Prime Suspect (When I Saw You In Remains)

Chapter 1: Welcome to Felt Beach

At a time when I wasn't yet to discover myself, at a place which would make me discover more than I needed. Felt Beach, Maine.

After hours of drive, we'd finally entered the town. While my parents were trying to locate us and my sister was sleeping on my lap, I was watching the road. That's when I saw someone with a gold cheetah mask digging the soil in the woods. My eyes were stuck on them and as we continued moving, trees were cutting my vision but I was still trying hard not to lose the person, I even accidentally woke my sister; eventually after a sharp turn I completely lost them. In about a minute, the car suddenly stopped and I turned back to reality. There we were, in our new summer home. A new chapter in our life... We all stood still, staring at the house.

My sister broke the silence, ''Can I go see the beach, please?'' My mother replied, ''The moving company's truck isn't coming for at least two days, which means your bike isn't coming for at least two days. And, it's too far to walk.'' Her face fell, but then she quickly came up with an idea. ''Willow can drive me there, can't she?''. My parents looked at me, ''I can, I guess!'' I stuttered. My sister hopped in to the car with joy, my father gave me the keys and we set forth to the beach.

Going down the slope, I was distracted by Jennette looking for something in the glove box. ''What are you looking for?'' I asked her. She yelled, ''Sunscreen! I don't want to go all red.'' It was really funny how quick she would burn without sunscreen. She had the whitest skin I'd seen after all, topped with her light red hair, green eyes and freckles. And no one would believe that we are sisters because I am black; with dark brown eyes and dark brown hair. Our parents got married 10 years ago, when I was 6 and she was 4. We have always been really close since then, yet still there are things in each other's lives that we wouldn't get. Like how I always laugh whenever she burns in the sun. This time wasn't about to be one of those moments, though. She found and applied her sunscreen, and I pulled up my car near the beach.

And maybe I pulled it a little too close to the beach, because a boy ran towards us screaming, demanding us to stop the car. I did as he said and got out of the car to see what was going on. He was out of breath but relieved. Apparently, I was about to crush their stuff that they left in the sidewalk. While I was trying to apologize, another boy slowly came out of the boat across the sidewalk, he was laughing. He waved his hand and introduced himself: ''I am Nick. Well, Nicos! But, Nick.'' He was firm, yet, sassy, a different combo for sure. He had pushed-back, dark hair; thin eyeliner; and black nail polish. Altogether an individual who could stand out. The first boy, now back to breathing normally, also introduced himself: ''I am Ricky.'' He was tanner, with lighter hair and freckles. And he was wearing this bright blue shirt that day, which I never forget. Jennette also introduced us with a joyous attitude. Ricky said, ''Welcome to Felt Beach, I hope you enjoy being here. If anything, you can find us here and there.'' He winked and Nick continued: ''We'll be actually headed to this little cove for a campfire and some drinks. You two wanna join us?'' Jennette was visibly excited to join them, I wasn't the type of person to just get in a boat with strangers, though.

While I was trying to find an excuse and Jennette was trying to lure me in; our subject changed with a voice from the back. ''Oh, God!! My stupid boss, he held me for too long.''. Ricky looked at her: ''It's okay, Shells. We were just chatting with new folks anyway.'' Shells thrust her hand out at me and said with her Southern accent: ''Welcome here! Are you coming with us?'' I knew ''You'' could be singular or plural, but she was looking at me directly in the eye and it made me feel like it was just me and her. She had broad shoulders and big blonde curls. She wasn't different at all but she was still unique because she had a huge appeal drawn by immense charisma. She looked strong, captivating; and she had tattoos all over her body. At the time I could count 6, now I know she has 7. She had this aura that trapped me and without even knowing her, I wanted to be with her. It was only then that I found myself without an excuse and went along with their plan, Jennette was happier about this decision than I was. Well, I was mostly curious, I just wanted to get to know her more. I took some stuff from my car, informed my mom and got on the boat. Of course, with Jennette around there was chatter and laughter but I wasn't really engaging in any of it, I just stood there and watched Shells all through the way to the cove.