Why Don't We?

Chapter Five

The second I exited the car, I could feel my spirits lifting. The ocean was a beautiful combination of turquoise and navy blue. The sun was making the water sparkle like diamonds and I grinned. The waves were a lot smaller today than I thought. Seagulls cried out in the distance, some circling above my head, looking for any sort of sign of food. The cool, salty breeze across my face was soothing to me. I took a deep breath in then out. I felt much more at peace already. Slipping off my shoes, I tossed them inside the car and swapped them for the sandals I always kept handy. I kept my phone in my pocket even though I knew it was probably going to die soon. I glanced down at the unread message from the unknown number. 

"We need to talk." Was all it read. What the hell? That was creepy. I shoved any thoughts about it aside. I swiped away the message. Now wasn't the time. After locking my car and slipping on my sunglasses, I made my way towards the water. The beach was relatively empty for a Friday. Then again, most kids were in school now. I was grateful for that. I didn't have to be under the scrutiny of kids who had better style than I ever would dream of. Either way, I was going to enjoy some much needed alone time. I was about a minute into my walk when I received another text. "Please call me when you find the time." Uh oh. That didn't sound so good. Well if I did it now, then when my phone died I would have an excuse to end the call. I ignored that second message as well. It was probably important, but I didn't care. I had a lot to think about. 

Lucky for me, I had the entire weekend to think about everything that occurred within the last 24 hours. I had never met someone so annoying. I had to give those kids a lot more credit. They had to listen to him all day every day for god knew how many months. Then again, he was easy on the eyes even if he had looked like he hadn't slept in many years. And that encounter in the theater? How could I forget that? Despite how freaked out I was, there was something else about it that felt...never mind how it felt. He had no right to corner me like that. I was probably overthinking this as I usually did. 

I focused back on my walk. I was here to forget all of that. 

"Aria? Is that you?" I heard. I flinched instinctively and scowled. I hoped it wasn't who I thought it was. I turned to see who had found me. No way. What the hell was he doing here? After all that we went through...he has the audacity to show up. And he never bothered to text me or tell me he was in town. Either way, I couldn't let it show that his presence was bothersome to me. I didn't want him asking too many questions. 

"Hi." I waved awkwardly back at the man I had once loved. And he acted as if nothing had ever happened between us? Was he serious? 

"I was hoping that it was you! How have you been?" Immediately, he swooped in for an awkward side hug. He hadn't changed one bit. I allowed him to hug me as I stiffened. 

"Eh." Was my response. 

"That's it? You have nothing more to say about LA?" Despite what had happened, he never failed to at least make conversations a bit more pleasant. 

"Well, yeah. But..." I thought about Aizawa and the things he had said to me. 

"But? You've lived out here for what? Two years now? I'm surprised you're not bursting at the seams wanting to talk about it." How little he knew since he left. Of course he would want to be playing the ignorant part. 

"Chris, as much as I appreciate you saying hi, now isn't really the best time." I blurted out. The ocean blue eyes I had come to know over the years turned serious. And I wasn't technically lying. I came here to clear my head. Having a remnant of my past show back up in my life wasn't exactly what I had asked for. 

"You're doing it again." He pointed out none too kindly. I frowned. "You're pushing me away. Just like last time." Was he really wanting to bring that up again? Ugh.