the waves crash against the shore

over and over

the sun's steady gaze

rests on the sand

reflects on the water

bounces off the umbrella

soaks into the towels

and

blazes on people's skin

including hers.

a book rested in her lap

her eyes scanning the pages

one after the other

her mind in another world entirely

music floated gently into her ears

soft classical music

mixing with the crashing waves

as the story vividly played in her mind

it was the most relaxed she had ever been

nothing to worry about

no homework to do

no tests to study for

no essays to write

nothing was required of her

simply sit

read

listen

dig her toes in the sand

and 

breathe

sometimes

constantly being around her family

was a bit much

but as long as she could disappear

into the world of her book

and music

it wasn't so bad

* * * 

there was certain dark haired boy

that she knew 

from the summer before 

freshman year of high school

that was also vacationing

at the same beach

who's beach house 

was just around the corner

from the condo her family was staying in

"no way!"

she had exclaimed,

when they ran into each other

on the beach.

he had gotten taller

and broader...

he was cute.

she cringed on the inside

because he had asked her out

the summer before junior year of high school

and she said 

they were better off as friends

because 

relationships scared her

and the idea of dating

caused a huge pit to form

in her stomach

and she felt dizzy

so she didn't think 

it would have been a good idea.

but now...

she was free

entirely free

and older

and freshly single

so maybe it wasn't the best idea

but she was intrigued

nothing would happen

probably

nothing ever exciting

really happened to her

but she was able to 

walk with him for a little bit

on the beach

to say hi to his brother and sister

who she also knew 

from the summer before high school

it was awkward 

to talk to everyone

except for him

she didn't see him again

for the rest of the week

until the last night 

she was at the beach for.

she stayed up late

past her family

and decided to

text

him.

she should've realized 

that texting a boy

she thought was cute

after midnight

was not the smartest idea

but she figured

he wouldn't necessarily be awake

despite hoping he would be

and at most,

she thought

that they would simply text.

then he responded.

and she had the brilliant idea

to go for a walk on the beach.

alone.

with him.

it was the first time 

she had ever snuck out of the house

ever

even though they weren't technically

at their house..

she crept down the hall

and winced

when the front door creaked 

she paused

but no sound came from the condo

and she let out a sigh of relief

and gently closed the door behind her.

she met him halfway to the beach

in her pullover sweatshirt

and her somewhat high waisted pajama shorts.

she didn't feel shoes were necessary.

they talked for so long

walking far down the beach,

only turning back

because the storm in the distance

was making her nervous.

she loved thunderstorms

but not when she was outside.

they ended up 

sitting on a bench

listening to music

and singing softly to the songs...

she forgot how beautiful his voice was

and the ocean breeze

was playing with his hair

(entirely messing hers up)

but it looked good on him

and she couldn't help but bite her lip

because

this was so flipping romantic!

she had never been up this late

with a boy that she liked

on the beach.

at 1am.

however,

the storm was slowly

coming closer

and she finally asked

if they could go back

because it looked dark

and the lightning scared her...

"wait"

he said.

"you look so beautiful tonight,"

he grabbed her wrist,

and she stopped in her tracks.

the nervous bats 

turned into butterflies

fluttering all over the place

tumbling over each other.

she turned to look at him

trying to keep her hair from blowing 

in her face.

"thank you"

she smiled,

waiting in anticipation

for what he was going to do next

because he was looking at her

really looking at her.

"can i-

can i kiss you?"

he asked,

and even in the dark

she could see the blush

rise on his face.

"um

well

i just don't want you to

expect anything to come

from it"

she stumbled

over her words

because as much as she liked him

they were both going into college-

he would be 3 hours away

she just got out of a relationship

and so did he

there was every reason in the world

for them to never work

and yet-

"nope

no strings attached.

you just look so beautiful

and i just-

i really want to kiss you"

he fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

"then

yes

you can kiss me"

she blurted

without thinking

but she didn't want to think anymore

and he was moving closer

so

close

and he was wrapping his arm

around her waist

and his other hand

was cupping her face

bringing her closer

and closer

and closer

and then 

they were kissing

and

it 

was

wonderful

and

magical

and then

it was over

and she bit her lip

smiling to herself

even though 

she was sad it was over

"can i kiss you again?"

he asked

and it was all she could do 

not to grab the front of his shirt

and just kiss him

instead

she merely nodded

and she was back in his arms

and 

it

was

wonderful

and 

magical

and then

it was over again

and again she couldn't help 

but smile

he didn't ask to kiss her again

instead

he walked her back to her condo

she didn't want the night to end

she wanted to keep kissing him

but she had  a feeling

that if she let herself 

stay longer

then she wouldn't stop kissing him

and they would be in a situation

that she didn't know how to come back from

so instead

she said goodnight

and snuck back into the condo

and back into bed

laying in bed

she couldn't help but touch her lips

smiling,

and she couldn't help but 

play what happened over and over

in her mind

on repeat

particularly

the way he looked at her

as his hand 

gently cupped her face

to bring her closer

that look

she couldn't get it out of her head

he had looked at her so tenderly..

she fell asleep

with that image ingrained in her mind

and she dreamed

of the ocean

and summer romance...