ATWOTW HIGHSCHOOL 🧡🪴

Aonung

I take deep inhale- steadying my breath and calming my nerves. Tensing every muscle, while pulling myself from my stomach and onto my feet in a crouched like position. Little droplets of salt filled water stung my face every millisecond. Underneath me all I felt was a balancing act with the sea. I hover every so faint above my board. The perfect barrel wave was starting to curl around me. I bend my knees riding out the moving water. Having to rapidly shift my body weight in order to not wipeout. My brains full attention span was spent on one thing right now- making it to the other side. The opening began to collapse in on its self. Just by nature I start to make myself as small as possible- hunching over. I grasp for the end as I am so close already. Before I could process my reality I standing outside barrel. Just gliding on my board as a fresh breeze washes over me. Though the excitement was there it was nothin new. This process had become almost second nature to me- a default setting.

Hearing small noises in the distance I scan the beach. Every speck of sand reflected off the sun forming stars along my vision. I squinted deeply still searching. Soon my eyes hit a group of figures waving towards my direction- great, it's the Sully's.

I noticed the sea floor rising as I hit shallow waters. Popping off my board my legs fought the current as I pressed my way towards them.

" Ao that was crazy man !" My brother said while greeting me with a 'bro' like hand shake.

"Thx man- you know I try." While praising myself I noticed Neteyam just staring at me. He looked lost. I peeked over to his siblings- they all seemed uncomfortable. Unsure of what to do or say.

Rotxo pressed me on the shoulder while running towards the water, " Tag your it !!!"

"Oh I'm gunna get you Ro !" I started taking off after him towards the waves. He dove in deep through the water just hiding out. I cautiously stood there waiting for him to need air.

I let out a large gasp as an icy cold feeling hit my back side. As I turn around I met eyes with Lo'ak. Without hesitation he pushes me to the ground. Soon to follow Rotxo was there playfully drowning me. This continued for a while before Rotxo and Lo'ak went to go find the girls.

So there I stood, deep in the sea, all alone. I felt alone. Part of me wanted to go with them but part of me felt like something was missing. I couldn't shake the hole in my chest. This happened a lot- like I could everything and nothing at once. Like my emotions had been scattered without warning.

My natural rhythm had been thrown off. My head hung low as I slowly walked out of the water . Shards of seashell fragments dug in deeper and deeper as I continued. Though I just wanted to feel like myself. Not the me that I was at school, or at swim, or around my asshole friends- non of that. Just me.

As the dry sand clung to my skin I allowed my mind to wonder. To drift off into a mindless trans.

"Ao your getting sand everywhere man !"

I glance up shooting Neteyam a smerk, "You just call me Ao ???"

"I guess." This hurt. The way he brushed me off so quickly, not even caring.

"Well you did." While tilting my head I swung my body over to meet his. Sitting shoulder to shoulder on an old brown towel. I could smell the earthy sent to his after shave, all the little details in his skin, the way the sun bounced off his eyes making them a honeycomb like color. I had always been observant but this- this was something else. Like a fascination I just couldn't get enough of.

"Are you okay ?" Fuck I was staring.

"Yeah." I eminently looked away. Holding eye contact with the ocean.

(Tey) "Why aren't you with the others ?"

(Ao) "They wanted to find the girls..."

(Tey) "Oh so they ditched you ?"

(Ao) "WHAT ??? No... they just- well kinda."

(Tey) "Yeah, well are brothers are obsessed with are sisters so..." The sides of his lips started the stretch as a crinkle formed under his eyes. He seemed so different- so calm.

(Ao) "Gross."

(Tey) "You think Lo'ak has a shot with Tsireya ?"

(Ao) "Dude- I found her sleeping on FaceTime with him."

(Tey) "Yeah I know they were loud !"

(Ao) "Ehhhhh" I nudged Neteyam just enough to enhance are moment.

(Ao) "Enough about them-"

(Tey) "Oh yeah, yeah. There gone !"

(Ao) " What about you ? Tell me somethin good."

(Tey) "Okay I'll play along- what you wanna know ?"

(Ao) "What after shave you use ?"

(Tey) "Ummm for real ?"

(Ao) "Yes. For real." I couldn't help but admire they way he took in my question. Surprised yet not weirded out.

(Tey) "It's an Egyptian brand- you wouldn't be able to even say it."

(Ao) "pfff whatever."

He turned his head back towards the ocean. I followed his vision only to find the same view I had seen a million times over again.

(Tey) "My turn ! What happened at brunch ?" Now it was my turn to be surprised. I honestly had forgotten about what I did. But I couldn't help myself, something about Tey only made me want him more.

(Ao) "Yeah sorry- I was being weird." My shoulders formed a 'c' shape as I drew little doodles in the sand. Just trying to not fall into his gaze.

(Tey) " Are you ??? You know..."

(Ao) " Am I what ???" I let myself fall into his mesmerizing look- damn it.

(Tey) "Are you gay ?"

(Ao) "No-no it wasn't like that !"

(Tey) "Oh- okay sorry." His voice was laced with disappointment. So melancholy. As soon has my soul started to feel whole I had to go and ripped it apart once again. 
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1005 words