Love at the Sea

Nineteen: Leilani

When I was coming to the dinner it really felt like this was my replacement Prom that I can’t fully enjoy in Kamehameha next semester.

I know Kalei would take me, but still I can't talk about the events leading to it and king and queen for our Senior Year.

I can’t even run, not like I was going to but knowing that hurt.

We got to the restaurant finally and we, my mom aunty Kanani, Makana and I filed out of the car.

My mom went in first. “Leilani, you go in last okay sweetie,” Aunty Kanani says right before she walks in.

Then Makana goes but right before she does she turns around and says, “Kalei looks really handsome.” With her smile, I take a deep breath and walked to the door.

I walk in and immediately see a larger chandelier on the ceiling, gold and silver plated. The floor is a nice white creamy color while the ceiling has a sky blue color with fluffy clouds.

I look straight in front of me and see Kalei walking to my in his tux.

I look down but not fast enough because I’m pretty sure he saw me blush.

When he finally got to me he held my hand and said, “My beautiful girl.”

I look him in the eyes and smile, he smiled back with his eyes sparkling like the lights that surrounds this place.

I smile and say, “My handsome man.” That made him laugh. He lead me to the table and whispered in my ear Kainoa went home. I whispered in his ear and said, “I know, Kelsie called.”

He continued to hold my hand and whispered, “What’s up?” I give a small laugh and leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Kelsie is pregnant.” “What?!” Everyone looks at us and I say, “Kalei, jeez be quiet I don’t know.”

He looked at me and I mouthed ‘That was fun right?’. He looked away and shook his head. Then started to talk to Kanoe. He’s not mad is he, it was a joke.

Before I could find out the waiter comes and gives us our menus and takes our drink orders.

Our parents order first.

Both of our dads order beer and our mothers are both gigging when they order, “Two margaritas please.”

Next is Makana, “I’ll have a shirley temple.” Kanoe orders another beer. Lastly was us, “I’ll have a coke,” Kalei says and I say without thinking, “I’ll have a blue moon cocktail.”

But no one stops me so I guess its okay. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

The waiter walks away and Makana whispers to me, quiet enough that our parents don’t hear but loud enough that Kanoe and Kalei stop their conversation and look at me, “Lei, you know you ordered alcohol right?”

I looked at her and said, “Of course I knew.” Kalei tapped my shoulder and I looked over to him but I didn’t look in his eyes just the mirror all the way by the corner wall. “Lei?” I look at him and he looks at me trying to read my thoughts. “What’s wrong?”

I look at him. Can he not read my thoughts anymore? I push my chair back, our parents were still deep in their conversation, I slid off of my chair and take Kalei’s hand.

We walk out to the Lanai of the place and I turn to him. I look at him directly in his eyes. Can you still read my thoughts?? He looks at me but the look is distant. “Kalei?”

He looks at me and says, “I don’t think I can read your thoughts anymore.”

I backed away. How? Why? Ever since we were little that was our gift. The gift we shared. The gift that kept us together.

“I’m gonna go back to my seat.” I started to turn and he grabbed my arm, “Lei, I know I can’t read your thoughts like I used to but I can still guess what you’re thinking. I don’t know why that hurt more than it should or why it bothered me more than it should but I felt myself snap and there was no turning back.

“Guess” I heard myself say. “Guess?? Thats the one gift that was supposed to say with us forever. Guessing isn’t actually knowing.”

I backed away from him and said, “How can you say that, it’s like guess on our friendship all these years, you may know me but this made us unique. I guess we are just regular people know,” I turned and walked away.

As I was walking to my seat I felt my heart break and a piece chipped away.

When I got back to my seat I asked Makana if I can switch seats with her, she agreed.

When Kalei got back to the table we all started to order our meals. Each person saying something different. “Lei, sweetie, why aren’t you sitting next to Kalei?” I looked up and saw Aunty Kanani looking at me.

Then I hear Kanoe asking Kalei the same question. I leaned over and whispered in Aunty Kanani’s ear, “We got into a fight and I don’t want to sit next to him.”

She smiled and looked over and said out loud, “Remember when Kaleikoa and Leilani told us they were mind readers?”

My mom laughed and said, “They went everywhere together trying to prove to us that they can read each other’s mind.”

I took a quick glance at Kalei but he was just on his phone. “Kaleikoa Keanu Kalealoha!” Kalei looks to my mother and she just says. “This day is for Lei, have a little respect and get off your phone.”

Kalei looked at me and then to the table. I read in his eyes that he was sorry. “Mom, it’s fine he can do whatever he wants.”

He looks up and I smile. “No it’s not sweetie,” Aunty Kanani says, “You shouldn’t have to cover for him.”

She looks at Kalei and says, “What’s wrong?”

Before he could answer the food came and I took my drink and took a gulp.

When I put the drink down Kalei was looking at me and I brought the drink back to my mouth.

I took a gulp and Kalei slammed his hand on the table and said, “I’ll tell you what's wrong. Are you ready?”