An edited version of the story, but not entirely revised. I hope it's worth the read!

What I'm about to share may not be what you're expecting, but it's a part of me that I need to get off my chest. What started as a normal day turned into a day of redemption. It's the day I finally became whole again. And it all started at the beach.

*

The law textbook on my lap weighs more than three dictionaries combined, its content crushes my boney legs. The sand piling on my beach towel itches my skin, as the repetitive crashing of the waves strikes a nerve. The laughter and chatter of people mingling about take me in and out of focus. I lean against the water cooler for comfort from this hellish weather. I haven't taken one step away from the shade, but sweat streaks down my face and sticks to me like slim.

My eyes reread the same sentence four times before I comprehend. As I regain my concentration again, a voice calls out to me. "Hey, Rose! You still up there, Rosy?"

Focus slips from my grasp again and I sigh seamlessly. Dakota makes her way under the umbrella.

"Back from the water already?" I ask. My hand fiddles with my bookmark and pokes in between the pages.

"You're still sitting here?" Dakota replies. Her body drips from the sea and her perfect sapphire eyes hover over me. Sand sticks to her wet feet like pasty glue. She makes her way to the cooler behind me and digs for her desired beverage. She crushes a water bottle in her hand and chugs half of it. Her eyes fall on my books and her nose wrinkles. Dakota wags her strawberry hair like a dog; clumps of droplets fire toward me like bullets.

"Yes, I'm still here. Now move, please. You're getting me wet!" I swipe my damp arms, the feel of the freezing ocean seeps into my skin and cools it for a second.

Dakota chuckles. "Honestly, I think I did you a favor." She sips her water bottle one more time and tosses it on the floral towel next to me. Dakota bends down. " So listen, I want you to come out to the water with me."

I huff. My fingers delicately caress the thin textbook pages. "Dakota, we've been through this. Even if I knew how to swim, I have studying to do."

Dakota's face levels with mine, and her drenched hair sags down her face like a veil. "First off, you don't need to know how to swim to dip your feet in the water." She says, mouth curving into a mischievous grin.

"Second, you're wearing a bathing suit, so don't just sit here and be bored. And third," my best friend's hands grip my shoulders and violently shake me as if I'm a broken vending machine that ate her dollar. "Take a stinking break!"

I grunt and playfully slap her hand. "The ocean is a dangerous place, and I don't feel like dying today, thank you very much." My teasing doesn't phase her. Dakota stands and rests her hand on her sun-kissed hip. The curve of her body is stunning, an hourglass figure with a red one-piece bathing suit that compliments her shape and reveals skin in just the right places. Jealousy twists in my stomach.

"You know you're going to ace this final exam, so why study more than you already have?" She rips the textbook from my grip, her damp hands wrinkling the top of the thin pages. She drops it on the towel next to her water bottle.

"Seriously! That towel is full of sand!" I say, rising from my spot. Dakota smiles and pokes my side. I twitch and slap her hand away. "Will you stop that?"

"Good, you're up," Dakota says. "Now all you need to do is smack a smile on your face, and sell yourself to the ocean water. You won't regret it, especially in this heat. You must be dying out here!" Dakota's hand fully wraps around my wrist, and she uses all her force to drag me away from the shade. I fight against her, struggling to return to my shady isolation.

The sun begins to singe my delicate skin as the unforgiving rays beat me down. The salty air tickles my nose and the faint smell of a cookout awakens my grumbling tummy. Women all over wear waterproof lingerie and some men with sculpted bodies strut the beach. Volleyballs are flying in the air, and owners call for their zealous dogs, frolicking in the sand. Everyone is packed like anchovies and welcomes the burning sun on their skin. The only sweet relief to the heat is the ocean itself. Daunting and full of mystery, the specks of people swimming and riding the waves give me goosebumps.

I rip my hand out of Dakota's grasp. "Why are you so determined to get me in the water?" I ask.

Dakota's head snaps back at me, eyes bulging out of her head. "There's a freaking cute guy in the water, and I need backup!" She whispers.

*

Let's get one thing straight, Dakota may be tall and thin, and her sass may give off an uneasy first impression, but she isn't the type of girl to find many guys attractive. Her standards are too high for most men to meet, but I commend her for that. I wish I had Dakota's stubborn attitude.

*

"You like a boy?" I gasp. She rolls her eyes and shushes me.

"Don't speak so loud! And no, not exactly. Just come with me." She tugs at my arm once more, and the rays from the sun streak my face.

My feet sink into the sand and Dakota drags me closer to the salty Pacific. The land gradually flattens to a plain and the heated sand becomes cool and moist. My toes barely touch the swaying tide before I glue my feet to a halt.

"Okay, I'm in the water, now what?" I say. Dakota drops her hand and then groans. Her hair whips around as her blue eyes search.

An exceeding amount of people surround us. The noise from the waves echoes in my ears, laughter, and conversations from every direction flood my senses. Kids with floaties splash in the water, and bodies swarm in every direction.

"It's too crowded, you'll never find him again," I say, arms crossed.

"Don't you worry, I'll find him," she replies. "Where are you, surfer boy?" Dakota's hand covers her eyes to block out the sunlight. After a few moments of silence and intense searching, I come to a silent conclusion that this guy is a figment of her imagination, but I conclude too soon and she squeals in my ear.

"Oh, my God, that's him!" Dakota exclaims.

"What? Where is he?" My eyes scramble to match her gaze. Then, I see him. A sculpted figure with a dazzling smile. I can picture his sweet hazel eyes from where I stand; eyes that I can never forget.

*

I know what you're thinking, I'm about to reunite and fall in love with this guy. But trust me, it's much more than you think.

This man isn't just anybody, this is Austin Moore. A guy who has it all; brains, a killer body, style, charisma, and plenty of connections. A guy who keeps possession of girls' broken hearts under his skin, and still sleeps soundly at night. In his custody, one of those hearts belongs to me. He's a heartbreaker, but the way he breaks them is unlike anything you can imagine.

*

I stare, my mouth is opened wide and my body is still as a statue. My vision starts to go black, and I lean on Dakota in fear of passing out. All the conversations of the past fill my mind. There were rumors of him moving to Florida for better swimming opportunities, or even quitting school to start working full-time. One rumor even spread of him becoming a mermaid, which seemed to be the favorite among the bunch. Yet none seem to explain what he's doing back in California, surfing the waves like he always did as if nothing has ever changed, as if he was just a normal guy all along.

"Surprise! I knew you'd think he's cute. You're welcome!" Dakota pats my back, a smile spreads across her face. I can't muster up the words to express how I'm feeling. I completely blank out and watch carefully as Austin jogs out of the Pacific waters, surfboarding under his arm as he ruffles his flawless obsidian hair.

Dakota continues rambling. "I know you like the dark and bruting bad-boy types, so I did some stalking and cooped up enough info for you. He's single and ready to mingle and loves adventure. He came to the beach alone, and is mostly attracted to brunettes." Her elbow jams my side. "So glad you decided to wear your black two-piece today. He'll go nuts once he sees you."

"How do you even know all of this?" I question, still watching as Austin maneuvers around the crowd of people, hollering to a group of other half-naked men under a faded navy tent.

"That's for me to know, and for you to not," she replies. "Anyways, check this out, if you look closely, you'll see he's got a really nice tattoo on his upper chest near his heart, and some all over his body. From afar, they look like nasty birthmarks, but I got close enough to make sure. I was relieved when I realized they were tats," she laughs. "Thank God for that. I mean, personally, I don't like tattoos but I think that would just be so cute if they were quotes or something."

Dakota goes on, but my mind slowly wanders down a dark hall of memories from my senior year of high school, thoughts I kept hidden away for a reason. That was the year that changed my life forever, and it all started and ended with Austin.

*

I guess this part can seem a little typical. A guy in high school ruining a girl's life forever is a bit overused, but I'm serious, it's not what you think. Austin is more than what meets the eye, and seven years ago I was too little too late in figuring that out.

Of course, poor Dakota has no idea who Austin is and what he's capable of, but I do. To understand the actions that unravel in the next twenty seconds, I have to take you back a few years to some of the most horrific events in my life; high school.

*

I maneuver through the clutter of annoying high schoolers, my textbooks are secured tightly around my chest. The chaos of noise is obnoxious, but I stick to the route and block out the rest. I keep my head down, swerving past hyperactive bodies and squeezing my way through the hall.

I'm a few steps from turning the corner when I slam right into a solid body, my glasses falling off my face. I reach down to grab them, but another pair of hands beat me to it. I lift my head to a goofy smile. Austin's color is definitely green, the striped v-neck shirt brightens his hazel eyes. He smiles and hands me my glasses, and I awkwardly put them back on. Up close, the magnitude of his beauty is increased tenfold.

"Oh, sorry for getting in your way," I rub strands of my brunette hair between my fingers.

He grabs the right backpack strap slung on his shoulder and shrugs. A smile creeps on his face again, this time with a little more teeth showing. "Hey, it's okay Rosemary. I'm just glad you're not hurt."

My nerves get the best of me, and words escape my mind. I look down at the unpolished school tile, the tan and orange patterns are faded under my converse. I completely forgot my train of thought all because of some good-looking guy, but there was an aura about him. Something about his presence makes my heart beat a little too loudly, and the pounding soon bangs through my chest uncomfortably.

Austin's hand cups my chin, and I look up at him, with wide eyes. The warmth of his hand trances my face like a precious lotus flower, blooming in every place he touches. My heart hammers against my chest.

"Just be careful, okay?" Austin walks away before I can breathe again. The beating slowly ceases the farther he goes.

That afternoon, I make my way down the empty halls to my Student Council meeting. That's when footsteps and laughter come rolling around the other end of the hall. From a distance, the pack seems hungry for trouble, but I know better than to get in their way. The swim team practice is at the other end of the school, but there's always a rush to grab cafeteria food before it closes. Their flip-flops and bright blue swim trunks are hard to miss.

Some munch on their food while others throw it at each other like a game of dodgeball. More snickering and remarks echo through the halls. I skid closer to the lockers in hopes to pass the swimming pack unnoticed, their voices bubble louder and louder. The chuckling and chatter die down once I'm parallel to them and I can feel their stares hunting me down. My breath jumps followed by a series of rapid pumping in my chest humming like a car.

"Hey Austin, isn't that your girl, Rosemary?" One of them teases, and a hard smack follows. The teasing continues, but I can't concentrate. My hand grips the side of the lockers, a vibration quakes inside me, and my head starts to throb.

"Come on man! I don't want her to know that I've got a thing for her." Austin says. I cross my arms to help tame the shaking that bounces in my chest and lean on the lockers for support. It burns with the force of a heart attack and I can't contain my whimpering. My eyes begin to water, my entire chest is ablaze and the pain consumes my heart. I fear it may explode.

It beats in my ears, and I grasp onto the locker again, my legs too weak to carry myself any longer. Sweat creeps down my forehead and spine, and all my senses disappear. Without even realizing it, arms circle around me, and soothing words bring me back to reality.

"Rosemary, are you okay?" Austin asks, feeling the top of my forehead. My body shakes and my vision is blurry.

"Wh-what's happening?" I hyperventilate, and my chest aches too much. My legs fail me, and the rush of gravity takes its course, but I don't hit the ground. I land into a bed of warm muscle instead.

"Hey guys, you go ahead and tell the coach I'll be late. Something's seriously wrong with Rosemary." Austin says, and my body urges me to close my eyes.

When I open them again, light from the window spotlights Austin's perfectly tan face. Creases of worry outline his forehead and nose. I take in my surroundings: a dark, empty classroom and dead silence. I sit on one of the desks, and Austin's sturdy arms circle around me. All the pains that crippled me minutes ago have ceased.

In such relief, I don't think before speaking. "Austin, what did you do to me? What happened? Where are we?"

He gently runs his fingers through my hair, streaks of brown over his golden fingertips. "I don't know. Your chest seemed to be in a lot of pain, that's all you kept saying."

I rub my face, and the remains of salty teardrops collect on my hand. "I don't even remember crying." My lip trembles. "Am I going crazy?"

"No, no you're not Rose. Just relax, breathe, and blink. I've got you." Austin says calmly and I do as he says.

I pant, fearful of these mind games. "What's going on with me? I don't understand." I croak, tears threatening to spill again, but he cups my face with both hands now, his pupils dilated and full.

Austin wraps me in his embrace and all my troubles seem to disappear. "Rosemary, it's me. I'm making you feel this way. I feel it too."

"Y-you do?" His confession surprises me, and I pull back to stare into his hypnotizing eyes.

"I think I know why I'm like this. I think it's because," Austin pauses. His breath is faltering and matches my own. I feel the rhythm of his heart pulse through my own body. It courses through me, connecting us. I lay my hand on his chest. The pulse is strong enough to move my fingers. I gasp uncontrollably. "I love you," he confesses. "I've been too shy to say it, but now I can see it hurts us both to be apart." His heart races in impossible acceleration. As if more than one heart is in his chest.

"You have this power over me, and I never knew how badly I wanted to be with you until now," I say. Then, the pain in my chest returns, stronger than ever. I become conscious of how much I want Austin. He cradles me tighter, too tight for comfort.

"It's happening again," I say, fear trickling back into my voice.

"I know, I feel it too."

His eyes roam my face, and I wrap my arms around his neck, legs winding around him.

"I know this might seem crazy, but I really want you. I really need you." He says, and I nod. We share the same passionate emotions, and I never thought anyone could feel this way toward me. The thumping grows louder, stabbing at my skin and setting my chest ablaze. A side effect of true love, right?"

"But I just, I need to know if you're all in," Austin continues. I nod again and lick my lips, my gaze unwavering from him and my whole body completely his. His dry laugh pricks at my skin and his forehead meet mine. An ice-cold shiver runs down my spine.

"I need your heart," he says.

"You already have it," I reply and breathe in the scent of him, a salt and spice fragrance that soothes my palpitating chest.

Austin grips me tighter, shaking his head. "No, Rosemary, not yet."

