Moonglass

they made their way up the rock behind us, completely naked. I could only be happy that I was in front of them, not having to look up. Instead I got to look up at Tyler, who I had a feeling was slowing down so that I could keep up. As with everything else, he climbed effortlessly. I concentrated on trying to look as at ease as he did, but the higher we got, the harder it was to do. It was a lot farther up than I had imagined, but there was no backing out at this point. Now I was sober.
    “Almost there,” Tyler said over his shoulder. “You still sure you wanna do this? Hope so, cuz climbing down this thing would be a bitch.”
    “I said I’m in.” I pulled myself up and found a foothold. I took a deep breath and tried to think calm thoughts. The water had looked deep in the daylight.
    Plenty deep. We wouldn’t be doing this unless they knew it was deep enough. I looked up, and Tyler was standing above me, his arm extended down again. This time I grabbed it, and he pulled as I pushed with my legs. In a second I was on my knees at the top of Ab Rock. I stood, carefully.
    The smell of the ocean was stronger up here, the air cooler. Tyler sat down easily on the rock, his legs dangling over the edge. I shivered a little and sat next to him, close. We both looked up at the same time. There was scarcely more sky than stars. The Milky Way spread out, a faint white path above us.
    Tyler didn’t say anything, and I kept my face upturned to the sky, waiting, hoping for him to lean into me or brush his hand against my leg. Something.
    Muffled voices drifted up from below, getting closer as the rest of the guys made their way up the rock. He turned to me, then looked down, smiling. “Um… they’ll be up here in a second. So if you wanna be the first to jump, now’s the time.” I sucked in a breath and tried not to sound like the perfect moment had just been lost. “Yeah. Guess it’s time.” A faint wisp of potential still lingered, and we sat a few seconds longer until it dissipated into the night.
    When I stood, nervous energy replaced my disappointment. I looked down into a mirror galaxy of stars on the water’s surface. They danced on the ripples, and it was silent but for the gentle lapping of the water on the rocks. A cool, swirling current of air came up from below. I turned to Tyler. “You’re sure it’s safe? Nothing I need to avoid down there or anything?”
    “It’s fine. Nothing but a bottomless pool. I’ve dived it a million times. Just back up, take a few steps, and go straight off the edge. Trust me.” I did.
    I looked down again and took a deep breath. The voices of the rest of the group were right below us. Tyler nodded and motioned toward the water with his head. I bit my lip as I backed up a few paces, then stopped and let resolve settle over me. I started with one big step, then momentum propeled me forward. Straight forward, I hoped. As my back foot left the rock, hoots and hollers echoed from below.
    Time slowed down instantly, and I felt the surprising ease of plummeting. The stars shone below me, wavy on the water, and I had time to think that nothing could be more beautiful. When I sliced through the surface, warm water enveloped me. I opened my mouth and let out a squeal. Bubbles poured out and sailed upward, and then … quiet. I closed my eyes and drifted toward the surface, wanting to keep the quiet peace I felt right at that moment. Just before I surfaced, I heard the unmistakable sound of Tyler plunging in a few feet away from me.
    I came up and looked at Ab Rock. Far above me, I could just make out James’s cowboy hat. He waved his arm. “Ryan, that was awesome! Way to show these guys how it’s done. Now move so they can try to top you!”
    Tyler popped up next to me, grinning. “Hey,” he said, a little out of breath. “What’d you think?” I looked up again at the top of the cliff against the backdrop of stars. “That was the best thing I’ve ever done,” I breathed.
    James yelled from the top. “You guys clear? We gotta get this going. We’re shriveled up here.”
    Tyler and I side-stroked out of the way and treaded water, keeping our eyes up. With a “Yee-haw!” James came sailing over the edge of the cliff, tucked into a cannonball. Just before he hit the water, he straightened out and held both hands over his crotch. He cut through the surface, leaving a small splash and swirls of water behind him. His hat sailed down and landed with a tiny splash, then