'Cause it was never mine...

Auggie, let's go back to the beach!" Aurora shouted, running circles around me in the kitchen. I grinned, placing my elbows on the polished countertop. She was crazy, my sister, always excited for the next adventure. She stopped running and instead threw her arms around my leg, clinging harder than I'd expect from a four-year-old.

"Woah, princess, take a second," I laughed. "Yes, we can go to the beach. Only if you promise to stick next to me the whole time," I mock ordered her and she giggled. "Go grab a sweater and we'll head out."

Sauntering to the fridge, I took out a dish of strawberries and set them on the counter. I loved strawberries more than any other fruit. After eating a few of them, I turned around to face the mirror that was hung on the kitchen wall and stared at my reflection.

My hair was down, brown curls spilling across my shoulders. My blue eyes were accentuated from my hoodie, and my cheeks were flushed with red, probably the beginning of a sunburn. I dropped my gaze to my legs, admiring the little bits of muscle I had. Overall, I considered myself pretty. Not in the traditional sense of a pinched waist and huge hips, but still pretty.

My mom chose that exact moment to walk in.

"Augustine, what are you doing?" she questioned, seeing me admire myself in the mirror.

I felt a blush creep into my face. "Just grabbing a snack before I take Aurora to the beach," I explained.

My mom crossed her arms over her chest. "You know," she began. "It's important to consider what you're wearing. You don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

I sighed, knowing it was useless to argue. My mom disliked when women wore clothes showing most of their legs. Her eyes dropped and I tensed, readying myself for an insult.

"Maybe go change, Augustine," she said finally. "Put on something modest."

I felt my face fall as she continued talking.

"You're seventeen. I just want you to look out for yourself, my darling first-born," my mom's expression softened and she walked over and placed her hand on my cheek.

I leaned into her touch, knowing it was the most affection I'd get from her for a while, even if it was her bothering me about my wardrobe. She took it upon herself to scrutinize every outfit I wore, worrying I was "Asking for it." I hated it, but I always wore whatever I wanted, since half the time she couldn't be bothered to pay attention to me.

Aurora sped back into the kitchen, purple sweater in hand. "I'm ready!" she announced.

"Well then," my mom looked at me. "Don't stay out too late and keep her in your sight." With that said, she spun around and exited the room, not sparing one glance at her youngest daughter with the longing brown eyes.

"Let's go," I told my little sister, anxious to get away from my mother's presence. She slipped her hand into mine and we headed out to the beach, just as the sun dipped beneath the horizon.

*

The time on my phone read 8:30pm. Salt air tickled my nose as Aurora and I arrived on the main stretch of sand that touched the ocean. I knew I could never get sick of that smell. It reminded me of the times I had been the happiest.

"Hey, look!" Aurora exclaimed, pointing a little ways ahead.

"What is it?" I asked, because with Aurora it could be anything.

"That boy," she whispered, sending me a mischievous grin. "He's writing something, just like how you write stuff."

I had shared a few poems and stories with my sister, but only because she was too young to understand them. I shook my head and laughed, not sparing "that boy" a glance.

"Princes, just 'cause he's writing doesn't mean we're about to be friends or something," I replied.

"Why not?" she asked, questioning me.

"Uh, well, you see –" I started to explain, before she let go of my hand and took off towards the stranger writing in some sort of journal. I chased after her, the wind blowing my hair in all directions.

Aurora stopped in front of the boy, where he lay on his stomach on a towel, scribbling something into his journal. He wore a white t-shirt, purple swim shorts, and a stylish pair of black sunglasses that I immediately wanted. He didn't notice our presence, too absorbed in his journal. Aurora sat down on the sand and tapped the back of his shoulder.

"Hello!" she exclaimed, surprising the boy.

He quickly looked up, his sunglasses falling off in his haste to see who was talking to him. I froze.

Shit.

It was the boy I ran into earlier that morning. I let my hair fall in front of my face and backed away, praying he wouldn't recognize me.

He didn't even glance in my direction. I was worried he'd be all awkward again, but he seemed at ease, sending Aurora a friendly smile that showed his dimples.

"Well, hello there," he said to my sister. "What can I do for you?"

She grinned, gesturing to his journal. "I was wondering what you're writing."

He blushed, a shy smile forming on his face. I pushed my hair back and looked at him in curiosity.

"Well, I uh, I like writing stories about scientific discoveries. Sometimes they're scenarios I wish would happen to me. Some are real stories that I've put my own twist on. I just love writing. What do you like to do?"

