surrounded by people who loved her.
“I just don’t think you should let him treat you like that,” Harlow said this matter of fact, making Alana jump from her daydream.
“Who treats who like what?” Alana asked.
“Yeah! I want to know the high school gossip,” Julia exclaimed.
Harlow, Evie, Nora, and Sarah exchanged glances, judging whether or not they wanted to share. Finally, Sarah spoke.
“I’ve just been having trouble with this guy.”
“High school guys can be hard work,” Charlie interjected. “Trust me. I used to be one.”
The girls laughed good-naturedly, loosening up.
“Who’s the guy?” Alana asked.
“He’s in a band. Plays guitar,” Sarah exclaimed. “We dated off and on during autumn and spring but cut things off in late April.”
“You’re forgetting to tell the most important part,” Evie added.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Okay. He, like, cheated on me.”
“No,” Alana shot out.
“I know. I know.” Sarah waved her hands. “But we were sort of on a break.”
“But don’t you think that shows he doesn’t deserve you?” Julia tried.
Sarah sucked in her cheeks.
“He doesn’t show you the respect you deserve, that’s for sure,” Alana added coaxingly.
“He’s actually not worth it,” Nora continued. “He flirts with everyone and then acts all sad when he doesn’t get the attention he thinks he deserves.”
“One of these super emotional guys who thinks he experiences the world at a higher pitch than other people,” Evie explained.
“Huh. I think I might know someone like that…” Alana glanced toward Julia with a funny smile.
“Asher,” Harlow piped up.
“You girls know me too well already,” Alana said, grateful she could find a way to laugh.
“Yeah, Sarah. You don’t want to end up with an Asher,” Evie said.
Julia leaned back into Charlie, dropping her head against his chest and peering up at him. “It can be so complicated and difficult to fall in love as teenagers,” Julia said. “Charlie and I dated back then, but life got in the way of our story for twenty-five years.”
