The purpose of this trip was to stay out of my head, yet as the boat sailed closer and closer to the island, that's all I seemed to be doing. Memories of walking across my high school stage and accepting my diploma were all still fresh in my mind. I could still hear the sound of strange parents, cheering. I can still see the faces of the students I had walked by so many times in the hallway.

And now that it's all over, everything just seems surreal.

I had been planning this trip since my sophomore year. I didn't anticipate going to Hawaii all by my lonesome, but I never really made friends during the duration of my high school days.

Of course, my mother disapproved of me leaving by myself, but I'm an adult now. She couldn't stop me if she tried. Besides, maybe I could use this time to figure some things out about- me, my life, or even my future.

Looking over my shoulder, I can see the blue water moving against the boat, eliciting a pleasant sway from the structure. I can feel the wind blowing through my hair and a gentle smile graces my lips.

As we begin to near land, I hear soft strumming of one of my favorite instruments, the ukulele. Everything around me seemed so peaceful and tranquil, far from anything back home. The air smells different too, less dense and more... Lively? Perhaps it was the heavenly aroma of the water beneath me, Or just the earth in general?

The sun glistens onto my skin as the boat touches the island. I stand up, slinging my leather satchel over my shoulder before taking the beautiful mans extended hand as he offers to help me off the boat safely. I can feel the grains of sand tickling my toes right away, even with the small barrier of my sandals present.

It would appear the Islanders were expecting me as a line of men in native garment dance and sway along to the sound of the ukulele's hum, as they one by one greet me with flowers and smiles.

I smile and feel a bit flustered with all the attention, considering this is the most eye contact I have maintained in four years. The well-toned men lead me in the direction of the check-in desk, and amazement settles on my face.

Gigantic figures are scattered everywhere and the gentle sound of the children's laughter can be heard all around as little feet skip around in delight. People of all sorts, colors, and ages join me all at once, each talking and laughing with one another without a care in the world. To my left is a beautiful and vast pool. Teen boys lay out on donuts and floaties and admire the women, tanning happily. To my right, men gather at a bar like structure, where sports broadcasts play while all types of alcohol is consumed.

As I continue to exam my surroundings, a body stumbles into me unexpectedly.

"Sorry miss", a small boy with blonde hair and sparky blue eyes, giggles before running off in pure bliss.

Everything seems like something straight our of a movie and I'm almost overwhelmed with a sense of peace.

"Isn't it just captivating?"

My head turns right, towards the direction of the voice beside me.

My eyes soften at the sight of a woman, short in stature. She has honey brown skin, and light brown hair with bits of pink mixed in with just the right amount. Her eyes glisten under the sunlight and for that reason, I can't take my eyes off of her. She wears a sleek black tank top, which is tucked into her jean shorts that are every aspect of the word. Short.

"You do know I meant the island and not me right," she laughs.

I blush and look away as realization settles in. I was staring.

"Uh- Sorry- right- yes, the island... It's beautiful," I stutter out. My lack of socialization always seems to make itself known at the most inconvenient times...

"That, we can agree on", she pauses and extends her hand with a smile.

I stumble over my own hands to hastily shake hers.

She quirks an eyebrow, an amused yet curious glint in her eyes.

"I'm Y/n by the way."

"You good Y/n," she chuckles.

"I'm fine, just tired is all," I make up some shitty excuse for my awkward actions.

"Okay, well the check-in desk is right over there, feel free to get some rest before the show tonight- you are coming to the show tonight right?"

"A show? Tonight?"

"Yeah! You have got to be there! It's a once in a lifetime experience, you're not gonna want to miss it," she smiles.

I am so caught up in the way her hair bounces against her shoulders and the way her lips move as she speaks that I barely realize my next sentence until after the fact.

"Y-yeah, I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"Great! I'll see you there at 7", she smiles.

This is the part of socializing I never understood. What the hell happens now? Do I just walk away and leave her standing here? Do I stand there awkwardly and wait for her to leave? What if she doesn't leave? I wouldn't mind if she stayed but she already called me out for a staring once so getting caught twice is just flat out creepy...

"Duude you have got to come check this out! Cole is literally about to set his tongue on fire!"

A girl ran over to the beautiful girl and crashed into her as she spoke.

"We gotta go right now", she whines and basically pulls her away.

"Okay, okay", the angel laughs.

"Wait! I never got your name," I call out before she gets too far lost in the crowd of people.

"Vanessa," she smiles from afar.

I smile to myself as she is dragged off to God knows where.

I think I'm going to like it here. How do I know? Well, I have been here for 15 minutes and I'm pretty sure I am pretty sure I just found the woman of my dreams.

"Vanessa," I mutter to myself before turning on my heels and walking up to the smiling man at the check-in desk...