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The walk to the beach was quite the haul with heavy rope woven bags rhythmically bumping against my side. The foliage thins from low shrubbery of secondary dunes to the large networks of sandwort and spinifex grasses littering the primary dunes. Filing behind everyone, the view opens up to brilliant blues of sparkling glimmers of the sun beating down onto the waves. The sky remained clear with not a cloud in the sky and the sun remained it's strongest at it's zenith. Luckily I bought sunscreen, slathering thick layers of it over exposed skin due to the recorded high UV index that the weather app had foretold. I scanned the horizon to find that the line where the sky and the sea meet were but a thin line of blue gradients from light to darker, deeper blues.
Towards the left, was a water bridge where further out, a complex metal structure stood out of the deeper waters. The bridge extended from the sand all the way to the deeper end where the metal structure had a tower erect and proud. I set down the rope woven bags with the camp group's main area where everyone had already made conversation with each other. Since I was on the shyer side, I stuck to the outskirts of group discussions and simply watched the competitive rally of volleyball, unconscious of how my head bobbed side to side with every pass of the ball over the net. The discussions soon faded out until I felt the lightly tap on my shoulder. I turn around and it's a group of girls, pointing to the sea bridge with an inviting wave. "Wanna join us?"
Now who was I to decline to that of a welcoming invitation. I quickly got up, wiping all sand remnants from my behind, patting the clothing down, and dawdled along behind the group. Despite the initial welcome, I made no move to introduce myself, a little too nervous to try to integrate myself into the already-existing dynamic. My palms began to grow clammy and I found myself clutching onto an aged, well-loved dolphin plushie in my hand (the plushie was about the size of my palm, despite it being bigger than my hands when I first got it). As the group made their way ahead, I dragged behind on the sand approaching the sea bridge. The sea bridge was flexible, moving with the waves as the water crashed onto shore and receded with the conservation of momentum. One step onto the flexible 'floor' and I wobbled a bit, waving for the group to go ahead without me as they collectively turned back. I gave them an awkward smile as I rectified my posture, holding onto the railing thankfully provided on the structure. The group of girls disappeared farther ahead as I'm left alone with the company of my thoughts.
The walkable bridge allowed water to flood the 'flooring' as the waves lapped at the built structure, tickling the back of my ankles at every unsteady step. Eventually I found my rhythm with the waves, legs adjusting to nature's motions, and I continued forth with greater confidence. I held up the small plushie around as if it were another companion to take for sight-seeing. To my surprise, a ray brushed up against the side of the sea bridge with a raising flap before dipping below the surface. A smile passed my lips as I slowly, but surely, made my way to the complex metal structure. Overhead, the sun continued to beat down, though the wind made the heat bearable. It was for a while I walked until I reached a solid platform, presumably of sandstone reinforced with a calcium binder. The platform seemed rather well-preserved for the erosion bound to happen on the concrete-like material, especially with salt water permeability in porous substrates. A gate was installed, preventing further travel. Seemingly deserted at first, I approached the glass shield of the booth. A worker suddenly popped into view.
"Ticket for one?" The worker inquired, trying to peer beyond my lonesome figure, though their eyes did drop down onto my plushie in my hand then at me with a warm smile.
Startled by this, I could only respond with a pathetic, "uh, yeah...", having not prepared myself for a human interaction.
"I just need you to sign a waiver that doesn't hold the owner of this establishment responsible for any injuries or damages whilst your time here with us." The staff continued cheerily.
With a hesitant hand, I reached over to the pen and signed the waiver, seeing no visible risks involved in furthering the venture up the strange metal structure. The paper was simple, highlighting a few clauses written in both legal jargon and simple terms, much to my relief, and I put the pen to the paper for the staff to collect the waiver, slide a fluorescent band onto my wrist and let me through the gate, though strangely it seemed to be free of charge despite all the legal requirements upon entry up the tower.
Farther along were metal platforms extending higher and higher at the smallest bumps of elevation. I took my time taking one step at a time up on each elevated platform. Glass panes were installed for viewing and as barriers against falling as the elevation climbed. Peering past the glass, the sparse glitter below were telling of schools and shoals of fish, dancing and dispersing at every disturbance as rays flocked the vicinity for a feed. Bigger fish were seen with colourful splashes of yellows, reds, and even greens dotting their scales and fins. The rays themselves were majestic, cutting through the water with ease and gliding with unmatched grace as their wings propelled their streamlined body forward. The climb up to the tower had slowed even more, taking in the sight of natural wonder below. The progression towards the tower was near, indicative of the overhead shelter of corrugated metal sheets with orange rust bleeding down the sides of the metal support.
I reached an area that became more enclosed, this was when I heard the chatter of others, both a mix of friend groups and lone voyagers in lines leading to the very top of the tower. Underway was red plastic bristle-like textures as flooring. I read the posters plastered up on the walls of safety regarding the now-noticed attraction, that the tower was a jumping platform with a harness, a suspended swing above the water, or a diving platform. Four separate lines snaked outwards to respective sides of where the thrill seeking encounters were. I chose a random line, not minding which activity I chose. It seemed people repeatedly came back up, judging from the mixed dampness of everyone in the enclosed space. The previous group of girls were also there, however in a different line, one girl in particular waved at me and I shyly waved back. When the group were ushered to move up the line, I lost sight of them and stayed in the lane I had chosen. I waited for some time, finding that the chosen line moved at inconsistent speeds, sometimes at a snail's pace at a time and other times there was great progress. After two big steps, I nearly collided into the person in front of me. They turned around with an apologetic smile, asking me if I was alright. Embarrassed, I nod, eyes more trained around their bosom where a Jjoongrami was strapped to their chest. The recognition in my features must've been prominent since they started petting the plushie and recounted their favourite episode of the ANITEEZ animated series. I for one, shamefully did not listen to them entirely, zoning off as the line continued to form behind me.
