Talisman 01 - The Emerald Talisman

my free lunch mocked me.
    “Whatever. I just met him,” I said, wanting to be anywhere but there listening to the laughter coming from the other end of the room.
    “So who’s going to the bonfire?” Katie asked the group.
    “Me,” said Sam with a gleam in her eye.
    “Really?” Katie said, somewhat surprised. “That’s cool with Todd?”
    “Yep.”
    “How about you, Cam?”
    “That’s funny, Katie. I wasn’t invited by the ‘in’ crowd,” he said while using his fingers to make quotation marks in the air. “I’m not a jock, remember?”
    “Don’t be silly, Cam. You don’t have to be a football player to go,” she said.
    “It helps,” he muttered under his breath.
    “You know what, Sam? I really can’t go either,” I said quickly, hoping Katie could be my substitute so I didn’t have to endure anymore awkward moments.
    “What?” Sam said hurt. “Why not?”
    “I have so much homework to do. You’ll be there with Todd and Katie.”
    “No, Julia, you have to come. It’ll be fun. It’s not just the popular people going,” she said, begging. “Please?”
    I wanted to believe her, but I knew better. I felt the return of her fear. This would be a big step to be there alone with Todd, almost like a date.
    “Okay . . . I’ll go,” I finally said.
    She had no idea her feelings had twisted my arm. I could endure a little bit of humiliation so she could spend some time with Todd. If love was being gracious to her, I couldn’t be cruel—even if it happened to be tormenting me.
    “Cool,” she said, sitting back with a relieved smile.
    I smiled back and over her shoulder, I caught Phil looking in my direction. He flashed his pearly whites back and winked. I instantly looked away, hoping Katie didn’t catch the exchange, my heart quivering in my chest.

9 - CHANGES
    I arrived at the beach right at dusk and instantly regretted my decision to come. There was a huge bonfire as promised, along with an overly amorous group of popular kids from my school—which I totally expected. My first instinct was to leave, but my obligation to Sam kept my feet firmly planted in the sand. Where was she anyway?
    I ducked to avoid a flying football and wove my way around couples making out on scattered blankets, towards a vacant log close to the fire. I sat down, thankful not to be noticed, but still feeling awkwardly alone. The heat from the blaze felt good and helped me warm up from the wind’s chill. I kept my gaze glued to the flames and blocked out the lovey-dovey feelings around me. Sam had only a few minutes more to show up before I high-tailed it home.
    “Julia, you made it,” Sam said out of breath, dragging Todd by the hand behind her.
    “Hey.”
    “Great bonfire, huh?” she said.
    I took a deep breath and faked a smile. “Yeah . . . Just great.”
    She sat down next to me. Todd stood, until she pulled his hand to have him sit too. She tried to make small talk that included all of us, but their invisible longing and anxiousness made me feel like a third wheel. Maybe it would work to my advantage. After a few minutes I couldn’t handle it anymore and insisted they take a walk on the beach so I could take off. Sam tried to hold back, but with Todd’s encouragement she caved.
    “Please don’t leave,” Sam whispered in my ear.
    “Okay,” I said and kept a smile until Sam turned.
    Darn it!
    Alone again, I needed a new game plan. I couldn’t take the romantic atmosphere any longer. Distancing myself from the crowd was the only way I would find solace. With my blanket in hand, I walked along the beach until I found a spot far enough away from the crowd to provide relief, but still within view in case Sam needed me.
    The wind had died down leaving the surf glassy and quiet except for when the waves would break, crashing perfectly from right to left. I sat at the surf’s edge as it eroded the sand into a miniature cliff with each pass, making a protective barrier, keeping me dry.
    The full moon shone down onto the waves, illuminating the white crests of foam as the water peaked and then splashed over. Something peculiar was happening though. After each wave, the water radiated a strange pale green color as it washed up and lapped the beach. I’d heard of a red tide before, but not one that turned the water green. The waves entranced me and I watched intently, hoping to figure it out.
    “Pretty cool, huh?” a familiar voice said.
    I looked up.
    “Phil?” My stomach flip-flopped for