Ocean of Fire

Chapter 3

Aerith stared out from her cabin's deck down to the beach. He was there. The strange man she had met and seemed to know her. She had denied knowing him. Yet, she did know him and it was part scary and part exciting. The memories of that summer when she was seven had resurfaced. Things that had been so murky in her mind were now clear as day.

What prevented such memories from coming back so easily? Perhaps it was the fact that her life back in her hometown came crashing down like a ton of bricks. Feeling a pain in her heart that brought out so much tears it was unbearable. How could she think of anything else or even try to? She came here to forget and yet, now when she realized who that boy was it made her forget completely.

Almost.

She stared down at him, watching him enter the water and swim continuously. She leaned over the railing as she watched. Just like everyday she spent that summer, he was there in water. Whenever she went down to the beach he would already be there soaked in salt water, his skin sun-kissed from the sun. It had been so long ago and for him to remember her, heck, even recognize her was amazing because she had forgotten. Before he gave her the shell, that she had been holding since she walked out onto the deck, she could barely remember the trip.

Aerith remembered spending time with the beach but she remembered the water, the soft sand grains, the warm sun. She remembered her mom packed a healthy and big lunch for her but she never ate all of it. Memories of building sandcastles until she could swim again but how could she build such a huge sandcastles alone? It was because she could not remember the friend she met that summer was there next to her. He had been there to eat with her, to swim, to build the sandcastles and much more. Together they watched the sunset, laid on the sand talking as the sun bathed them, and walked up and down the beach collecting seashells.

They would put the shells up to their ears and pretend they could hear the ocean, even though it was right next to them. They collected as many as they could find, nice ones to give to Aerith's friends. By the end she had more than enough to give one to each of her friends and to start her own seashell collection, which for a long time she left displayed on a shelf in her room before she grew up, decided to pack them up, and place in storage.

The shell she now held in her hand was his. She had given it to him but when they were collecting them she intended to give it to one of her friends back home. Aerith wanted to give that shell to him because he was her friend. He kept it after all these years. Sure, she may have had seashells from the trip packed up in some old box in her parents house but that was a big maybe. At first, Aerith wondered if this was the shell she gave him. After all, the beach was littered with seashells. Who was to say he did not just pick up a new one?

On closer examination the shell itself looked old. The color was vastly faded. The shell was chipped and scratched. A tiny crack zigzagged over the curve of the shell. Maybe it was the shell she had given that boy so many years ago and maybe it was not. Regardless, she remembered the events of that summer as if it were yesterday.

She remembered him. The thing, no person, she had forgotten. The person she should have remembered.

Aerith pushed herself off the railing and walked back inside her cabin. She changed into her swimsuit again and a wrapped herself in a shear pink wrap. After placing on a pair of bright yellow flip-flops, she left her cabin and began to make her way down the winding path to the beach.

Her pace was slow, hesitant. She was unsure what to say or even do when she arrived onto the sandy shore and saw the boy again. He was so sure that she would remember him and he would be waiting in the usual spot where they always met. How could he remember something like that? What were the odds he would even be here this summer, the same summer she decided to be here? Was this his favorite vacation spot? Was this someplace he came every year? Did he live here? Regardless the reason, Aerith was curious. Curious to see the boy again.

The moment she stepped onto the beach she spotted him. He was sitting on the sand where the water and shore met. He allowed the rough waves to splash him and he looked as if he enjoyed being smothered by the waves. He laughed as he spit out salt water that got into his mouth and pinched his nose to get the drops that when up it. A flash in Aerith's mind reminded her of something similar.

Seven year old Aerith, in pigtails and ribbons, ran down to the beach. There she saw the boy being beat down by waves but enjoying every minute of it. She called out to him and somehow he heard her above the waves. He turned around and waved only to have a wave crashing to the shore knock him down. Aerith had to laugh and the boy laughed too as he got up spitting the salty water out of his mouth. She ran to meet him and he waited at the edge for her. She dropped her towel and picnic basket on the sand far from the water and ran out to meet him.

