Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 19-Jai

Jai

I can't stop grinning on the way back to the town. She's not absolutely obsessed with me like some girls—which I didn't think so anyway. She's not telling me that she's seen all of my movies when she hasn't. But she's definitely a fan of mine. I'm so glad I took on that role. It does seem to be one of my more defining characters. I can't believe I played her favorite character in her favorite series. That just blows my mind. She was honest about everything though. I like that. I was getting a little worried that she didn't care for my films and acting but it turns out she's a fan—a big fan. She's not a crazy obsessive stalking kind or anything—just someone I can talk to about things.
I am a little worried though. If she was willing to walk out of Suicide Squad, perhaps she wouldn't be too happy with some of my other roles. It wasn't even my character she didn't like, just the fact that she didn't care for a behavior in the film and it completely turned her off to watching it. I look at my tattoo on my forearm and think she wouldn't care for it. 
I'm not going to worry about things I can't help, though. I'm just going to try to enjoy my day alone with her. I'm grateful we found a place where the two of us were completely alone. It was nice having a real conversation with her. I place my hand on her back as we finally arrive at the city. We stroll through a bustling area. There are several vendors out selling wares. I see her stop at one of the shops and look at some handmade jewelry. They're just trinkets but she actually picks up a couple and examines them. One she really spends some time looking at. It's pretty and unique compared to the ones with Jamaican flag colors—this one has shades of pinks and fuchsias with all others of pastel beads. It's held together with a thin brown leather cording and it appears as if it can wrap around the wrist three times. She looks at the price tag though and sets it down moving on to some others. When she's not looking I pick it up and go to the salesman. I buy it for her and pocket it. I follow her from stall to stall looking at many items for sale. Someone is selling fresh ackee and I buy one for us to share. They cut it in half and instruct us not to eat the outside or the seeds. We try it together and she's smiling at me. It's sweet and fresh-tasting. We thank them and move on.
We continue strolling around. There's another jewelry shop Megan stops at. This one has everything made out of shells. She focuses on the ones with cowry shells. I observe as she looks over the varieties—some with darker shells and dark cording, lighter shells with light cording, then a mix of the two. There are earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. She picks up a necklace with the lighter variety of cowry shells and examines it. She actually moves towards the salesman to buy it.
"How about I get that for you?" I offer.
"Um..." she says stopping in her tracks smiling, a little lost in expression. "You want to buy me jewelry?"
"Just think of it as a souvenir, a gift from one friend to another," I shrug it off nonchalantly.
"Alright," she nods her assent. I pay for the necklace. I take it and tie it on her. She feels the smooth shells with her fingers and smiles up at me.
"Thank you," she says sweetly.
I grin in response.
We start walking again and I put my hand on her back once more.
"So what souvenir do you want?" she asks me.
I laugh in surprise. I really didn't think this whole thing through.
"I don't need anything," I insist.
"You don't want a souvenir?" she asks surprised. I shrug in response. "How about a shirt... or a bracelet? Would you wear one?"
"Let's not count gifts," I tell her.
"Alright. But I'm still getting you something," she says.
"Okay," I give in. 
We look through another shop. She inquires if I want a shirt but I wave it away. "What size are you anyway?" she asks.
"2XL," I reply.
"The same as my dad," she tells me. "I thought so."
I grin. I hadn't even thought much about her family... or anything like that until just now. I think I would like to meet them someday, though.
"What size shoes?" she asks.
"13 in American sizes," I respond.
"The same," she nods.
"How about you?" I question.
"I'm a medium. Wait... no, probably a small now," she says pulling at her shirt. It is a little loose. "I wear a 10 in shoes—biggest size you can find in the stores. I'm glad I don't have to order them. I bet my grandma had to have hers custom made when she was still alive."
"Why did you say now?" I question.
"I lost a lot of weight last year when I was sick. I guess I'm still trying to put it back on," she explains.
"What happened?" I question as we stroll through the streets. I'm actually really concerned about her health.
"I was in the hospital. I lost a lot of weight," she shrugs dismissively. "What about a bracelet? These are pretty masculine."
I notice what she's grabbed, drawing my attention away from the other conversation. It is nice and I'd definitely wear it. She's insisting on giving me something and it's not too pricey. "Alright," I nod. She ties it to my wrist. It's a black leather band with a couple grey beads and some intricate knots. I actually do like it. She pays for it. She's smiling when she comes back.
"Thank you," I say reaching out and wrapping my arms around to hug her.
"You're welcome," she laughs hugging me back. I rest my chin on her head and sigh. This is nice.
I decide to fish out the bracelet from earlier and tie it onto her wrist. "Thank you," she whispers in awe.
"We're not keeping track, right?" I confirm.
"Okay," she chuckles and accepts the other gift.
We walk side by side and I see her fiddling with the new bracelet. She looks back at me a few times and smiles as we continue on down the road. When we end up near a residential area, we turn down another street and make our way back to the hotel.
"You want to go swimming before dinner?" she asks.
"Sure," I agree.
We arrive at the front of the hotel to a handful of people from our group exiting out of the door with towels in hand.
"Where are you guys going?" Megan inquires.
"We're going swimming at the cliffs past the church," Izaak replies.
"Do you mind if we join you?" I question.
"The more the merrier," Gale replies smiling at me. She looks to Megan and winks. "We'll meet you there?"
"Sure," Megan nods. "We'll be maybe five minutes behind you."
"Alright, see you soon," one of the others waves—Efrem, I think.
She laughs and rushes to her room.  I follow matching her steps and I unlock my door.  I get changed and grab a towel.  I slip my shoes back on and a shirt.  I step out to see her leaning up against the wall waiting for me. 
