That night had been the last time I'd see Deniz Öncu for a while. Despite our agreement to rendezvous the next morning Deniz had been a no show. I got a text from him saying "Sorry, my parents wouldn't let me go, have to pack for Greece."

Of course they wouldn't, because all of this was absurd, absurd I tell you. Whatever we think we saw in that freezer last night couldn't possibly have been drugs. It was probably one of Uncle Alvaro's unique takes on fishing, perhaps feeding the fish powder as bait. Like farmers do with pigs when they stuff them with antibiotics.

Reasoning with myself I made my way towards the beach. Despite the early A.M. We had our morning joggers sprinting across the shore and out there in the water we had our elite surfers, trying to get the first taste of what I had come to know as the swell. A new word Kai had fudimnetly tried to embed into my mind.

There was a place for me in the sand underneath the shade of a palm tree. Enea would be amongst the surfers, I just had the feeling. Once they were done trading rides on the waves, familiar faces emerged, Enea amongst his friends.

"Ellie, what are you doing here?" I waved for him to notice me and he had done so in an instant, sprinting my way with water dripping down his wet hair.

" What can I say, I'm an early riser?"

He smiled, with his whole face he smiled.

"How were the waves?"

"Meh." He shrugs. "It will be better in Fiji though."

"Fiji?" I frown. Enea plots down beside me, some of the water from his hair drips onto my shoulder as he turns to meet my eye.

"It's where the tour will begin, in Fiji. I'm going there next month."

"Oh?" I said lowering my head towards my knees. "Next month, that's.... soon."

"I can't wait, all is set with my sponsors. I'll have new equipment sent to me within a week. I promised Kai a new wetsuit. Perhaps I can get you one as well?"

"No thanks." I chuckle. "I don't think I'll be surfing anymore while you're gone."

"Why, because you'll miss me?" His elbow tugs at my ribs.

"You wish."

"Hey, how about I give you that private lesson we talk about?"

"Now?" I watch him rise to his feet. He tips his head to the side in an attempt to get water out of his ears.

"Yeah, why not. I got my board right here, you can borrow it."

"I don't know Enea." I said, digging my feet deeper into the sand. "I really didn't come here to surf. I was supposed to meet Deniz but he stood me up I guess. He's preparing to leave for Greece as we speak." Hearing the words echo in my head I realized that I was actually quite upset. My last night with Deniz hadn't met my expectations and now that he was gone I was left wondering, what is true love really?

Enea looks at me curiously, a dimmed expression softening his face.

"He didn't try anything did he?"

Looking up I met his gaze, serious but kind. I shook my head "No." My hot minute in the boathouse had been my idea not Deniz and so I don't think that counts.

"Come"

The morning sun was in my eyes, however I could make out the silhouette of Enea's outstretched hand. He helped me rise to my feet.

"Where are we going?" I asked, seeing how he hadn't let go of my hand.

"I'm taking you home."

"Why?" I blushed. The heat our intertwined hands generated surly spread through my entire body as we made our way down the beach.

"We're gonna get Kai and then I'm gonna take you guys scuba diving."

"But I hate diving." I groaned.

"I know."