“Once you learn one dance, you know how to notice things.” Monique scuffed.
“So you dance?” Atlas asked.
“Used to,” Monique said and shrugged her shoulders, “I took ballet for five years, tap for three. Then I started volunteering at the dance school after I made thirteen, till last year.”
“Now I see why you wanted to stay.” Atlas chuckled.
“Yea, why, did you think I wanted to stay, for you?” Monique said being sarcastic.
“Well, I was kinda hoping you were.”
Monique giggled, “That’s cute. I’m sorry, your pretty boy routine won’t work with me.”
“Pretty boy? I’m no baby face push over. I’m a moke.” Atlas said.
“Well, I think you’re just a mook.” Monique said.
“Mook?” Atlas asked, “What dat?”
“Like a lame.” Monique said.
“No, a moke, like a thug.” Atlas said.
Atlas had a bad habit of speaking the pidgin slang most Hawaiian boys used amongst their friends from time to time. Since he didn’t hang with tourists normally it wasn’t a problem, but since Monique wasn’t completely a tourist he let her slide.
“Whatever dude.” Monique said getting up. “I’ll be going now since the show is over.”
“So, Monique. How long you down for?”
“Six weeks.” Monique said disgusted by the thought.
“Maybe I’ll see you around then.”
“Who knows?” Monique picked up her wristlet off the table. “Do you take visa?”
“Huh?” Atlas asked confused.
“For the drink, duh.”
“It’s on me.” Atlas said.
“Well, thanks, “Monique said trying not to be rude, “but, I have to go.”
“And I have to get back to work.” Atlas said. “Aloha.”
“Later.” Monique gave a slight wave as she walked away.
~*~
Monique got home at seven, an hour before her dad and found herself putting together one of her puzzles.
“So, you’ve been doing puzzles all day again?” Her dad said as he came in.
“Actually, I did go out for a while.
“That’s good.” He said. “I brought some food.”
“Cool.”
Monique got up and went to get some paper plates and forks from the kitchen putting them on the table.
“I didn’t know they had Chinese restaurants out here.” She said as she prepared her plate.
“There’s a lot out here, it’s not all sun, sand, and surfing like you think.” Her dad said.
“Whatever.” Monique said.
“Monique, I was thinking maybe you should try to get a job while we’re down here, since you don’t seem to be treating our stay here like an enjoyable vacation.” Her dad said.
“I don’t want you sitting around like back home.”
“Actually, I had fun exploring today and even met someone, think I may explore some more.” Monique said as she sat across from him at the table.
“Met someone, like a friend or a guy?” He asked.
“It’s a guy, but how come you separate guys from friends?”
“Because you’re sixteen! Boys only want one thing and once they get it they leave you lonely and broken.”
“Not all guys. You didn’t leave mom lonely and broken.”
“I learned from my past mistakes and changed. I grew up and once you do then maybe my rules will change. Till then keep it distant.”
“So I’m not allowed to speak to him?”
“You can talk if you see him, but keep it at that.”
“I’m not trying to make friends. Hell, I barely want to be here.”
Monique sighed and got up from the table going to her room.
“Find a job, volunteer, something to preoccupy your time!” Her dad shouted.
“If I was back home I would have been preoccupied.” Monique said.
“I wasn’t letting you go off to some camp all summer. Hell, I didn’t even send you to a camp as a child.”
“Well, maybe you should have.” Monique said. “I could have really used the cash and extra credits for school from volunteering at that camp.”
She changed into a large t-shirt and crawled into bed, “Get a job or volunteer. He just wants me to get comfortable here so I want to move. He makes plenty money in his current position, he doesn’t need a promotion. Does he even care about me or what I want?”
~*~
Monique, annoyed by her dad not wanting her to be friends with Atlas, stayed home for four days before going out again. When she did leave she decided to take a hike up the mountain on one of the many island trails.
“Should be quiet up here.” She said to herself.
