I was walking down the streets, down to the shore, wondering how I ever got to where I am today. I was 25 years old, living in Rhode Island working as a successful journalist for the city's newspaper. I had a lot to offer to people yet I was all alone. My life was together, but I was lost. I thought all my loneliness would end in high school, but it hadn't. I'd even tried to change myself in order to be accepted or to simply get the courage to ask someone out. I wasn't clumsy or geeky in a way that was unattractive but somehow, nothing really helped. It felt like the end of the world. My life was filled with rejection that left me to live in sorrow.

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The city was cold from the winter and it was so unfamiliar. How did I get myself here? I walked out of the cab and grabbed my luggage from the trunk. This was the beginning. I paused for a moment to look at the building I stood before.

This is my home. For now.

I picked up my luggage up to my mother's apartment.

"Hey Mom!" I ran up to give her a long embrace.

"I'm so glad you decided to stay, Summer. I've been so lonely for so many years, but after your last visit, I knew I wouldn't be alone for the rest of my life."

Summer was glad she would be able to stay with her mother, Anne Roberts, who had been alone for so long after she had separated from her father. This was the right decision. She was going to live with her mother, and start a life here in Rhode Island, whether she liked it or not.

"Come on Summer, let me show you where you can stay."

"Mother, you do know this is temporary until I find my own apartment, right?" Summer said as her mother guided her through the hall to her room.

"Of course. What will your friends think when they find out you're 25 and still live with your mother?"

"First I have to have friends. Everything's so new now I have to start my life right now."

"Don't worry. There are plenty of people in Providence." Her mother put her hand on her shoulder for assurance. She then closed the door behind her and left Summer to ponder.

I flopped onto my bed, trying to grasp everything on my mind. I decided to take a walk to relieve all my stress. I grabbed my and coat and looked myself in the mirror. I had done a great deal of changing during college. Life was all about fun in high school, but when college had started, I had gone serious to pursue my goals. Luckily for me, I was able to reach them and get a decent job right away here. I was a very independent person who became more loving and caring when I had a steady relationship in college, but that had crumbled soon after. I had decided that I had changed for the better. My fashion sense most definitely changed for the better. I was classier and had a sudden obsession with designer and vintage clothing. I'll have to go shopping soon…

Just as I headed out the door, my phone started buzzing.

Marissa. One person who hadn't changed. She was still living in Newport with her boyfriend, Ryan.

"Hey Marissa."

"How's Rhode Island treating you?"

"Cold."

"Cold?"

"Cold as in the weather. Everything is out of place in my life. How will I start a life without knowing a single person to show me around? I know I have my mother, but I don't want to pester her into my problems."

"Stop worrying Sum! You're starting work tomorrow so you're bound to meet someone. And there are plenty of people there! You just gotta go up and talk to them. It's as simple as that."

"No one has the time of day to talk to me."

"Where are you anyway?" Marissa said curiously.

"I'm sitting on a bench near the shore. The Atlantic ocean is so different from the Pacific, but it's equally as breathtaking." Summer sighed at the view.

"Are there any lonely bums like you there?"

"Actually there is."

"Really? Who? Is it a guy? Is he cute?"

"Calm down, Coop! It's just a guy. Not like I haven't see one before." She said contently as she gazed at his lonely figure.

"Describe him to me Sum! I haven't had any boy gossip from you in a very long time." Marissa sounded a little too excited.

"Well, he's tall, and thin. His is skin is pale, but whose isn't in Rhode Island? He has dark brown curls in his hair that slightly blows in the wind and he does look cute."

"Go talk to him! This is your chance to start a new life and when I mean life, I mean your love life."

"Okay okay I will, but I have to hang up."

"Bye Summer."

Summer shut her phone and went up to the guy.

"Hey." Summer smiled sweetly as she tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.

He was caught by surprise that a beautiful, petite, young woman had come up to him.

"Hi." He said softly and he smiled as he looked into her eyes.

Summer leaned against the railing casually. She took a long glance at the Atlantic before turning her attention to him who had been eyeing her. He smiled at her when their eyes made contact. Summer felt the butterflies in her stomach. Was he just checking you out?

She this guy for less than a minute and he was already making her blush.

"My name's Seth." He said as he placed his hand out that she gratefully took.

"I'm Summer. I'm actually new to here so I don't really know my way here."

"So what brings you here?"

"Well, my mother lives here and I want to be able to be close to her even if it means starting a life here." She said with a hint of sadness.

"You make it sound like the end of the world. Rhode Island isn't the worst place in the world. Once you get to know it, there's really no place you'd rather be" His eyes were fixate on the sights before him.

All of a sudden, Summer's phone starting buzzing. Seth turned his attention to her.

"Are you gonna get that?"

"Yeah." She grabbed her phone from her purse.

"It's my mom." She said and turned to her phone.

"Hello mother."

"Hey Summer. Where are you? I looked in your room to check on you and you were gone."

"I just went out for a walk. Look, I'll call you when I get home."

"Okay. Just be careful." And then she shut her phone

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay. It's sweet that you have a close relationship with your mother. I don't really have a close relationship with anyone." His eyes began to wander again.

Does that mean he's single? Oh my god. What are you thinking! This guy has no friends and all you can think about is if he has a girlfriend.

"Not here, that is."

How can someone who has lived her for so long and is so kind, sweet, and friendly be so alone?

"Oh really? Where then?"

"California. My brother lives there. I don't see him much, but he's the closest thing I've got other than my parents. He comes up to visit here once every spring."

"That's nice. My family lives in California too." I thought for a live then I got the nerve to ask him. "I know this may sound a little to forward since I just met you, but I was wondering if I can give you my number? I'd really like to get to know you."

Seth was shocked, but didn't show it. This girl wants to know you. For once in your life, someone gave you a chance and for once, you don't feel so alone anymore.