I was 18, and this was the second time I visited this place with my family. An idyllic small-town called Wilmington by the sea in North Carolina. I lived in California, but we have relatives here, and my mom decided that it was time to visit them again. I would agree with that, considering the last time we were here was when I was 13. That was five years ago. It seemed like the longest time, but when I thought back on that wonderful summer, it felt like less than that. I really had been the most wonderful summer ever. Not because I got to escape this hellhole called Palm Lake, but because I met the most amazing person in the world. Her name was Faith, and she was 3 years older than me. Despite of her being 16 and my being 13, she liked spending time with me.

We met in a little bay the fourth night I was there. It was just getting dark and I had decided to take a little walk by myself before bed. I had walked a long time without knowing where I was headed, and just as I was about to turn back, I spotted a little path leading down to a small bay with a tiny beach. When I got there I saw that there was already someone sitting in the sand. It was a girl who looked to be around 17 years of age, and as she rose to see who was coming I immediately noticed how incredibly beautiful she was. Her hair was dark brown and wavy, reaching a couple of inches past her shoulders, and her eyes were perfect. I just stood there looking at her, taking in every feature of her face until I noticed that she was grinning at me. I abruptly broke eye contact with her and composed myself. As I was walking closer to the girl I intended to not notice her still looking at me. I sat down a few feet away from her and felt extremely self-conscious as I took a deep breath. I had no idea why I felt so uncomfortable just because there was a beautiful - no, make that gorgeous - girl sitting next to me. I was pondering whether to leave or not when she decided to say something to me.

'Hey. I'm Faith. This is my little bay you've found here, but feel free to stay. It's a nice place to come to when you wanna be alone to think and relax, y'know.'

I looked up at her and she was smiling at me again. She had moved closer and I could feel myself breaking into a grin at her words, but mostly at being smiled to by someone as beautiful as her.

I finally managed to find my voice and answered her. 'Hey, Faith, I'm Buffy!'

An amused look crossed her face, and I knew that she was yet another person who found my name stupid. My smile quickly faded and I turned my head away.

'Yeah…Buffy. I know it's a stupid name,' I disappointedly muttered.

'No, it's not. I like your name a lot,' she said. 'It's different. Unique. When someone calls your name, you won't be afraid to scream yes back 'cause you'll know they're calling for you.' She let out a laugh and I was amazed at how even her laugh was perfect. I looked back at her with a tiny smile.

'Thanks. That's really nice of you, Faith. Your name is special, too. It's one of my favourite names, actually. Wanna switch?' I finished that question off with a flashing smile, and she returned it and playfully punched my arm. It felt good.

'I'd love to, lil' missy, but you look too much like a Buffy and I look too much like a Faith, so I guess we'll just have to deal.' We both laughed, and it felt like I had known this girl for more than 3 minutes.

'So, what's a girl your age doing here by herself at this time of night?' she asked in a feigned authoritative voice.

'I was just taking a walk. Since I'm gonna be staying here for the next three months, I wanted to see what's around, you know. Plus, I wanted to think, like you said. I saw this bay, and it looked like a good place to do just that. I didn't know anyone was here. And what do you mean "your age"? I'm 13, and it's nine o'clock. I don't even go to bed this early when I have school.' She patted the top of my head as if wanting to console me, and I put on a pout. Again I heard that cute laugh.

'Well, sweetie: I didn't mean to offend you but, hey! I'm 16, and teasing 13-year-olds is, according to a lot of people, what I am supposed to do. I won't anymore, though. Let's just say this, ok? You scratch my back, and I scratch yours.'

I knit my eyebrows and looked at her puzzled. She sighed. 'That is grown-up language for be nice to me, and I'll be nice to you. Oops. I did it again. Sorry!' She gave me an apologetic look. 'Damn! And how I love those back rubs!' she said in a louder voice.

I laughed at that, feeling like I was older than I was. Despite of the way she was humouring herself at my age, it felt like she treated me like an equal, and not just a little kid who got in the way.

'No worries. Just turn around, and I'll work some wonders on that tired, old back of yours.' That earned me another punch on the arm, which I returned, laughing loudly.

'Ouch! Go easy on a poor, old bastard. Nah…guess I deserved that one. Hey, B! Wanna go explore some more before it gets too dark? Don't tell anyone, but I'm scared of the dark still.'

She got up and reached out her hand to help me up. I looked up at her, and as I grabbed her hand I felt something run through me. For some reason I didn't want to let go. I smiled at the nickname she had just given me.

'Thanks, F. Your secret's safe with me. What do you know...I think I just rubbed your back there, girl.' Faith draped her arm around my shoulder and responded lightly. 'I think you just did, girlfriend.'

That was the beginning of what was going to be the most fantastic three months of my life. We became the best of friends, and there wasn't a thing in the world that I didn't feel like I could share with her. I am pretty sure she felt the same way about me. We spent almost every waking moment together, talking and laughing. I used to sneak out a night and we would stay up all night just talking in our little bay; we even named it: Bay Faffy: a compound of both our names. Not the most inventive name, no; I am aware of that, but it was the only thing we could think of in between our frequent tickle fights and laughing fits.

It felt so good being with her. I loved her so much, and as the end of the holidays approached, I started to feel like something was dying inside of me. I know it sounds like a clichéd, stupid metaphor, but that's actually what it felt like. We tearfully parted that day, clinging to each other like one of us would die if we let go. To me, that was close to the truth. For some reason, we didn't exchange addresses or phone numbers; why is still a mystery to me. Our minds must have been messed up at that time. All I could think about was how I was never going to see her again. The existence of telephones and letters seemed to magically slip my mind; hers, too.