Chapter One - The Beach
Kellin's POV
I threw my bags down on the floor and looked into the room infront of me. It was practically empty; with only a bed, a chest of drawers, and a few posters on the walls. This was my room when I stayed over my Uncle's house, but I guess it was just my room now. End of. I didn't want to be here, but what choice did I have? I wasn't going to live with my pathetic excuse of a father anymore. I guess there were some advantages - I'd get the fresh start I'd wanted for a long time, and I had never lived so close to a beach before. But for someone like me, someone so... damaged, would being in a new place even make a difference?
My name is Kellin Quinn. I am 17 and I have brown hair and blue eyes. I'm still in school for a little while, but now i'll be joining a different one. I don't know anyone there. The only person I know here is my Uncle, but he does important office work so i'm lucky if I even see him for a couple of hours a day. Most of the time he can't even make it home at night, so he stays in a hotel near to his work. This means that i'll always be home alone, but I like that. He's moderately rich and so his house is huge - including my room. I guess now that I live here I can fill these walls with posters.
I sat on the bed and pulled one bag into my lap, opening it and sorting through my stuff. My Mom had helped me pack most of it so I had no idea which one all my different possessions were in. I found my phone and placed it on the bed next to me, and then continued to look in the bag. I found some things I'd forgotten i'd had, like some swimming trunks, old Pokemon cards and a valentines card I got from a girl in my class when I was six. It still had faded hearts drawn inside with pink gel pen. I looked around the room, wondering what I was going to do today. My Uncle was at work and most of my stuff was still in my bags, and I didn't have the motivation to start unpacking yet. I looked back at the things on my bed and my eyes focused on the swimming trunks. Maybe i'd go to the beach.
I looked at the clothes I was already wearing - a black band top and worn skinnies. I didn't feel like changing so I decided I didn't mind if these got dirty, I had already worn them on the several trains it took to get here. I left my phone on my bed and went into the kitchen, wondering if I should leave a note. My Uncle might not even come home today though, so why bother?
I left everything but myself at the house, locking the door and then hiding the key in the plant pot. Knowing me i'd lose it at the beach and then be locked out for the rest of the day and night. The walk to the beach was a short and uneventful one, and I was pleased to see that it was sunny and hot today. Almost too hot, I was starting to sweat under my clothes. Maybe a swim was what I needed.
Vic's POV
I looked out of my window, pleased to see that today was just as sunny as the day before had been. It was half term so that meant that Mike and I could do what we liked, such as going to the arcade and the beach.
My name's Vic Fuentes. I live in a small house by the beach with my brother Mike, and my Mother and Father. We're quite a close family, and i'm pretty happy with my life at the moment. We're Mexican and while sometimes this attracts the wrong kind of attention, we don't let that bother us. We just live without regrets and do what we love. Although, I do admit... there's not as much excitement in my life as i'd like there to be. Every day is the same - wake up, go to school, go to the beach, to the arcade, have dinner, sleep. I want something new to happen to me, something that will change everything.
But for now, it looked like the best thing I could do today was go to the beach. I'd always loved the beach - just the way I was surrounded with the sun, sand and the sea. It was beautiful. It was always fun to go with my younger brother too. I had just turned 17 and Mike was almost 16. Yet, he was taller than me. It wasn't surprising though, I was a small, skinny Mexican boy who probably didn't even look 17. People always thought Mike was older.
I got changed into my trunks and grabbed a towel from the rack, running down the stairs. "MIKE!" I shouted, and within a minute he followed me down, carrying a towel of his own as if he had read my mind. "Beach?" I asked.
"Hell yeah"
Our Father was out working so we went into the kitchen to tell our Mother where we were going.
"We're going to the beach, Mama. See you later" I said, hugging her.
"Okay, be safe boys" she smiled, as she hugged Mike after me.
We left the house, running barefoot down the street until the beach was in sight.
Kellin's POV
Okay, so I wasn't just a little hot. I was boiling. I had forgotten just how hot it was here and hadn't really packed anything appropriate to wear, and now I was getting punished for it. I walked across the soft, steaming sand. I had taken my shoes off as they were black as well, and I was carrying them at my side. I rarely came to the beach or even went swimming, but the ocean was just calling me. The water looked so cool, and I was dying strolling along the shore. I looked around me, there weren't too many people here and they were quite far away. It seemed that I had picked an unpopular corner of the beach to walk across. That didn't bother me though, I knew it would look weird to see a guy my age going into the water wearing the clothes that I was, so it was better if less people saw me. I put my shoes down on the sand, thinking for a moment before taking off my shirt too and throwing it down next to them. I sighed at my unbelievably pale skin. Compared to everyone else here, I looked like paper. My Uncle would always joke about it. I guessed now I might finally get a tan though.