“Monique! Aloha!” Atlas waved. “You talk to yourself a lot?”
“You again, are you following me or something?” Monique asked.
“I’m pretty sure I was here first.” Atlas chuckled.
Monique rolled her eyes. She was hoping to be alone on top of the mountain.
“Well, don’t you belong at work or something?”
Atlas shook his head, “One till seven.”
It was just pass nine at the time.
“I haven’t seen you around for a while.”
“I have been staying at home.” Monique said. “But why would you expect to see me, unless you’re stalking me or something.”
She sat down and took a bottle of water from her backpack drinking half of it before closing it and putting it away.
“Not a people person are you?” Atlas said, chuckling and walked closer to her.
“I like to be alone if that’s what you mean.” Monique said.
“What were you at your school?” Atlas asked.
“What do you mean?” Monique asked.
“Not upbeat enough to be a cheerleader, maybe trying for valedictorian?” Atlas asked
“No, to both. I was the one trying to get any extra credit to make up for my grades.” Monique explained.
“Oh, so you’re the ‘all beauty, no brains’ type.” Atlas teased.
“Did you just compliment and insult me in the same sentence?” Monique asked holding back laughter.
“Not really insult. I’m not the smartest in my school either.”
“What are you, the muscle head surfer dude?” Monique asked
“I do surf, but I prefer scenery, I like scuba diving and astrology.” Atlas lay back in the grass.
“So you’re a science nerd.”
“Yeah, in a cool, muscle guy kind of way.” Atlas chuckled.
“Well, you do make nerdy look good.” Monique said with a slight smile.
“Maybe I should get the big rim glasses and suspenders.” Atlas joked.
“Actually, some people think that looks good. It’s like the new style.”
“They can keep that shit on the main land.”
“It’s in the states, and FYI, Hawaii is one of the United States. Your island falls under the same federal rule as the other 49.”
“And here I thought I was in line to be king. I wanted you to be the queen.” Atlas said taking Monique’s hand.
Monique pulled her hand back and folded her arms. “Is everything a joke to you?”
“Only if it’s funny.” Atlas smiled.
“You sure you’re not the class clown?”
Atlas cut his eyes at Monique, “Does my nose look red to you?”
“Yes.”
Atlas pulled her down to him and kissed her softly on the lips, then wiped off her red lipstick and rubbed it on his nose.
Monique pulled away and sat up staring at him not knowing what to say; which was a first for her.
“What was that?” She said after a few moments.
“An invitation.”
“Invitation?” Monique asked confused.
“Monique, would ja’like to come with me?” Atlas asked.
“With you where?” Monique asked.
r /> “I want you to come meet my Ohana.” Atlas said. “It’s a family reunion type thing.”
“Ok, Stitch.” Monique teased.
Everything about being in Hawaii just made her think of that Disney movie.
“Mahalo nui loa.” Atlas said.
“What?” Monique asked confused.
“Oh, they didn’t say that on the movie?” Atlas asked. “Thank you very much.” He said translating.
“So, is that how you invite everyone to parties?” Monique asked.
“No, but I might make it a habit when inviting you places.”
Monique blushed, unsure what to say and just smiled.
Atlas sat up and kissed her again.
“Now where are you inviting me?” Monique asked as she pushed him back down.
“Lunch, before I go to work.”
“Sure, what do they have to eat around here? Since there are no burger places on this island.” Monique sighed.
“I eat by my grandmother, since my mom is working.” Atlas explained. “Let’s go.”
“Are you on the bike again?” Monique asked.
“Yeah, and you’re riding this time.”
“I’d rather walk.” Monique said.
She followed him down the hill and to his bike.
“I won’t let you fall.” Atlas said.
Monique wiped the red off his nose. “Sorry, Bozo, I just don’t feel safe on that bike.”
Atlas laughed. “That’s fine. It just two blocks away.”
