Sunsets and storms ✓

Chapter 1

MEGAN

The sun is warm as it shines through the window of the taxi. The front windows are open allowing a breeze to cool my skin. I don't mind flying, I love it actually, but there is something unpleasant about being in a confined place with a lot of people in the middle of the summer. Let's just say, not everyone smells that nice, especially the person that sat next to me. I was more than glad to get off the plane, grab my suitcases and find a taxi before most people managed to find their way in the small airport.

The roads around me are all too familiar. I recognise the group of white houses in the distance, the shops around the corner. For the first time in many months, I feel at home again. This island is the only place I've ever felt at home and I spend every summer here. All year I count the days until my last exams, looking forward to hopping on a plane and go south again. 

After only twenty minutes we arrive at my destination. I pay for the ride and thank the driver for getting my bags out of the car. Looking at the house almost gives me butterflies. The whole neighbourhood is like one of those pictures you see on Pinterest or Tumblr. What's different about this house, is the love that lives in it. A love that is called Adele.

She comes running out of the house in her apron, hugging me and kissing my cheeks before ushering me into the house. I bring my suitcases into my room, the same room I stayed in for the past two years as well. When I get back to the kitchen again, Adele is just done with setting the table. The kitchen smells like a restaurant and there is way too much food on the table. Adele loves spoiling me, especially when I just arrive. She always says I'm too skinny and that I need to eat more, even though I eat plenty and have enough curves to prove it.

We call each other regularly to catch up, she even writes me letters every now and then, but seeing her again after almost a year will never be the same as a letter or a phone call. We spend hours catching up and eating all the food she prepared. We talk about everything that has happened. She asks me more questions than I ever thought possible and when I try to ask her about her life, she moves the subject right back to me. 

When we are done eating, we clean the kitchen and I decide to head out and take a walk before the sun starts to set. The island is known for its sunsets, but I know the best places to watch, without having hundredths of tourists in front of you. It's only a 20-minute walk to the beach and I take my time getting there, absorbing all the sun I can get. I will get plenty of sun in the next three weeks, but after spending eleven months in England, I can use some proper sun again.

I pass a few people from Adele's town on my way. I greet them and they ask me how I am. It's the same thing as every time I run into them, but I never get tired of it somehow. Maybe it's the place, maybe the people, but on this island I'm at peace and there is not much that can bother me. Not even all of the tourists crowding the island during the summer. 

I make my way towards the ocean. At this part of the island the ocean is surrounded by cliffs. The bay with the beautiful white houses with blue roofs shines in the distance. The sun slowly starts to disappear behind the horizon. The water reflecting the bright orange colour of the sky. This may be my favourite thing about this island. Every evening I watch the colours dance in the sky as the sun moves on the horizon.

After the sun disappears, I start my hike back to the village. After all these years I've gotten used to hiking over the rocks and hills. I take my time to get back to the house, taking in the scenery. Everything on this island is beautiful. I cannot wait to take my camera out and discover the island through my lens for the next few weeks.

I find Adele in her library when I get back. In one of the rooms on the first floor she has made a library. The walls are covered with books and two comfortable chairs are placed in the middle of them. Adele loves spending her time here, surrounded by her literature. I enjoy reading a good book but I'm nowhere near the book junkie Adele is. 

In my room two suitcases greet me. I'm not the biggest fan of unpacking everything because I need to organise everything. I cannot stand to have a mess around me, but after emptying two suitcases, it's inevitable to have somewhat of a mess. Luckily, I'm used to this room and the places I can store things which makes it easier to get everything in its place.

For the next half hour, I fill the closet with my clothes and put my toiletries in the bathroom cabinets. Once the suitcases are empty, I shove them under the bed and get everything ready for tomorrow. I had to get up really early to get on my flight this morning and travelling always makes me tired. I decide to call it a day early and get up before sunrise tomorrow to go out and get some pictures. I have been taking a few photography courses over the years and I've gotten pretty good at it. Santorini is one of the most picturesque places and taking pictures here is an absolute blast. A few of the pictures I take here every summer I manage to sell to magazines and websites. It's always nice to make some extra cash, especially as a university student. I work as a barista at a café on campus to support myself. Last year I started with giving a few photography classes over the summer. 

I probably wouldn't need the jobs, my dad has plenty of money, but I want to be able to support myself. My dad sends me money every month and I use it for my tuition and rent, but I don't like the idea of him paying for the things I decide to do with my life. Not that I spend that much money. My social life is close to non-existent, I cook my own meals and my coffee addiction is not that expensive since I get an employee discount on campus.

I have barely any friends back in England. I have a lot of acquaintances and people I talk to at school or at work, but no real friends. Ever since I was a child I have been very closed off. At home, I never learnt how to develop myself socially. At school, I've always been surrounded by a lot of people, which only made me close off more. I wasn't used to being around people much and being in crowds of hundredths of people was extremely overwhelming.

The first time I actually made friends was when I started coming to this island. I have made a few really good friends here and every year I look forward to seeing them again. It's a shame that we live so far away but luckily, we can call and text all the time.

Hopefully, this summer will be as good as the last few. Maybe even better.