Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 9-Meg

Meg

We talk about lighthearted things—telling each other about our family, our education. 
He has a sister and his parents.  I have my parents and two brothers—one still lives at home and is in college, the other is married with two children and another on the way.  I find out that he actually went to school for acting. 
"I didn't know those existed," I smile. 
"They do," he nods grinning.  "How about you?"
"I went to a local university, just a basic kind of one.  I entered in undecided because I didn't know what I wanted to do.  I met Spencer there," I say frowning. 
"Who's Spencer?" he asks.  He sees my expression.  "Oh, the one we're trying to avoid," he nods.  "So what did you end up studying?"
"I took a new foreign language because it was required," I begin.  "I studied Spanish in high school and still can't speak a word of it, although I can understand a few of the missionaries here a little bit.  I feel like the youth speak slower and more concisely.  So... I chose Japanese because it sounded interesting.  I met him in my first class.  I decided to minor in it because I liked it so much and my school didn't offer a major.  I took other classes experimenting—trying to find what else I was good at and enjoyed.  I took some art classes—you know, drawing, photography, digital art...  He was in two of my classes," I pause and sigh.  "Anyway, I found that I was exceedingly skilled in art or at least my professors told me that.  So I got my bachelors in fine art and I minored in Japanese."
"That's interesting.  So you can speak Japanese?" he inquires. 
I laugh.  "I thought I could.  When we took our class trip, I felt completely out of my league.  It got better over time but I still feel like I need some work."
"Did you graduate?" he asks. 
"Yeah, last semester," I tell him. 
"Wait... in the middle of the year?" he questions. 
I nod. 
"Is that unusual?" he asks. 
"I was sick for a little while so I took a semester off.  I was only a little behind.  I still made it on the class trip last summer but I wasn't able to come here last year," I explain. 
"I'm glad," he says. 
I chuckle.  "You're glad I was sick?" I tease. 
"No," he breathes.  "That you came now."
I nod in understanding. 
"You know, this is the first real conversation I've had with anyone in I don't even know how long," he says. 
"Yeah," I reply softly.  "It's kind of the same for me—except for my mom, and Gale just now," I motion to them at the beach.  "And Pastor Ben lately.  They've all been a real help.  I honestly don't really have any close friends at all," I admit.  "I mean—I've got my family and acquaintances at church but nobody really close that I could talk to."
"Neither do I," he tells me as well.  "Until you."
I smile and laugh softly, "Thank you."
"So, you've got some friends out there?" he motions to the beach.
"You want to meet them?" I ask. 
"Sure," he shrugs nodding. 
He rises and grasps my hand to help me up.  I smile in appreciation even though my heart is beating wildly at the contact—the kind gesture.  We stride over to the area together where the girls were earlier.  I see many more towels and belongings piled up along with theirs.
"Okay, so I may not know everybody's name," I admit setting my towel and bag aside. "I think I have all of the girls down—especially the group I came down here with—but the guys... I haven't really talked to them too much." I take off my t-shirt and shorts revealing my surfer-style shirt and swim shorts.
"So we'll improvise," he smirks looking at me. I try to hold back how that expression makes me feel. He's incredibly confident and easygoing. He's so easy to talk to—kind, a good listener, interested in what I have to say instead of waiting for his turn to speak... and I realize how much Spencer was like the latter. He never really listened to me, didn't care what I had to say or thought.
"You ready?" he asks. 
"Yeah," I nod.  We cross the sandy beach and I can't help but love the feeling of the sand beneath my feet, between my toes.  "I feel kind of bad for everyone back home," I laugh. 
"Why's that?" he inquires as we step into the water together. 
"Because they're in the middle of a winter storm as we speak.  The snowfall sounds epic and possibly record breaking," I explain.  We make our way through the water. 
"Where are you from again?" he asks. 
"Ohio," I respond. 
"Is that a state?" he questions. 
I giggle and nod as we're about knee deep.  "To the east of Chicago and south of Detroit—you know, it used to be known for cars but now more from violence and decay," I explain. 
"I've heard of those," he responds trying to hold back a laugh. 
"I know you have," I tell him.  "At least one of them."
