Birthday gift for a friend.

Kel sat at the edge of the water, the warm sand soothing on his bare feet. It was an anchor to him, allowing him to focus on all that happened, which he sorely needed after what had happened.

Mari had been pushed by Sunny, broken her ankle. She was alive sure, but Kel found himself haunted by what could have happened. He had kept a smile on his face throughout it all, until Mari had recovered and everyone had forgiven Sunny. Everything was OK and back to normal...

So why was he still so stressed? So tense? He felt like he just... had it all bottled up, like if he just let it out he would be OK and then things would be done with, but he was Kel! Kel always smiled, never cried! He...

"Oh yo Kel!" Cris exclaimed happily, shells she had collected rattling around in a bag on her shoulder, "How you doing?"

Kel forced a smile, "Great! Great..."

Cris thought back to the last time she had spoken to Kel one week ago, he had lost the basketball game by missing a three pointer, while his team was nice about it Kel seemed upset. She tried to talk to him but he had since avoided her due to her prying.

Kel had always liked Kris, not in the same way he liked Aubrey or Sunny, no, those two were more like family. His feelings for Cris were different, she was cute and fun, but he had never really spoken to her about it. They would swim together after school in the school pool sometimes but aside from that, not much.

Cris inquired, "Are you OK?"

Kel nodded.

Cris sternly asked again, sitting by him, "Are you... really OK?"

Kel sighed and looked out at the blue waves lapping onto the sands. He conceded solemnly, "... I just don't know how to cry."

Cris was shocked, she had assumed Kel just cried when he was alone, she had no idea he was hiding his pain this severely. She offered advice, "Oh. Try imagining a jar. Imagine your sadness is in it. OK?"

Kel closed his eyes and pictured the jar. He nodded, "OK."

Cris continued, "Kel remember when I cried because I missed an important swim meet due to twisting my ankle and you comforted me?"

Kel nodded, "Yeah, you were to hard on yourself."

"Did you think less of me for crying?" Cris inquired.

Kel shook his head, "No! You're the cutest, most fun girl I know!"

"You think I'm cute?" Cris inquired, blushing.

Kel chuckled, "Uhhh... yeah."

"Well the point is I won't think less of you," Cris assured, "Anyone who taught you not to cry lied. It's healthy and important to cry when you need to. Now Kel, open the jar."

Kel pictured the jar opening, and he opened his eyes, his vision was blurred by tears. He saw Cris smile at him reassuringly, her sweet smile told him it was OK to cry it all out, as his tears fell into the ocean.

Cris gave him a moment. He wiped his tears and stood up, "Thanks Cris."

"You would do the same," Cris assured. Her face turned pink as she asked, "So... you said I was cute. I'm looking for shells, how about we give you something to smile about?" She offered Kel her hand, "Wanna join me?"

Kel smiled, "Sure, sounds fun."

So, holding hands they walked down the beach, happy with the company and warm grip of the other showing them that they weren't alone and someone cared.

"Is this a date?" Kel asked anxiously.

Cris chuckled and kissed his cheek, his face went as red as the sunset over the water. He replied, "OK got it."

Cris happily chuckled, and they carried on...