Anyone who met James Yang could say he had an addictive personality. Everything he's ever touched has given him a new meaning to life, from arcade games to cigarettes. So, when James met Leona Fernandez for the first time, you can imagine the electricity that went through his spine.
Everyone who has ever met Leona Fernandez knew this: she was no believer in love at first sight. In every romcom she was forced to watch with her cousins, she'd scoff and roll her eyes at the depictions of star-crossed lovers because she believed that hard work was the only thing that kept a couple together. But, after one look into James Yang's steady eyes, she changed her mind.
The pair met on a busy day in Santa Cruz.
James worked in the arcade on the boardwalk then. During his break one day, he decided to take a walk on the beach. He loved the sound of the happy families chattering about, mixed with the sound of waves and seagulls. Something about it made him feel safe.
Leona just so happened to be part of one of those said families. She stood where the sand was smooth and damp with some of her cousins, laughing and retreating from the cold waves inching closer and closer to their feet. As one particular wave touched her toes, she whirled, giggling in delight, straight into James.
She noticed he was tall and lean, with buzzed hair and mischievous, black eyes.
He noticed she was slightly shorter than James, with a mass of curly brown hair and a lopsided grin.
He said, laughing: "Have a nice fall?"
She said, raising an eyebrow: "Was that supposed to be funny?"
Needless to say, they both fell in love.
In the next few hours, they walked along the boardwalk, challenging each other to win top prizes and asking random questions.
While in line for a slushie, Leona revealed that she would never date anyone that smoked.
While she ordered a few moments later, James threw away the cigarette pack that lived in his back pocket.
They kissed on top of the Ferris wheel at the end of the night. Yes, Leona was annoyed by the taste of nicotine, but she decided to leave it be for now.
As he walked her to her car, she asked, "Is this goodbye?"
He assured her: "Of course not. It's only the beginning."
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James + Leona
Short Story🌊 On a busy day at the beach in California, James Yang meets Leona Fernandez. 🌊 They fall in love and decide to start a life together, despite their family's lack of approval. 🌊 Will they make it together, or fall apart? ▪️▪️▪️ 🌊 Inspired by...
