That night I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned in my bed and sleep continued to elude me. I read, listened to music, stared at my wall, but nothing worked. I eventually climbed out of bed and decided to take a little stroll around the farm.

I had told my grandparents that I met some local kids and they said that that's great. They asked me about them and I lied. I said they were all very nice. I'm glad I lied though. If I had told the truth, that they seemed to be assholes, I think my grandparents would've been disappointed. I didn't tell them about Kai specifically either. I don't need to be teased about talking to a boy.

I walked out the house and took a lap around the crop field. I was still jittery. The beach seemed like a nice place to go. My grandparents had mentioned it was to the far right of the village. I remembered where everything was, so I imagined it couldn't be too hard to find. Waves always helped put me to sleep.


When I arrived at the beach I noticed how dark it was. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I kicked up sand as I walked and I felt it tickle my ankles. The moon was full and lots of stars were shining, but they failed to light up the pitch black beach. I continued until I felt water under my feet. I jumped back as it was freezing. My tennis shoes were now drenched.

I found a spot and decided to lay down. I felt the cool sand on my cheeks and it formed an outline of my body. I stared up at the stars. I recognized some constellations and tried to remember all the names in my head. The sounds of the water crashing against the shore soothed me. My eyes became heavier and heavier until I could barely keep them open anymore.

"H-Hello?" I thought I heard someone call from off in the distance.

I shot up to a sitting position. I held my breath for a second. I didn't hear any thing else for a few seconds and decided to run.

"Is someone there?" The mysterious person shouted.

Should I answer? What if this person is dangerous? I thought.

"I see you. Who are you?"

"M-My name is P-Penny." I yelled back.

"Oh!" I heard footsteps running toward me. "Hey, Penny!" A figure started to emerge out of the darkness. A guy. It was Kai.

"Oh, it's just you. Thank God." I sighed of relief.

"What the hell are you doing out here at midnight?" He asked, somewhat rudely.

"Uh, what are you doing here?" I retorted.

"I fell asleep in my shop," He paused to point at the building that apparently was his restaurant. "I just woke up, came out here, and thought I saw something laying down so I called out to you." He smiled.

"Well, I couldn't sleep so I was walking around and found myself here. It was pretty dark so I just laid down to watch the stars."

"Oh that's adorable." Kai blurted out.

I gave him a confused look and he just softly laughed and turned away.

"It's late, you know. I don't have anywhere to be, but shouldn't you be at home?"

"Yeah, I guess I'll be heading out." I slowly took a few steps backward. "Night."

"Wait, I'm gonna walk you home." He chuckled, grabbing my palm in his.

"No, I'm good." I nodded, pulling my hand away.

Kai wouldn't give up. As I walked away he followed, right by my side. I sighed and just continued on my way. I have to admit, he did a couple of cute things and made me laugh. I always covered my mouth when I smiled because I hate my mouth. He tried to convince me my mouth was fine.

We walked past the blacksmiths and a place that sold chickens. He told me all about Gray, who could upgrade tools for you, and Popuri and Rick, who were brother and sister and sold chickens. He promised to tell me all about everyone else in town too when he had the chance.

We reached my grandparents farm and Kai walked me all the way to the door. We stood silent for a couple seconds before Kai spoke.

"Well, goodnight." Kai smiled, finally making eye contact.

I gazed back. "Yeah, thank for walking me home, I-I guess. Night." I could feel my mouth curl into a twisted smile. I'm so awkward.

"H-Hey before you go inside," Kai took a breath. "Can I kiss you?" He scratched the back of his neck again. Must be a nervous habit as he was blushing and smiling like a goober.

I couldn't help myself and I started cracking up. I threw my head back and laughed. I think I even clapped my hands once. I didn't hear Kai laughing so I looked up at him. He was staring at with an extremely confused look on his face.

"O-Oh, you were serious?" I abruptly stopped laughing. I felt my eyes widening and my cheeks flushing. "No, no, no." I shook my head and ran inside the house.


"Would you like to come to the beach with me today, Penny? Sunday is your grandfather's football day, so usually take walks by the ocean." My grandma asked the next morning. I hadn't told them about my midnight stroll, they would be worried. It was a smart idea to keep it a secret.

"Uh, um, sure, grandma." I tried to smile.

"Oh good!" My grandma began to clear plates off of the table. "There is a very nice lad who runs a shop down there. He is about your age and is very handsome!"

"Great." I nodded. "But, we've already met.." I said, under my breath.

I did feel bad about what happened last night with Kai. I left him alone in the dark. I slammed the door in his face and laughed at him. I barely said thank you and I didn't offer him anything in return. I wanted to be friends with him, but I'm sure he thinks I am nuts now.

My grandma and I reached the beach and, to no surprise, Kai was sitting outside of his shop. He spotted us right away and headed over.

"Good morning, Jennifer!" Kai said to my grandma, as charming as ever. "And Penny, hello."

"Hello, Kai. You two have met?"

"Yes, we have," Kai smiled. "May I talk to her alone for a second?"

"Of course." My grandma looked at me and quickly touched my arm before sauntering off to the edge of the water.

"Look, I'm really, really sorry about last night." Kai apologized. "I-I was way to pushy. It's just kinda my personality. I'm still a little confused about why you laughed.." Kai wrinkled his eyebrows and looked down. "But, I just want you to know I won't bother you anymore if you don't me to."

"Kai, no, I want to be your friend, but I'm just, I don't know, bad at talking to people. I'm sorry too. For laughing and for being pretty rude."

Kai just stared at me for a second with a huge smirk on his face.

"Um, also, I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't come here often so we won't see each other very much.." I pointed out.

"Right. Well, is there any way we could keep in touch?" Kai asked. "I-If you wanna."

"I guess I could give you my number.."

"I don't have a phone." Kai lightly laughed.

"Huh.. Email? You have a computer right?"

"Sure!" Kai beamed.

We exchanged emails and Kai mentioned something about being late for the lunch shift. We said goodbye and I made my way to the water.

"Oh, wait, one last thing!" I heard Kai shout. "Will you be back soon?"

"I'll try!" I waved and turned back around. I clenched my teeth knowing my next visit wasn't going to be for a little while.

My grandma and I spent the day on the beach. I told her I didn't really want to talk about Kai right now. She said okay, but she would love to hear about it another time. I agreed.

I left for home that night with my dad. I never got a chance to really say goodbye to Kai. The drive seemed extra long this time. I over think things a lot. I actually am hoping that he emails me. Why do I have to be so awkward? I want to go back soon to see him, but my visits there are so rare. And when I do go, they are so short. How am I supposed to have a friendship with someone strictly over the Internet? I sighed and placed my headphones over my ears, hoping to fall asleep on the way home.


A/N: Hey there! So, I really hope you enjoyed! If you did or did not, please review anyway? Thank you and much love xx.