It's you

Midnight man

I'm Lacey,I'm a pogue on the outer banks.I live with my mom and dad.I'm used to being ignored or,well,forgotten.I'm not some big shot that everyone knows.I'm just me,i guess?my mom is the only one I talk to,I don't even talk to my dad.

I'm cleaning up the dinner table after we had just eaten.I look over at my dad passed out on the couch drunk.I sigh and put up the last dish.my moms at work so I have no one to talk to.

My mom is what's holding my family together,my dads a lazy drunk but somehow my mom always finds a way to find the good in him.I'm hoping that this summer I can find a good job to help everyone out,maybe my dad will be proud of me.

I wash my hands and dry them off.I walk upstairs after turning the light off to the kitchen and plop onto my bed.I look over and see my surfboard propped against my closet door.I haven't had time to surf in a while.I think to myself for a while before deciding to go surf.

I grab a yellow and white striped bathing suit,put my brown hair in a ponytail and start to head out.I start to walk down the stairs when I rethink my decision and instead walk towards the window.I don't wanna wake up my dad while he's drunk,that's never a good sight to see.

Before walking out I grab my phone and a towel and climb quietly out.

I hop down,grab my stuff,and start to head to the beach.it's not too far away so I don't worry about bringing shoes.it's only sand anyways.

I find a spot and set my stuff down,I take one more glance at my phone and see it's 12:00 o'clock.grabbing my board and stepping into the water.I look out into the dark ocean wondering if I should do it or not.I haven't had time to surf,it used to be my favorite thing.it would always take my mind away from bad things.it was a safe place.it's hard to find something like that....a safe place.

"You gonna get in or what?" A voice startles me.I jump and turn around and see a blonde boy. "I didn't mean to scare you" he says with a chuckle walking over to my side also holding a board,but not looking at me and instead looking out into the ocean mirroring me. "I wasn't scared,I was practicing my jumping skills....you know how that can be" I say holding my smile down.

"Oh yeah,I know all about that" he says with a chuckle causing me to let out one too. "So you gonna get in or just look at it?" He asks again and I look at him wondering who this boy could be. "I haven't done this in a while that's all" I say and he nods.

"What's your name?" He asks. "Lacey" I answer shortly walking deeper into the water.I get on my board and start to paddle out when I see a good wave. I turn around and ready myself.I catch the wave and slowly start to stand up until I'm completely balanced.I smile at the familiar setting.

The cool wind cuts through my hair as water reaches my face.I ride it down getting off and paddling back over to the boy who is still floating on his board watching me.I paddle up beside him. "Ok,show me what you got" I say,he gives me a smirk and starts to paddle into the dark water.

He catches a wave and starts to do tricks and I roll my eyes.he paddles back next to me. "How was that?" He asks flipping his hair to the side flinging water. "Show off" I say and he chuckles.

I hear my phone ring and my heart sinks.I get out of the water and start to walk over. "Shit" I say once I see the caller ID 'Dad'.

I don't answer and instead let it ring out.I then get a text from him 'come home now' it read and my smile that I once wore proudly earlier was now faded into fear.

"Hey,you okay?" The boy asks from beside me as I almost forgot he was even there. "Umm,yeah I gotta go though" I say "but wait,I thought you where gonna surf"

"Yeah,I know,but I really have to get home" I say grabbing my stuff waving bye and hurrying back home,leaving him with a confused face.

I step on my front porch and take a deep breath.I look over and see my mom still isn't home.

I open the door slowly and see my dad sitting up on the couch.he stands to his feet. "Where were you!" He shouts and I flinch. "I just went surfing for a while" I say.

He makes fist by his side. "You can't leave without telling anyone!what if your mom came home and you weren't here?and I didn't know where you where,huh? Then that would be a different story,wouldn't it?" He continues on. "Dad,I'm sorry okay,it won't happen again"

"I know it won't" he says getting back on the couch.I run up to my room and put my stuff up.I lay on my bed and sigh.i stare up at my ceiling and let my mind wonder.I wonder who that boy was.I think I've seen him before but I'm not sure.what's his name?why would he talk to me?

It felt so easy to talk to him.like I've known him for years,but I had just now met him.

Questions fill my head to the brim of all the possibilities about the boy I'd just met.this is the mind of an over thinker.I stare holes through my ceiling wondering if I'd ever get to see the mystery boy again.I secretly hoped I would.I drape my blanket over my body and close my eyes slowly drifting into a hopefully peaceful sleep.