"Crikey, you're fast," I comment surprised as I lock up. 
She giggles in response and we walk toward the cliff.  We get there quickly, striding more speedily than earlier.  As we climb up, we arrive as everyone is taking off their shoes.  They all comment about our prompt arrival.  Megan explains that we were up here before.  I realize a few of them brought thongs so that's probably the problem there—that type of footwear isn't conducive to climbing. Gale grasps my attention and wants me to take a picture with Megan.  I happily oblige.  After that, Izaak is the first to attempt the jump.  We all watch while Gale makes a video of him.  He jumps and screams the whole way down.  He splashes below as he hits the water and resurfaces laughing.  He waves us all down to join him. 
Megan is giggling beside me.  "Reminds me of Uriah," she mumbles.  I'm thinking she means the book version, of which I actually only read the first one—half of the second.  He was pretty goofy, though.  I smile at her when she meets my eyes. 
"You up for it?" I ask. 
"Just a minute," she says taking off her shirt and shorts.  She has the same modest bathers on as yesterday.  I notice that the others aren't quite as modest as hers but Gale is still wearing her shirt over her swimsuit. 
I find out where Izaak is when she's ready.  We run and jump together away from him.  The free fall is amazing, the wind whipping around us.  Megan has her arms spread out and a serene expression on her face.  We crash into the water's surface with a jolt and I'm swimming, trying to resurface.  Megan is beside me pushing her hair out of her face.  She laughs and smiles at me.  A wave of desire rushes over me and I wish she was more over her ex than she is.  If she was, I would probably kiss her.  I shake the thought out of my head and enjoy our time together.  Efrem is next down, then Niveah and Valentina.  I look over to the stairs to see it actually comes to the water.  I see there's a small cove and I motion to Megan to join me.  We swim over there and I climb up on a small area of beach surrounded by rock.  I take her hand and help her out of the water.  She giggles and it echoes.  I'm surprised nobody has followed us over.  It's beautiful here.  I look to Megan and realize we're still holding hands but she's distracted by our surroundings.  I look at her the same way she views this cave—in awe.  She meets my eyes and I smile.  She does the same.  We step in further and she releases my hand.  I watch as she touches the water-hewn walls to the cove. 
"It's impressive," she says softly. 
"Yeah," I agree. 
"You want to go back?" she asks. 
I almost want to tell her no, that I want more time alone with her.  "Whatever you want," I reply gently. 
She smiles at me and steps back into the water.  I follow her out, swimming toward everyone else.
"Where'd you guys go?" Valentina asks. 
"Jai found a cove over there," Megan replies. 
"No way!" "That's so cool!" everyone responds consecutively. 
"You can check it out if you want," she offers. 
Everyone does and we're left alone treading water.  We talk a bit and laugh, taking turns telling jokes and anecdotes.  Megan grows tired and I offer for her to hold onto me.  She rests with her arms wrapped around me—piggy back style—as I tread water for the both of us.  I sigh at the feeling of her arms around my chest.  I feel her head rest beside mine and I close my eyes.  I've never felt like this for anyone before.  She's just so sweet, and decent... and innocent. 
I can hear the rest of the group talking about coming back.  "Are you tired.  We could go over there and rest?" Megan offers, slowly releasing me and treading water once more. 
"I'm good unless you want to go back," I tell her. 
"I'm okay," she tells me. 
"Let me know if you do get too tired.  I can swim us both over there," I offer. 
"Okay," she whispers. 
When everyone rejoins us, we talk and joke and mess around in the water.  Everyone eventually tires and we climb up the metal ladder.  It's surprisingly strong and sturdy.  Megan and I are last up.  I follow behind her.  We climb the tall cliff quickly and dry off before throwing our duds on and heading back to the hotel.  We bathe and change for dinner.  I step out of my room and knock on Megan's door.  There's no answer.  I walk down to the cafeteria to see her sitting with Gale.  They're talking quietly.  I sit down nearby. 
Megan notices me and smiles.  I find it incredibly surprising that she finishes before me.  Most sheilas I've ever known take an eternity in the bathroom to get ready.  I like that—like my mum says—she's not up herself.  She's not really a makeup wearing girl.  She's simple and plain and beautiful and kind... just wonderful in every way and I adore that about her. 
Everyone arrives and Pastor Ben prays.  I actually am finding that incredibly nice—he's thankful for those who prepared the food and that we're all gathered together.  It's different from what I'm used to—the society that I'm in most days.  Everyone is grasping at whatever they can and doing underhanded things, despicable things at times.  It's just a breath of fresh air to be around those who are truly thankful. 
We get in line and Megan is beside me.  Ben tells us there are beef patties but they look like fried meat pies.  There are cooked vegetables, something that looks like mashed potatoes, some sort of sliced bread, and what I'm told is a sweet potato pudding but it's sliced like a pie.  I take my plate and join Megan at a table.  We're sitting with the married couples this time.  I remember Alvin was the one that said he overdid it on the hot sauce the first meal.  Megan introduces me to his wife Aquila, then Luis and Angela.  They seem decent and more relaxed than the single youth. 
I enjoy the meal and conversation but mostly I just enjoy being close to Megan.  She briefly speaks with Pastor Ben quietly.  I overhear him recommending to block Spencer from calling her if he keeps up the same behavior.  I agree but keep my opinion to myself. 
After the meal, Megan informs me that she volunteered to do the dishes.  I offer to help and she accepts.  We wash dishes together joking around, laughing and smiling.  We join the group at the beach once more and there are gratefully no interruptions this time.  I walk her back to her room.  We arrive at her door and I'm about to say goodnight when her phone buzzes.  I offer to be there for her.  She sighs and accepts, opening her door and answering the phone.