Introduction
She read the beach sign for the first time. She was being taught to read by her mother. Her father already set out a blanket and beach umbrella. Her mother was setting out materials for lunch. It was a warm spring day, so they went to the beach to celebrate. They returned later to their comfortable house on the edge of the forest. Little Ruka was asleep in her father's arms. They returned home from that house later that evening.
He saw her at the beach. That was the first time he saw her. He could not believe his eyes…. He went to his favorite place, and found something more special. There she was… His first love… Only he did not know it yet.
14 Years Later
"Welcome the Sea Bells." That was how the shop owners greeted newcomers. This was her thirteenth summer there… and they still haven't said, "Oh, hello Ruka, Ms Souen. You're back. We kept watch on your summer home while you were gone…" Ruka was getting tired of the same this every year. School in the autumn, until spring, then an entire summer at the house here. But not anymore! They moved permanently into that house this year, the summer before she graduated. Dammed.
The town of Sea Bells is a rural town, practically its own island, if not for the massive temperate forest used by the locals to get away from the ocean for once. The high school, Shore High School, is only large enough for the hundred or so teenagers that inhabit the island. She was leaving all her main-land friends, and large estate, with her parents. They sold it off to her dad's boss. Now, she must be satisfied with a three bedroom A-frame house.
At least here, the trees block all the visitors. And none of the locals know not to come to this house. It's up on the mountain, on the border of the forest. I can stay here without any annoying 'friends,' or whatever they think our relationship status is, she wrote in her journal. I start school in three weeks… This year will definitely pass by quickly.
"I hope." She said aloud.