My eyes scanned the vast ocean as far as they could see, but it was empty. The wave crests were the only things that moved, until finally it was divided by the light blue, cloudless sky.

"Liam!" I called out as loud as I could, glancing around. Families continued to lay on their towels, swam and rode on waves, oblivious to my distress.

Liam had gone deep into the ocean, to the point where I knew for a fact I wouldn't be able to touch the ground.

I took a deep breath, swallowing hard as slid off my surfboard into the cold ocean. The cold water felt like pinpricks against my skin, but I ignored it.

"Liam!" I called again as I began swimming my way over towards Liam's surfboard, kicking against the water as hard as my legs could move. "Liam! Where are you?"

Silence was the only response.

I grabbed ahold of Liam's surfboard, resting my arms on top of it. I ignored the uneasiness that rose in my stomach from the thought of being so far from shore. My feet floated aimlessly, without contact with the ground. The cold water was barely noticeable now.

The wind brushed past me furiously and I shivered, my teeth chattering.

"Liam!" my panicked voice broke the silence around me. Tears welled up in the corner of my eyes as an apprehensive feeling built up in my gut, causing my stomach to sink to the bottom of the ocean.

I knew I needed to call for help, and that the lifeguard would know what to do, but I stayed frozen where I was floating. My hands shook slightly and I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from fear. I wouldn't know what I'd do without Liam, even though he irritated me so much. I just needed to see him again. My breath was ragged as I glanced around.

"You found my surfboard."

I gasped at the voice that sounded behind me, relief flooding over my body when I recognized the voice.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, spinning around to see Liam floating behind me. He held an amused expression on his face, which had my blood boiling.

"What the hell, where were you?" I snapped.

"Just floating around," he answered, chuckling at my irritation.

"I'm going back," I grumbled, rolling my eyes.

I took Liam's board with me as I began kicking my way to shore as fast as I could go. The sooner I could get back, the better. I'd already been out there too long. The same uneasy feeling had returned. I didn't want to imagine what types of sea animals would be underneath my feet.

I'd gone out deep into the ocean for Liam, all for a stupid prank he pulled.

"Wait Ophelia," Liam called after me, which I ignored. A deep frown had formed over my face. "I wasn't messing with you."

I stopped, turning my head to look at him with my brows furrowed.

"I got a cramp in my leg and it hurt like a bitch," he explained, running a hand through his wet hair. Two pink dots formed on the apples of his cheeks.

I swallowed hard, "Oh. Are... are you okay?"

"Yeah, it just kind of like a faint ache now," he answered as he began slowly swimming his way towards me.

"Here, hang onto this," I told him, pushing his surfboard towards him. "I'll pull you back."

"Thanks," he gave me a sheepish smile as he clutched onto the board. I began kicking back to shore, trying not to think about how much harder it was to pull Liam along with me. The added weight had me struggling more than I thought.

Very soon, my breath became ragged, my legs burning and yet, we had barely moved. We were making our way back to shore in a crawling pace.

"Use your good leg and help me," I panted. "You're too fat."

"Alright, don't hold back Ophelia," Liam rolled his eyes with a smile. We moved a lot faster with his one leg and mine working together, collecting my surfboard as well that I'd ditched near the shoreline.

Within a few moments, my feet made contact with the prickly ground when we made it to shore. I was embarrassed with how winded I was.

Liam took his surfboard back, tucking it under his arm and I followed his lead, doing the same with my own board.

He only had a slight limp as we began walking back to our towels and bags. The warm golden sand seeped between my toes, sticking onto my wet feet like glue. Once again, the sun created a blanket of warmth over my body, still shining brightly even as it began to set.

The beach was still bustling with teenagers and families, all sunbathing or playing beach volleyball. I swiped a hand over my face, moving my wet hair out of my eyes. I glanced over at Liam, to see him doing the same as he ran his hand through his hair.

Avery and Sam were laying on their towels when we arrived, sunglasses over their eyes as they sunbathed.

Avery took off her glasses, eyeing me with a knowing smile as Liam and I sat down in between them.

"Was that you so deep in the ocean? I almost couldn't believe it," Avery shook her head, though a proud smile was plastered on her face.

"Maybe," was all I said. If I gave her any details, she was bound to freak out. Liam and Sam did not need to see that.

"Why is that so surprising?" Liam piped up next to me.

I gnawed at my lip, eyeing Avery. I hoped with every bone in my body that she would not sell me out.

"Thalia doesn't really like the ocean. It freaks her out a bit," Avery explained, oblivious to my piercing gaze. I pressed my eyes shut, letting out a disappointed sigh.

"Oh, is that so?" Liam smirked, his eyes meeting mine. I tore my eyes away from him, shrinking deeper into my towel, frowning.

