The Other Side of Tomorrow

My heart catches at his words.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugs, and I notice the way the water clings to his long lashes. “You can learn a lot in a few seconds. I know it doesn’t seem that way, but you can. Your body learns.”

“All right.” I nod, grabbing my board and resting my arms on it. “Let’s get back to it, Sensei.”

Hours later we emerge from the water, tired, but unable to stop smiling. I walk with Jasper back to his Jeep so I can change from the wetsuit back into my clothes.

His friend waits near the Jeep texting on his phone. His sandy blond hair is on the longer side, hanging past his ears, and a couple days’ worth of scruff covers his cheeks. He seems like the kind of guy Meredith would be all over so I hope he was able to find her and when I get back to where we laid out our towels maybe she’ll feel like talking. I hate knowing she’s mad at me. nbsp;

Jasper loads the surfboards onto the Jeep and I watch—you know, in case he needs help, it’s not like I’m staring at his biceps or anything.

When he finishes loading them I decide to broach something. “How are you doing? With … everything.”

His smile disappears and his eyes grow sad. “It still sucks. Every time I think about him my chest gets tight and I can’t breathe.” He grabs at his chest to demonstrate. “Some days, I wake up and for a split second I forget he’s dead, but then it all comes rushing back and it hurts like hell. I’ve accepted that I’m not going to get over his death easily, if ever, but I am learning that I can have moments where everything is okay and I’m happy and I can have moments where I’m sad and angry too.”

My body feels heavy with the burden of the truth I’ve yet to tell. A truth that feels impossible to let slip the more time passes.nbsp;

“I wish I’d known him better,” I whisper.nbsp;

Although, if I had known T.J. better that would make this all the more difficult.

He nods. “I wish you had too. You should come over one day—I can show you our old family albums and tell you about him. Only … only if you want,” he stutters.

“I’d like that.”

As much as it’ll feel like torture, I can tell Jasper needs this, and I think I do too.

“Good.” He smiles, but it’s not carefree and happy like it was moments before when we were walking up to the Jeep. I felt like I had to bring T.J. up. Since yesterday and today we had so much fun I didn’t want him to forget that I’m here for him to talk to if he needs to.

I change into my clothes and place my wetsuit with his in the back seat.

“I better get going,” he says.nbsp;

“Yeah, I better find Harlow … and Meredith.”

“I’ll see you.” Before I can blink he bends and kisses me.nbsp;

I can’t get over how simple and easy it is kissing him. I always thought it must be weird in a new relationship, not knowing when or if you should kiss the other person, but with him, it’s always right.

Heath laughs. “Gonna kiss your girl but not introduce me? Shame on you, Werth.”

Jasper punches him in the shoulder. “Shut up,” he growls. “This is Willa.”

“Nice to meet you, Willa.” Heath holds out a hand and I shake it. He smiles, his teeth bright, white, and even.

“Nice to meet you,” I echo, blushing. I’d completely forgotten he was there.

“Don’t let him rattle you,” Jasper tells me. “He likes to embarrass people.”

“Mhmm,” I hum. “Well, I better go.”

I walk away, waving over my shoulder, and head to where I left Harlow much earlier, hoping my embarrassment stays behind.nbsp;

Our towels are still here, but nobody else is. I look around and spot Harlow running away from Spencer, her laughter echoing around her like music.

&