Leaving my stuff on the floor, I walked slowly over to the water, dipping my foot in a wave that was speading itself out along the shore. I sighed happily as I felt how cool it was, and I knew that I needed to be in that water before I passed out from exhaustion. I walked further into the water, looking at the waves infront of me. Despite the hot weather it was still fairly windy, and the waves were big and constant. But they were also cold and that hydration is what made me feel that I needed to go further into the water. I was almost in a trance, as if the water was calling me. It was up to my knees now, but still I was walking. I could feel shells and rocks on the sea bed, some quite sharp. I went further into the water until it was up to my chest and I could take my feet off of the ground. I sighed happily once more, feeling much better than I previously had. I noticed a small current pulling me further into the water, but it was only little. Harmless really. I just knew that I was happier to be cooling down.
I stayed in the water for a while, happily drifting along with my eyes closed. The waves were getting bigger around me and every so often one would catch me by surprise and push me under, but then I would return to the surface. I wondered how long it had been and opened my eyes, looking infront of me to the shore. But I couldn't see it. I looked around, panicking. How far out was I? I could see the shore now but it was much further than I had guessed, and the deep water was surrounding me. I stretched my foot out, testing the distance to the bottom. But I couldn't reach the bottom. Panicking, I began thrashing my feet and arms madly, trying to return to the shore. I made it a little closer before I began to grow weak - maybe I wasn't feeling as better as I had thought. I breathed in as I tried to begin moving again, but just as I did this, I felt a wave crash above my head. It knocked me under the water and I felt the water go down my throat and into my lungs. I tried to move but there was so much pressure above my head that I couldn't reach the surface again. I was drowning, and I couldn't save myself.
Vic's POV
Finally we reached the beach and as always, we walked straight over to the right-hand side of it. We liked it there because there were some rocks at the side that we had climbed on ever since we were little, and no one ever came to this side of the beach because it wasn't as safe as being in the middle or on the left. It was a dodgy bit of ground under the water that was completely uneven, and this meant that people couldn't surf here either because the waves would just push the boards under. This element of danger is what intrigued us, and it made us confident swimmers as we had dealt with this type of sea water all our lives.
I couldn't believe how hot it was today, I was only wearing trunks and yet I was still boiling and sweating like mad. I looked to Mike, and he seemed to be thinking the same as he looked towards the beach infront of us and wiped his forehead.
"Hey man, you got any money?" Mike asked and I stuffed my hand in my pocket, pulling out a few coins and handing them to him. "Thanks, i'm gonna go get us some drinks. Wait here" he said, and then ran off in the direction of the beach cafe. I sat down on the rock I was previously standing on, and looked down to the beach. I wouldn't go in the water just yet, I would wait for Mike since he was getting us drinks. Plus, we always raced to see who could make it to the water first. I usually won. I was watching the waves crash against the rocks when something dark caught my eye. It contrasted with the light sand, and so it captured my attention. I stood and walked a little closer, looking down at it. It was a shirt, it looked like it had blown against a rock in the wind.
Is there someone here? I thought, looking out into the water. And that's when I saw it. Something trashing about in the deep water. Something... with human hands. A person. Drowning.
Kellin's POV
I was losing all strength, the water making its way into my lungs. I could feel myself passing out. I couldn't carry on, so I made one last attempt to get above the water, before the whole of me sank under and things began to get blurry. My eyes stang from the water so I let them slowly close, but then I saw a flash of colour infront of me, and the next thing I knew, something was pulling on my arm. A shark? Did they even have sharks here? Things went dark and I felt my body going. I was dying.
I opened my eyes to see the sky. It was blurry, but it was the sky. I felt pain all through my body as I began choking up water, and then I realised that someone was infront of me. This person was pushing on my chest, and soon the water was gone and I felt myself breathe again. They got off me and I sat up slowly and carefully, looking at the person infront of me. It was a guy, and he had long, messy brown hair and brown eyes. He stared at me as if he expected a response - oh yeah, this guy just saved my life. But did that mean he used CPR?
"If you're gonna do that kiss of life shit or whatever it is I will push your head under the water myself" I said, and instantly began choking again after as I felt the salty taste return to my mouth. The boy just simply laughed.
"I'm guessing you're alright then" he said.
"I think so..."
"Are you not from around here? Everyone knows not to go in this part of the water if you can't swim" he asked.
"I can swim!" I objected. "I just didn't realise how far out I had got". I also had no idea that there were certain 'parts' of the water that you shouldn't swim in. Crap.
"Well, i'm just glad you're alright now. I'm Vic, by the way" he said, smiling at me. It was unusual that I ever had strangers being nice to me, as I wasn't exactly the approachable type. People hated me. But I guessed since this guy had just saved my life and it was my first day here, maybe it would be nice to know someone.
"Kellin" I said back, trying to smile back to him. These things didn't really come naturally to me.
"So, do you think you can stand?" Vic asked me.
"Yeah, I think so" I said, slowly pushing myself to my feet, and then stumbling and nearly falling over. Vic went to catch me but then stood back again, blushing a little. That was understandable, he clearly wanted to help me but I wasn't exactly an easy person to help.
