Fish and I end up buying food from the cafe and have lunch in one of the deep sea alcoves, away from curious onlookers.
Ever since he'd saved that little kid from drowning, a hoard of reporters had come sprinting by, trying to figure out who the mystery guy was that had jumped into the tank. Which wasn't surprising at all. Fish was a genuine hero, he'd done what no one else had been willing to do.
I just wish I knew what he was thinking.
"I seriously hope you like turkey sandwiches," I tell him instead, as I open a brown paper bag and pull out a plastic-wrapped sandwich. "It's all I could afford. Your boy's broke until next week."
Fish examines the turkey sandwich tentatively, pokes the thick layer of plastic wrap covering it, and then raises it to his mouth, his eyes trained on me the entire time, as if seeking my approval.
"No!" Before he can take a bite, I yell and grab the sandwich from him. "You have to unwrap it first!" I sigh and then start peeling back the plastic. "You're not from around here, are you?" I ask him, "That's why you can't talk and why you don't know what plastic wrap is."
Fish tucks his knees cup close and watches me silently, his lips sealed.
"Here," I hold the sandwich out to him after a moment and see him hesitate, his hand hovering over mine as if he were afraid of me snatching it from him again.
"Take it," I urge him, and then I push the perfectly cut triangle into his hand. "There's plenty for both of us to share. Plus, they threw in some chips and chocolate chip cookies for dessert, so we should be good. "
Fish takes the sandwich and bites down, his expression lighting up in an instant. Like that turkey sandwich was the best thing he'd ever had in his entire life and no one could convince him otherwise. Amused, I watch him eat for a moment, and then I pick up my half and start in on it, absolutely starving at this point from all the craziness that had happened.
For a while, we sit there in silence under the watery blue lights from the tank, silver fish passing by the window in the wall. Twin silhouettes who were brought together under strange circumstances. And everything's okay at that moment.
I didn't have to fumble through a conversation with Fish, which was amazing.
I especially didn't have to tell him about my obsession with Bath and Body Works candles or the fact that I danced to Whitney Houston in my room when nobody was looking.
But I tell him anyway.
"My favorite scent's actually this one candle called Peach Fuzz because it smells like peaches and cream, which is my favorite scent in the world."
"Sometimes I dance to I Wanna Dance with Somebody and put on some of my mom's eyeliner."
"Oh, and this might be TMI, but I'm really gay for Conan Gray. "
The whole time I'm talking, I don't even realize what I've said until it's out. Then Fish turns to me from where he had been staring into the tank the whole time, and we meet eyes across the distance, his hands still pressed to the glass.
And I swear, it's like I was coming out all over again. Like I was walking on eggshells with everyone, afraid of how they would react and what they would say. Only it was just Fish this time, who says nothing, and does nothing but stare at me with that intense gaze.
"I—I should probably go..." I mutter, and then I start gathering my things and shoving them into my backpack. "I'm sorry, I talk too much. My mom's always telling me to breathe. "
I zip up my backpack and slide out of the window seat, standing up.
Then Fish stands with me, and he takes my hand. He's still holding onto the marker that I had given him earlier, and he uncaps it, then lowers it to my palm.
I watch him draw an image of a pineapple in black ink on my pale skin, then the words, "Carter," and, "Fish," before he closes his hand around my fingers, shutting them.
"Pineapple?" I whisper, and Fish smiles at me. "Fruit? Are you calling me a fruit? "
Fish stops smiling.
"Are you trying to tell me that you're fruity like me?" I try, and my panic slides away, "Fish, are you gay?"
Comments (15)
See all