We settled into a comfortable silence, sitting on the beach, brilliant blue ocean waters spreading out into eternity. We talked about our summer plans (work, work, work), what we’d be doing after the graduation ceremony (spending time with our families... unfortunately), and other small talk. But mostly we enjoyed a fun day at the beach. Adrian was at ease, enjoying a drama-free Senior Beach Day. I enjoyed being around someone who didn’t see me as a nuisance or a nobody.
It felt good to talk to him after so long. During his relationship with Jenna, I did everything I could to make myself scarce. Jenna made it clear early on that she wasn’t thrilled about me. Not that Jenna’s status as the Queen Bee ever carried weight with me. It must have been so exhausting, playing perfect so everyone would love you. Also, I did pride myself with staying under the radar. Still, I didn’t expect to be stung by Adrian’s lack of attention. But I understood. Jenna was the kind of girl you gave your full attention to. It still stung. I never openly admitted it to myself, but I missed those greetings, even if I wrinkled my nose at them. After Saturday, I would never hear those greetings again.
I never realized how much they meant to me until it was too late.
“It’s crazy how we’re all going to be in college in a few months.” Adrian sighed, leaning back into his beach chair. “I can’t wait to get out of this place. There’s a hell of a world out there and now I finally get to see it.”
“Yeah. The possibilities are endless. Getting your dream job before graduation, studying in a different country, or finding the person you’re meant to marry.”
“You look like someone who’d get married one week after graduation.” I threw him a confused look. Did he not notice how perpetually single I was throughout the entirety of high school? Or how, other than himself, most boys didn’t know I existed? “A big June wedding and all that.”
“Oh, that’s very sweet of you, but no.” I shook my head at the possibility. “First of all, I’d rather marry in the fall because it’s cooler and I wouldn’t burn up in a frilly dress. Second, I don’t think that stuff is for me.”
“What, a big wedding? A frilly dress?”
“No, getting married. Being someone’s wife.” It hurt being so jaded at eighteen years old. “Don’t think about that stuff much. Never interested me.”
“Everyone wants their happily ever after with that special someone, Kay.” I remember this line distinctly because it’s the first time I’ve ever heard him sound so serious. “Even me.”
“True, but I’m more interested in becoming a pharmacist.” Reminding myself of my life goal was a good way to counter the intense tingling in my cheeks. “I’m going to be in school for six long years.”
“You can be a pharmacist and a bride, Kay,” Adrian scoffed. Deep inside, I cringed. I tried not to take it personally. He didn’t see that I wasn’t the type to fall head over heels in love or in lust. I didn’t expect him to. “And if he’s a good future husband, he’ll support you while you get that piece of paper.”
“I guess. But who wants to think about marriage when you’re eighteen?”
“I do!” He raised his hand. I raised an eyebrow. “I know I’m going to meet the woman of my dreams at school. Probably won’t get married right after college, but we will get married.”
“Oh jeez. I thought I was supposed to be the optimistic girl in love and you the grouchy, sardonic alpha male who doesn’t believe in happy endings. We’ve switched places.”
“What can I say? I just have this crazy idea that I can make the right woman happy.”
“Well, good luck with that.” After that insane breakup, he needed it.
“What? You don’t believe I’ll find somebody?”
“Didn’t say that.” I wished he’d just change the subject. “Stop putting words in my mouth.”
“You didn’t need to say it.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I was the last person he needed to confess this to. “But now you’ve given me an idea.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” I inhaled deeply through my nostrils. “Tell me anyway.”
Adrian smiled, those dark brown eyes shining with a brilliance that made me very nervous. I knew that look. It was the look he got whenever he came up with an idea that was either really daring or really stupid. Or both. Either way, I braced myself.
“We should make a marriage pact.” My eyes almost popped out. My heart, too. “You know? If we both aren’t married by the age of thirty, we’ll marry each other.”
“What?” Now it was my turn to throw my head back and laugh. I laughed so hard, the sides of my stomach ached. “Oh no, no, no, no, no. No. Sorry, not interested.”
“Obviously if we end up marrying other people, the deal is null and void,” he pointed out. It did nothing to quash my resistance. “But you’re one of the nicest girls I know, and I like hanging out with you. And I’m pretty sure that you can tolerate me for more than five minutes.”
My eyes were as wide as saucers. Was he for real? “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear all that, Adrian. You know you’re talking nonsense, right?”
“I’m not! Do you think I’m kidding? Why wouldn’t I make this pact with you?”
“Because a lot can happen in twelve years!” I stood up from my beach chair, exasperated. Where was this coming from? Did he conveniently forget this past year when we barely said a word to each other? The summer heat was messing with his brain. “People change, things change, the world changes! Pacts are made one day and broken the next.”
“The world can change all it wants, but if I’m able, I’ll always keep this promise no matter what.” The way he looked at me, eyes wide open with a hint of boyish charm, reminded me of why he was popular with the ladies at school. “I get that things may change and we may both end up married to other people and we could laugh about this later. But I can’t think of a better person to make this kind of pact with.”
My eyes fluttered closed. I willed myself to remain calm and ordered my heart to keep steady. I had to admit that there was something flattering about being “proposed to” (and I’m using the phrase loosely) by the most “desirable” (at least that’s what I’m told) guy in school. Between that wild, wavy black hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin, he was pleasing to the eyes. If you asked everyone else what made Adrian so attractive, they’d point out his toned muscular body or that bright smile of his. But it was his kind heart that mattered to me more.
If anyone could get me to consider agreeing to this kind of pact, it was him. Still, the whole thing seemed wild and impossible.
“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that.” I shook my head, still apprehensive. “It’s a big deal, asking your nerdy locker mate to marry you three days before graduation. I’m flattered, but I wouldn’t want you to get married to someone who you didn’t love. Someone who didn’t love you.”
“People learn to love each other every day, you know.” His smile was wide, like the sea spread out before us. He was so sure of himself. “And what’s better than being married to your best friend?”