Free Outside In by Doug Cooper Page B

fire.
    She says, “Must admit, you have been on my mind quite a lot lately.”
    The flame spreads and burns strongly. I place a piece of the driftwood in the middle. “You too. This week has been pretty incredible. I’m excited for the rest of the summer.”
    Astrid crouches by the growing fire. She’s put her shorts back on since coming out of the water. “That’s the thing. It’s a long summer. This island is great for friendships, but it’s tough on relationships.”
    “Is this about Haley in the Jeep?” I step back from the fire. “Because there’s nothing going on.”
    “Yes and no.” Her voice stammers. “It’s just—this is my last summer, then I graduate. After that, who knows?”
    From the cliff Cinch sings in a high-pitched voice. “Come on, Vogue. Let your body move to the music.” His rotund physique strikes exaggerated poses against the star-filled sky.
    I shake my head at his antics. “Exactly. Do you think I ever thought I’d be standing here doing this? I had never even heard of this island until three months ago.”
    Cinch stands erect on the cliff. “Watch now. Not that tough. You stand on the end, take a deep breath, and jump.” He disappears from the edge. “Geronimooooo—”
    Splash
.
    I put another piece of wood on the fire. “I’m never going to hear the end of not jumping.”
    Astrid takes my hand. “Listen, I really like you, but I need to keep my life simple right now. I just want to be free.”
    I mask my disappointment. “We’re just having fun. No hassles.” I turn toward the water looking for Cinch. “Do you see Cinch? He should’ve surfaced by now.”
    She walks to the water. “Cinch? Quit messing around.”
    The darkness swallows her words, and only the sound of the waves returns.
    I rush into the water. “Cinch! Oh fuck! No!” I swim toward the landing spot. Astrid searches closer to shore. I dive underwater. Can’t see anything. I run my hands along the rocks, searching for something I really don’t want to find. The panic shortens my wind. I push to the surface. Still no Cinch. I kick back to thebottom. Each smooth stone I feel is another moment that Cinch might be okay. I push upward, staying above water only long enough to fill my lungs and check with Astrid, each time hoping to see the two of them together.
    After three dives, from a cave under the cliff, Cinch’s voice slices through the commotion. “Looking for me?” He swims toward us. “Oh man, that was great. You should’ve seen your faces.” He splashes in the water, imitating us. “Cinch? Oh no. Where are you?”
    Astrid swims toward him. “You think that’s funny, huh?” She dunks him repeatedly. “I’ll really drown you.”
    “Okay, okay,” he says each time she lets him catch a breath above the surface. “I’m sorry.”
    I trudge back toward shore. “Let’s just go.”
    Cinch swims away from Astrid. “Don’t be mad at me because you were afraid to jump. There’s still hope you might grow a sack one day.”
    I push back toward Cinch. “Everything’s a big joke to you, isn’t it?”
    Cinch stands in the waist-deep water. “Just relax, tiger. No need to get your panties in a bunch.”
    “Fuck off.” I shove Cinch back into the water.
    Astrid steps between us. “Just cool down. Both of you.”
    I spin away and head toward shore. “I’m out of here.”
    “Come on, man. I’m sorry. I was just joking.” He trails after me.
    I slog through the water. I know I’ve overreacted; now the question is just how to save face. I can’t embarrass myself twice in one night.
    “I don’t know what I was thinking coming here,” I announce. The splashing behind me increases. I emerge from the water and lengthen the separation between us. His pace quickens. I let him catch me by the fire while I search for my second shoe.
    “Just wait a sec.” He’s panting from the exertion. “The jump might not have killed me, but this chasing shit might.”
    “Let’s just forget it.