It feels like there's oceans

Between me and you once again

We hide our emotions

Under the surface and trying to pretend

But it feels like there's oceans 

Between you and me

. . . Seafret, Oceans . . . 

It's like a weight has been lifted off my chest. Mia is patient and somehow, doesn't seem surprised. I'm as light as a feather and I'm floating like one and it's the nicest feeling I've had in a while.

I go to classes. It's a good, lazy Monday, the kind that should be nonexistent but still pop around occasionally like four leaf clovers. I push all of the worry out of my head and focus on professors and how light I am. By the time he catches up with me on my daily walk back to my dorm, I had all but forgotten the party. He makes me remember.

"Hey!" Zach grins and bumps into my shoulder. His light blue eyes are hidden under a light blue cap.

"Hey," I say back, surprised and slightly happier than before. For some reason, my heart is thumping and something is fluttering in my stomach. It feels good but it also feels terrible. I don't know why I am tingling.

We walk together for a short while, him waiting for me to say something, me searching for something to say. Or maybe it's the other way around.

"So," I say at last, gesturing at the sky. "Great...weather."

He laughs. "Great trees too."

"Yeah."

"So how's it been?"

"Alright, I guess," I say, taking my time and then the plunge. "Going to the beach anytime soon?"

"I probably will," he says easily, as if there was no awkward moment. "I'm going with a couple of friends." I retreat back into my shell.

"Oh, that's cool."

"You're coming too, right? I invited you at the party," Zach says, and gets hit by a football. He stumbles a bit, catches it, and we look over at where it flew from. A girl is standing a few feet away, hands on hips, glaring at Zach. "Idiot, your game is in two hours. Get a move on, the cap wants you."

"Alright, alright, don't hit me anymore," he says, pulling his cap down. "I'll text you the details," he calls, beginning to jog after the girl, "and I'll see you there!"

I watch his back disappear and make my way back home.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Hon, how've you been? We haven't heard from you in a while!"

"I'm fine, mom, it's been fine."

"How are your classes?"

"They're pretty good. It's only the first year so it's not that hard yet anyway."

"Your dad wants to talk to you."

"Sure."

"Hold on, sweetie!"

"Wait, mom, you can put the call-"

"Alsdkfhaljlashdfj-"

"-on speaker."

"Son, what was that?"

"Nothing. Hi, dad."

"Make many friends yet? Felix called, that's a good kid."

"I think so. And yeah."

"We miss you."

"I miss you too."

"Got a girlfriend yet?"

"Dad!"

"Son, you're in college now. You don't need to sound so scandalized."

"No, okay?"

"Alright, alright! Got an eye on somebody yet?"

"I think so. I don't know."

"Really? When am I going to get details?"

"Probably never. I don't know."

"Kid, you gotta do something about it. "

"I know, dad."

"Dates are nice. Dates are great, actually. Man up."

"Dad!"

"You know I'm right. Do something about it!"

"Okay, I will. Maybe."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"You know, some self-reflection could be beneficial. That 'finding yourself' shit really does happen in college."

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, yeah."

"Alright now, you have a good night's rest and focus in class tomorrow. Give us some more calls!"

"Bye, dad."

 ~ ~ ~

happy new year, everyone!

i know i haven't posted anything in a really really long time, so if you're still even reading this, i love you so much. i already know where this story is going to go and end, but it's so hard trying to write someone when you can't feel them. i used to be able to do that but now it's getting really hard. hopefully, i can really finish this story in 2017 and start working on other pieces that i've been thinking of.

 this is probably the crappiest thing you've ever read so if you're still with me, i appreciate you very very much. i'm going to have weekly updates as much as i can until i finish this so i can start some hardcore editing. thanks for being here, and i'll see you next time!

xoxo