Riptide

Chapter 1

Life asked Death, "Why do people love me and hate you?" Death replied, "Because you are a beautiful lie and I'm a painful Truth."

The sea. How could I possibly try to describe something so vast, so majestic? How can I compress something so simultaneously simple and complex into mere words? Maybe I'm just exaggerating. I have been known to do that. Truth be told, I had never given the ocean a second thought before it happened. It was just something I passed on my way to school. I would go there on the weekends with my friends, stick my toes in, but I never really thought about the force behind the waves that crashed onto the shore like rhythmic heartbeats. I had never stopped to ponder what secrets might be hiding under that pristine, blue water, just waiting to drift to the surface. And it did drift to the surface, one night; the night I died and was born again.

    "Are you sure that I look okay?" I asked my best friend, Bethany, as we approached the fancy yacht. The sun was nearly set over the water and the party boat was already alive with flashing lights and booming music. Beth grabbed my wrist and pulled me along as she ran down the dock.

    "Yes, Ellie. You look great. Come on, they're gonna take off any second." she assured me irritably. I stumbled, nearly losing one of my sandals.

    "Hey, its not my fault that we're late. You were the one that insisted on curling your hair." I reminded her. She rolled her eyes but continued to drag me along. When we finally reached the yacht, we showed a scowling bouncer our invitations. Every year at the end of summer vacation, Jacob Owens, the mayor's son and my fellow schoolmate, threw an end of summer party on his family's yacht. Usually, someone like me, a shy book nerd, would never be invited to this party.

    Bethany on the other hand, star athlete and drop dead gorgeous, was invited every year. I had been shocked when Jacob Owens himself called me and personally invited me. At first, I thought that maybe Beth had pulled some strings, but when I questioned her about it, she was as clueless as me.

    So there I was, dressed in a loose, sky blue dress that's crocheted hem brushed against the top of my knees, I was secretly wearing jean shorts underneath. The soft ocean breeze tugged at my thin, white cardigan. My bleached hair was tied into a relaxed french braid, the single turquoise streak twisting with the knot. I wore light, natural makeup and my silver beach-themed charm bracelet. Bethany and I pushed through the dancing bodies on the deck, making our way to the snack bar.

    "Oh my God. Look who's here, Ellie." Bethany slapped my arm, drawing my attention. I scoffed.

    "Beth, everyone from school is here." I told her, following her gaze. I frowned when I saw who she was talking about. "I wonder what Monica Gene is doing at Jacob's party. I thought they broke up after he found out that she cheated on him with his best friend."

    Yep. I am so in the loop with the cliche teenage gossip. Bethany scrunched her nose in distaste and shrugged. "She's been here every year. Bouncer probably just figured she was invited again and let her on."

    An air horn blared, making me jump slightly. Bethany chuckled at my nerves handing me a red solo cup. She twisted open a two liter bottle of Pepsi and poured us both a cup. "Calm down, Ellie. The horn just means that we're taking off. Once we get about a mile or so out, they'll shoot off a couple bottle rockets. A pontoon boat goes back to shore every hour for anyone who wants to leave before the party ends at three."

    "'Kay." I mumbled, taking a sip of the drink.

    "Don't worry. I'll be with you the whole time." she assured me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. My lips quirked up. I was grateful for Bethany. Although I was excited to be at the party, something about it left an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Looking around, I saw football players, cheerleaders, and more people who would always looked right through me at school. Now they were suddenly smiling at me and actually acknowledging my existence. It was super unnerving.