Iknew coming home would involve seeing the people who hated me the most. But I refuse to let them push me out. I ran the first chance I got, but now I’m not letting them take this from me, too.
As I stroll down the beach barefoot, allowing the sand to sink between my toes, I look out to the sea and watch as the clear water laps at the shore before retreating. I could watch the ocean for hours and never get bored.
The tranquility of all the sounds, the sights, the sensations, the smells.
Every part of being at the coast is like therapy.
I inhale the salty air and allow it to fill my lungs, the grains of sand pushing into the soles of my feet. The breeze flickers over the edges of my hair.
This is home.
A smile curves at my mouth as I walk back to the path, and dust off my sandy feet before attempting to slip on my sandals. I wobble, trying to hold myself up as a hand reaches for my wrist and the other for my waist.
I glance up to find JJ shirtless, sweat glistening off his chest as if he’s done a ten-mile run. I blink in surprise as I bring my foot back down to the ground before I fall.
“What is with you and unstable shoes?” he asks with a playful shake of the head. “These ones are flat.”
My eyes narrow at his face—anywhere above the collarbone, really.
He’s beaming down at me, a cheeky smirk that makes my heart miss a beat.
“If I don’t get the sand out, they rub,” I respond pathetically.
JJ’s brows raise as he pulls his hands away from me. “Sure, sure. And it has nothing to do with your coordination?”
I raise a hand to shove at his shoulder, which was a big mistake considering all I can feel are the rock-hard muscles beneath his sweaty skin. I retreat my hand faster than lightning, but JJ laughs anyway.
“How far did you run?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.
JJ swipes a hand over his buzz cut and pins me with his blue eyes. “Ten kilometers.”
“I can’t even run to the end of the street.” I laugh to myself.
His lip twitches in amusement. “Want me to teach you? It’s all about practice.”
“No thanks, I’d rather not die this summer.”
“I won’t let you die, Ivy.” He takes a tiny step towards me, and I swallow hard. “What have you been up to?”
I tilt my head an inch to look him in the eye. “Just went for a walk. I needed it after yesterday,” I say before cringing at the state JJ found me in. “Thanks for what you did. It really helped.”
“You don’t need to keep thanking me. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
My lips purse. “Yeah, I’m better now.”
“Good. You wanna go grab a drink? I’m parched.”
“It’s eleven o’clock.”
“No one said anything about alcohol.”
I stare at him for a moment before glancing over my shoulder. It’s harmless, right? And I don’t want to go home just yet.
“Uh, okay. Sure.”
We walk along the beachfront where the parade of shops is, before we head into a café to grab a strawberry cooler each. Then we perch on the edge of the wall and face the sea once more.
Silence washes over us, but it’s far from uncomfortable.