"Anyone up for a corn dog?" Sam spoke up from next to Liam. He had finally sat up, pulling his sunglasses off his face. His damp golden blond hair draped over his forehead.

"Yes, with lemonade," Avery added, her eyes dancing with excitement. Sam and Avery glanced over at Liam and I.

I shook my head, "I'm fine for now."

"Same," Liam said quickly right after I spoke.

"Okay, suit yourself," Avery grunted as she stood up from the sand, dusting her backside off with a hand. She and Sam began walking towards the food stands.

Liam's shoulder brushed against mine as we sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments. The wind brushed through the strands of my hair as I admired a game of beach volleyball that went on between two groups of strangers. I giggled lightly when a girl failed to dive and bump the ball back up.

I glanced over at Liam, to see him staring out at the vast ocean. Droplets of water glistened all over his chest and face, and suddenly, his dark eyes no longer seemed so dark in the bright sun.

"Is... is your leg okay?" I asked, feeling my cheeks warm.

"Yeah, it doesn't hurt anymore," he shrugged, turning to me as he stretched his legs onto his outstretched towel.

I sucked in a deep breath, my voice came out nervous and shaky, "Wanna go on a walk with me?"

"Are you actually inviting me with you for once?" Liam feigned surprise, his eyebrows shooting up.

"Stay here then," I rolled my eyes as I stepped on the sand and began making my way to the shoreline again.

"I didn't say I wasn't coming," Liam called, taking a few long strides to catch up to me.

We walked in silence, the sand crunching under our feet with every step. Finally, we reached the shoreline and my feet made contact with the wet sand. The tide caused the ocean water to skim over my feet. I ignored the sand sticking to my feet as we walked, and with both my hands I rung my wet hair, expelling all the excess water out.

Liam walked next to me, his arm brushing against mine subtly. My arm tingled just from his touch. We walked deeper into the ocean, until the water reached my shin. The cold was a fierce contrast to the boiling sun.

"Am I mistaken, but you were quite concerned when you thought something happened to me out there," Liam teased, amusement clear in his tone.

"Yes, because I didn't want to explain to your parents why you never came back from the beach," I glanced up at him, a knowing eyebrow raised.

"Well, I think I deserve a kiss," he said and immediately I stopped walking, staying rooted in my spot. I was baffled he'd even said that, and I was speechless.

"Why?" I managed to say, my brows furrowing as I stared at him, perplexed.

"Because I almost died," he said as a matter-of-fact.

I scoffed, a smile spreading over my face, "Almost is a big word."

"Still a word," he insisted, smirking.

He bent down slightly to reach my level as he leaned in to me, his lips puckered and eyes pressed shut teasingly.

A mischievous grin spread over my lips. I bent over, cupping as much water as I could in both hands before I brought it to Liam's face. He sputtered, swiping his hand over his face to wipe off the water. I snickered at Liam's irritated expression.

"You'll pay for that," a malicious smile gradually creeped onto Liam's face.

"Doubtful," I said.

I didn't have the time to react when Liam charged towards me, his arms wrapping around my waist as he brought us down into the water.

I took a deep breath just in time before I went under, my body jerking up from the sudden cold. Liam released me and I sat up, scowling at him through my dishevelled hair that blocked half my vision. I combed my hair back with my fingers.

Liam sat next to me as he guffawed, his shoulders shaking as he laughed. Very quickly, my annoyance dissipated and a slow smile spread over my face. Within seconds, I was laughing along with him.

"You're absolutely ridiculous," I said between giggles. A crooked smile was evident on Liam's face when his eyes met mine.

My laughter died down as I stared into them, immediately captivated. I could see the stars clearly in his eyes even though the sun was bright.

Liam and I had many laughs two centuries back as we sat at a beach similar to this one. We'd laugh as we snuck out of our manors and we'd laugh as we kicked water at each other, soaking our boots and my gown.

My mind had no control over my body as I placed my head on his shoulder. Liam didn't move away, and thankfully, he didn't say anything to tease or poke fun. He only placed his chin over my head, running his hand through my tangled, wet hair.

The sun was beginning to set, glowing in blended hues of orange, yellow and red. The water glistened, reflecting the yellow light.

"You good?" he asked, the vibrations of his voice reverberated through me.

"Yeah," I lied. I picked my head up from his shoulders, plastering on a slight downcast smile. "We should get home now."

Liam only nodded.

All I knew was that every part of me wished that things had been different. If we'd met simply in this life, things would have been easier. If I didn't know what he'd done, things would be easier.

★★★

𝐻𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠! 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑜 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑖𝑑!

𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝐿𝑖𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑑?

~ 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝐼𝑛𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑡