The Perfect Days in Life

Unforgetable Moments

In... out. I took in a breath of the cool ocean air as we waited for the guides to come back with our flippers. I cant believe we were in Zante waiting to swim with gigantic turtles. Avory is just as excited. I could feel his hand shaking in mine.
"Ready?" A voice asks from behind us. The instructor is back.
"So ready," Lily says. I am surprised at how excited she is. She has been swimming with sea lions before. Eeli has too. They went together back when they went to Mexico.
The guide leads us to a boat tied to the dock. Avory gets in first and reaches out his hand for me. I take it, stepping into the boat carefully as not to rock it. Lily and Eeli follow.
"I'm Jonathan," the guide says, shaking our hands one by one. "The ride will just be an hour or so. Then we can swim." Lily lets out an eep. Jonathan smiles at her excitement. He has obviously done this more than once.
We sit down on a bench at the front of the boat. I know the sea spray will hot us here. I don't mind. It will make the experience better.
Jonathan unhooked the rope from the dock and sits down in the captains seat. He starts the boat. I feel the rumbling beneath me, watch my legs wobble.
The boat surges forward. The water turns white and splashes up in my face. I giggle. Avory looks at me, happy I'm happy.
"I can't wait," I yell over the waves.
"I know," he yells back.
Lily looks over at me. She seems to be enjoying the ride but she looks a little sick. I remember all the cars rides I've ever been on with her. All the times she's been carsick. I feel bad for her. I know it won't be nearly as enjoyable if she's sick. Eeli's holding her hand. I grasp Avory's harder. Her turns around to me and kisses me, his lips salty from the sea spray.
When he pulls back everything seems colder. I realize my cheeks were bright red. I run my hand over them. He smiles.
Finally the boat stops. Jonathan hands us our flippers and we pull them on. I pull of my now soaking shirt and hang it over the rail. Hopefully it will dry while we're swimming. Lily does the same. Eeli leaves his on. So does Avory. I guess they don't want to show the turtles their bellies. I laugh. Avory gives me a confused look. I look over at Lily. She realizes what in thinking and laughs too. The boys are shirtless around us all the time, but when they're swimming the shirts stay on. I laugh even harder. Eeli looks at Lily. She whispers into his ear. He smile and nodds at Avory as if to say "it's a girl thing". I look at Lily and roll my eyes. She does the same.
"Ok. Everything's ready. You can get in the water," Jonathan says, breaking up our laughing fit.
I look at the water a few feet beneath the surface, swims a turtle. His shell is beautiful. I watch him for a few minutes. When I look up again the others are already in the water. I slip in after them, pulling my goggles and snorkel over my face. Lily looks at me and giggles. I giggle too. She looks hilarious. I probably do too. Finally Jonathan slides in. His movements are graceful and precise. Again I realize he has been doing this for a long time.
Slowly he guides us through what must be a routine. The turtles seem to be used to it. They swim up to us, let us touch them. I even get to touch a young one. We see coral too. And smaller fish. Overall it's a wonderful experience. I know I won't forget it anytime soon. When we're back on the boat, Avory grabs my hand again.
"Did you like it?" he asks me.
"Of course," I reply.
"Me too," he says. My eyes feel heavy. I lean back on his chest, closing my eyes.
"You're cute when your tired," I hear Avory say. And then I drift off to sleep.