He took her hand and the two ran into the water. They only let go when the water forced them to swim. The laughed and swam, played games, splashed one another until the day was done. Aerith would say her goodbyes and promise to see him again the very next day. He stayed on the beach as she left and she knew, the next day he would be there, waiting for her again.

Yet, now years later it was not a boy being hit by the waves. It was a man. A man with a lean muscular toned body. His skin was not as rich and tan as it had once been but it was darker than her own pale skin. He wore a pair of swimming trunks, past the knee, that were black. His hair that golden blonde, was pushed back out of his face by a sweep of his hand. Yet it looked the same. That oddball hairstyle that looked like some sort of a mohawk.

He was here waiting for her.

She was only a few feet away. Aerith took a deep breath. The wind tugged at her braided hair. She brought up a hand to keep her bangs from flying into her face. She moistened her suddenly dry lips with a sweep of he tongue. Then she called out,

"Demyx."

The sound of waves crashing were the only thing heard afterward. He turned halfway around to look at her. His bright green eyes met hers and smile appeared on his face. It erupted to a grin and Aerith found herself smiling, finding his grin infectious.

"So you remember me now?" he asked, although obvious.

The sun highlighted him. It left shadows on his toned body, bathing the lines on his body to a beautiful look. His eyes like deep green and blue pools shined with such a look that Aerith knew, and he knew, that this would be a happy reunion.

Aerith nodded. "It's been a long time."

"I don't blame you for forgetting me." he insisted. "I'm glad you remembered me though."

"How did you remember me after so long?" she asked, the curiosity nagging.

The grin on Demyx's face got wider. "I could never forget someone like you."

Her face flushed. Before she could say anything else Demyx turned back to the water and stepped in until he was knee deep in water. He extended his hand and began to wave for her to follow him.

"Let's go for a swim."

The offer was tempting but something else was far more tempting to the brunette. Her stomach was growling. She had missed dinner and now she was starving. She needed to eat something and it would be far better way to get reacquainted with her old friend, far better.

"How about dinner instead?" she asked. "I like seafood."

"Alright!" his energy rising. "Let's get sushi!"

He ran out of the water and Aerith felt as if he was still that boy she met on the beach. His grin so childish so full of happiness. He grabbed her hand without hesitation and began pulling her along.

"I hope you love sushi too!"

Aerith felt herself being swept away by him, feeling like a kid again herself.

She smiled even more and replied, "I do!"

The boardwalk seemed busier than it did earlier when Aerith attempted to get dinner. Yet, now more people were walking around, eating outside on restaurant patios, and enjoying their own vacations. Aerith allowed Demyx to lead her along the walk. He excitedly tugged her hand as he talked about his favorite restaurant that sat on the edge of the boardwalk.

"The sushi there is the best in the whole world! I swear it!" he said. "You should try this one called the dragon roll or the spicy tuna roll is always good! AH! Just thinking about it is making my mouth water."

He turned to look at her, his face beaming with excitement. Aerith had to to smile at the innocence he displayed. How ever did she forget someone like him?

"You were always like this..." Aerith said, suddenly recalling another memory from her childhood.

Two kids sitting on a beach towel, one of them was clutching his midsection as a loud growl escaped it. The other one laughed and offered him something. The boy excitedly took the item and devoured it.

Demyx stopped. The smile on his face spread further, stretching from ear to ear.

"What else do you remember?" he asked.

"I remember..." Aerith thought for a moment. "You were hungry and it had been a long day. We had been swimming for hours and I sat on the beach with you eating dinner. My dad had grilled that night's dinner and I offered you some of my food."

"It was salmon!" He exclaimed, "I remember it smelled so weird but it tasted so good. I could have eaten more."

Aerith laughed. "I think we were the only two kids in the world who loved grilled salmon."

He laughed along with her for a good minute or so. Before they could continue on to their destination, the blonde-haired man eyes widened and he ran off, dragging Aerith behind him. The two stopped in front of a group of people playing instruments. Demyx looked mesmerized by the musician. He stared in awe as they began to play an upbeat melody.

"This is so cool!"

"You like music?" Aerith inquired.

"I live for music!" he replied instantly. "Oh, man! I always wanted to play a guitar and this one called a sitar. Music helps me concentrate."

