Strawberries and You

1

2010, under the blazing heat of July.

The west sea flooded with bodies in trunks and bikinis, hats and shades. The waves would crash strongly against the shore and the kids would laugh despite nearly drowning. Yelius begs to differ, preferring to camp under an umbrella as what's good for his skin.

He could care less about his friends' complaints, how they threw him into the water only for him to crawl back to where the sand and the sun were enemies. Summer vacation never was part of the small list of things which excited him, he simply lives for the hell of it all.

"Wilson get over here with the drinks!" Wilson—much like him, scurries over to their friends with the cooler. Yelius doesn't mention how a trail of tissue paper clipped to his shorts, follow him as he does.

Sometimes, he questions himself if this is a good relationship to be in. They weren't delinquents but they weren't far from it either—cutting classes to hangout under the bridge, wasting cash for an hour or two at some expensive computer cafe, at least not the typical lunch money bullies. Nonetheless, their parents were upset and it gave them a chance to sleep in the detention room. Still, He isn't a man of change, what's done is done. He doesn't have to satisfy other people.

/click/

There's a strong wind slapping at his hair and it takes him a few seconds to recover from what seemed like a camera flash before he opens his eyes. A few meters away, his friends stood on the cottage seats to snap pictures of him.

They begin to scream, Yelius squints.

Before he knew it, the tides rose and surged to his bench, knocking the umbrella and him face first to the sand. The lot of them stare, bursting out in a fit of laughter as they retreat into the beach house.

"Shit!" Yelius hisses in an attempt to stand up, there's a fresh wound on his leg, most likely caused by the sharp ends of the umbrella. Even his phone lay drenched and half buried. He's pissed, purposefully muttering a string of curses as he passes a nosy old lady near the shower stalls.

Before he decides to throw his entire existence into the depths of the sea, he beelines to his room, resting for the rest of the afternoon. The day is filled with partying and drinks, Yelius gets sick of it easily, having spent his teenage years illegally drinking and participating in raves, now that he's legally 18 he's done. He steps on the sand like a child but proceeds to walk forward like an old man, cherising the summer air as the sun goes down. A few minutes go by and he hears a guitar and a voice, much too sweet to his liking.

He stays as long as he wanted, nearly dozing off to the singing, before he knew it, there's only the moon and the distant lamps illuminating the shoreline.

He peeks behind the rocks and there he sees a red head in front of a bonfire, his locks swayed with the wind and his fingers played with the guitar.

Yelius would let this man drown him in the water and he wouldn't complain-

Yelius shakes his head, what is going on with him today?

His feet turn, eager to go back to the cottage before it gets too late and the waters rise.

Resisting it, he can't resist it, the gentle strumming of the guitar, the humming escaping past the man's lips, Yelius turns back and peeks once more over the rock.

Unexpectedly, he makes eye contact with the stranger, Yelius feels a blush spreading across his face, his entire body heating up in embarrassment at getting caught.

"Why are you here boy?" He takes out a small box from his pocket and slips a cigarette stick in his fingers.

It takes a while for Yelius to answer. Was he going to be honest and tell him that, Oh, I heard a beautiful voice and spotted a beautiful man so I decided to listen and stare at him? No way in hell! Yelius was no dumb being. He clears his throat, leaning on the rock and accidentally slips.

Before further embarrassing his entirety, he composes himself and clears his throat once more.

"I dislike people"

The stranger snorts, disbelief painting the way he looks over as if in doubt of Yelius' bluntness. "Then what am I?"

'an angel' Yelius bites his tongue, crossed his legs as he settled beside him.

He doesn't know what this feeling is called. As if he was breathing for the very first time, opening his eyes to the beauty of the world. Then again it was only him and this stranger, and the sea and the sky. They were perfect strangers.

The man, also called Mino, nudges him, another strawberry in his hand ready to be devoured. Despite his strong dislike for its taste he opens his mouth and leans in—biting half of it before retreating. The latter takes it to himself to finish the rest, another set of giggles escaping those thick luscious lips. Yelius hasn't realized that he's leant forward, and Mino only stares, a mischievous glint sparkles from his eyes.

Yelius can feel his breath fan over their faces, quick and lovely. Only inches away from tasting him and just then, a giant wave bulldozes them. Leaving them bewildered and embarrassed at the same time

Even after the horrible timing of the sea, Mino remains being the only truth to every lie he has in his life. Meeting him was fate, but of course, Yelius would never say that. Not when he's shining brighter than the reflections on the waters, laughing in sweet innocence.

He was a stranger who struck his heart with cupid's bow, a miracle that shone upon him, a beauty in a world of plainness.

And tonight they slept. Yelius finds the stranger in the beach, hoping to meet him at the same spot they left last night. He finds the side of the rock empty, another day passes by and Yelius once again fails to meet up with the stranger.

Mino was gone.