Short, Blond and Cute

Green Eyes P4

The day before

Chrissy listened intently to the aquarium worker as they gave an overview of the facilities. Around her the rest of the class was already losing interest, whispering about the latest movie and browsing their social media.

"Alright, we have about four hours," the teacher announced, trying to recapture the attention of the class. "After that we'll hit the streets for dinner, and then back on the bus!" before he had even finished talking, the class had begun to wonder off, complaining about how long they would be stuck looking at fish.

Chrissy slipped up to the front to grab a map of the aquarium, her eyes moving fast over it, noting all the things she was most looking forward to. Taking a pen she circled a few items, including a shark feeding in a few hours and a jellyfish presentation.

"Mapping out a game plan?" a voice asked nearby.

Chrissy looked up to find one of Jen's classmates, he was the only one still hanging about. "I want to make sure I don't miss anything." She said, tucking away her map and walking away. The goal was to avoid contact with everyone at all costs!

"Yeah?" he asked, talking up step beside her, "You like aquatic life?"

"I love marine life!" Chrissy gushed without meaning to, "Ever since I visited my uncle in Nova Scotia a few years ago, I've been obsessed! I've been dying to come here since it opened! Jellyfish are my absolute favourite- did you know they have a jelly here that has the ability to age backwards!?" she stopped walking and glanced up at him; he looked back at her with a peculiar expression. Realizing that she had shared more then she intended, Chrissy ducked her head and quickened her pace.

"Your names Jen, right?"

Chrissy turned to find that he had remained where they stopped, she nodded mutely, not trusting her voice to sell the lie.

He smiled, "I'm Hudson, you know I've never really considered marine life before. Did you say jellyfish can age backwards?" he joined her again and Chrissy found herself stunned into silence as she really looked at him for the first time.

He was tall, at least two feet taller than her, with a smile she knew she would not be able to forget easily. Why was he talking to her?

"Um yeah," she managed, knowing her face would soon begin burning with a deep blush, "well, not all jellyfish can do that. But um, it's called a 'life cycle reversal', they can make their cells revert back to a younger life stage. They do it when in danger or under stress." She glanced up at him nervously.

He grinned, "Can you imagine if humans did that? We'd never get past grade nine!"

Chrissy smiled with him, butterflies stirring up a storm inside her. She went on, explaining more about the life cycle reversal, astonished and delighted to find that he was interested. Before they knew it, they had entered one of the aquariums shark tunnels, and their conversation was deserted when a tiger shark swam above them.

They lingered as long as the crowds allowed them to, pointing out sea turtles and snapping selfies with the sharks as they passed by.

After that they explored the Rainbow Reef tank, stared in awe at the Kelp Forest and dared each other to experience the sting of an electric eel. All the while they talked nonstop, by the time they made it to the stingrays, Chrissy had sworn up and down that a certain TV show was worth watching and Hudson had told enough fish puns to make a seasoned dad cry, but Chrissy had laughed at each one. A hush came over her though when they reached the Jellyfish tank.

The room was dark, while the Jellyfish tank was illuminated with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing lights, and the jellies themselves floated about like performing a dream inspired ballet. Despite the crush of people, Chrissy was entranced and stood before the tank, eyes wide and arms hanging by her sides.

"Breath taking." Hudson said by her side.

All she could manage was a nod.

The only thing that made her leave the tank was the threat that she wouldn't have time to look through the gift shop before their time was up.

As it was, Chrissy hadn't brought enough money to buy any of the giftshop souvenirs, and she walked away from the keychains with a wistful sigh.

She and Hudson were the last of the class to leave the aquarium, and they trailed behind the others as they walked to a restaurant for dinner, their high-spirited conversation drawing curious glances and even envious glares. It became clear to Chrissy when they sat down in the restaurant patio that Hudson was a popular guy; the moment he chose a table, every chair was claimed. Chrissy shrank back form the conversation as Hudson's classmates clamored for his attention, the butterflies in her stomach gave over to a sick twisting when she realized she had completely failed at keeping to herself for the day. She sipped her water and thought back in astonishment over how much she had talked, Hudson was probably happy to have a break from her!

But when the waiter came Hudson pushed his chair back slightly and angled himself towards Chrissy, subtly turning away from the larger conversation. He studied her face for a moment, giving Chrissy a chance to do the same with him.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

Two days later and the memory of his eyes on her as he waited for her reply made Chrissy blush. But the memory gave her no courage as she stood before his house, shaking in her shoes. A real rager of a party seemed to be underway inside, and Chrissy's resolve to see him again slipped away.