Thank you to my new followers and all those that added Sandcastles to their list of favorites! And an extra big thank you to StarCollins and Leibeezer for each leaving me a review
P.S. Oak Island is a real place and if you've never been there, put it on your list of vacation spots. I went there for 7 summers straight growing up and miss it every year I'm not there!
Okay, okay, now let's get to the beach and meet Edward!
I do not own any of Stephenie Meyer's characters or anything related to Twilight.
.
Chapter 2: Welcome to OKI
.
.
I want a violet bicycle, flip flops and sand between my toes
These are the beautiful things in life
So give me that off the shoulder dress
The one that the boys will never forget
I want just a little bit more from life
.
.
"In 500 feet, take Exit 258 for North Carolina toward Southport."
Flicking on my blinker, I peak over my shoulder to make sure no cars are coming and merge into the right lane.
I'm making spectacular time. What should take any normal driver about ohh, 13-14 hours to drive, took me 11 hours and a few odd minutes. I'll definitely be calling my parents in an hour…or two. Lord knows my dad probably had my time of arrival mapped out and if I call him an hour early, I'll never hear the end of it.
Pulling up to the light at the end of the exit I roll down my window for the first time since entering the great state of North Carolina. By no means is it summertime weather, but I'll take mid-60s to Ohio's high of 20° for the last few months. Basking in the sunshine and cool air, I take a deep breath and inhale the sweet, sweet southern air. The light finally turns green and with it, I take a left. I know just where I'm headed..
The moment I turn onto West Beach Drive, every window in my car is all the way down. With Bob Marley "Jamming" blasting through the speakers I'm immediately taken back to the summers I spent here when I was a teen. Driving down the road of endless beach houses the memories come flooding back - going to bed late, but still getting up early, eating all day long, and the endless sunshine and ocean breeze. Life was so much simpler when summers were spent here with my extended family. But, we all started getting older. Some took summer college classes, while others were planning weddings – or rather PAYING for weddings. I never took summer classes and I sure as heck wasn't planning any wedding. Everyone else had changed, but my life was pretty much the same. Maybe that's why I took it so hard the first summer my parents said we weren't going. I figured that summer was a fluke and we'd go the next, but we didn't. As the summers kept passing, I eventually just stopped hoping we'd ever get back.
It's been 6 years since my feet have walked the sands of Oak Island. Six years too long if you ask me. But I'm finally back. And this time, I'm back to stay for an extended period.
Once I finally reach the end of West Beach Drive I pull my SUV into a parking spot. Thank God for public access spots. I sure as heck don't have my own beach house, buuut it is on my wish list.
Turning off my car, along with Bob Marley, I hear my phone going off. Taylor Swift is singing. That can only mean one thing..
"Heyyy, Jess–" annnd I'm abruptly cut off. No surprise there.
"Don't you 'hey Jess' me, Bella! What is this bullshit story mom told me about you quitting your job and moving to North Carolina!?"
I cringe at the pitch of her voice. "It all happened so fast that I sorta just forgot to call you.."
"WHAT THE HELL, Bella!? I'm your ONLY sibling and you just forget to tell me you're moving 800 miles away? I bet if you didn't live with mom and dad that you wouldn't have told them either!"
Boy, she's like waay madder than I thought she would be about all this.
"Jess, if you don't shut your mouth I'm never gonna be able to tell you what happened!"
I'm met with silence. Pure silence. For the first time in my entire life my sister has actually shut her mouth and is allowing someone else to speak. It's a damn miracle.
Figuring I've been cooped up in my car long enough I decid to take a walk on the beach as I explain the epiphany I had two weeks ago. She's the typical older, protective sister and I'm the smart, play-it-safe younger sister. It's safe to say she's never been more shocked than she is right now.
Kicking off my shoes and locking up my car, I head down to the beach to finish this conversation.
"Well shit, Bells. I know you always talked about moving somewhere near the beach, but I guess I just never expected you to, especially all alone. And I sure as hell didn't expect you to leave so soon after graduating and just, so abruptly.."
The way she trails off at the end leads me to believe she's actually more hurt than angry with this whole situation.
"Ya know Bella, I'm really sad that you're gone and I didn't even get to say goodbye, but I'm just so proud of you."
