Feeling Tidal

Five

Rolling over to face the window, I was met with a dark sky and wind swaying the palm tree in front of the window. No way it was that early? Propping myself up on my elbow I tapped my phone screen to see it was actually 8 am. Considering there weren't many trees to shade the house, I didn't expect stormy days to get this dark here.
A knock on my door made me jump. My mom stood in the doorway already changed into jean shorts and a tank top.

"Your dad and I are heading to get some fishing supplies at this place nearby if you want to come along," she said letting Ace out of my room. "Maybe we'll go fishing afterwards."

Rubbing my still tired eyes, I agreed, "just give me 20 minutes and I'll be ready." she happily smiled before tapping the door frame and going downstairs to let Ace outside. Something tells me I'll be waking up with this alcohol free hangover feeling until this place feels like a home. Which will not be for some time.
Digging through my drawer of shorts, I pulled out a pair of gray Patagonia striders which were perfect for fishing. For a top I just threw on a simple rustic orange tee. We used to fish all summer in Vermont, especially when my aunt, uncle, and cousins went camping with us. My eyes shot open as I audibly gasped taking out the bun I put my hair in last night. The frizz and tangles from the wind made it horrid. Brushing it out made me almost wince in pain. I decided on a single side braid. While running my fingers through the hair and sectioning off three pieces I kept thinking of what happened last night. How maybe I saw Ethan in a different light, different from the weird night watcher I saw him as yesterday. As I tied my braid together with a hair tie I tried fighting a smile which ended in my lips just strangely being pressed together. I'll push the thought down starting now.

"What the fuck Mena," I whispered to myself looking in the mirror. Judging myself like some sort of mean girl.I really was going insane already, less than a week as a South— Carolinian. Ew. The thought was even worse than my thoughts of the neighbor a couple houses down.

"I'm already changing into a beach bitch." I said to myself, heading down the stairs thinking my parents were outside with the dog. I threw my hands up in exasperation, but quickly put them back down as both my parents stood inside, in front of the slider door.

"That's how I expected it to go," I heard my dad whisper to my mom as he slid open the door for them. "But at least she seems a bit more optimistic."

My mom laughed while shaking her head, as Ace pulled her right out the door.

"I knew you'd appreciate taking back up a hobby from home," he said with a smile, pulling me into a side hug. I groaned before making my way out to where mom and Ace had already started walking. Not forgetting to grab my raincoat by the door.

Now, because I'm not a liar, I'll admit I found my eyes wandering on the walk to the fishing shop for Ethan. Only out of curiosity, because he's the only person my age who I've seen more than once. Was everyone else really just here for vacation?

Now that the rain had finally started, I was glad I brought the raincoat.

"Start taking a look at the rods while your mom and I look inside," my dad pointed to what must've been dozens of fishing rods displayed outside the store front. It was definitely a fishing shop that's for sure. Country music blasted from some kind of hidden speaker. My face crinkled by the sound of it, but I fixed my face after realizing it was very obvious.

I looked up at the sign on the front of the shop, VARGAS BAIT AND TACKLE.

Was this the place Ethan had gotten that shirt? It did seem like a poppin' place to be I guess. Looking inside the window, I definitely liked being out here more as the store was full of people. Mainly girls my age who wore those Ron Jon shirts and definitely looked like the beach bitches I think I'm becoming.