Secrets at Sea

Chapter 6

We watch as the dock disappears slowly, shrinks in the distance, and the city line melts into the waves of the Pacific. I had been waiting three months for that view and it was just as perfect as I expected. I worked the last semester on campus so I could save up enough money to cover all the costs of travel aside from the cruise and plane tickets. My dads were kind enough to cover those two, but I asked for only one other present so they wouldn't feel obligated to get me anything else. I asked that they each, separately, bring me on the next out of country research trip. It's perfect for some daddy-daughter bonding time! My dad, Roger, went on a trip to Germany last month and I was super jealous that I couldn't go along with him. If only I didn't have finals to worry about, then I would have totally been there! My other dad, Chester, rarely goes on out of country excursions, but when he does he goes to amazing places like Thailand or the Philippines. They both seemed thrilled by the idea and said they'd let their work know to add a plus one onto any future travel plans. I'm just hoping that this little trip helps me prepare myself for how different the world is outside of my little college bubble.

The sun shines brightly down on the deck of The Duchess and it's making me regret not putting sunscreen on after the meeting in the EC. I put on my sunglasses that I left perched on my head; I only knew they were there because Mason pointed them out while I was leaning over the railing trying to see the crew unhook the ship from the dock.

"You're going to burn soon." Mason teases and I stick my tongue out at him.

"I know. You don't need to rub it in." I put on my jacket that I had tied around my waist. I'm already sweating and the jacket makes me ten times hotter, but I'd rather overheat a little bit than be the color of a lobster by the second day on the ship.

"It's too bad you weren't blessed with skin like mine," Mason sighs and flips his imaginary long hair. "Then you might tan and rarely burn."

"You burn pretty easily AND regularly if I recall." I look up at him and he looks at me appalled.

"I do not! Your memory must be failing you from all the tragic burns your pale skin has had to endure. You must have fried your brain a little bit with all the times you were sunscreen-free and out in the sun." Mason leads closer and stares at my face; he pokes my cheek and his eyes get really big. "You're already turning red!" He exclaims and starts laughing. I put my hands over my cheeks and I can feel that they are already hot.

"I'm just really hot from the sweater!" I quickly say and pray that I'm right. Mason grabs my arm and pulls me away from the railing.

"Come on, let's get you out of the sun Little Miss Lobster." He jokes and I stick my tongue out at him again. I let him drag me under the shade of one of the corridors before I wiggle my way out of his grip.

"What's with everyone dragging me around today?" I ask lightheartedly. I take off the hair band that has permanent residence on my left wrist and tie up my shoulder length hair into a mini ponytail.

"Well you're just so small and easy to carry around. It's just faster to move you myself than wait for you to stop being stubborn." He smiles at me and starts walking down the corridor.

The ocean breeze is a lot stronger out in the middle of the ocean, and the open railing facing the ocean makes the corridor a perfect tunnel for the strong gusts to quickly travel down it. Without the heat from the direct sunlight I'm starting to cool down a bit. Thank you past self for putting on the jacket. I think to myself as I follow him down the corridor.

I start jogging to catch up with him. "Where are you going?" I ask.

"Back to the room so you can put on sunscreen." He states.