The Death Date

chapter thirteen

Every day was a beach day in San Diego. It was part of the appeal, I supposed, having the luxury to dig your toes into the sand no matter the season. There was a reason thirty-five million people visited each year, and I imagined the endless sunny days and stretches of shimmering ocean against golden beaches and roaring cliff sides were a major pull.

Growing up here was a different experience. I wasn't drawn by some pictures posted online, I was from here, and I felt that warped my entire perspective of San Diego. To me, the beaches were a part of everyday life, a staple in a city where they were ever present. Vi and I spent most of our weekends on the beach, and it was easy to take something so many people had never seen for granted when it was in your own backyard.

This notion may have been why the ocean looked incredibly sparkly today as I sat in the warm sand, hands and feet sheathed in a fluid, golden blanket. The beach on base was nearly empty; waves breathed rhythmically on the shore, filling my ears with a soothing hum that had my head tipping back to expose myself to even more sunlight.

"Delia, we're gonna get in the water. Want to come?" Nick asked.

I kept my eyes glued shut, afraid that breaking contact with the rays would forever detach me from the moment of sheer peace.

"No, go ahead," I said, and I listened as Nick and the gang ran off towards the ocean, their voices blending into the sea breeze.

I leaned my head back for a while longer, the sun warming my skin from the outside in. It had been a long time since I had been free of the daily matters my mind cycled through. It was nice to be alone.

Until I wasn't.

Parting my eyes open just enough, I glimpsed Warner settling beside me, shirt off and hands digging into the sand. I startled at the sight.

"What are you doing here?"

Warner slowly angled his head towards mine. "Sitting on the beach."

"No, what are you doing here," I said, motioning to the space around me. "Why aren't you with the others?" I looked to the shoreline. Nick and the rest were splashing in the waves.

"Can't," Warner stated, and elevated his foot. A thin bandage was strapped around his ankle.

I shot him an incredulous look, one suggesting I was entirely upset his foot was the reason I was no longer alone on the beach.

"What happened to it?" I asked.

"Twisted it," he responded.

"I didn't see you hobbling down here."

"Then you must've not been paying attention."

It was a sound possibility. Since learning Warner would be joining our sacred beach day, I had promised myself to ignore him. Crossing my arms and casting my sights back out to the ocean, I tried to keep the silent vow. He wasn't going to spoil anything. I wouldn't let him.

"Nick seems the same – since high school, I mean," Warner stated, instantly propelling me from my self-induced sun coma.

"So do you," I said without thought.

Warner shifted beside me. "You guys have been together since then, huh?"

My eyes reduced to slits. "What are you doing?"

"What?" Warner asked.

"Is this your idea of small talk? Also, side note, why are you engaging me in small talk?"

Warner tossed a sigh. "I'm just asking you a question."

My eyes held their slanted shape. "Fine. Yes, we've been together since then – since just after you left."