~Alyssa's POV~

I sigh in annoyance as I walk home. Another long day of trying to fit in and be normal. So many thoughts were buzzing in my mind that I didn't notice the man in front of me. "I am so sorry," I say after I bump into him and fall. "I wasn't paying attention."

"It's fine," he says, holdng out his hand. "Need help?"

 I look up at him. He looked around my age, maybe a year or two older. He had dark brown hair that fell down to his shoulders and he was dressed in a simple tux with a black bowtie. He also had a strong spanish sounding accent as he spoke. "Thanks," I say, holding his hand to steady myself as I got up.

"May I ask your name?" he asks me. 

"It's Alyssa," I respond shyly. 

He smirks a little at me. "I'm Riptide." he says, "You have a beautiful name, Alyssa." 

"Thank you, I like yours too," I say. He smiles a little and I return it, trying not to stare at him.

"Are you alright, Alyssa?" he asks, and I start to blush madly. 

 "Y-yes, I'm fine. I-I didn't mean to stare." I say. 

Riptide laughs a little "That's quite alright," he says.

I feel myself blush harder and, unknowingly, a small sphere of water forms and floats around us. I didn't notice until Riptide asked "are you doing that?" At first, I was confused about what he meant, but then I saw and my eyes widened. 

"I can explain," I say, but he shakes his head. 

"You don't have to." 

I let the water go and I sigh, looking down. "Go ahead, say it. I'm a freak, a witch, whatever you want to call me, just say it."

There was silence as I waited for his reply. "What you are," he says, "is beautiful." I looked up at him, both surprised and confused. I didn't expect him to say that. I didn't expect anyone to say that. 

"You aren't scared?" I ask. 

Riptide laughs, "of course not," he says, "I have seen things like this many times before. You are not the first."