In The End

Two

I had fallen asleep to the white sounds of seagulls cawing as the moonlight shone perfectly on the subtle waves of the ocean.

Fast asleep, I was.

~~

Monday, June 3rd, 2019

10:13 AM

I was sleeping peacefully as I heard footsteps running to my door. I hid under the covers.

"I'M HOMEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" Someone screamed happily.

It was Claude. He had just come home from his first year at Stanford University. He ran into my room and jumped on my bed. I had always admired him for how outgoing and sociable he is.

"Good morning Florence," He said with a smile.

"You woke me up. Welcome home."

"Where's mom and dad?"

"I don't know, look at me I just woke up."

"I missed you, Flo. And the dogs, too."

"Yeah, I couldn't live without them."

There they were, at my bedroom door, wagging their tails, waiting to go for a walk. With his phone going off, he quickly grabbed it from his pocket. He was looking down, smiling at texts.

"Who's that?"

"Huh? Oh, no one."

"Really? I think that you can be honest with me, just between the two of us."

"Uh, this girl at college. Her name's Madeline. She's plays, I think volleyball? We met through dorms. Her's is right next to mine."

"Oh wow, you've already met someone? Are we gonna meet her?"

"Yeah I'm not so sure yet. I'll leave you to yourself."

"Wowwwww, Claude has a crush huh?" I said jokingly

"That's enough. Walk the dogs, please."

I knew he was giddy inside, and I was glad Claude was back home.

I sat up in my bed, and checked my phone.

*Ten missed calls from TJ❤️*

What?!

Quickly dialing her number, I held my breath in panic.

"TJ?"

"Yeah, whats up?"

"I have ten missed calls from you, are you okay?"

"Oh shit, yeah I'm all good. Sorry about that. Lily and I wanted to go to the beach today. I heard the waves today were supposed to be huge, so we wanted to know if you could come. It's totally fine if you can't."

Surfing? I hadn't done that in years.

"Uhh, yeah sure. I can come. Just let me take out Bentley and Margo first, and then I'll drive over, okay?"

"Yeah no of course, let me know when you're there."

"Okay, love you, bye."

"Love you."

What was I supposed to do. The last time I had surfed was back in freshman year. And these apparent big waves? Whatever. It's summer after all, right?

~~

12:34 PM

I hung Bentley's leash, then Margo's, and ran up the stairs. As I opened my bedroom door, the sunlight hit my face, casting a honey-like glow. It was a good feeling. I opened my bottom drawer and changed out of my clothes into a navy-blue one piece. I grabbed my bag, gray zip-up, fifty bucks, and headed out the door.

As I opened the garage, I took a look at my board. Sure I was scared, but what could happen. I packed it into the back of the Jeep, and drove off.

With the windows down, I felt the start of a summer breeze in in my hair. The sun gleaming, the sky a cerulean blue. My life was good.

I saw TJ and Lily when I pulled in. We both screamed at each other from across the parking lot.

"You excited?" Lily exclaimed

"Yeah, of course." I was trying not to sound like I didn't want to be there.

We headed to the beach where we set up. We got out towels, some snacks that TJ brought, and sunscreen.

As soon as TJ and Lily had their cover ups off, they started toward the ocean. I followed.

About chest deep, we all hopped onto our boards. I kept on repeating to myself.

Paddle. Look. Paddle. Look

And so on.

I could tell from how the sun hit both of their faces that they were enjoying themselves. Then TJ started to yell.

"Guys! Guys! Look behind us!"

God. There was a wave coming in our direction.

"Shit!" I screamed

I took one deep breath in, and started to paddle. Faster and faster, snapping my neck behind myself to get a good look at the wave. I was distracted by Lily. She was already almost standing. I paddled even faster than I could imagine, with the wave growing closer and closer to me every second. I stood up on my board.

I couldn't believe that I was standing.

I was on top of the wave, focusing on every turn, every slight move that I made. I was amazing.

Then I saw something. Something big. Something dark. Something unknown. What was that? Are TJ and Lily okay? I quickly lost my focus while regretting all decisions made. I noticed that the wave was right behind me. I was screwed.

The wave completely took over me. I felt the salty water go into my mouth and up my nose. I couldn't get hold of my board. Where was it?

The waves just kept coming, growing stronger than ever before. I struggled to keep afloat when a great object hit me. I blacked out. Unconscious.