2- Rooftops

It was almost dawn when Cali and her Mom reached the front porch of their quaint little rented house in York Bay, a beautiful and relaxed neighborhood right near the beach, 45 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD. Marissa went straight to the living room and turned the radio on, Helena Beat was playing and feeling like a teenager again she turned the volume up and started bobbing her head about to break into a random mom dance. Cali, who was just behind her closed the front door, dropped her shopping bags of new books and a couple pairs of new boots and removed her already worn suede caramel ones, “Mom!” she said laughing. “Come dance!” Marissa said. The next thing she knew, they were dancing like crazy maniacs around the cozy living room, their shopping bags and their yet-to-be-organized luggage sprawled on the rug, ready to be packed for tomorrow’s flight. Just in time for the next slow song, Cali dropped to the couch catching her breath when her phone beeped. “Hey Cali!” It was a text from Darren and another one popped up right after the first. “Meet up tonight?”, “Sure” Cali simply typed back. “Alright then, I’ll see you at the usual spot at 7, yeah?” Darren said. “Yes, I’ll see you then.” Cali replied back, a smile curling up her lips. 

***

Right after dinner, Cali took a quick shower and changed into some black leggings and a dark floral mini-dress paired with a maroon cardigan.  She did her makeup lightly adding a bit of mascara, blush, and a coral lip tint and she was set. Cali hurried down the steps of the carpeted staircase and put on her boots before dashing out the door into the crisp and chilly may evening.  The beach was approximately a 4-minute walk from their rented house and as she descended down the beach’s main pathway, she saw him standing near the seashore facing the water his hands on his pockets. “Hey you!” Cali said behind Darren poking his shoulder lightly. Darren slightly jumped at the sound of her voice drowning in the water’s loud splashes.  “Cali! You scared the hell out of me! Don’t ever do that again.” “You don’t have to worry about that”, she said. “Worry about what?” a confused expression spread across his face. “About me showing up out of nowhere while you take your random nighttime strolls to the beach by yourself.” They both fell silent as if right on cue.  “Just stay.” He said staring down at her, his kind grey eyes gazing intently at her. “Yeah, wish I could too and make this vacation longer. This was such an amazing trip you know?” she said, sadly looking away. “Well, you can always come back on your next holiday right?” “Right.” Cali said dejectedly.  “Come, I want to show you something.” Darren said pulling Cali’s hand, leading her away from the beach. “Where are you taking me?” “Just wait! Little miss impatient!” Darren teased. “Fine, but you better make sure it’s worth it.  It’s my last night and I don’t want to be wasting it on some random so-so place.” She half-heartedly joked back thinking where they were going.

***

They walked for a couple minutes and reached a narrow path. She’s never been to this part of the vicinity before, she thought, Considering it’s only a couple minutes walk away from the mainland. They finally stopped, “A fish and chips place? But it’s closed.”  Cali said. “No, not here, although they have really good food. I’ll take you one time” she made a face. “Come, it’s right this way!” and again, Darren led her rounding the restaurant to an even narrower alley and climbed up some brick stoned stairs to what appeared to be a rooftop. For a minute Cali held her breath as she surveyed the place. It was breathtakingly beautiful.  They were literally on a rooftop, though she didn’t know which one it was exactly but the place was overlooking the bay and from where they were standing you could see a full view of the water and all the nightlights flickering from the houses around. “This is amazing Darren. It’s so beautiful.”  “You like it?” Darren looked at Cali who was standing by the railing admiring the view. “Are you kidding me? this…totally blew me off. I love it!” She looked to him and smiled, “Thank you for taking me here.”  “No worries. I’m glad you liked it.” Darren said to her sitting on the ground. He patted his hand asking Cali to sit beside him. “So…”, “So, what time’s your plane leaving?” “9am.” “Aww man, that sucks!” Darren said thinking they only had a few more hours together. “Yeah, I know. I’d extend my stay if I didn’t have College to worry about. But we can always chat online right?” Cali asked expectantly. “I guess so.” He said lying down, staring at the starry sky. These past few weeks that they’ve hung out, Cali felt as if something weird was happening between them, She also heard from one of Darren’s friends that he secretly like her but she didn’t want to expect and he knew she was only here for a while.  But being here right now, with the weather just the right cold and in this romantic hidden spot, she couldn’t help but feel towards Darren and wonder why he’s been acting this way around her. “Hey Cali” he said looking up at her. “ Hmm?” “What would you do if someone sang to you, like right here on this spot?” “Sing to me? As in Serenade me?” Cali laughed at the random question.  “Yeah, something like that.” “ I don’t know. No one’s ever done that for me before but In case someone does, then I’d find it really sweet. Why are you even asking me that?” She said laughing at Darren’s cheesiness. “No reason. Just curious.” And as Cali lay there beside Darren, he couldn’t help but notice their bodies’ close proximity and he glanced at her thinking about how perfect the moment was and if only he could tell her how much he wanted her to stay.