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“Close your eyes and feel the breeze.”
I give him a condescending look that he returns. I let out a frustrated sigh as I close my eyes. His fingertips reach the tops of my shoulders, softly pushing me toward what I assume is the edge.
Step by step, I feel my legs shaking below the weight of my body. Xavier notices it too. “Breathe and concentrate on the sound of the waves.” His voice is calm and comforting.
I breathe out as he stops me from taking another step. He grabs my hand in a tighter grip than before. “Keep your eyes closed and squeeze my hand as hard as you can.”
I crush his hand with mine, all the force in my body going where our touch connects.
“I’m going to tell you to jump, and when I do, I want you to open your eyes.”
“I don’t think I can do it.” My legs are still shaking, and now my other hand is moving along with them.
“You can do anything, Vio. I know you can do it. You’re afraid of heights, so what you can’t see won’t allow you to fear. Focus on your breathing and my voice.”
He starts saying stupid things, and I chuckle at a few. The tone he’s using is soft and caring, but the deep part of it runs through me.
“Jump!” he yells out.
His words process in my brain, and I don’t think at all. His yell catches me by surprise, so I jump. My voice turns from nothing into a scream, and I open my eyes, falling. Air brushes past me, and the dark blue water below me looks less enticing by the second. My hand is still connected with his, and time passes by so fast that I don’t think about the height when I hit the water. Adrenaline rushes through my veins, and all I can feel is ecstasy as I swim up to the surface. As I try to find Xavier, small waves push me back into the void between the water and air. He floats to my right, his eyes focused on me. His massive smile translates into pride. I let out a chuckle that spreads into laughter. He laughs with me in joy, and my gaze returns to the cliff we just jumped off of. The sun hits me as two figures peek down. Cleo and Chanel are cheering from above, and a smile consumes me. All fear washed away.
“That was amazing!” I shriek in joy.
“I told you. Just admit the fact that this guy right here helped you face your fear.”
“You gave me a detour,” I rebut just to get under his skin.
“You insult me.” He feigns hurt, but I know he’s just being dramatic.
We float there momentarily, smiling as the adrenaline begins to fade. I can’t believe I just jumped off a cliff. It’s funny how one person can make you feel like you’re invincible, and for some reason, Xavier has made me feel that way today. Maybe it’s something he’s mastered when meeting people. But it’s not something that anyone has made me experience, not my parents, sisters, or best friend.
Just Xavier.
By jumping off that cliff, I feel like I could do anything because he gave that to me.
I think we are going to be great friends.
“Let’s get to shore before the tide takes us,” Xavier’s tone is as if he’s in a Shakespearean play, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Yes, we shall,” I respond, playing along.
His smile widens, and that’s when I realize he likes when people are playful with him.
Noted.
My arms start moving forward and backward as I follow him to shore. Once I feel the sand beneath my feet, I walk toward the beach, following behind him. My butt hits the sand as I decide to sit down and watch my sisters fight about who’s going to jump off first. As I suspected, their angry yells echo as they argue.
“Quite feisty, aren’t they?” Xavier asks me as if it’s a question.
“It’s been like this their whole lives, but it’s just playful. Two big personalities put into the same room are bound for an argument or two.” I chuckle.
“Why did you decide to come toAca, of all places?” I ask. “It’s not a place I would imagine you in.”
“What does that mean, Blondie?” His curious expression covers his smile.
“Well, I mean you’re sports royalty. Most of the time you Formula One drivers stay in Monaco or go to places like Fiji.” I try to say it as nonchalantly as possible without him taking it as me judging or generalizing his profession.
“I live in Monaco most of the time, so that’s not a place I go for vacation and Fiji is overrated. It’s cool for a few days, but after that, it’s just pretty water and some nice toys.”
