I had earned this vacation. I'd been cooped up too long that I had begun appreciating all the little things in life. I had let my hair down today. The wind was blowing and the trees swayed to the music enriching the atmosphere with fresh oxygen. It was better than coffee and I loved coffee. The waves crashed over each other as if in a race, dragging all the sand beneath. Breaking my trail of thoughts, my phone rang. It was Octavian. Almost too eager to tell him everything, I picked up the phone. "Hey love. Did you reach safely?", he asked. This did not feel right, so I said, "You've never asked me that before and I come here every holiday since I was a kid." I could almost sense his hesitation through the phone, so I continued, "Did something happen?" He said, "No, everything's alright. But ever since you have gone, I'm having this feeling of foreboding like something is going to change. Promise me that you will come back to me safely please." I almost laughed out at his earnestness and said, "You truly are being ridiculous. Let me enjoy the solitude now. Bye!" He whispered, "Bye!" and hung up but I realized quite later that I never promised him. Octavian was cute but sometimes he was a bit too protective, it was irritating sometimes when he spoke as if I was too fragile. I was so distracted that I could not concentrate on my book. His words were echoing in the back of my mind. I started to head back when I was suddenly showered with cold coffee. It broke my reverie and I saw a guy looking almost amused and the first thing I noticed that he was wearing black completely from head to toe and that brought out the blueness of his eye. He said, "Hey it's Anastazia, right?" "Yeah, and who are you, Mr. Black Mystery who seemingly knows my name?", I said airing some dignity in my unfortunate situation. "Black Mystery, I suppose I like that. But, I'm Hamlyn and as to how I know you, well I'm allowed to keep secrets doused in mystery as the name that you prefer for me.", he said with a twinkle in his eyes. Oh! How I wanted to wash that smirk out of his face. To Tartarus with him, I was already surrounded with all annoying boys. Putting my hood back on, I left. I was too hungry to care anymore so I ran towards our bungalow. The delicious smell was overwhelming my senses. My father looked sternly at me and said, "Wash your hands first! We'll wait for you, Anastazia." My sister merely shrugged with devious grin; I'll get back at her later. I came back to have lunch. It was super delicious. "Dear, can you stay at home tomorrow? The Rosales are coming over and this time their son is also visiting. You used to spend a lot of time together when you were little.", my mom said. "I really have no other option and don't even say it. But if you let me go out tonight to the beach, I'll stay inside the whole day tomorrow.", I said hoping that my parents would agree. My parents exchanged glances. "Fine, but don't stay out too late.", said my dad. I was heading upstairs to read my book, when my sister said, "Zi, Can I come with you too, tonight? I promise to not hinder you." Try as I might, I couldn't say no to my adorable smaller sister, so I said, "Sure Izzy, we'll go together but try not to disturb me while I'm reading. Books were my solace. And while I told no one, reading the hardships that the characters suffered, assured me that my life is better. It was like they understood me in a way no one else did without saying a word. A place where no one judged me, questioned me, I was accepted just I was. I could be a thousand personalities all at once. Smiling to myself, I put away my phone and opened the book.
