High Tide

Part 1: Chapter 1

When in situations I don't particularly want to be in, I think of everything my dad has told me about waves. How they roll in and kiss the sandy shore, and how there isn't a more powerful force one earth than water and waves. He would continue by telling me how water could level cities and cut through mountains and find its way into anything; how it was the most powerful thing on earth. But then he would pause and smile in his usual distant way, and would tell me that maybe love was stronger. He would always say that because it was love that tore him away from the island with its endless waves and up here to the airship.

It's the woman who's love brought him here, my mother's, laugh that brings me back to where my head belongs up among the clouds. My whole family is laughing actually, so I just politely smile along with the joke, or whatever it was that was just said. Even Harper, my younger sister, has cracked a smile. This is a very rare sight for me at least, because now all that Harper does in my presence is scowl.

Because it's a deeply entrenched habit, I sneak a glance at Mason to check his reaction. From the satisfied look on his face, I know that he's the cause of the laughter. I also know that my family laughing and trying to ingratiate themselves to Mason is just a rouse. Everyone in my family-except of course my little brother Robin, who is too young to understand the whole conflict- has expressed dislike for my boyfriend. Anyway, they're at least trying to put up with him now and, after six months of tension, that's all I want.

When the laughter dies down, I put my shaking hands into my lap and lean forward to look over at the clock. It's after ten and I know that Mason didn't even want to stay when he arrived at my family's compartment at five o'clock to pick me up. I see this as our opportunity to leave so I straighten up and say to no one in particular, "We should probably head out."

My mother, Stella, glances over at the clock and the lines on her forehead grow deeper. Her lips purse, but my mom doesn't say anything. All she does before getting up is adjust the collar on her uniform and pats my dad's knee, signaling for him to stand. Moments later, Mason and I are standing out in the hall, his hand resting on my back while I try not to squirm. I don't think he realises that the newest bruise I have is the one directly under his palm.

"Thank you for having us for dinner," Mason says, smiling his smile that everyone loves and thinks is so genuine. It's not.

My mother smiles somewhat desperately and says, "It was no trouble, you guys should come more often."

I hum in agreement although I know that won't happen. My mother smiles a bit bigger and then she says, "Goodnight."

This causes a chorus of 'good nights' from the rest of my family and then the door slides closed. Mason and I start heading down the hallway, headed back to his compartment, and the fake smile slips right off of Mason's face as does his hand from the notches of my spine. He takes my hand instead and his face is then replaced with the expression that means he's mad at me. Since I've spent nights at my parents place a bit more recently- seeing as I'll be moved out and married in a few months and they're still holding on tight- I've been seeing this expression more and more.

A second or so of silence goes by before Mason finally speaks up. "What is your deal?" he asks, an edge on his voice and still not looking my way. "Do you want your parents to find out about you and break us up?"

"Of course not," I quietly and flatly reply.

"It really doesn't seem that way, the way you're moping around," he snaps and I immediately feel the sting of his words. He continues, finally looking me in the eye, "They will take you away from me, Ash."

I can't bring myself to say anything for a moment, but then Mason intensifies his glower and I know I have to respond.

"I'm sorry that I don't always act exactly the way you want me to," I say, my voice clipped and calm so he doesn't think I'm opposing him.