"So... a fan, huh?" he grins. 
"You have no idea," I say biting my lip to stop the smile.  If he only knew, he probably would think I'm crazy.
We approach the girls at about waist deep in the water and they wave frantically at me.  "There you are," Niveah teases.  "Waiting on you again."
"It couldn't be helped," I shrug. 
"So, who's this you found?" Gale asks me grinning from ear to ear.
"Hi, I'm Jai," he says reaching out to shake her hand. 
"I'm Gale," she smiles looking to me and back to him. 
"He's going to take Mrs Johnson's place," I inform them. 
Gale blinks in shock.  "Okay," she says surprised raising her voice in intonation.  "Glad to have you join us."
The other girls introduce themselves while Gale shuffles over closer to me in the waist deep water. 
"Where in the world did you find this guy?" she asks me completely intrigued. 
"God provided," I shrug attempting to mask my smile. 
"He certainly did," she says looking at him again over her shoulder. 
He peers back over to us and is smiling.  I wave and his smile grows. 
"I think he has eyes for you," she tells me. 
"No," I dismiss her comment.  "We're just friends," I insist. 
"That may be how you feel," she whispers stepping back to join everyone. 
I shake that thought of of my head.  He's just as recently broken up and heartbroken as I am.  He just needs someone to talk to. 
"So, are we all acquainted?" I ask Jai as he walks back over to me. 
"I think so," he nods.  "Isabella, Valentina, and..."
"Nevaeh," I say when he's still thinking. 
"That's an unusual name," he says. 
"It's Heaven spelled backwards," I explain. 
"Oh, well that makes it easier," he responds.  "I like their hair... very Dauntless."
I can't help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest at that.  I calm down to see Jai grinning at me.
"What are you guys laughing at?" Isabella asks us.
"Jai's making inside jokes," I chuckle.
Everyone looks at us grinning.
"Ladies! Do not go over there," one of the guys says approaching our group. They're flocking this way in a hurry, splashing a bit. Isabella splashes one of the guys back and he laughs. 
"What's the problem?" Gale questions curiously.
"We just saw some sea urchins," one says.
"Yeah, avoid those," Gale replies freaked out.
"What's wrong with sea urchin?" Jai whispers to me.
"They're poisonous. If you step on them, we'll probably have to rush you to the hospital," I explain.
"No, trips to the hospital for me please, Jesus?" one of the boys says motioning his hand in a prayer pose.
"Who's this?" another asks.
"This is Jai. He's taking the empty spot," Gale tells him.
"Oh, yeah!" one screams. "That's what I'm talking about." He holds his hand out and fist bumps him.
Jai chuckles in surprise.
Gale introduces the both of us to the guys present. Rashaad is the one who fist bumped Jai. He's tall and skinny but he's got some muscle on him. He's got short, wild braids throughout his hair. Hakeem is a little shorter than Rashaad, but still tall. He's a bit muscular as well—maybe more so than his friend. His hair is almost buzzed it's so short. Izaak is the one who helped me out with the kids this morning. He's very animated and silly—currently making everyone laugh. He's the slimmest out of the group of young men. His hair is buzzed on the bottom fading into short tiny curls.
We stay in the water for a bit messing around, joking, and swimming—definitely avoiding the danger zone.  We all eventually climb out of the ocean and relax on the beach.  We're under some sort of shade tree and it's so comfortable out here with the cool breeze blowing across from the water.  Jai is talking with the guys a bit and he looks to be having a great time.  I can't believe how much better I feel now. 
I see a couple of local teens playing soccer on the beach.  They actually approach our group and ask if we want to join them.  I observe as Jai jumps up and encourages the guys to play.  They all start a game with three players each.  I watch as Jai smiles and laughs with the kids.  I think he's doing well.  I notice Gale taking pictures and I can't help but feel good that our group is making such an impact.  I honestly believe that being here is changing me.  I'm not as shy as I once was—or perhaps I'm just a work in progress.  I guess I feel like back home, everyone is more into their own things rather than loving on each other.  People there can be harsh or too busy to care.  Here... it feels like life has slowed down and become more mellow, full of time and joy.  I think we could all use a little more joy in our lives.