A sitar was not a common instrument around these parts. Aerith could not even recall the first or last time she ever heard someone play one. Did he listen to music to help him study something? She recalled having music playing when she studied for school

She asked, "Concentrate for what?"

"For tests."

Aerith wondered why kind of tests Demyx did. Considering he was so young, it was probably for college exams. While she had already graduated college and got her diploma, she wondered if Demyx was just starting or if he was going for a higher degree. She would have to ask him about it sometime as for right now, she did not want to interrupt his enjoyment. The excitement on his face made her smile just as wide.

"I want to play." he said to her.

"Maybe you could take les-"

Aerith did not finish her sentence because Demyx approached one of the musicians.

He then asked, the excitement radiating off him, "Can I play a song on your guitar?"

The musician who had been playing a guitar looked up at Demyx. Aerith was sure he was going to say no. To her surprise the musician handed it over. "Anything for a fellow music lover!"

Now Aerith wondered if her friend could actually play. He stated how he wanted an instrument to play but did he actually ever learn? Regardless, she was about to find out.

Surprisingly enough he played well. No, he played better than that. He was amazing. Even the other musicians stopped their playing and watched him preform. He strummed the chords to a melody that Aerith assumed he made up on his own. She wondered where he learned to play because it sounded rehearsed. He definitely had an ear for music.

Demyx looked up at Aerith and gave her a cheesy grin. He was enjoying himself, having a blast. Aerith looked around as a small group surrounded them now. Some people were even dropping money in the musician's music case. After several minutes, he finished his song and the small crowd that had gathered as he played gave a round of applause. Demyx took a dramatic bow and handed the guitar back to the musician he borrowed it from. He returned to Aerith's side beaming.

"I didn't know you played," Aerith said.

"Oh, yeah I was told I have an ear for music. Like I said it helps me concentrate. I can pick up things better, ya know?"

Aerith nodded. She remembered having music in the background when she studied back in high school.

"I just wish I could afford my own." He added. "A lot of the locals here play music at the cafe's around here. They let me jam with them! They are so cool and really friendly."

As if on cue the guitar musician came and handed Demyx the money he earned for playing the guitar. Demyx was about to protest but the guitar player claimed "he had earned it" and would not accept it. Demyx had no choice and took the money.

He snorted out a laugh as he pocketed the money. Aerith chuckled herself.

Then he realized something. "Oh, yeah, let's go get our sushi! Sometimes I get distracted and forget what I am doing. Don't be mad!"

He looked sincerely worried that she would be mad.

"I'm not mad. " Aerith honestly answered. "Why would I be? You were just having fun."

Relief washed over him, "People get mad because I can be absentminded."

Aerith shook her head. "Well I'm not one of them. So, let's get our sushi?"

Demyx grabbed Aerith's hand again and hurried her down the street. He seemed so easy going with her, relaxed even. Most men would not just simply take someone's hand. Some people might think it was an invasion of their space. Aerith did not mind. Something about her friend made it seem alright, as if he were too innocent.

He turned to her, a questionable look on his face. "You want to get carryout because I was thinking we could go back and eat on the beach."

"That sounds wonderful."

And it was a wonderful evening. The two sat on the beach stuffing their faces with sushi that they got carryout at a restaurant. Demyx did not bother using chopsticks. He just used it fingers because it was easier. He loved his sushi with soy sauce and tons of wasabi because to him, the hotter the better. Aerith on the other hand was politely eating her sushi using chopsticks and making sure not to drip any soy sauce.

The two chatted about their time together seven years ago. It felt like a great distraction for Aerith. She loved it and enjoyed it. She had planned on spending this trip alone but upon meeting up with her old friend, it would just be wrong not to spend time with him. He seemed so carefree and innocent. It was refreshing from her life back home.

Home, Aerith thought feeling a small hint of pain etch its way into her. How she never wanted to go back home. How she rather have traveled out here and forget her life. She ran away instead of facing her problems and solving them. To her thought, running away was easier. Forgetting painful things were easier than facing them.

"Ah nothing can be better than this." Demyx announced, breaking Aerith from her silence. "I got sushi, I'm sitting on the beach, and I met you again Aerith."

