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The streets of Wolfe Island are fairly busy as I head home, the sun still high in the late afternoon sky. I enter my house and a wave of air conditioning hits me and I sigh, thankful for the chill.
I ponder whether or not I should let my parents know about the near-drowning incident today. I hate keeping things from them, but I know that if I tell them what happened, they might worry, and god knows I do enough worrying for the three of us.
I greet my mother with a smile and tell her that I made a new friend today, leaving out the near-death part. “His name is Ty and he’s a lifeguard. He invited me to a party he’s hosting tonight. Would it be alright for me to go?” I cross my fingers behind my back, hopeful.
She hesitates. “I know you’re not a kid anymore, but I still worry about you. You won’t know anybody at this party?”
“I know Ty.” I blurt out. “He’s really nice, and I’ll keep my phone on me at all times, and-“
Mom interrupts me with a laugh. “Ok, ok! You can go, Ethan. But remember to check in if you end up going somewhere else, alright? Make sure your phone is on, too. And don’t hesitate to call if you need to be picked up.”
I nod, a grin forming on my face. “Thanks Mom!”
I head to my room, changing into khaki shorts and a grey-blue t-shirt. I sit by my window, pulling my sketchbook out of my bag and outlining a sketch. I try drawing Ty from memory, but no matter how hard I try I can’t get anything one hundred percent right….the curve of his lips is lost within my bolded lines, the light in his eyes appears dull and I sigh, knowing I won’t be able to do him artistic justice today.
After giving up on my sketch, I pull out a book and try reading for a while. I’m too excited for the party, and with my leftover and newly developing worries, I find myself unable to focus.
Before I know it, dinner is ready and I wolf it down unintentionally quickly, thanking my mother for the food. I look over my outfit one last time before leaving.
Ty’s house is only a few blocks away from mine, so I make it there in a few minutes. I approach a small white-bricked house, already packed with teenagers. I pause for a moment and take a deep breath.
You’ll be fine.
I don’t bother knocking as I enter, my heart set on finding Ty. I search for him through the crowds of dancing couples and drinking friends. I start to panic as I feel the walls of the house closing in on me. There are too many people…how will I ever find Ty?
Finally, I catch sight of him by the porch door, laughing with a few other guys. I rush to him, “Hey Ty.”
“Ethan!” He beckons me over. “These are my best friends, Henry, Jake and Robert.”
We all mutter greetings, obviously tired out, or in Henry’s case, drunk. Ty excuses himself and asks if I want to get some fresh air with him. I follow him outside, swatting a mosquito away as it flies by my ear. I shudder at the buzzing noise it makes.
“So….” Ty trails off, looking up at the pink and orange hues emanating from the setting sun. “I’m seventeen, going into my senior year in September. How about you?”
“I’m sixteen, going into grade eleven.”
Ty nods, the silence between us only broken by the pulsing music and the laughs and shouts of teens drunk on fun or alcohol.
He looks over at me. “What’s your girlfriend’s name?”
I’m taken aback by the question. I feel my cheeks flush and I stammer. “My wh-wh-what?”
He clears his throat. “Your girlfriend. What’s her name?”
“I, uh, I don’t have a girlfriend.” I bite my lip, my heart rate speeding up again. What if he asks why? What if he thinks I’m weird, what if he’s grossed out? “Why?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “You’re just kinda hot, I guess.” He smiles. “I would’ve guessed you’d be swarmed by the ladies, ha ha.”
I’m shocked by his candidness. Hot? Hot?
“What about you?” I inquire, my breath catching in my chest.
“Nope.” He stretches his arms in front of him, his elbow cracking. I wince. “I’m looking for someone though. I’ve been single for a while. It’s lonely, you know?”
Before I can say anything to embarrass myself, we’re joined by Henry, Jake and Robert. At this point, Henry is slurring his speech and it’s obvious that he needs to stop drinking. Jake and Robert ask Ty about what bedroom to let Henry rest in, and I quietly excuse myself, heading back into the crowded house.
I search the kitchen cupboards until I find a shelf of clean glasses, filling it with cold water at the sink. I almost spit it out when Ty unexpectedly taps my shoulder. “Ethan.”
“Hey.” I nod, willing my heart to slow down.
“I hope that what happened back there wasn’t too awkward for you. I just want to make sure my friends are safe, you know? I’m sorry if you felt uncomfortable or anything.” Ty has to shout to be heard over the music.
“No, no its fine. I think that’s really….great….of you.” I silently curse myself for hesitating. There are dozens of better words to use, too… You’re fine. You’re just nervous. You’re fine.
He leans a hip on the kitchen counter. “So, tomorrow I’m going to lunch with Jake and Robert, and maybe Henry if he’s feeling up to it. It’s at that little diner by the beach, ‘Just Eat’? I was wondering if you’d like to join us.”
“What time?”
“Eleven. What do you think?”
“Sure. Yeah, sounds good.” I offer a tight smile, still worried that I might mess up somehow.
He chuckles. “See you there, Ethan. Don’t be late.” He winks as he walks away.
That was the last I saw of Ty that night.
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