Locket

Mika loved the beach, she loved the sea and she loved Greece, all of them were here and she was beaming. Breathing in the warm summer air she took off her blue-rimmed glasses (which she hardly wore, today was a special occasion because she wanted to see the island Crete) to wipe the water droplets on her patterned tank top. She set them back on and looked down at the sea. It looked beautiful, clear as turquoise glass that sparkled in afternoon sun.

Slowly she walked on the golden sand towards the water, her bare feet feeling the warmth, she'd left her sandals at the top of the sand bank. It seemed to be a calm day for sea, the waves gently rolling in, picking up sand and dropping it while retreating. The water felt cold at first but as Mika got used to it the coolness spread over her feet and wherever else it touched. She saw the ripples she made spread over the water and disappear in the horizon. She rolled her capris up so that she could go deeper; careful not to step on any shells she stepped further in. She brushed a stray lock of her dark hair away from her face. Her hair was rather interesting, sometimes after washing, it was straight and sometimes it was curly, but mostly it had light curls that looked more like waves. In a similar way in some lightings her hair and eyes appeared caramel or light brown and in others, dark brown or black.

Sighing, she looked up at the sky, there was the sun blazing overhead, not a cloud in sight. Surely her light tan skin would tan a lot in this heat! Mika hardly ever got sunburns, so if she was out for a short time, she didn't bother putting any sunscreen on. She stood there for a while staring out at the gentle waves and getting some peace for herself. Usually her parents wouldn't let her out alone, but the beach was close to the hotel and she had turned 12 in February. This kind of quiet was something special for her, having 3 siblings. One younger brother named Nico who was 10, he was very nice but loud and sometimes he got a bit annoying. She had an elder brother Apallo who was 14, everyone called him Allo, but he was such a show off and could be very demanding. Both brothers looked very much like their father, Cleon Kennedy, light brown hair with blue eyes and a sturdy figure. All of them were popular while at school. Layla (who was 13) with her light brown shoulder-length hair with blue eyes and a kind, but sometimes over-perfect attitude was very like Mika's mother, Jacinda Kennedy.

Checking her sea themed watch, she realized it was time for her to get back to the hotel. Fast-walking up to her brown sandals, planning to slip them on and run to the hotel, she noticed something glittering in the sand to her right, towards the rocks. Having something of a curious nature, she went towards the object. There, in the sand lay the most enchanting locket she had ever seen. It was mostly covered in sand and she couldn't see anyone on the beach, so she assumed it was lying there for a long time. If it meant anything to anyone, likely it would have been found already.

Picking it up she studied it, it was about the size of a small acorn and in the shape of a heart. The back was smooth silver with the most beautiful engravings she had ever seen, the front was something shell-like covered in mother of pearl. Closer to the bottom of the shiny surface was set a stunning blue sapphire, cut perfect and twinkling, it looked like a hexagon on top of a bigger one, catching the suns light and reflecting it on Mika's face. Above the sapphire, were written words that she didn't understand, but they were written in the most elegant and graceful manner, that she supposed they were probably charming words as well. Both sides were held together with a polished bronze clasp, a thin line of bronze ran around the whole shape of the heart, giving it a magical effect.

Not that Mika hadn't already decided this object must have something magical about it, she could feel the power, it had to be! Deciding it wouldn't be safe leaving it lying there (who knew what would happen if it got in the wrong hands) she picked it up and hung the silver chain around her neck. The locket felt cool on her skin and with a jolt she remembered that she should be getting back.

Leo was walking to the beach, he sighed, finally some peace. As he stepped on the sand, he saw a slim figure in front of him. It was a girl. Not wanting her to see him, he ran towards the rocks and hid behind them. Slowly he peered out and saw her face, his heart stopped. She was beautiful, twinkling brown eyes, long wavy chestnut hair hair, light pink cheeks and a slightly tanned face. He watched as she moved deeper in the water and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Leo was in love, again. And the girl seemed out of his league, again.

