It's been almost 14 years and my mom seems happy but I can tell something isn't right, especially when I heard her and Mrs. Amber talking in the living room during this one quieted night. I stood a few steps out of sight and listened to their conversation; coffee cups with a strong aroma of the brew filled the room—I knew this conversation was big. What I didn't know…everything behind it.

"Amber, it's been so long and the thought of seeing him again still makes me wonder like how it did the first time" My mom said quietly, out of my view.

"There's only one way to tell, Tay. You guys have been separated for so long and now you know where he is, thanks to-so go see him." Mrs. Amber said with a ruffle of her hair coming into view.

"Oh naturally I'll just walk up to his house and pretend like nothing has happened. What surprises me is I still have everything we ever gave to eachother hidden in the same place, too. I miss him Amber so maybe I could just-just this once, of course."

Instinctively I took one step back.

"…and afterward?"

"See where it goes, like we both have said it's been awhile so only time can tell."

The curiosity of who they were talking about struck my thoughts completely. I knew my mom and Mrs. Amber used to be roommates in a house near the beach that my mom got rid of when she found out she was having me; that I never understood. Anyway, my mom and dad moved to a big house near town and secured their lives together bringing another child into the equation—my little brat of a sister but also a clever little thing.

"I guess we'll see." They both concluded in one voice.

I took that as my cue to walk through into sight. By the surprise on their faces I was a tad too soon. I looked to the window behind them, it was late but not late enough to where my mom would mind if I went for a walk…I am her child after all, just as odd as her too.

"Hanging around were you?" Amber asked with a knowing look.

I ignored the commented question.

"I'm going for a walk, be back in a little bit." I said walking out the door while shifting into a white jacket. For a cool summer night, my jacket was out of season but I didn't care as my mind had my thoughts cold. A walk to the beach is just long enough.

I sat on the sand at the beach and replayed everything I heard, over and over in a constant replay. The waves crashed, feet from my stretched out legs, against the powdered sand. My hands buried deep in the pockets of my white jacket as I stared to the white sand and wondered why I was so bothered…it's been so long so only time will tell…those words gave my skin chills.

"Are you alright?" The sound knocked me out of my thoughts; I turned to see a boy in a plain t-shirt and shorts standing behind my right shoulder. I looked back to the sand, tense.

"Fine"

"Then why don't I believe you?"

"Because you're a guy that doesn't know when to mind your own business and care to ruin a girl's night but attempting to flirt with her." I said sourly.

"I just came down for a run, it's better for me when running at night so I wouldn't have time to hit on you even if I was thinking it."

"Oh sure, I'm definitely going to believe that one."

He held up his hands in defense once sitting next to me.

"That's actually the last thing on my mind. It's just I usually don't come across a girl looking like her dog just died every time I walk the beach."

"Sorry, rough night. Can't clear my head of some stuff I heard tonight"

"It's cool, been there done that since I'm destined for the military. The name is Alex by the way." He said holding out a hand.

"Kayla. I am not usually like this by the way and congrats about the military thing."

"Sure you aren't and thanks I guess, it runs in the family so not much of a choice but I want it anyway" he joked.

We talked for a short time once the silence began to settle.

"…Want a drive home?" He asked standing from the sand.

"I don't know…"

"After everything you've had in one night, you look like you could use a risk. Come on, I'm not one of those guys." He offered his hand out.

"…Okay." I said pushing myself off the sand with the help of his strength then releasing our hands.

The music on his stereo hummed low with different artists while he drove down the street led by my directions. I stayed practically curled into my own ball of comfort while he stretched his arm across the center console casually; he noticed my insecurity with where we were and barely knowing eachother. He laughed and retracted his arm closer to his side.

"Here?" He asked pulling in front of the house.

"Here" I agreed.

The mustang rolled into the driveway and he cut the engine silencing the music as well. This couldn't have felt more awkward; I didn't know whether I should retreat quickly or stay for a few minutes. My breathing grew thick and I could feel his eyes on mine matching my thoughts—great.

"…Thanks for the ride, it was generous." I said but thought the truth, did I really just say that. Oh god.

He laughed quietly in a polite way.

"It fine but why don't you hang around a bit instead of running off like Cinderella." He said nodding his head to my hand on the door ready to escape.

I laughed nervously.

Pull it together Kayla! Stay, chat and don't worry so much…oh great now I'm giving myself advice in my head.

I sighed.

He relaxed in his chair and the ball I was once in loosened when my eyes met his. Maybe hanging around wouldn't be so bad.