Closer to the top of the line, I found out I unknowingly signed up for the diving platform, the line now snaking away in solidarity into another side to face the side of the tower. Safety staff stood to the side as they monitored and coordinated below when to send people down. By the time it was my turn, I remembered to tuck my emotional support dolphin stuffie into the void space of my chest area of the swimsuit. I readied myself and took the plummet, breaking the water's surface tension with my pointed toes, followed by my legs then the rush of water past my head as I submerged below the water line. Below were colourful arrays of fish, more beautiful now I was in their world now. I reached out for one and they swam past my finger, their fins tickling the sensitive underside of my finger. The moment was cut short, even if it lasted for a few seconds at most, the seconds dragged on with each enchanting sensation.
The burn of hypoxia pulled me away, body rising from the water with the urgency to breathe catching on. I surfaced slowly, letting my body adjust to the changing pressure until my head broke the surface with a desperate gasp. I blinked away the salt burning my eyes as the winds whipped up causing my eyes to dry up faster. Blinking away rehydration tears, I was met with the sight of the same group of girls gathered at an adjacent metal platform, one of them in particular leaned against the railing and smiled directly at me. I felt a weird feeling of being watched and seen at the same time. The other girls of the group seemed to look past me, less concentrated on me but rather the expanse of the water. This particular girl started right at me, seeing something that maybe I have not seen before. I swam over to the exiting platform, water dripping from my swimsuit and plastering it to my skin uncomfortable as I squinted at the sensation. The girl looked away as I exited, probably interested in something else by how the group of friends were already chatting and walking away. I thought nothing of it, climbing the tower of activities again until I've had my share of fun.
- - -
The accommodation was pretty decent. It exceeded everyone's expectations since society camps were known to cut back on packages when it came to housing and tour activities. I had set my stuff down at the foot of my bed and laid down sprawled across the bigger-than-anticipated bed. The accommodation park had various types of rooms, ranging from scenic apartments, to lodges, and cabins. If it was part of the package deal to rent out the apartment suites, the head of the society didn't make it known, shooing everyone out once the roommates have been announced. I found my roommates to be a friendly bunch, three to four people in one apartment unit. My roomies apparently were already acquainted, much to the awkwardness stifling the air. An attempt to break the ice was made but it made my face burn even brighter with embarrassment and anxiety when it remained awkward after a brief conversation on course requirements. I made the bed how I liked it and I sat on my phone to scroll through the copious amount of content just waiting to be discovered.
The door was left open and a gaggle of girls walked by, even a mix of boys and girls made their way around. I only looked up from my phone when I heard a knock resonate from the timber door. It was her — the girl that stared at me from a few days ago at the beach. I only interacted with her a few times afterwards during the stay at the holiday park, from dining hall to the recreational hall of games night where I have passed by her a few times to recognise her face and figure but forgetting her name. She always appeared to be carefree around her clique, smiling so brightly and youthfully that even the disillusionment in me couldn't even manifest around her sometimes, maybe she was only a few years younger with how she talked and acted, maybe she was free-spirited, despite all that, I couldn't think of a reason why she would be here at the door. I peered at the roomies who were still conversing, looking up at her before returning to their conversations. I must've appeared quite puzzled at her appearance since she stepped closer to my bed for the past few nights.
"I think you're cute."
Silence.
What? In my head, questions ran from one side to the other side like a rolling transition of words across the screen.
"Maybe we could go out some time." She forwardly commented, though it seemed less like a suggestion and more like a promise.
I still stared at her, eyes wide from confusion leaning towards shock. It must've been amusing to her for she sat down on my bed and shuffled closer. I unconsciously pulled back, because the thoughts in my head were scrambled, my lips locked with how absurd it all seemed. She only seemed more amused, eyes sparkling. Was this some elaborate prank?
"I like you."
My brain was scrambling to pick up at any discernible thought since it continued to fuzz on like the 'lost signal' static accompanied by a mind wiped of cohesion not dissimilar to the blue screen of digital displays. I didn't think it was possible to even earn an ounce of affection outside of slow friendships and blood ties with family. I wasn't certainly prepared for the soft hands that somehow found their way on mine, how she ran a finger across my knuckle, and how she pulled me in towards her. I couldn't catch up, face already in front of hers but what was even more shocking were the softest sensations on my lips, like rose petals falling daintily against my skin and how she pulled away with the same pink blush a rose would have at it blossomed. My chest stopped for a moment, air leaving my lungs, and the lightheaded feeling returned as if I was floating underwater by how overwhelmed I was with the pressure of confusion weighing down on me.
"Will you go out with me?" She asked, though it now felt more like she stole my breath away that I felt the need to retrieve it from her.
I vaguely nodded to her, too dazed to respond verbally. Even as she left the room with a skip in her steps, I heard the suppressed giggles from beside me. I had completely forgotten about my two roomies who smiled at me when I blinked blankly at them, even receiving a thumbs up from them.
- - -
It wasn't until after the camp did I realise she was quite serious with the dates, she took me to cafes, hung around when I had to run errands, even offered to study with me, and all I ever did was nod, still too dazed at how or why someone would voluntarily choose me of all people out there. I lacked charm nor wit to swoon. Where there were positives, I easily pointed out negatives without missing a beat. I was rather lacking in tact, unable to discern sarcasm from genuity to the point of missing social cues and 'inside-jokes'. Nevertheless, she continued to drag me along, hand normally held in mine and I was always quick to entwine my fingers with hers.
She was, and always will be, my dream girl. <3