Chapter 1

The sun was about to set and there was a gentle chill in the air. Mary was sitting on the sand, staring at the ocean in front of her. There was something special about this place; the way that the ocean moved back and forth and the wind played with her red, wavy hair, it just brought back many memories...

-Hey, Mary!

Mary turned around and saw a blonde boy coming towards her. A big smile appeared on her face as the boy got closer and closer.

-Lewis! I thought you were not gonna come!

Lewis sat next to her on the sand.

-I couldn't miss a day like this, could I?

Mary was looking at his face with a big smile. "What's gonna happen today?"

"Nothing!" He answered back with another smile. "It's just a beautiful day, and that's what makes it special."

Mary laughed and they both stared at the ocean as the sun was setting.

-Isn't it gorgeous?

-It sure is!

Lewis took his eyes off the ocean and looked at Mary who suddenly seemed a little upset.

-What's wrong princess?

-Lewis... What if you had to leave me one day? What would you do then?

-It's simple.

He chuckled.

-I'd get back to you as soon as I could!

The sound of the ocean woke her up. She looked around with panic, no one was around.

The sky was pretty dark now and the stars were starting to show up one by one.

The fact that Lewis was never gonna be there to enjoy it anymore just hurt so bad... 

Chapter Two

-Miss Murphy! Could you tell us about your new movie?

-Is there going to be any special collaborations?

-Is it true that you are in a secret relationship with someone?

Mary held her head down while pushing her way through the paparazzis and the people who were trying to ask her questions. She finally made her way out and rushed to her house, slamming the door shut behind her and leaving the crowd outside.

She sighed. She was getting tired of this situation. Every time she wanted to go out, paparazzis and reporters would be the first to show up. Every time she did or said something, it'd be on the news the next morning and people would start discussing it.

Mary sat on the coach and closed her eyes for a second. Then she turned on her phone to see what's new.

Same as always, she had many messages and e-mails from her fans all around the world. She wanted to read and reply to them one by one, but unfortunately, she never had the time to.

Today, she had another message from her mum.

"Hi sweetie. How was your day? I just wanted to tell you about my friend, Janette's son. He's such a great boy you know. I think you might like him. I invited him and his parents over for dinner tonight. They will be here around 7 pm. Don't miss it, okay?"

Mary couldn't believe her eyes.

Again???

She stood up with anger and threw her phone on the couch. How long was this going to go on? Her mum acted like Mary's a little girl who can't make her own decisions, when was she going to get convinced that her daughter is 27 now? She doesn't need her mum introducing different boys to her! Mary was not going to fall for them again. It happened once, and it was enough for the rest of her life.

Mary sighed. She remembered eleven years ago when she was sixteen and met the son of her mum's friend. A tall blonde boy with blue eyes that represented the ocean and every peaceful thing in the world.

It was such a sweet experience. They both kind of liked each other, and things were going perfect. But...

She looked at the clock; it was 6:15 pm. If she wanted to get there by at least 7, she would have to hurry up.

Mary was used to these meetings now, so she let out another sigh and went upstairs to get ready.

Chapter Three

Mary was sitting on the couch, staring at nowhere. Their guests had already arrived; Janette, her husband and their 28 year old son Josh, who had a side fringe haircut and seemed kind of interested in Mary.

But it was all the same for Mary. Another day of sitting down, talking, nodding, listening, and saying it was a pleasure to meet them. For some reason, Mary's mum was keen on finding a boyfriend for Mary. Like she couldn't do it herself.

She never really paid attention and no one really noticed. But it seems like this time, it was too obvious. So obvious that her mum called her to the kitchen for a second to have a chat with her.

-What are you doing???

-What does it look like I'm doing?

Anne sighed.

-Look, I'm just trying to help you find a good partner in life!

-Well thanks but I can do it myself!

-Why don't you just pay attention a little bit?

Mary was doing her best to not lose it.

-Mum, you do realize that I'm only here because of you right?

-But what if you actually like him? You know... like Lewis...

That was when Mary nearly lost it. "Mum! Do NOT bring him to this conversation!" Anne tried to make things better, but it just got worse. "I'm just saying, at first you didn't want to see him too but remember how much fun you had? And how sad you were when..."

At this point, Mary completely lost it.

-Mum!!! That is why I don't want anyone to share my life with them! My heart got broken once and that was enough for my entire life! I've been trying to move on for the last ten years but thanks to you, I make no progress at all! Just leave me alone!!!

Then she rushed out of the kitchen and out of the house. She got in her car and started driving.

The city was super crowded and awake. People on the sidewalks talking on their phone, car drivers angrily honking at each other in the traffic, different shops playing music and trying to attract customers, the smell of the smoke coming from cigarettes, and lots of other noisy stuff that you would find in a city.

All of these things were getting on Mary's nerves. She couldn't stay here for long, she had to get out.

Another driver honked from behind and Mary gave him an angry look. Finally the traffic was over and she could speed up again.

She drove away and away, out of the city until she got to her special relaxing spot: A small little beach outside the city where it was only her, the sky, and her thoughts.

The stars were shining in the sky and a gentle wind was blowing. Mary sat down on the sand, staring at the sea. It was her favorite place to go, especially at night. Whenever she was having a bad day, this beach never failed to make her feel better.

