Maia

25

Word Count: 1413

-

MAIA'S POV

As we arrived at the beach, I quickly jumped out of the car. The sun was shining brightly, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air. However, my excitement was overshadowed by an intense discomfort at the thought of being near Rawiri. I hurriedly made my way over to Alessandro, hoping to find some comfort in his presence.

Grabbing hold of his arm, I clung to it tightly, seeking reassurance as he reached to lock the car door. Alessandro looked down at me, the warmth in his eyes contrasted with the anxious knot in my stomach. I attempted to smile, but it felt forced and didn't quite reach my eyes.

I held tightly onto Alessandro's arm as we strolled along the warm, soft sandy beach, I was grateful to see that the beach was relatively empty. It felt like our own little paradise.

I watched Wiremu begin to set up a colourful umbrella, carefully anchoring it into the ground to shield us from the sun. Giovanni was busy spreading out bright beach towels, arranging them perfectly to create a cozy spot for us. I leaned my head comfortably on Al's shoulder, feeling the warmth radiating from him.

I couldn't help but smile as they rummaged through the bags, pulling out an assortment of beach toys, including vibrant beach balls.

"Can we build a sandcastle?" I ask, looking up at Alessandro with excitement. It might seem childish, but I've always wanted to create one, and the thought of finally doing it brings a small smile to my face. Alessandro returns my enthusiasm with a warm smile and a nod of agreement.We pick up two buckets and two shovels and we settle down close to our set up. Al reaches down to help me pack sand into the bucket, showing me how to press it tightly so it will hold its shape.

"How big should we make it?" he asks. I reply with a wide grin, "Big, really big!" I can picture it in my mind—a grand castle with tall towers and a moat surrounding it.

Turning around, I spot Gio in the distance, diligently digging a massive hole. "He's building a big pit; he does this every time we go to the beach," Alessandro remarks, chuckling softly.

I glance back at Alessandro and see that he has already built two sandcastles. I rush to start my own castle, carefully shaping the damp sand and making sure to position it right next to his.

"Do you think we can dig out a moat around them too?" I ask. He nods and I grab my shovel and begin to carve out a circular trench, making it big enough for more space.

Alessandro and I finally put the finishing touches on our castle. I had gathered an assortment of shells, carefully placing them atop the sandcastle. The texture of the coarse sand felt satisfying against my fingers as I arranged each shell with precision. For the bridge, we used sturdy pieces of driftwood we had found along the shore, their surfaces smooth from years of being worn by the waves. With some leafy branches, we fashioned flags to our towers.

Standing beside Alessandro, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at our creation. It stood tall against the backdrop of the ocean, a little fortress of our imagination. "So, what now?" I asked, turning to him with a smile.

He glanced over his shoulder, contemplating our next adventure. "Do you want to learn how to swim, or would you rather just dip your toes in the water?" he asked, his tone light.

At the mention of swimming, a shiver ran down my spine as I recalled Rawiri's comment from earlier; his demeanour had left me uneasy. I quickly scanned the beach, hoping not to catch sight of him. But there he was, standing by the water's edge. Our eyes met, and a smirk formed on his lips, sending another shiver through me. Instinctively, I looked away, feeling uneasy. "Maybe just dipping my toes in for now," I replied softly, the words escaping me with a hint of nervousness.

I watched awkwardly as Alessandro confidently removed his shirt, revealing his many tattoos, and leaving him in his boardshorts. I glanced down at my own outfit, which consisted of a pair of fitted jeans paired with a light, long-sleeved top that danced gently in the warm breeze. With a sigh, I realised the weather had turned decidedly warmer today, the sun's bright rays bathing everything in a golden glow and warming my face pleasantly.

After contemplating my choice of clothing, I decided it might be more comfortable to change things up a bit. I opted to keep my shirt on for now, but I slipped off my jeans, allowing the vibrant colours of my one-piece swimsuit to peek out from underneath. The fabric felt cool against my skin. I rolled up my sleeves slightly, grateful that I had applied concealer on my wrists to hide the leftover handprint marks from Jacob.

Lorenzo stood shirtless, pushing his hair back with one hand as he talked to a girl on the beach. Gio was still digging in the sand, while Wiremu and Rawiri were in the water. I followed Alessandro down to the waterfront, grabbing his hand before our feet touched the water. I looked down at it nervously.

"Are you ready?" I hear Al ask, his voice cutting through the sound of the waves crashing around us. I can only manage a nod, my heart racing with anticipation as we take that first step forward. The water rushes toward us, cold and inviting.

As the chilly waves lap against my feet, I let out a small squeak, startled by the sudden chill that bites at my toes. The sensation sends a shiver up my spine, but it only encourages me to dive deeper. With each step I take, I feel the water rising around my ankles, and I look back, urging Alessandro to follow.

"Come on!" I say to him, excitement bubbling in my chest as I tug him along. I step into the water, moving carefully until it swells around my waist, the cool waves lapping against my skin and creating an odd, exhilarating sensation. I glance over at Alessandro, feeling a surge of confidence as I tug him gently to follow me deeper into the sea. With each passing moment, the water rises steadily, now reaching my chest, its rhythm pulsing like a heartbeat. I take a moment to pause, looking back at Al, my heart racing with excitement and awe.

I watch as he smiles, the warmth of his expression giving me a momentary sense of ease. However, when I glance over at Wiremu, I suddenly realise that Rawiri has vanished from sight, leaving my heart racing with anxiety. My eyes widen in alarm, scanning the surroundings, searching frantically for any sign of him. "Where's Rawiri?" I ask, my voice trembling with nervousness.

Alessandro, ever so calm, meets my gaze before turning his head to survey the area. Just as a wave of panic washes over me, I feel a firm grip on my shoulders. I jumped at the unexpected touch, my heart racing in my chest. "I'm right here," he said, his tone sending a chill down my spine. The tension in my shoulders grew heavy as I turned slowly to face him, expecting his usual sadistic smirk or a menacing glare. Instead, I was met with a look of genuine confusion and worry etched on Rawiri's face, an expression that was almost unrecognizable.

His hands reached out and gently cupped my neck, his thumb stroking my skin in an unsettlingly tender manner. I felt a wave of shock wash over me, freezing me in place, too afraid to pull away or respond. Our gazes locked, and I could see the turmoil in his eyes—it was a mixture of concern and pain. "Maia," he murmured, his voice soft, almost pleading, before he stepped back suddenly. His hands balled into fists at his sides, as if he were fighting against some inner turmoil.

I stared at him, confusion swirling in my mind. It was then that I remembered the makeup that had once hidden the bruise on my neck—evidence of past struggles I had worked so hard to cover up. A sense of dread settled in my stomach as I realized the implications of what he had seen. Oh no...