That I did not expect.
"What?" I mutter quietly.
"You said right after you graduated nursing school that you wished you had the 'balls' I had to move away from everyone you know. But you were too scared. And now you did it. You just up and moved away all by yourself. That takes serious balls, Bella. Bigger balls than I've got that's for sure!"
That was a lot of ball talk. "Um, thanks, Jess."
"I'm serious, Bella. All the yelling and anger aside, I'm proud you did this. I think this is what you really need to grow up a little. Also, now I've got an awesome place to come visit!" she exclaims.
Leave it to Jess to immediately turn the situation into something that benefits her.
"Of course, Jess. I'm walking on the beach as we speak. And as soon as I've got a job and apartment I want you to come visit me."
"Holy shit you don't have a place to live or a job? You really did just up and leave without anything planned, didn't ya?"
Christ thanks for reminding me that I'm homeless and jobless, Jess. Thanks so much.
"Uhh, yeah. I'm gonna need to start job searching pronto. And apartment hunting. Lots of searching and hunting will be going on the next few weeks," I groan.
"Well, make sure and let me know as soon as you get settled and I'll plan a vaca down to see your new home!,"
Glancing around the beach, "I sure will. And I also might use your help with searching and nailing down a job here. You're better with talking to people and getting what you want."
Jess chuckles, "Haha okay Bells I can do that. But hey, I gotta get going. Call me later or whenever. I love you!."
"Love you too, Jess. I'll call you soon!"
Hanging up, I lock my phone and turn towards the ocean. There is no better feeling than the wind in your hair, your feet in the ocean, and the sun on your face. This, this right here is what complete and utter happiness feels like.
The wind is picking up, so much so that I almost don't hear someone yelling.
"Look out!"
I turn around just in time to catch the football rocketing towards my face. I've never been more thankful for playing softball most of my life than I did right then and there. How embarrassing would that have been!?
"Shit, nice catch!"
Pulling the ball back away from my face I'm met with what is sure to be a Greek God. A tall, tan Greek God who is obviously athletic. I've been here for 20 minutes and I'm already meeting hotties. North Carolina I knew you'd be good to me.
With a smile I pull the ball away from my face.
"Thanks. I'd say nice throw, but I think we both know that the ball isn't supposed to be aimed right at someone's face." Annnd then I open my mouth and something like that comes out.
Hottie with a body smirks at me, shakes his head and then starts chuckling.
"Yeah okay, it was a bad throw. You can blame it on this little man right here," he says pointing to the blonde haired, blue-eyed little boy standing next to him.
Where the hell did he come from? Of course he has a kid. He's probably married too. Such is my life.
Smiling down at the little boy, "Well in that case, that throw was amazing! How old are you?"
The little cutie smiles the biggest grin ever, "I'm four!" he exclaims.
"Well that was a bomb ass throw, little man!"
And with that statement, those big, blue eyes immediately go wide
"You said a bad word," he whispers.
Closing my eyes, I glance up at hottie with a body and mouth, "Sorry."
"Yes, yes I did. Sorry about that little man. Sometimes grownups slip up every once in a while."
"That's otay. My daddy slips up all the time," he chuckles.
"Oh..well okay then. I'm Bella by the way."
"I'm Benny, and this is my Unc Edward."
Oh snap. UNCLE? That's what I like to hear.
"Well Benny, it's nice to meet you." Looking up at the hottie with a body I smile, "Nice to meet you, too."
"You as well," he murmurs. "Benny, c'mon we've gotta get going. Your mom is already gonna have my head since I gave you ice cream."
"I hope to see you around sometime, Bella," he smiles.
"You as well," I chuckle. "Bye Benny!"
With a little wave, "Bye Bewa!"
And with that, they take their ball and start walking back down the beach.
Welcome to Oak Island, indeed.
.
.
Let's go skinny dip tonight
Under the cotton candy skies
Would you if I asked you?
A campfire and a backyard game
Fireflies and electric lemonade
And I can't keep my eyes off you
.
.
My first chapter got almost 100 reads, but had only 2 reviews.
Please, please let me know if you're enjoying this story!
See you next time!
xoxo, E