Mary felt some gentle footsteps getting close to her; they were warm, peaceful, and nostalgic.

As they got closer and closer, a big smile appeared on Mary's face.

-It's great to see you again!

Chapter Four

-How did you know I'm here?

-Well, I felt your footsteps!

A light, warm figure came close and sat down next to Mary. A tall blonde boy with eyes which represented the ocean and everything peaceful.

Mary's smile slowly faded.

-Long time no see.

-It's been ten years...

She finally looked up at Lewis. "You said you were gonna come back as soon as you could!" Mary said, trying to hold back her tears. "Ten years is not soon!"

"It hasn't been easy for me either!" Lewis said. "You might think it has been fun, but it's like I've lost you too. I miss you like everyday!"

Mary looked down.

-I miss you even more...

"But hey, you're not alone!" Lewis smiled again. "You just met a great boy today!"

Mary looked up at Lewis.

-Josh???

-Yeah! He can help you!

"I fell for you, and that was enough. I don't want to take the risk of losing them and go through the pain again."

-But you're not going to be single for the rest of your life are you? I mean, who says that you will lose a person for sure if you start a relationship with them? Just let them in, they're not as bad as you think! Who knows, they may be even better than me!

-You sound like my mum...

Mary went deep in thoughts. Maybe Lewis was right. He was not gonna come back anyway, no matter what.

But how did he always know the right thing to say?

She raised her head to ask Lewis, but he wasn't there.

Chapter Five

-Mary!

Mary turned around and saw Josh coming towards her.

-Josh! How did you find me?

-Your mum told me you sometimes take a ride to get your mind off things, so I thought you might be somewhere out of the city.

-Right...

"Are you alright?" Josh asked while sitting down next to Mary. "Oh yeah." Mary answered with a fake smile. "Daily stress and pressure, you know."

"Um... I heard you and your mum talking in the kitchen... apparently a guy named Lewis has upset you." Josh said. "Who is he?"

Mary sighed.

-Someone I used to know. Just like you.

-Like how?

-Well, when I was 16, my mum invited her friend and her son Lewis over for dinner hoping I'd like him. And I did. I think he liked me too. We spent a lot of time together, and it was great. We never knew each other as a couple, just really close friends. I think we were too shy to admit we would be great for each other. It was an amazing time, unfortunately it only lasted a year.

-What happened then?

-It was a normal Saturday evening. I was chillin' at home when I got a call from someone telling me that Lewis had a car crash. Some random guy couldn't brake and crashed right into his car. The guy made it to the hospital on time, but Lewis didn't.

-Wow, that... that's so sad...

-I know, right? Since then I've been trying to avoid falling in love. I'm too scared to lose people again.

-I mean... I lost my sister last year...

Mary was stunned. Once she could speak, she said "I'm so sorry to hear it... how old was she?" Most of Josh's smile had faded out, but it was still on his face. "It's okay. She was 18. She got stabbed on her way home. We never really discovered who did it."

-I'm so sorry...

Josh forced himself to smile and looked up. "Oh well, at least we have some similar points right?" That was kind of a dark humor, but it did make Mary feel better.

After watching the stars for a while, they decided to go home. But Mary's car had disappeared.

-What the hell???

That was Mary's first reaction. "Not again!"

"Um, what just happened?" Josh asked, confused and nervous. "No big deal." Mary smiled through the pain. "The paparazzis took my car away so they can take pictures of me while taking it back."

-How do...?

-I have a GPS on it.

-Oh!

They stood in silence for a second, until Josh spoke up. "Well, I'll take you home then!" "Oh, thanks!"

Josh opened the door for Mary.

-Ladies first!

Mary let out a nervous laugh and sat down. Josh got in afterwards and started driving.

Mary looked at him; It was hard to believe that he had actually lost his sister just a year ago. He seemed so happy and stubborn, he was probably great at hiding his pain.

-Should I play some music?

-Oh yeah. Sure.

Josh pressed some buttons, and gentle music started playing. Mary closed her eyes and allowed the song and the lyrics to take her away with themselves.

He said, "Let's get out of this town

Drive out of the city, away from the crowds"

I thought Heaven can't help me now

Nothing lasts forever

But this is gonna take me down

He's so tall and handsome as hell

He's so bad, but he does it so well

I can see the end as it begins

My one condition is

Say you'll remember me

Standing in a nice dress

Staring at the sunset, babe

Red lips and rosy cheeks

Say you'll see me again

Even if it's just in your wildest dreams, ah-ah, ha

Wildest dreams, ah-ah, ha

Mary opened her eyes and looked at Josh again, whose eyes were on the road. It was funny how the lyrics of a song could match someone so perfectly. Josh was handsome, and tall, and really knew what to say. And Mary was desperately hoping that this wasn't the last time they were seeing each other.

She thought back about the last few years; maybe she was overreacting. She did lose a great friend, but that surely wasn't the end of the world. She thought about the words that Lewis told her the same evening: Just let them in, they're not as bad as you think!

Mary closed her eyes. She was in the car with Josh, on the road, in the middle of nowhere. And nobody knew. There were no reporters or bodyguards surrounding her. It was only her, and Josh, a person that she was starting to like.

What was going to happen in the future? Mary didn't know. But she felt happy at the moment, and that's what mattered for now. And for the first time in the past ten years, she wasn't feeling lonely... .