A World Beyond the Waterfalls

How Did He-?

Liam and I dive in the waves for a while, sit on the sand and listen to music, eat at the beachside cafe and now we're walking along the waters edge, up the beach.

"Um, Hawii." He says thoughtfully.

I laugh. "Sunshine." I say smiling.

"That's too obvious!" He insists. We're playing one word-one word, a game we invented. One of us says a word and the other say the first thing that pops into their head automatically. It's fun.

"My turn." I look at the sky and see an eagle soaring high above our heads.

"Mom."

Liam's smile fades and he looks down at the sand. "Beautiful." He looks up at the sky thoughtfully and squints into the sun. "She was so wonderful. I really wish we could bring her back sometimes." He whispers, his blue eyes full of sadness.

Neither one of us talks for a while until he says, "Dad."

"Funny." I say immediately. I didn't even have to think about it. It just came out. Our dad was the funniest guy on the face of planet earth.

"Do you remember we would be sitting in the living room doing homework and Dad would come home from work and just start telling stories? And we'd sit and laugh and laugh until our faces hurt and tears were running down are checks." He smiles slightly. "I miss him, too."

I nod, tears threatening at my eyelids. "It's been three years since they died in a car crash. Three years and no one has come to even comfort you and me. We've been living alone since then and no one questions us or asks if we're eighteen. Because no one cares!"

"Dakota calm down!" Liam says, stepping in front of me and putting his hands on my shoulders. "Do you want people after us? We'd be separated if they knew were weren't eighteen. You realize that right!"

I looked him in the eyes and again saw sadness there. "I hadn't thought of that." It'd be horrible to lose my brother after losing my parents.

"I can't afford to lose you, too, Dakota. I just can't. "

I smile at nod, realizing how awful that would be. I push the thought away and continue the game.

"Spring."

"Track season baby!" Liam yells, pumping his fist in the air.

"You're an idiot." I say, chuckling. And here we are, right back in the game.

*****

"Hello there." I push my shades onto the top of my head and squint toward the sound of the voice. Sitting up from my comfortable spot on the sand, I see the annoying boy who I slammed into.

I groan.

"Nice to see you, too." He says smiling. He sits down next to me and looks out at the water. "Beautiful." He mumbles, turning his gaze toward me.

Talk about awkward. I blush. "What do you want, kid?"

"Your name." He answers. And only then, when I turn to give him a nasty look, do I realize that he has beautiful eyes. Big brown, curious eyes that are surprisingly gentle. My face softens and I look him up and down. He's actually a really handsome kid, I think. But he's a total moron.

"Dakota." I say, looking at his face.

He grins. "Well Dakota, whatdya say we go for a swim. I know a really quiet place that we can go."

I narrow my eyes at him. "I don't think so. I don't even know your name, I don't trust you, and you're an idiot." I start to stand up but he grabs my wrist.

"Come on." His face softens. "I need someone who can hang out with me. All the other kids just want autographs."

I laugh at his conceitedness. "You're kidding me, right?"

He frowns. "Pleeeease." I look at the ground and he slowly nods. "Okay. I'll see ya later Kota." Did he just call me Kota? Did he really give me a nickname? For some reason I find myself blushing furiously. He looks at the ground waiting for me to answer. He bites his lip and gets up. He brushes himself off and starts to walk away. "Dylan." He whispers over his shoulder. He slumps away, and I play with my fingers. I start to feel like I shoulda given him a chance. I look up and see him jogging away, already about a hundred feet away. And then I get up and run after him.