For The Sake of Science

Chapter 12: Marco Polo, And Everything Inbetween

By the time she changed into the pastel pink bathing suit and had her matching towel in hand, she, Veronica, and Mara were racing down the steps to the basement.

"According to Nitro, he liked what he saw last night," Veronica giggled.

"He has good taste too," Mara contributed in voice and sign, nudging her.

"Okay, TMI," Emily sighed. "I have to eat across from him, remember?"

"Emmie, you're one lucky gal." Veronica winked.

Emily didn't acknowledge the information dump she'd unwillingly overheard. "You're both terrible."

She pushed open the double doors. The pool room was humid, and the chlorine stung her eyes. Bright fish cutouts dangled from the ceiling like they'd stepped into a preschool classroom from 2004.

Matt sat on the edge of the pool, chatting with Zeke, who was lazily leaning on a pool noodle. Meanwhile, Piper was playing deaf-friendly Marco Polo with Salem and a few others.

It was just like Deaf summer camp, and Emily lit up. The way Salem's hands moved so fast as he signed M-A-R-C-O, and Piper doubled over in laughter, flicking him with water. The ache in her chest was sudden—and sharp.

"Hey, Emmie!" Zeke waved her over.

"Be there in a sec," she smiled.

"You wanna grab those over there?" Mara asked, gesturing toward a row of cheap white plastic chairs.

Emily nodded and followed, setting down her towel. A wet pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her waist.

"Hey!" she laughed, twisting in Zeke's grip.

Matt called from the edge of the pool, grinning. "Wasn't fast enough, I guess."

"Zeke... don't you dare!" she shrieked as he hoisted her into the air. Her legs kicked wildly.

The water hit cold. Sharp. It shocked the breath out of her.

She resurfaced with a gasp. "Zeke!"

He jumped in after her, splashing Matt—who instinctively jerked his book out of the splash zone.

"We're even," Zeke grinned, pushing wet hair out of his face.

"Yo, her boyfriend's watching. Easy, man," Nitro teased, nodding toward Matt.

Zeke raised his hands, treading water. "Not trying to steal Matt's girl. Just giving her the full institute experience."

Emily gagged. "Ew, Zeke, gross. He's like... my brother."

Zeke blinked. "Damn. Harsh."

She used the moment to splash him in the face.

"She's feisty!" he sputtered, wiping his eyes.

"That's what you get for nearly drowning me. And for assuming I was with Matt."

Across the pool, Salem had caught Lola and ended his turn. He'd been watching. Now, his arms rested on the edge as he drifted closer, half-watching. Half-listening.

His eyes lingered on the way she laughed. Her fingers ran through her wet, blue-streaked hair as she bit her lip, attempting to hide a smile from Zeke. Her cheeks pink and glistening.

She looked alive for the first time in days.

Matt tossed her a towel. "Damn. Middle school me is crushed by your rejection."

Emily reached out as if she were going for the towel, but instead grabbed Matt's wrist. He fell in, reemerging with a broody look on his face.

"Oops." She smiled, "And to answer your last comment, Casey would have my ass if she thought otherwise."

Salem swam closer.

"Damn." He chuckled, then began to voice as he signed. "Remind me never to cross you near a body of water."

"Tell me about it," Matt said. "She nearly drowned me at Cole's eighth birthday with a water gun."

"C-O-L-E?" Salem finger-spelled as he gripped the edge, eyebrow raised.

Emily hesitated.

"Emily's 6'1" football player," Matt said. "Probably halfway through a manhunt looking for her."

Emily rolled her eyes.

"Us." She clarified in both sign and spoken English for all the onlookers. "Cole is also one of his best friends."

Salem raised a brow and looked to Emily for confirmation.

"Emmie has a boy?" Lola sang.

Mara SimCommed from her cozy lounge spot, "You've never mentioned him. You holding out on us?"

Emily opened her mouth. But Salem's dark eyes held her gaze.

"We became close on our trip," she explained finally. Her voice was reluctant-sounding, and her hands moved quickly. "We haven't really defined anything yet. Well, didn't get the chance to."

She glanced toward the far corner of the room, catching her own reflection in the convex mirror above the water fountain.

Everyone else was laughing. Splashing. Normal.

But her arms suddenly felt heavy. Her chest ached. The longing swept in fast, sharp.

The fun around her seemed to blur. She missed his voice, his blue eyes, his stupid laugh that always made her smile. It hit all at once, like surfacing too quickly.

Her throat tightened.

"Em, you okay?" Matt asked, stepping closer.

"Yeah." She turned her head to look at him, "Yeah, I just miss him. Our friends."

Lola leaned her arm on the edge of the pool. "It sucks, and it's not fair. You know?"

Emily nodded.

Piper swam over, giving Emily a side hug. "Your friends sound amazing, and like they care a lot."

Emily nodded, a half smile emerging despite the sadness. She also had great friends surrounding her. People who got it, and still made sure she felt safe.

"Now," Emily sighed, "How about that next round of Marco Polo?"

Salem swam in the opposite direction, turning to tease her in sign. "But don't think we'll be easy on you just because you're sad."

"Oh, it's on."