All the built-up passion implodes when our lips meet. His tender lips press against mine and all my senses are heightened. The weight of his mouth, the burning fire of his touch, the taste of his moist lips. I've only been kissed by two other guys, but this is way more than just a kiss.

My hands tremble over his heart again, then I press on mine. I notice a dark spot on the manifest upon his neck with the word ROSE.

"Austin," I murmur between kisses, unable to even hear my voice from my pounding ears. "Your tattoo, will it spell my name?" he replies with a moan, and that's when our little paradise suddenly submerges down a black hole.

The blissful kiss turns dark, and the ferocious quaking in my heart crawls up my throat, rapidly pulsing through my upper body. I claw at my chest, eyes bulging, but he doesn't let me go. Austin digs his fingers into my head, keeping our lips together. True love, he just really loves me, that's all. But I can't fool myself any longer; I'm in agonizing pain.

My mouth throbs and there's a high-pitched ringing in my ears. The torment boils my blood. I scream into him pushing off his chest, but he doesn't budge. The pain rips my spine and crushes my stomach. My entire throat grows numb from the agony. Austin keeps my mouth glued to his, and I sob in fear. The light in the room comes out of focus, and I can't capture anything.

Finally, I'm released from the dreadful contact, my body frail and empty. My consciousness scoops in and out, but I don't forget the last words he tells me.

"And now, Rosemary, I have your heart."

The last thing I remember is waking, hollow and empty in the dim-lit nurse's office. When she asked me what happened, all I could say is, "my heart's been stolen."

*

No, I'm not dead, but I've never been the same after that. Since then, I've never been able to love again. The closest relationships I can handle are friendships, but romantic love has been out of the equation for years. So I've been living half alive, unable to connect, love, or care for another.

I tried to find him, to hunt him down, but he completely vanished. Now, I can only imagine how many women have been a victim of his wrath. One thing's for sure, I'll get him back. And now, seven years later, I've found my chance.

*

I make my way over to him, pushing away doubtful thoughts and ignoring the consequences that may follow. From behind me, Dakota calls out. "Wait, are you actually going to talk to him? You go, girl!"

I ignore her and let all the anger from the past seven years seethe inside me. I know what that tattoo says, I know what his smile means, I know what his eyes tell, and I know what his chest holds. I'm about to get my life back.

I push through bodies and keep my eyes glued on Austin. He's finally made his way to the beach, drying himself with a maroon towel. When Austin finally notices me, his sly grin twists into terror. His furrowed eyebrows muscle tense.

"Rosemary, is that you?" Austin asks."I can't believe it, I haven't seen you in years. How've you been?"

I don't hesitate when I slap him right across the face. The sound of my hand connecting with his skin satisfies me on a whole other level. Austin holds his cheek as his buddies around us hoot and holler. His eyebrow trembles and his head slowly turns back to confront me.

"What the hell was that for?"

"What was that for? Seriously? You know damn well what that was for!" I exclaim, pressing my fingers into his chest. A crowd begins to form around us. "You have something that belongs to me." On his neck is the rest of my name. He unconsciously touches the tattoo and grins.

"I thought you adored this tattoo, it's your name."

"You stole not just my heart, but the hearts of so many other women," I say and point at the other tattoos on his arms and chest. "I don't know how you got away with it this long, but I'm here to make sure you get what you deserve." I can sense the fear creeping back, and his face beings to pale.

"Oh, Austin's got girl problems." One of his friends says, the group all starts to laugh.

Austin scoffs. "Oh God, do you know how crazy you sound right now? Women, I swear."

"You wanna see crazy? I'll show you crazy."

I eliminate the space between us and grip his face in my hands. I connect my lips with his. The first emotion that comes to me is the pulverizing rhythm of my heart. I punch his chest, urging him to cough it up. He resists my strength, but I pound on his ribs harder, each punch stronger than the last. It's closer now, and Austin's struggle comes to an end. I won. The familiar palpitating heart passes into my throat and dives back its place. I shove him away from me and struggle to regain my strength. It takes me a moment to catch my breath.

Austin's weak body collapses on the sand, and I hover over him. My name fades off his skin. I smile. Like his many victims, he now lies there, weak and vulnerable.

"Now, Austin Moore, you don't own me anymore." 

This short story is extra special because I attempted a complicated theme called Tense Shifting. This is usually used in lighthearted movies or comedies when the narrator is telling a story throughout a movie, and has abrupt pauses and freezes moments in time. Some movies rewind from event to event to tell a story in detail or to explain something that further helps the viewer understand future events.

This is my first time trying this out, and I hope it wasn't too confusing. Overall, it was a fun challenge, and I'm glad I tried it out.

As always, thank you for reading! :)

Revised 1/13/2023