I Remember

Chapter 9

I wake up the next morning feeling refreshed. I spend my day productively, until it hits 6:00.

I pace back and forth for almost 15 minutes. I'm not nervous, I just don't know what to expect. I told my parents that I am going to Rose's house for a sleepover, so they don't question why I am leaving or if I come back late.

I hop on my bike and start riding to black lagoon. I timed the bike ride perfectly, so I get there exactly at 6:45. I'm not nervous until I get to the lagoon.

Even though the sun is sinking behind me, it lights the water and makes everything shimmer. I shield my eyes against the glare of the sun, and spot him down by the water. He has his back towards me, facing the ocean, and I'm glad. I feel self-conscious as I walk down the rickety stairs that lead from the parking lot to the beach. I pause to take off my flip-flops, which I carry in one hand.

There are 4 other people on the beach. A father and a child, and a couple walking. They are all hundreds of feet away though.

Then I am coming up behind the boy, and he turns to see me, smiles. The sun catches his hair, turning it momentarily blonde, then it goes back to it's normal ashy brown color.

"Hi." He says. "I'm glad you came."

I feel shy again, stupidly holding my sandy flip flops in one hand. I can feel my cheeks getting warm, so I look down, drop my shoes, and then flip them over with my toes. "I think you owe me an explanation." I noted.

"Yes, yes I do, but first..." He grabs my wrist tightly, and practically yanks me into the water.

Both of us are laughing as we splash through the rippling waves. Shells crunch under my feet. I feel my toe get caught in a tangle of red and purple seaweed, and almost do a faceplant. He still pulls me with a firm grip until I'm waist deep. I start uncontrollably laughing, and so does he.

"I'm Asher," he says with a warm smile on his face.

"Nice to meet you Asher, but I think I need a little more than that!" I assured while still giggling.

"Ok fine, here it is." Asher proceeds to turn around, and sweep his arm across the surface of the water. I twist to avoid the splash, but end up slipping and falling, until every inch of me is emerged under water. I shoot up, gasping for air.

Trying not to cough I shout, "Hey! What was that for?!" Before I gave him a chance to answer I duck down and scoop up a handful of wet sand, and whirl around to peg him with it. Asher ducks out of the way, but a bit of it managed to catch him on the cheek, dripping down his face.

"Fine, that's fair." He says still smiling from ear to ear. "Let me just tell you, I'm not who you think I am."