Becoming His

“I’m going to move into the house at the begi

“I’m going to have to teach Landon how to do his laundry.” Kendall grins at me. “But I think we’re ready for this. I’m sure you think we’re moving a little fast, but I really love him, and I want to be with him. I think it will be a good step toward knowing what will come of our relationship.”

I nod a few times, trying to sort my words. “As long as you’re happy.” I study her face as it brightens into a smile, as though my blessing means something significant.

“I love you too, Ace.”

I wrap my arms around her and squeeze tight. “I love you too.”

Kendall and I are tucked in our bed when Shelby arrives. It’s sometime in the early morning based on the glow from our window, but our alarm clock seems to have been unplugged so I have no idea what time it is. I’ve been awake most of the night missing Max and dying of heat. Occasionally I’m tired enough that I can almost feel Max beside me, hear his soft breathing against my neck, but Kendall moves and wiggles so much my delusions don’t last long. I’d stolen one of his T-shirts to sleep in. The warm scent is comforting and familiar, but also serves to make me more homesick.

I don’t know how much time passes from the time I finally fall asleep to the time I wake up again, but it feels like it’s only been a couple of hours. My entire body is sticky with heat. I lift my head to look at Kendall and Shelby who are both still asleep.

Carefully crawling over Kendall, I head to the restroom. I’m engulfed with darkness as the door swings shut behind me, sending a small chill of terror through me. I reach for the door again and push it open. The sunshine reveals the light switch that I flip several times before accepting it’s not turning on.

I go to my bag and hastily pull on clothes before I check the time on my phone charging on the nightstand.

The light indicating it’s plugged in isn’t on. My eyes and fingers follow my power cord to the base of the lamp and see it’s securely in place. I reach for the lamp, flipping the switch twice and then dropping to the cord of the alarm clock when it doesn’t turn on, still wanting something to disprove what’s quickly gone from a suspicion into a realization. It’s plugged in behind the night stand along with the lamp. A long sigh has my shoulders sagging.

I leave Kendall and Shelby to sleep and grab a key to find answers. The hall lights aren’t glowing, just the rope lights along the ceiling. I see a forest green polo shirt and khakis up ahead and rush to the crew member.

I can tell by the guy’s expression that he was hoping to go u

“Did the entire ship lose power?” I ask, skipping pleasantries.

His forced smile dims, and I don’t know if it’s because he realizes all hell is about to break loose, or he’s like me and isn’t real big on being surrounded by nothing but miles and miles of endless ocean filled with fish, sharks, and eels.

“Temporarily, yes.”

“Temporarily?” My pulse begins racing, realizing I should never board another boat for the rest of my life. I’m cursed.

“Yes, they’re working on it right now, but there’s no need to panic. Just don’t flush the toilets or use ru

My head shakes and my eyes squint with thought. “If this is temporary, shouldn’t it be fine? Aren’t there reservoirs?” I see the flicker of fear cross his face. It’s not like my fear; his fear is of me I realize as his eyes dance around to ensure I’m not creating a scene.

My hand falls to my side as my head falls back and a loud groan escapes my mouth.

“You should probably head up to the deck. I’d advise you to stake out some shaded spots before everyone starts getting up.” With those sage words of wisdom he disappears.

After waking Kendall and Shelby, who are disgustingly optimistic, feeling certain this will be a short-term issue, we lock our bags in the room and head to the dining hall which is starting to buzz with people. Battery-powered lanterns create muted lighting as everyone files around aimlessly, looking both confused and concerned.

“Welcome! Good morning! We hope you all slept well! My name is Je

My attention is diverted to two girls in crew attire whispering nearby. I casually move a little closer to overhear them discussing how the kitchen is putting out all of the cheese, milk and fruit, along with anything else that doesn’t have to be cooked and needs to remain refrigerated and how this is a bad sign.

I pull out my phone which thankfully has a full battery and still shows reception. It’s only seven; I can survive a day without power.

I grab a bagel and opt for orange juice, knowing that the power has been out for several hours and seek Kendall and Shelby to find them eating crab cakes and mimosas.

“You guys shouldn’t eat those. The power’s been off for a while,” I say, taking a seat next to Kendall.

“They wouldn’t offer them if there was a chance they’d gone bad,” Shelby insists as she bites into another.

We spend the rest of the morning with the other cruise goers up on deck where we’ve been instructed to wear life jackets—another sign that seems alarming to me. Most everyone is drowning their concerns in alcohol that the cruise employees seem to be anxiously handing out for free; and I have the suspicion it’s to distract us.

When my phone vibrates shortly after three, I’m relieved to know I still have service. I look down to see that I have a dozen messages and realize we’re dancing on another invisible barrier here out at sea.

Seven of the messages are from Max, the others from my parents, Abby, and Wes. Initially I assume that they’ve heard that we’re stuck out here, but after reading them I realize they’re oblivious; they’re all just asking how we’re doing and how things are going.

I send a message to Max and my dad:

Me: No need to panic, but we’ve lost power, so we’re floating …

Max responds immediately.

Max: Wut about the generators? R there NE ships near?

Followed by Dad:

Dad: Aren’t the generators working?

I feel relieved and a bit silly to read this. Of course, generators! I’m sure they’re trying to repair the main engine, and if they can’t get it working, they’ll flip on the generators.

My relief is interrupted by the horrible sounds of someone retching. I don’t know why I look when I know what’s happening, but I do and see a guy leaning over the railing and decide maybe it’s time I find one of these drinks that they’re so anxious to hand out.

They don’t even ask to see my fake ID. I sit in my lounge chair beside Kendall, who’s busy sunbathing, and drink my warm beer. I don’t like cold beer, warm beer is even worse, but I’m really hoping that by the time I see the bottom I’ll feel a little less edgy.

I’m not even halfway through my beer when Kendall bolts upright and sprints to the side of the boat and throws up over the rail.

Welcome to Hell.

I set my bottle down and hurry over to her and grip her hair as she empties the contents of her stomach into the ocean. Focusing on my Feisty Flamingo pink nails, I tell myself everything is going to be fine and they’ll kick on the generators soon.