The Color of the Sea

The waters surrounding Bora Bora appeared translucent while the sun hovered above. Jake sighed quietly as he stared into the glistening sea. He was a lean, sun-browned seventeen year old. He donned an unkempt mop of brown hair. Jake itched the side of his shoulder desperately then abruptly stopped. He squinted at a raised fin some distance from shore. It's tip was pure black.

"I'm going with Molly just up that way." Jake's father said without making eye contact. "We'll be leaving soon. Please stay put, alright?"

"Dad?"

His father glanced at him finally.

Jake took a deep breath before facing the water once again. "I'll be here."

Molly was staring at her phone, mindlessly scrolling. She lowered it when Jake's dad walked towards her.

"What's wrong?" Molly used her index finger to push her expensive sunglasses up.

"Let's go take some pictures."

Jake remained still until they were out of view. He scratched the side of his stubble before squinting left and right. He made his way back to one of the huts they stayed at. He saw the quiet cafe they ate at. He continued walking, trying to forget the awkward brunch. He entered another water storefront, this one seemed to be a bar. Empty, except for a local man in a white buttoned up shirt. He eyed Jake and gave a swift nod. Jake nodded back, and the man returned to sweeping the back of the bar.

"You want food? Drink?" The man spoke with a deep accent.

Jake glanced back at him. "No, I'm... can I get a glass of water?"

Jake scrunched his eyes for a bit before affixing his sight on the man's collar.

"Wa... Water? Yes." The man grinned and laughed deeply.

After getting a tall glass of iced water from the man, Jake briefly met his gaze.

"Thank you."

"You. Are welcome. I am Taeve. And you?"

"I'm Jake." He took a sip from the dripping glass.

Taeve began drying the wet mugs and cups he'd washed prior. Jake remained standing by the bar until he nearly finished his water. He scratched his stubble quickly and quietly moved to a room in the back. As he entered, the room was fairly enclosed albeit a circular window in the roof. The tiny bit of golden light that appeared in the room lit up the table directly below. Jake's eyes slowly grew wider. On this ivory table was an open suitcase, spilling with cash and gems. One rock stood out to Jake from the others. It was the size of two of his fists. And it glittered as he stared into it.

"Oh my.. god." Jake's mouth opened halfway as he inched closer.

He turned back and saw no one. He faced the rock that resembled the dark hue of the ocean.

It's dark greens and blues looked like algae or sea moss. Jake couldn't take his eyes off it.

"Jake. No no no. Don't." Taeve appeared and shook his head carefully.

Jake's face went a bit flush as his heart thumped loudly. "I was only looking. I wasn't taking anything."

Taeve's expression didn't look or feel angry. Jake could feel something strange about his eyes.

"Did you know, sharks here don't attack unless provoke?" Taeve said.

Jake squinted. "What?"

"The ones who own all that. They will find you fast."

Without leering in the stone's direction, Jake finished his water and placed it on the counter.

"Have a good day." Jake said.

"Wait." Taeve grabbed a coconut from a mini fridge.

Sighing to himself, Jake glanced up. Taeve presented a coconut that had the top carved out. A light green and white straw jutted from its hollowed inside.

"Please, Jake. Please accept this beverage. If you don't trust, I can have some."

Taeve gestured to a small glass on his back shelf. Jake nodded. Taeve poured a little, and drank it without hesitation. After a moment of feeling it swish down his throat, and accepting the sweet taste.

"It's coconut water Jake. With little bit lime." Taeve's one eye scrunched for a second.

"Jake!" His father called in the distance.

"Oh god." Jake tipped his head to Taeve. "Thanks for this. See you."

As he walked quickly to the entrance, Leonard appeared in the doorframe.

"Where the hell did you go?" He spoke with a soft yet irritated tone.

Jake moved out of the way and waved at Taeve. Leonard's face lit up for a split second before he flared his nostrils and scrunched his eyebrows. He stared back at Jake.

"We have to go. Come on."

"Are you... his family?" Taeve interjected.

Leonard groaned quietly. "Yes. He's my son."

Taeve's eyes nearly turned to slivers as he grinned. "Do you know what your son did?"

Leonard's face heated instantly, facing Jake. The only thing Jake could do was watch Taeve.

"Your son..." Taeve grabbed the coconut drink on the counter. "Drank theese coconut!"

Leonard's expression shifted and contorted in a brief moment. He finally released the tension in his face and started walking away.

"Jake, let's go."

"Do not forget to try mahi mahi!" Taeve waved as they left.

"You really had to bump into quite the character hey?" Leonard shook his head.

"Let's go home." Jake kept a steady walking pace, leaving both Molly and his father in the dust.

"Why were you in a bar?" Leonard kept his eyes on the ground ahead.

"I wanted something to take the edge-

"Your not old enough god damnit. That shit will kill you anyway."

"Why was that coconut so green? Aren't they supposed to be brown?" Molly spoke to herself.

Jake stopped walking and moved to the side of the sandy path.

"What the hell?" Leonard squinted and blinked at Jake.

"I want to try mahi mahi before leaving."

"No, we'll be cutting it close if we do that. The plane leaves at two-thirty."

Jake flared his nostrils a tad. "You can take photos of a delicacy they'll never have in their lifetime."

The tension disappeared from Leonard's face as if a spell had been cast.

"Let's hurry."