Once In a Lifetime

Chapter 3, Beach paths

I stopped walking because I was at an intersection. I pressed the black button and waited for the light to turn green. Cars were passing by very fast. At the other side of the road were two paths from which I could choose. I could walk through the city, but I could also walk over the beach.

"Hmmm." I hummed quietly.

The traffic light turned green, and I started walking. I flicked my eyes back and forth from one path to the other. City or beach? City is shorter, but beach is nicer. If I made a left here, I would go through the city, but I was now at the other side of the road and I continued walking forward in the direction of the beach.

"Beach it is." I said. Passers-by would think I'm crazy if they could hear what I would say to myself.

I saw sand laying on the asphalt and the sound of waves was becoming more prominent. The wind blew through my hair as I could now see the water. I made a left and the asphalt turned into a grey cobblestone path. At my right side were the waves clashing into the rocks in the water, and at my left side was the city.

The sky was blue and filled with white clouds. The water was piercing blue, mixed with some green. The sand was golden, and seashells were laying all over it. I inhaled through my nose and smelled the salty water.

Near the water, two little boys with curly brown hair were building a sandcastle. They both had a blue bucket and a little red plastic spade. One ran over to the water and waited for his bucket to fill. A woman with long wavy brown hair in a black bathing suit sat near them.

I looked at the road again. I felt a warmth at the back of my head from the sun. I love going to the beach. The warm water, the smell of salt and seaweed. Almost having to run to the water because the sand is burning your feet off. I come here a lot. Mostly to swim and tan, but I love painting here too.

The view is just amazing. In the mid-evening, the sun will go down in the water and a beautiful sunset with blue, pink and orange will appear. I looked at the water again. 'This would be perfect to paint' I thought to myself. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. 09:54.

I swiped to the left and took a picture. I loved painting nature. Trees, beaches, or sunsets. I try to slip a sunset in every piece I make.

Painting always makes me happy. Its calming, and my mind finally goes quiet. With all the talking in my head, it's always noisy. But when I paint, it's almost like the world just stops. Like peace just took over my whole body and I'm floating on water.

It's the same with music. I love classical music. But only when I'm tired, because with classical music I'm out in no time. It makes my limbs go numb and it feels like I'm floating on water again.

I made a left and walked up the concrete steps. I kept walking straight ahead and came across the reception of the campsite. I walked to the front glass door. I took my sunglasses off my head and as I pulled the door, a bell ringed.

The owner looked up and began, "Hey Julia! Nice to see you, how can I help you?"

I walked over to the register. "Hi, uhm, I had a question about the new guests." I spoke with uncertainty.

"You know I can't give away their names." He said with a smirk.

"No no, I know that" I smiled. "I just wanted to know how many there are and long they were going to stay." I explained.

"There are four of them and they haven't set a date yet."

"They haven't?" I asked, my brows furrowing.

"No, I think they are just checking if they like it here, and then they will decide." He explained.

"Huh. Interesting... And four you say. Is it a family?" I asked. I've always been very curious; some may even call it nosy.

"Why don't you find out yourself?" He said.

"Because you know I don't know how to do that." I answered.

"You're never old enough to learn, right?" He smiled.

Always making jokes, huh? "Ugh, you're no use to me. No offense." I quickly held my hands up in the air next to my head.

"No offense taken." He answered.

I giggled and said, "Well I got to go; I still need to eat breakfast."

"Oh, of course, enjoy your meal. See you later!" he said.

"Merci! Au revoir!" I laugh and turn around to walk back to the door. I pushed it open and the bell chimed again.

I walked over the asphalt and put my sunglasses back on. Raphael, the owner, and I talk a lot. Even he knows more about my problems then my parents. Raphael took over his father's business when he passed away 4 years ago. It has been in the family for over a century. The business, I mean, not his father. Raphael has a son who is in his twenties or something, and his wife, Eloise, is one of the sweetest humans on earth.

The campsite is very quiet this year. Previous years, it had always been very crowded, but this year was different. I'm not complaining though. I mean, a pool all to myself? I'm not the one to complain.

As I came closer to my cabin, I heard music. I could've sworn I've heard this before. I smelled something too. It was warm and I think someone was baking something. Pancakes maybe. I heard someone laugh and someone talking over the music.

I turned around the corner with my head down and as I looked up, my mouth immediately fell open. 

.................................................................................................................................................

I wonder who the guests are....