“So, how’d you get a name like Atlas?” Monique asked. She followed behind him as he walked his bike.
“It’s a family name. My father’s family have a hardware business in Kaunakakai and Atlas is the name of it.”
“So, why don’t you work there, instead?” Monique asked.
“Since my father died I don’t see too much of his side the family.”
Monique knowing the feeling well quickly changed the subject, “So you’re like a junior?” she asked.
“More like the fifth.” Atlas chuckled.
“Dang, Atlas is a popular name.”
“The store is called, Atlas, so they kept the name alive.”
“Makes sense. How many cousins you have named Atlas?”
Atlas laughed, “Probably one son in every family.” He joked.
“So, you’re an only child, I’m guessing?”
Atlas nodded, “Yeah, they couldn’t make two people this wonderful.”
Monique rolled her eyes. She was supposed to keep her distance, but he was charming, and she was curious.
~*~
When they arrived at Atlas’s grandmother’s house she was in the yard with her dog, a black pug.
“Aloha, Tutu.” Atlas said going over to the older woman and kissing her cheek. “This is my friend Monique.”
He then turned to Monique. “This is my grandmother. Everyone calls her Tutu, it means...”
“Grandmother, I’m guessing.” Monique said getting more used to the Hawaiian words Atlas used every now and again. “Ok, so it’s not her name like I thought.”
Atlas laughed, “No, but you can called her Tutu as well.”
“Aloha, Dear.” She said hugging them both. “There’s food on the stove. Fix some for you both, and be courteous, Atlas.”
“Yes, Tutu.”
Atlas walked up the stairs into the house and into the kitchen. “You can sit down. I’ll fix it.”
Monique nodded and sat down.
“You live here?” She asked.
“No, on the other side of town, but this is closer to work.”
He sat a plate in front of her on the table, and then sat down next to her with his own plate.
“Rice and boiled shrimp, isn’t that Asian style?” Monique asked.
“Well, a lot of the Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino culture and cuisine have become a part of Hawaiian life.” Atlas explained. “Want something to drink? Tutu only has ice tea.”
“Sure, thanks.”
Atlas got up and took two glasses out of the drying rack by the sink and rinsed them out then sat them by their plates on the table. He got the pitcher of ice tea out of the fridge and filled up the two glasses.
“So, what does your grandmother do?”
“She helps out at the hospital.” Atlas replied.
“And your mother?” Monique asked.
“She is a nurse.” Atlas said. “My grandmother has been helping out there all her life, it’s her dream job, and it keeps her very busy.”
“I understand that, my dad is always busy too.” Monique said.
“What does your father do?” Atlas asked.
“He works for some shipping company, trying to get one of the companies here to start shipping products to the states through his company.” Monique explained, though she didn’t know too much than what she had just offered.
“That is interesting, and it explains what you’re doing out here.” Atlas said. “And your mother?”
“She passed away last year. Her and my ten month old baby sister were held hostage during a bank robbery. Some guy wanted to play hero and grabs the gun. It went off in the struggle. It hit my sister in the chest and my mother in the neck. He caused both of their deaths, but he’s walking free while the robber is in jail.”
“Wow, I’m so sorry.” Atlas said. “My father died when I was five, he had West Nile virus, but everyone thought it was the flu. The doctor said he was probably bitten by a bug carrying the disease.”
Atlas got up bringing his dishes to the sink and started running water to wash them. “Are you done?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Monique said getting up bringing the dishes to him. “You only fixed me a little.”
“Well I wasn’t sure if you would like it or not.” Atlas said. “Would you like some more?”
“I’m good.” Monique said putting the dishes into the water then going back to sit by the table.
“Once I’m done we can go. Are you coming see the show again today?” Atlas asked.
“No, I’ve seen enough of you today.” Monique said. “I just come out for fresh air every now and again. I prefer to stay at home.”
“Well, would you like me to walk you home?” Atlas asked.
“You can if you’ll like.” Monique said.