"You are so upbeat, then again you always were even as a kid." She complimented. His childlike attitude made her at ease.

Demyx gave her a big cheesy grin. "It's better to be positive. Things could be worse."

Aerith nodded. Things could have been worse. She could have been moping all day about him. Luckily for her, she had a good distraction. She glanced over at at, at him.

"Remember when your mom use to pack lunch for you." Demyx asked as he held a roll up to his mouth intending to eat it. "She made you so much food, did she think you were going to starve?"

Aerith chuckled, "No, I think she made extra for you."

"Well, it was better than whatever I could find. I was lucky to have an apple or a bag of chips."

He stuffed the sushi piece in his mouth. He munched on it and swallowed loudly.

Aerith looked at him curiously. "Why didn't you ask your parents to make you lunch?"

"My parents weren't there." The tone was lower than his normal pitch.

"You were alone?" Aerith looked startled.

Demyx's eyes widened as if he were not suppose to say that. He looked nervously and began laughing, scratching the back of his head.

"My uh... parents were busy... you see they didn't make a lot of money so..." he began to ramble. "I wasn't actually suppose to leave the house but I sneaked out because it sucked being home alone. The beach was fun and I met you and it was fun and your mom gave me food and..."

"I'm sorry." Aerith apologized.

Demyx arched and eyebrow, "For what?"

"I didn't mean to bring up such a sensitive topic." Aerith looked down at her half eaten sushi.

"Why, I'm not." he insisted.

Aerith looked up at him. He smiled at her, a very happy and genuine smile.

"If I didn't sneak out I would never have met you," he repeated.

Aerith blushed.

"So, uh, do you come here every summer?" Aerith asked.

He shook his head as he reached for another piece of sushi.

"Do you live here?"

"Nope, I live..." he took a moment to think before saying, "far from here."

"Oh," Aerith looked down.

"Why is something wrong?" he inquired as he continued to eat.

Aerith shook her head, "No, but... it's strange that after all these years we would meet here of all places. Both of us just happened to come here on vacation the exact same summer!"

Demyx thought for a moment. "Yeah, that's pretty weird. I mean the last time I was here was the summer we met."

"What?" Aerith gasped in shock. "That's the same for me!"

The two looked at one another. Was this a coincidence or was there some higher being involved. Regardless, it was an amazing thing that these two could meet again. It felt as if little time had passed and they fell back into their summer routine.

"So why did you decide to come back?" Aerith asked.

Demyx placed his empty box of sushi next to him. He leaned back on his hands and stared out into the ocean in the far distance. The look in his eyes seemed distant. Aerith tilted her head curiously.

"I love the beach!" he laughed, surprising Aerith. "I've been wanting to come back here for so long and swim. I love being in the water. It makes me happy and I feel safe."

Aerith nodded and picked up a piece of sushi with her chopstick. She brought it to her mouth and was prepared to eat it when Demyx spoke up.

"So why did you come back?"

Aerith dropped her sushi and it landed back in her box. Suddenly, a pain inside her caused her to cringe. Her memories began to flood her brain with things she wanted to forget. It hurt too much that she wanted to cry. She refused to cry in front of him. Demyx may have been her friend but he was very much a stranger.

"Do you want the rest of mine?" Aerith asked. "I'm pretty full."

"Do I?" he laughed. He snatched the box from her and began to eat again.

Demyx seemed so happy that he did not even realize Aerith did not answer his question. She was grateful. She did not want to dwell on her past. She just wanted to forget and thus far Demyx was doing a good job of making her forget.

He looked at her, munching on a piece of sushi. He swallowed and then leaned toward her.

"So, I know this is going to sound weird but do you want to go swimming tomorrow?"

"Like old times?" Aerith asked.

He nodded. Aerith hugged her knees to her and nodded in return. Demyx smiled even more as he continued to eat, glancing over at the setting sun.

"So how long will you be here?" he asked.

"All summer and you?"

"Same, so if you want to hang out more than just tomorrow you can find me anytime. I'll be, well you know, here."

"I know and I like the sound of that."