On the Horizon: Where the Wind Blows

Chapter One

I look down at the distance from the island to the Atlantic.

"ARWEN! ARWEN! ARWEN!"

"Alright alright!" I laugh, turning to my class.

It's the first day of Christmas break, December 15th.

I'm currently standing at the edge of the island, my hair, which is tied into a high ponytail, billowing in the winter wind, and chilling my skin, since I'm wearing a light blue speedo.

"Come on Arwen!" Opal taunts me, flapping her beautiful swan wings. "You aren't scared are you?"

"Yes." I snap. "I definitely didn't fall from the Empire State building, why would I be scared?"

"You're phone buzzed." another girl in my class, Gina, tells me.

I flap over to it and look at it.

Nate Lark- iMessage
-what are you up to?

I send him a picture of the edge of the island.

-First day of break. I'm cliff diving. Wish me luck.

-is that the smartest decision for you? ;)

-Shut up. I'll text you later.

"Who is it?" Ruthie asks as I put my phone back in my bag.

Then I break into a run! Cheers erupt from my friends as I dive.

I spread out my wings, the air whipping against my face, and my lips curving into a smile.

I tuck in my wings as I slip into the water. I surface, and let out an excited whoop of adrenaline. I dip back under and use my wings to get me to the shore of Juno Beach.

Once I reach the small number of natives swimming, I put my wings away and relax on the sand, waiting for the others. One of the girls in our class, Katie, brought down some beach stuff before we jumped.

I grab my towel and sprawl out to tan.

Ten minutes later, a beach ball falls on my face.

I sit up, and catch the ball as it bounces off me.

Two little girls and a woman, around 21, run up to me. "Sorry." The older laughs. She looks almost familiar.

I laugh. "It's fine, seriously. It was hilarious."

I pause after a moment. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"

The girl shakes her head. "Nah. I'm from Ohio."

That's why she looks so familiar! This is Emily Lark!

"Emily Lark?" I ask, getting to my feet.

She nods. "How'd you know?"

"I know Nate." I answer. "We met last summer."

Then I see Ruthie dive bomb into the ocean. "That's the second bird that did that." She says. "It's the weirdest thing. Oh, and that's crazy!"

"I thought I saw an angel."

I jump, and laugh.

Nate is grinning behind me.

I hug him. "What are you doing here?"

"We're visiting my grandma for christmas." Nate shrugs. "I haven't seen you in months!"

Ruthie runs up to us. "Oh, Nate right?" She asks, then Opal dives into the ocean.

"Was that a swan?" a little girl yelps.

I grab Katie's phone from the bag and text the group saying to call it off.

me
-humans are starting to gape guys. Better call this off.
Gina
-you're no fun Arwen XD
Jackson
-thanks for the heads up
Carlie
-whelp it was fun while it lasted

I toss her phone back in the bag.

Nate takes the beach ball from me and tosses it into the air. The two girls which must be his cousins run after it, laughing gleefully.

"Nice meeting ya," Emily smiles, then whispers, "He talks about you all the time."

Nate punches her, then she runs off laughing.

We hug again, laughing.

"Is this Nate?" Opal asks, ringing out her dirty blonde hair.

"Nate, this is Opal." I introduce.

Nate shakes her hand. "Nice to meet you." He smiles kindly.

Opal grins at me, but smiles at him. "Same here. So you must be the person she's constantly texting."

I roll my eyes.

"I told you he was hot." Ruthie laughs.

Nate turns a bright shade of pink.

"Well she's got a point." Opal tells me.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I'm sorry." I sigh.

Nate laughs awkwardly. "Hey they're not like the Naiads."

"Not this close to the water." we hiss, laughing.

"Who's this?" Giana asks, the group walking up to us.

"We'll hang out later." I tell Nate, who nods.

"I'll meet you where?" he asks.

I think. "Let's meet for lunch in PSL, at that lake."

Nate nods, then winks at me. "It's a date." he grins, then runs off.

"Oooooooh!" the girls squeal.

I punch Ruthie. "You've embarrassed me." I groan. "He saved my life."

Opal winks at me. "We know. We can have a little fun."

I roll my eyes, and lay back down to tan.

Ruthie pulls out a volleyball and starts up a small game, while Opal and some others run to the water.

I open one eye and glance over to where Nate is. Most of his family is laughing as he turns a bright shade of red.

I see his Grandma, and decide to get up and say hi.

None of them notice me until I'm behind her. "Hello Mrs. Lark."

She jumps, but laughs. "Oh hi." She smiles kindly. "We were just talking about you."

"I just wanted to say hi," I say, then whisper. "And thank you for all your help."

She waves her hand. "It was my pleasure. Really dear."

"ARWEN!" Ruthie calls me. "WE HAVE A SLIGHT PROBLEM OVER HERE!"

I roll my eyes at Nate. "Stay dry." I groan.

He laughs. "Go get 'em tiger."

I kick sand at him, then run off to go take care of some Windreds.