They Call It Magic...

Chapter Five

“Did you know that if you roast a marshmallow too long that it will explode?”

“I do not believe that,” I laughed and shook my head.

For the past half hour, Zander and I had been telling each other the most random facts we could think of and then guessing if they were true or not. We were sitting inside one of those large camping tents on Morrison Beach with our feet buried in the sand. Apparently this was stage one of our date, which Zander had planned a different activity for every single hour of.

“How about this…” I started. “Did you know that almonds are a member of the peach family?”

“True?” I nodded and then he said, “I can actually see that. Did you know… that some frogs can be frozen, thawed and then keep on living?”

“Ew!” I squealed and threw sand at him. Zander then smiled at me and threw some back.

“Okay, I have a really good one now,” I told him. “Did you know that Americans pronounce the word sauté wrong?”

“Now I’ll never be able to stop thinking about that,” Zander laughed. “Did you know that right now there is guy who is sitting on the beach and totally falling for his date?”

I was about to ask what he meant when I realized he was referring to himself.  I could feel myself blushing as I leaned closer and said, “Did you know his date is feeling the same way?”

Zander leaned in closer to me and I thought he was about to kiss me again. But before I knew it, he jumped up, pulled me off the ground and out of the tent with him. My feet slid in the sand as we ran towards and then into the ocean. The water was surprisingly chilly as it slapped against my calves. I had to use my free hand to hold down my dress so it didn’t blow up in the wind.

            “C’mon Val, let go swimming!” Zander called over the waves.

            “No way!” I stopped. “I’m in a dress and…well, I’m in a dress.”

            “A little water never hurt anybody,” he smiled. “C’mon Val, it’ll be fun. Trust me.”

            “Okay,” I nodded.

            I let Zander pull me further out into the water and thanked myself for remembering to put on shorts.  The water played and tugged at my skirt and I couldn’t help but notice how his wet t-shirt clung to his torso. I looked up at Zander for just a moment before he dove under, leaving me behind on the sueface. I lost grip on his hand and all I could see from above was his dark figure gliding around. I waded further into the ocean and now the water was up to my waist. Just then, Zander’s head popped out of the water and he waved at me.

            “Come on,” he called to me.

            I chewed on my lip and glanced down to where my dress was getting pulled around under water. Honestly, I didn’t want to go under and get my hair and makeup messed up. And I also felt uncomfortable with myself for admitting that. I liked perfection and how it made me feel. But I also desperately wanted to swim with Zander. So, without thinking twice, I plugged my nose and dove under.

            The water sent chills up my spine even though it wasn’t really that cold anymore. I struggled to keep my eyes open as I kicked towards where Zander was floating on his back. There was a tiny school of fish swimming ahead of me that instantly scattered when I came their way. Twisting my body around, I kicked up and gasped for air when I broke the surface. I pushed my hair back from my face and saw Zander watching me with a funny smile.