Weeks had passed and Maryanne hadn't seen Kentin, she was worried he wasn't going to show. She'd been coming dangerously close to the shoreline everyday now, waiting for him to return. It was stupid of course, there was no reason he would return and she knew that. She still kept her hopes up though. She'd give it another day, then another, and another. Still, he did not show. Beginning to lose hope, Maryanne decided it would be best if she showed up just one more time, in hopes that he'd be there.

She swam up to the shoreline of the empty beach and waited, nothing. Hours went by and she calmly waited, losing hope as each minute passed. When all hope was lost she heard someone calling her name. Quickly whipping her head she soon saw the person whom the voice belonged too. She smiled and swam over, it was Kentin. He was actually here and she was beside herself, though she'd never admit it, to him at least. Waving at him, she offered a grin as he stepped knee deep into the water and sat down. Maryanne stared at him silently for a long moment.

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to actually come back.." She spoke softly and lightly. The young man laughed gingerly.

"Sorry about that, I went back home and told my mom what happened with the ship and such and she totally freaked! You should have seen her! She wouldn't let me leave the house for awhile, she was super paranoid, even dad was freaked." He motioned along to his story, giving it a very animated and theatrical experience, "Dad even called my captain and demanded to know what was going on and why I had fallen off, the whole thing was a mess!" He sighed, "luckily my job is secure, I didn't lose it, yet. So, what have you been up to since i've been gone?"

"Oh you know...the usual, swimming around." There was no way she'd admit to him that she had been coming here everyday waiting for him, that was too mortifying to admit. Either way her response caused him to laugh.

"What's the ocean like?" He asked.

"It's home, there's never really a dull moment because everyday it's like discovering something new, its a beautiful place too…" Maryanne averted her gaze, "What's land like?"

"Oh it's wonderful! We have shops and walking and well-" He laughed, "There's so much that happens on land I don't even know where to begin. I'd bring you there but um.." Kentin gestured towards her, "you can't exactly walk."
She smiled lightly and shook her head, "Walking isn't exactly my forte."

They talked for hours about anything and everything, despite all their differences they discovered that they had multiple things in common as well. The sun began to set in the sky, nearing sunset.
"The waters getting cold…" Kentin began before looking away, "Hey wait! I have an idea! Come lay on the beach with me, no one ever comes here as it is I'm sure you'd be fine."

"Me? Out of the water? Isn't that absurd?" She fought, pausing she sucked in her breath, "Okay fine, I'll do it but not for too long."

Kentin nodded before standing up and stretching, he bent down, "Wrap your arms around my neck." He commanded. Maryanne obliged and he gently lifted her up, carrying her bridal style to the beaches shore line. She was blushing so hard she was worried the water would burn right off of her. He gently laid her down onto the sand before plopping down right next to her on his back. She laid there next to him and stared up at the sky. The sun was setting causing the sky to be painted with rich vibrant hues of orange and red. The air was cool and crisp and she shuddered slightly, despite being cold, her breath was taken from her. This was an exquisite view. It amazed her how she had lived her entire life in the ocean and not once had bothered to see the sun set before. Being her first sunset, the moment felt even more special between her and Kentin. The wind blew again. Instinctively Maryanne rolled onto her side and rested her head onto Kentin's chest. He was silent before he carefully wrapped an arm around her, protecting her from the cool air.

Her face was redder than a rose as she nestled closer to him, her heart pounding in her ears. What was this feeling? She was so nervous and so content she didn't understand how she felt in the slightest and that worried her in some ways.

"Hey...Kentin?" She murmured softly, almost hoping he wouldn't hear.

"Hmm?"

"Is...is your heart beating fast too?"

Silence.

"Yeah" He chuckled before pulling her even closer. Maryanne swore her heart skipped a beat in her chest. The sun set as the two of them laid there in a comfortable silence. There was nothing to say between them, it was as if everything had already been magically said. It was a feeling of complete and utter bliss and Maryanne found herself closing her eyes drifting off into a pleasant sleep…

The waves lapped at her tail as the sun begin to rise, she sat up immediately. Oh gosh, she had fallen asleep and she was still out of water. She gulped and looked back down at Kentin who was still sleeping peacefully right next to her. Sighing she laid back down in his arms and nudged him gently.

"Hey...wake up c'mon." She whispered. Kentin moved slightly before opening up his eyes and staring at her. "I have to go back to the water now…" she continued.

"What? So soon?" He asked, still shaking off his sleep. "Can you stay for a little bit longer?"

She shook her head softly and smiled, "I had a lot of fun yesterday."

Kentin grinned at her, "Me too...hey wait I have something for you, oh shoot I totally forgot to give it to you!" He sat up, Maryanne following his movements quickly. She raised a curious eyebrow up at him as he reached into his back pocket. He pulled out a small box, dented from the weight of his body. He blushed and handed it to her, "open it up." She nodded and carefully took the lid off of the box and gasped, inside was a leather necklace with a sterling silver heart attached to it. She flipped it over, on the back engraved on it read 'I'll Never Forget You'. She smiled and hugged Kentin tightly.

"It's beautiful, I can't thank you enough!"
"There's no need too" He laughed, "Here let me put it on you." He took the necklace from her and gently put it on her. She turned back around and he grinned, blushing softly, "Well what do you know! It really suits you."

Maryanne smiled and looked down, silent.

"One more thing.." Kentin began, "One more gift I have for you." Before Maryanne could react Kentin gently grabbed her chin and raised her face back up so they were looking at each other. He leaned in, closing his eyes and lightly kissed her on the lips. She shut her eyes peacefully and smiled in the kiss as he pulled away.

She opened her eyes and stared back at him, blushing, she smiled and hugged him one last time. When she pulled away she knew she'd have to say goodbye, even if she didn't want too. Goodbyes were never something she enjoyed, they were too sad. Too permanent. She instead she waved at him and said, "Until next time."

He smiled back at her, "Until next time."

She got back into the ocean and swam off, not once looking back. There was no reason too, she gently grabbed her necklace. Wherever she would go he would be there, and she knew she would see him again...after all they didn't say goodbye.