ONE

"How about this, we take a small trip down to the beach this summer," Charlie suggests, wrapping his arm around me as Franke shakes her head, giggling a bit. I look ahead, to the beach before us, the white sand and crystal blue water. "The one about two hours away with the good waves." I lean my head against his shoulder, pulling into his warmth as William grabs the beer by his side, his eyes trained on Charlie and me. "I'm up for it," William comments as Franke looks over to Rosie. For three years this group has been my pack, my rock, the ground I can call my family and home. We've been with each other through thick and thin while figuring out our way through high school. Sure, we have our bumps and thorns, but overall, we've been here for one another. "We have waves here," I add, watching as all eyes turn to me, Charlie's warm brown ones as well, making my stomach turn into a massive knot. The Golden Boy of the school and my boyfriend, Charlie is the one I cannot see a world without, without his smile, his dimples, his eyes, his laugh, and the list goes on and on. "But I see what you mean, the waves down there are ten times as big." Franke nods, weaving her hands through her lilac hair, her pale fingers looking even whiter in the moonlight as the sounds of the small town fade away as the night passes. "I'm up for it," Rosie agrees, slapping William's hand away from his beer. Alcohol is no shortage when it comes to William and Rosie, a pair of twins whose parents are always gone on trips and practically leave the alcohol room unlocked. Thankfully these two twins are responsible. They are not identical through, mainly because Rosie is strawberry blond, William has black hair, Rosie has blue eyes while William has gray, but for looking alike, only in their identical height of six foot do they equal one another. I remove Charlie's arm form my shoulder, laying down on the sand as I close my eyes, listening to the ocean waves come up onto the sand and back down. Those eyes flash through my mind, pale yet as blue as the ocean, a pair of eyes that are shown in my mind at the most random of times. "Well, I've got to go," Franke says, causing me to peel upon my brown eyes, watching as she stands up, stretching her arms to the sky, her built body reflecting the moonlight. "See you all tomorrow. Remember, brunch at the café!" Soon, she's gone, her Jeep starting up and driving away, leaving us to silence once more. In another ten minutes Rosie and William wave bye, driving off as well as I'm left with Charlie, his head laid across my lap as my fingers run through his soft and thick blond hair. "We'll be parting soon," I mutter, disrupting the silence that had once consumed us. Charlie lets out a deep sigh, rolling onto his stomach and laying down back beside me, his eyes looking deep within mine. "I know." His voice is weak, barely a whisper. A hand comes up, stroking my cheeks, running across my smooth skin as the summer breeze blows across my skin. "But we have two months left." I prop myself up on my elbows. "Two months, Charlie," I mutter, look out to the ocean as the color has become dark blue, dark like the night sky but still holds a tint of blue. "Then we become that cliché long-distance relationship couple." He sits up quickly, both hands cupping my cheeks, sitting directly in front of me, his eyes full of concern. "We won't, Winifred, we won't become that couple." I sigh, feeling my eyes water as I remember Axel, the boy I still want to forget, the boy who haunts me still. I don't want Charlie and me to become what I had back then, how we slowly lose one another and are forced to forget. "I don't want to lose you." Charlie's eyes soften, his hands pulling me closer as I find myself muffling a sob with my fist. "I don't want to never hear from you again." Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him as tight as possible against me, my head buried in his chest as I find my hands fisted around his shirt, pulling the material. "I will never stop communication with you, Winifred, I swear to you that will never happen." "You'll be in Georgia and I'll be in New York, Charlie, that's states away," I whisper, feeling his arms wrap tightly around my petit body, cradling me like some innocent child. My head is brought back by a hand, lips meeting mine as I savor the moment, trying to drown the sour memories in my mind. Running my fingers through his hair, I find myself pulling him as close as possible as Charlie cups the back of my neck, making sure that I am still here. As the kiss fades away into heavy breaths, I open my eyes, a smile spreading across my lips. "There's that smile." I gently slap his chest, getting to my feet as I wipe off my cheeks from the salty tears. An arm is around my waist, pulling me close as we begin our walk back to the parking lot. As we part, I find that sour feeling within my chest return as Charlie drives off. Driving home, I find myself giving into temptation as I take a left turn, going down an isolated road where the trees begin to built up along the coast. Stepping further on the gas, the minutes fly bye and suddenly, I see it, the tall gate. I push upon the brakes slowly, getting a better glimpse of the modern yet homy beach house, the three stories, cars parked, and few lights on. Those eyes flash through my mind again, instantly making me step on the gas, speeding away, trying to forget the view I just saw. "Stupid!" I snap, banging my head against the wheel, making sure I get home quickly. By the time I'm in my room, watching my fan spin around and around, I think of the woman who holds the same eyes as him. Gege, the woman I've looked up to. Maybe I'll pay her a visit tomorrow, just catch up with her and see how she is. My phone buzzes. My eyes widen and my skin pales. My palms become sweaty and a tear rolls down my cheek. Franke: Axel is back.