Us, Colliding

CHAPTER EIGHT

Later that day I anxiously make my way back to the beach, Hanu and the others aren't in their usual spot, but I see the faint flicker of a bonfire further down the shore and anxiously make my way over.

It's still warm but the wind has got up, the waves are huge and crash violently into the shore, I can taste the sea-spray on my lips.

Hanu smiles warmly when I arrive and I feel myself relax a little; it took every ounce of self-restraint I have to not cancel last minute. I feel sick and haven't been able to eat without feeling like I might throw up.

Hanu introduces me to Luana who has the longest, thickest hair I have ever seen. Her smile is broad and her eyes are dark but twinkle with mischief, she exudes confidence as she pulls me into a hug and I hang limply, forcing myself to smile and attempting to match her energy but not quite finding myself able to hug this stranger back.

Luana is a straight-A student, she's the captain of the volleyball team and she wants to be a vet "just like your dad, Myra," she explains. I don't tell her that my dad wasn't always as cool as she thinks he is.

I've never met a popular girl who wasn't either a total bitch or kind of ignorant to what was going on around her, but Luana seems warm and friendly.

Then she kisses me.

This girl cups my cheeks in her hands and gives me a peck, right on the lips then about a nana second later she's gone and I just stand there feeling like I've been hit in the face.

"Luana is like the big sister of our group," Hanu grabs a beer from a cool box and holds one out for me to take, "she takes care of everyone," he says, totally oblivious to the uncomfortableness I feel within.

He doesn't comment that she just kissed me.

Kissed me - a stranger.

I've taken the bottle and I hold it in my hands feeling unsure of myself. "Lu is super friendly, a little too friendly sometimes, but you get used to her." Hanu continues.

I nod dumbly.

I can't even imagine what would happen back home if I kissed Kelsey or Paula like that - wait - actually I can. They would freak. They would call me gay and then proceed to never speak to me again. Oasis Springs isn't renowned for its open-mindedness.

"You gonna drink that or just hold onto it?" Hanu gestures towards the beer in my hands.

"Oh uh, yeah, sorry," I say, it's a screw top but I can't open it, the spiky cap digs into my hands.

Hanu takes it from me and opens it without a struggle.

"There you go," he passes it back, "you seem kind of jumpy..." he says.

No shit.

I hate that I'm so obvious, that I can't just be normal.

"I guess I'm just nervous to be out here, with people I don't really know," I state. It's the truth.

"That's understandable," Hanu shrugs, "it's weird meeting people for the first time, especially when they all know each other already."

I nod, taking a sip of my beer, it's cool and refreshing, sweet with a hint of fruit but I can't place what.

Hanu pats the cool box, gesturing for me to sit with him. It's small - the lid of that box and I perch uncomfortably on the side, my leg touching his.

"Well, we're all friends here, you have nothing to worry about," Hanu says, he drapes his arm over my shoulders and I wish he wouldn't but I don't move away because I don't want to look weird.