Aurora beamed at his willingness to talk. "I draw," she announced. "My sister doesn't draw, but she's going to buy my drawings when I'm famous. Would you want to buy one?" she asked.

My cheeks flushed in embarrassment, but the boy didn't seem to mind. He nodded appreciatively. "I'd love to, princess," he said with a genuine smile. He seemed really good with kids. I hated how attractive that was.

Aurora continued. "My sister calls me princess, too," she told him. "She likes to write, just like you. But she writes stories about people who fall in love and kiss. It's funny when she reads them. She's a good big sister."

I was sure my face was completely red, despite my efforts to remain relaxed.

The boy sent Arora another smile. "And who's your sister?" he asked politely.

"Her," she stated, pointing over at me.

The boy's eyes finally reached mine, his face turning as red as my felt. His pupils immediately dilated and he stood up facing me.

"Oh! Hi," he stammered.

"Hi," I muttered, taking a step towards him. His eyes never left mine.

"This is my sister, Augustine," Aurora announced, spreading her arms out, oblivious to my flaming face.

The boy pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, sending me a shy smile.

"I um, I'm James," he told me, reaching out to shake my hand.

"Auggie, uh, Augustine," I replied softly, taking his hand in mine. Heat crept across my face as I realized it was the second time our hands had touched that day. It was nice, but I refused to let myself enjoy it.

"Well, uh, nice to officially meet you," he said, looking back to Aurora, who was watching us intently with her lips pursed. The sun was gone, but there was touch of light left that made the sky a soft shade of purple.

"It was lovely meeting you, princess," James said to Aurora, and she giggled, scrunching her nose at him.

"I like you," she told James.

I coughed.

"You're not too bad yourself," he replied.

How is he so good with kids? I thought. And why does that make him attractive?

I gulped. I could not think this awkward boy in front of me was attractive. I tugged Aurora towards me and put on a serious face.

"Sorry to bother you," I told him. "We'll head out now." Despite my sister's protests, I dragged her along the beach back home.

"I wanna stay!" she complained, looking back towards James, who sent her a small wave. "I like him."

"That's great, princess, but you have a bedtime and I have stuff to do."

She slipped her hand into mine as we made out way to the front steps of the cottage. I knew we should go inside and get ready for bed, but part of me needed to stay outside, to feel the summer air for a few more minutes. I sat down on the top of the three steps and looked out at the moon that had just began to show itself.

My sister sat down beside me. I could still see her face, but it was getting dark. A cool breeze passed us and I shivered. I stared up at the stars, admiring their beauty.

"Auggie?" Aurora asked suddenly. "Have you ever been in love?"

Laughing, I replied. "No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," she told me, sending me a bemused smile.

I could try to find out what was going on in that head of hers, but I knew I wouldn't find out. Aurora loved to talk, but when she didn't answer a question the first time someone asked, she wouldn't answer it at all.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, both gazing up at the sky.

"How cool would it be if each star was its own little world?" I wondered aloud.

"That'd be amazing," Aurora breathed, looking at me with wide eyes. "Do you think that's what stars actually are?"

I took her little hand in mine. "I don't think so," I told her. "But it's nice to hope, don't you think?"

She nodded, resting her head against my arm. I wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Let's go inside," I whispered. "It's getting late."

Standing up, I walked over to the door and opened it softly, hoping my parents wouldn't catch us sneaking in past Aurora's bedtime. I squeezed my sister's hand in the dark.

"Time for bed," I whispered. "Let's go get your pjs and brush your teeth."

"Can I stay in your room tonight?" she whispered back, uneasily. She knew I loved having my room to myself, but I couldn't push her away if she was feeling lonely.

"Of course you can, princess, but no hogging the blankets."

"I won't," she giggled softly, as we walked up the stairs to my room.

Aurora was fast asleep by the time I was ready for bed. I had taken a long shower, not wanting to step out of the hot water falling against my back. After drying my hair with a towel and changing into soft grey pajamas, I crawled into bed beside my sister.

Her breathing was quiet, and I could see the rise and fall of her chest. I may not have had parents who paid attention to me, but my sister saw me as a mother figure, and I couldn't disappoint her. I made it my mission to show her the importance of independence, of keeping her heart intact so it would never break. And that trusting herself would always keep her emotions safe.

I had once put my trust in someone. Inez. She was my best friend, before she messed up everything. After her, I never believed in real friendships. I still hung out with people from school, but I didn't truly connect with any of them. I had no one to share secrets with, no one to cry to when I felt lost. So I turned to writing.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Next chapter we get to James's perspective. Writing from his point of view was so fun, and I can't wait to post :)