Atlas put the dishes into the drain and walked over to the table. “Let’s go.”
Monique got up and followed him. “Once you see where I live, I don’t want you stalking me.”
Atlas laughed. “Seems you’re stalking me. First you show up at my job, and then you come to my quiet place in the hills.”
“I didn’t know you worked there, and I was looking for quiet myself when I went up there.” Monique explained.
“You can try to make all the excuses you want, but that won’t change anything.” Atlas joked.
~*~
Atlas stopped at the corner of the street Monique lived on, “Seriously, you staying here?” Atlas asked.
“Yes,” Monique said slowly, “What you think I led you to a fake address?”
“I wouldn’t put anything pass you.” Atlas chuckled. “But, my cousin Willie lives on the street we just passed. That would explain how I was behind you that day I met you. I was just leaving his house.”
“So you have an alibi when you stalk me.” Monique sighed.
Her house was the third one from the corner on the right.
“If you get bored by six or so come see the show. I’ll get you a free meal, and some orange soda.” Atlas said.
“I’ll think about it.” Monique said. She dug through her wristlet for the key.
“Oh, also...” Atlas said.
Monique looked up to see what he was going to say and he kissed her softly on the lips.
“An invitation?” She asked.
“I’m off tomorrow, come with me scuba diving. My cousin Willie works at the place that rents the scuba gear and boats and stuff.”
“I don’t swim.” Monique said.
“And anyway, who gets off days on a Wednesday?”
Atlas laughed, “The weekends and day before and after are most popular for tourists. And you don’t really have to swim, you have an air tank, you won’t drown.”
“No, I’ll have a heart attack.” Monique said. She finally found the keys and took them out zipping the wristlet back.
“How about we just do goggles and start in a shallow pool of fish?” Atlas asked.
“When you say pool, do you mean; small body of water, or man made?” Monique asked.
“Whichever you are most comfortable with.” Atlas said.
“Ankle deep, manmade pool, of small and colorful fish.” Monique said.
“It’s a deal, it’s a date.” Atlas said happily. “Would you like me to come get you?”
“I’ll meet you.” Monique said. “Do you have a phone?”
“Yeah.” Atlas said taking out his green Motorola Razr.
Monique put her number in the phone and saved it. “Sometime around ten would be good.”
“Sure.” Atlas said. “Meet me on the hills. The place is on the bottom. I’ll set things up with my cousin to put lots of small, colorful fish in the pool.”
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Monique said and unlocked the door.
“And after we can have lunch again, maybe?” Atlas asked.
“By your grandmother?” Monique asked.
“Yeah, unless you know somewhere else to go.” Atlas chuckled.
Monique rolled her eyes and closed the door. She opened it again, “Also, I prefer texting over talking.” She said and closed the door again.
Atlas chuckled, shook his head and smiled as he walked away. Monique wasn’t the nicest girl, but she wasn’t mean, regardless of how hard she was trying to be.
~*~
“Monique, I’m home.” Her dad said as he walked into the living room where Monique was laying on the couch playing on her phone. “How was your day?”
“Went for a walk in the hills and had lunch with Atlas.” She said simply.
“Atlas?” He asked lifting an eyebrow. “The boy I told you keep a distance from?”
“Yeah, we had lunch by his grandmother house.” Monique said. She paused and sat up, “I tried to stay away by going for a walk in the hills, but he was there doing some weird, nerdy stuff, then he invited me to lunch.”
“Werid, nerdy stuff?” Her dad asked trying not to laugh, “He’s not one of those surfer guys?”
“Yeah, right!” Monique laughed. “He is so lame. He does scuba diving,”
“So, are you hungry?” He asked.
“No, I ate some cereal a little while ago.”
“Maybe you should try cooking if you’re going to be home all day.”
“I won’t be home all day, in fact he invited me to go with him scuba diving tomorrow.”
“I thought you didn’t like water?”