"Is there somewhere to get food around here?" I asked, becoming aware that I was standing there shirtless with skinny jeans clinging to my legs and bare feet. To be fair though, I was wearing more than this guy was. Not that I was complaining though... wow.
"Yeah, there's a cafe on the other side of the beach. My brother went to get some stuff there but he hasn't come back yet so we can just go to him" Vic said, beginning to walk up the beach. He stopped and turned around, looking at me and motioning for me to follow him. I began to walk and stumbled again, falling to my knees. I felt like Bambi or something, but the experience had drained the life and energy out of me. I needed to eat, now. Vic walked back over to me, noticing my shirt and shoes on the ground and picking them up. He then proceeded to grab my arm and pull it over his shoulders, allowing me to lean on him and begin to walk.
"You don't have to do this you know" I said, feeling a little uncomfortable about this stranger being so helpful to me.
"I know, I want to" he smiled, and continued walking. That smile...
Vic's POV
Soon we made it to the cafe and I helped Kellin to a seat, leaving him there to go and find Mike. I told Mike what had happened and asked him to get some food for Kellin, and then walked back to the table. As I came over, Kellin weakly pulled his shirt back onto himself. Pity, I liked the view. This boy was gorgeous, he had bright blue eyes and dark, browny-black hair. And when he smiled at me earlier... it was nice. I was glad I had saved him, and he seemed to be grateful, even if he had a funny way of showing his gratitude. His skin was so pale! Definitely not from around here. Plus, he lacked knowledge of the beach and if I was completely honest, he sort of lacked social skills too. I was a very social person - coming from such a close and interactive family, with several friends. He was just so different. Different and new. I liked it. I realised that now this boy was here, I didn't want him to leave too quickly. As posessive as that sounded.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, sitting across from him at the table and dragging another chair there for when Mike got back.
"A bit better actually, just insanely tired" he said, pushing his hair from his face and then resting both arms on the table, gently laying his head on top of them.
"Don't worry, Mike's getting you something" I said, and then Mike appeared behind me carrying a tray holding three Cokes and a large portion of chips. He put the drinks down and handed the chips to Kellin, who had a shocked expression on his face.
"I don't have any money to give you for this..." Kellin mumbled, looking up at Mike.
"Don't be silly, it's on us" Mike smiled, taking his seat.
"um... thankyou" Kellin said, gratefully taking a chip from the plate and eating it. Within a few minutes, they were all gone and he was smiling. I handed him his coke and he downed it, a fresh burst of energy showing on his face. He showed no signs of being someone that had been seconds from a watery death just half an hour ago.
"Better?" I asked, and Kellin nodded.
"Much better"
Kellin's POV
Food! I had never been so happy to see it. I didn't want to look like a pig infront of these two new people but I was so desperate and starving that the food was gone as quickly as I had recieved it. I then also downed a coke, and suddenly I felt far better. I knew it wasn't just the food that had me feeling like this, though. It was Vic and Mike. I had been really worried about not knowing anyone here and being treated like I had back home, but already, two people were being so kind to me. They had only known me for a really short amount of time, and yet they had still bought me lunch.
I really didn't want to leave, but I knew they probably wanted me out of their hair. They had obviously come to the beach for a reason and i'm sure it wasn't to feed some desperate stranger, but still, I didn't want to go. Just as I was about to give in and leave them alone, Vic spoke up.
"So Kellin, do you want to spend the day with us?" he asked. I didn't know how to respond, of course I really wanted to but I didn't want to cling onto them for the entire day.
"Yeah sure, as long as you don't mind" I said. I guess I was going to anyway then.
"Of course we don't" Mike smiled, and they stood, so I copied their actions.
"Beach is probably out of the question for you now Kellin so, arcade?" Vic asked. I blushed, I didn't want to ruin their plans, but I did not want to go back to that beach.
"Yeah sure, I'll have to get home and get some money first though" I said, I couldn't let them pay for anything else for me.
"So do we actually. We can meet you at the top of the beach in about half an hour?" Mike suggested. I liked this idea, but I realised how desperate I was beginning to look. To them, I was just some guy that couldn't swim and liked to eat. Not exactly a good image. I needed them to see who I really was before we became friends, so I knew if they actually liked me or were pitying me. I needed my charm back, the charm that allowed me to fuck things up at my old school and cause trouble, but still get out of most punishments just because people didn't want to try and argue with me. And this Vic guy, he was really appealing to me. I decided to just go for it.
"Yeah sure" I said, picking a pen up off of the table and walking over to Vic, trying to be as smooth as I could without looking stupid. I grabbed his hand so his arm was out infront of me, and began to write on his arm. "Just so we don't lose eachother... have my number" I said, writing it down and then subtly winking at him. I then picked up my shoes, walking away down the street before I began to feel stupid about what I had just done. But hey, what did I have to lose? He was kinda cute anyways.
