Hidden in the sand

(𝟐)𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐤

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Once again he'd found himself wandering the beach, the place he'd often visited for the past week doing the same thing- sitting at the edge of the dock.

It wasn't meant to be a daily routine but it was something he'd found himself doing, the water sloshing below and the cool breeze somewhat put his mind at ease.

Skipping the third step on his way across the dock towards the end his eyes right away took note of small reinforced sections by the end, the nail work was clearly done by someone who didn't work with tools, but it was smoothed into the rest of the dock nonetheless.

As opposed to the rest of the dock the wood was typical plywood, sanded down and fitted so that any gaps around it were covered as well.

Who did this?

Pursing his lips in thought before taking a seat his hand lightly ran itself across the new planks of wood, there was at least one person he assumed would've fixed the rickety old dock but they also didn't show for quite some time leading him to believe her appearance was a one time thing.

Zoning out for a second or two his ears quickly brought him back to reality as the wooden dock creaked almost unnoticeably, "Do you mind?" The question was open ended and right away he could tell this was the same girl he'd ran into a while back.

Although upon looking over he could see her hand, which was gesturing towards a spot a bit away from him, had been wrapped up in bandages, about a dozen small ones.

"Did you fix the dock?" The words left him quickly, almost a mumble but it seemed as though she understood moving to rub the back of her neck awkwardly.

"Yeah, I noticed you've been sitting here more often and figured that I'd reinforce it a bit- since it's old and all." A nod was given from his side, although he did wonder how often you'd been to the beach to notice him sitting on the edge of the dock.

Feeling as though she could take a seat, she lowered onto the dock once again throwing her legs over the side.

The two were closer this time around but neither seemed to mind; he honestly didn't mind the company this time around considering she was keeping to herself.

Quiet waves and subtle winds once again drifted through his ears.

There wasn't ever a moment that he felt so at ease but funny enough he was calm, the thoughts in his head settled into nothing.

"You should fix the third step." Her head snapped over towards the stranger as he spoke, his gaze still focused intently ahead.

Conversing with a stranger wasn't necessarily something he'd do but it was almost like there was something ebbing away at the inner workings of his mind telling him to at least try.

"I should," Bobbing her head she let out a hum, her legs raised from over the side of the dock folding over one another till she was sitting criss crossed. "But I'm not the best handyman so it'll take a bit."

He nodded his head as well at that, she certainly was no construction worker or even someone who seemed familiar with building things.

If anything she seemed like someone who'd work at a small job, perhaps something less hard working since he could see no visible muscle on the girl.

She was certainly something he'd never think of colliding with in his own life, sure they'd only met twice but there was a sneaking suspicion that this wouldn't be their last meet.

"I think I'll paint the dock at some point," Her words were out of the blue, nothing leading up to them and just simply something that popped into her head.

"Maybe a blue colour to match with the ocean or sky or something." Her words trailed off into a murmur by the end before her head turned, gaze trailing across the side of his face.

"What do you think?"

Dragging his own gaze away from the horizon to meet with her's, he released a low sigh.

"I don't care."

His words came out harsh but they didn't seem to affect her much, only resulting in her letting out a hum looking back towards the ocean.