One More Chance ☑

08 | Touché

My head is spinning with all the information I just learned. Axel broke up with me because Adam entered his life and he thought he would hold me back if he told me. How could he have thought that?

Olivia, who's sitting beside me, coughs to get my attention. I look at her worn and exhausted face. "So, after that conversation with him, does that change things?"

My heart swells as I nod my head. "It changes a lot, actually. He said he broke up with me because he didn't want his family to hold me back."

If anything, it proves to me how selfless Axel is. He let me go so I could pursue my dream of becoming a photographer while he took care of Adam and his mom because his dad couldn't bother. Learning all of this makes me want to forgive him on the spot, but another part of me is reminded of the pain I've gone through. A part of me still blames him for breaking up with me.

A small and sad smile takes its place on Olivia's lips. "I'm glad he told you sooner rather than later. Maybe now the wedding won't be so awkward?"

One look between us, causing us to laugh. We both know that isn't true. I still have a few things to sort out with Axel and Elea. Now that she's here, we need to talk.

"I saw Elea," I admit to Olivia.

Her shoulders tense when she glances at me. "Are you going to talk to her here?"

I shake my head no. "Not today, I'm kinda worn out from everything." Olivia nods her head, agreeing with me. Standing up, I squeeze her shoulder. "I will soon though, before the wedding. We have some thing we need to work out as well."

Olivia grabs my forearm and squeezes back, giving me a tired smile. "You headed out?"

"Yeah, I need to go think."

Olivia's smile brightens, knowing what I mean. "You can barrow one of my swimsuits and James' board is in the garage."

I pull her in for a hug, not knowing what I did to deserve a friend like her.

On my way into the house, I hear Elea's familiar laugh. Peeking around a large tree, I see Elea is talking to Hudson. He's also smiling and laughing. What scares me the most is that it's genuine.

I force myself to walk inside so I don't get caught. Whatever is going on between them is something I'll have to ask Hudson about. Seems like all I'll be doing up to Olivia's wedding is talking to people.

After half an hour of walking, because my car is stuck between all the cars on the Torres' patio, I reach the beach.

Ha, that rhymed.

I shake my head at my own joke.

Lucky for me there's not too many people at the beach since most of our town is probably at graduation parties. By tonight, it'll be packed.

The saltiness of the fresh air fills my nose, already helping some of the tension leave my body. With everything going on the last several days, I hadn't realized I was starting to feel weighed down by it.

Once I'm closer to the shore line, I kick off my shoes and take off the cover up Olivia let me barrow, leaving me in my swimsuit. Still holding onto James' skimboard, I walk to the water and let warm water splash onto my skin.

Shrieking draws my attention from the water and, several yards down, I spot a few kids running around each other. Their laughter fills the air as they play tag. Their parents aren't sitting far from them and I can see the smile on their faces.

I smile to myself, watching the kids a bit more. That's the power of the beach. It brings happiness to people. With that, I jog along the shoreline and drop the board, hopping onto it.