Running up to the hotel Coronis, only pausing to slip her brown leather sandals on, Mika flung the entrance doors open and fast-walked into the lobby. It had a cool, relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere to it, with white marble floors and polished wood pillars, the lobby was huge. To the right of the glass entrance doors: a curtain of water in the corner with 2 palm trees on either side, the entrance to the souvenir shop, the door leading to the pool, spa, exercise room etc. with a children's play centre and a corridor leading to the bathrooms.

To the left of the entrance doors: comfy sofas in all cool colours (green, blue, purple) with white tables on a light purple carpet, a lit-up bar and the entrance to the restaurant. In front of the doors was the polished mahogany reception desk in the shape of a three quarters-oval with a lavender stand with maps and brochures on them. To the right and left of the desk were 2 silver lifts. On the purple ceiling hung a small crystal chandelier and the walls were painted white with little designs on them. She loved the lobby, it was good place to just look at and have a small snack at the bar. But right now she was in a hurry, she went straight to the restaurant, where her family was waiting.

Muttering a "sorry" and "lost track of time" she sat in-between Nico and Layla. Slowly she raised her face to look at her parents, fortunately they didn't look mad at all, they looked pretty happy. Looking at the blue cloth-covered buffet tables with white containers and cutlery, matching with the blue carpet and white walls, she felt a kind of sailor feeling. She took off her glasses and put them in their case in her mini-shoulder bag. The food looked delicious, so the whole family got up and starting piling their plates! Mika returned to the table with a small sandwich and some pasta on her plate with a glass of orange juice. Mika was a strict vegetarian, just like her mom and Layla.

"Mika where were you?" asked Nico between mouthfuls.

"I was just at the beach," answered Mika.

"I bet that's all she's gonna do the rest of the summer" interrupted Allo.

"Allo, not now, you're probably only going to watch T.V the rest of these 2 weeks, too" Layla remarked.

"No, he won't, he'll play with me and I'm going to help him get his hat back!" commented Nico.

Layla had an evil grin on her face, "He'll only get it back when he says sorry."

"I'm not going to say sorry, so you better give it back to me before I take your necklace away," retorted Allo.

"Allo, don't you dare, that's special to Layla and if you do, Michael will beat you up!" Mika exclaimed, she knew it was a present from Layla's friend.

"My hat is also special to me and Michael won't beat me up, he's my friend too!" Allo countered.

"Why don't you just give the hat back, Layla?" demanded Nico.

"He hasn't said sorry yet…" Layla grumbled.

"Now kids, please be quiet and enjoy the lunch," said Mr. Kennedy, trying to have a peaceful meal for once.

"Children, we're going to a special restaurant tomorrow evening, please behave yourselves there!" instructed Mrs. Kennedy.

Mom always says that, even though she knows that we do, but it was hard for Mika to sit still for that long. She knew she nearly had ADHD and constantly had to be doing something. Sometimes, when it was quiet and peaceful she could enjoy the calm and be still, but that wasn't always, Mika thought. Finishing her food, she excused herself.

She took the hotel room card out of her dark green mini-shoulder bag and headed for one of the silver elevators. Not seeing the "CAUTION: WET FLOOR" sign, she ran to the elevators and slipped on the water. Falling forwards into the open elevator, she didn't have time to for anything herself, but someone else did. That someone caught her and held her upright by the waist, she looked up at the face of this someone. It was "Leo!" she half whispered, half-spoke. He was just as she had imagined him, black curly hair, deep brown eyes, light freckles on his round face and a smile, always a smile. "Yeah…" he said still smiling which quickly dropped to a confused frown "How do you know me?" Mika didn't have time to answer, her locket began to glow and the overall shock of everything was too much for her. Her vision started to blacken out and she fainted.

The last thing she remembered was Leo catching her. Again. This time she stayed in his arms.