Did she just take a picture of me?
Close up, she's a vision. Fair skin warmed by a golden undertone. White-blonde hair and clear blue eyes that shimmer in the sun. A light dusting of sand clings to her like glitter, catching the light. She's... bright. I glance at the lifeguard stand and see that another guard has replaced her.
“Where’s your friend?” she asks.
“Who? Mark?”
“He’s been drinking.” Hands on her hips, her face is serious, as if she’s scolding a child. This is going to be fun. I sit up.
She spots the tumbler. Picks it up and sniffs.
“Vodka.” She pours what’s left of the liquid onto the sand, closes the lid, then puts it back in its place.
“Alcohol is prohibited on the beach.”
“Sure.” Smiling, I try to look innocent. Which I kind of am. “I’ll make sure he knows. Anything else I need to tell him?”
She sits down beside me and stares at the sand, then bites down on her lip. Curious now, I watch as she looks up, then down, then back to me.
“You’re Nathan Carter.”
“That’s me.” Now I’mreallycurious.
“Hi.” She stares and waits.
“Hi?”
“I’m nervous.”
I try to stop myself from smiling. And I’m dying to know what she’s going to say. “Don’t be. Just spit it out.”
“I need a student mentor.” She pauses again, then clears her throat and sits up straighter. “I’m majoring in marine biology.”
“Oh yeah? We have something in common. My mother is a marine biologist. Both my parents were,” I say. I think of my mom and my little sister, Mads. A pang of guilt hits me. I’m here, focusing on my future, while they’re home alone. But Mads is sixteen now, and Mom had insisted.
Her mouth curves, the tension draining from her face, replaced by a cautious openness that hadn’t been there before.
Who is this girl anyway?
“I’m curious—why are you asking me to mentor you? Have we met?” I know we haven’t. How could I forget if we had?
“No… I’ve heard you’re the smartest, the best—I want to learn from the best.”
My mind goes blank. I’m clueless about what to say. Is she really asking me to mentor her? Because I have zero time for that.
“Will you teach me? I won’t disappoint you. I’m the hardest worker you’ll find.”
“Hmmm.” I’m so intrigued, I almost say yes.
But I’m going to have a little fun with her first. “Before I commit, I have to know you’re a serious student.” I give her a firm stare. I’m struck by her eyes. They’re unnerving. Like mirrors.
“Can you explain diel vertical migration?”
She nods enthusiastically, and I can tell she’s about to spill out all the textbook knowledge she’s sure to have on the subject. I raise my hand. “Wait a sec. Teach me like I’m a little boy with no knowledge of marine biology.”
Rose-colored plumes flow up her neck.
Got her.
