Summer In Paradise (Page Every Day)

See You Again

I reached the road. Although it was around eight in the evening, it was still as warm outside as during the day. The cold darkness surrounded me, and I could only see thanks to the lamps and lights coming from the beach. I looked back at the house and then proceeded towards the beach.

I was getting closer. The smell of alcohol and various perfumes filled the air. I saw different people, both girls and boys. They seemed to divide into three groups. The first group consisted of people who were sitting, drinking, and chatting. The second group was dancing, and the third group was either fooling around or kissing. I stood on the grass, which separated the beach from the road. I looked around for a moment before Kevin's deep voice interrupted me, "Selena, here." I turned toward him; he was with a group of people, the same group that had judged me at the gas station. I approached him; he was obviously a little tipsy.

I glanced at the beautiful sea, imagining what it would be like to be a carefree fish. Kevin grabbed me by the arm and pulled me close to him, "So, everyone, this is Selena," he said confidently. He smelled of beer, and I wanted to disappear. "Selena," I interrupted my thoughts, and I slowly freed myself from his embrace. "This is Aella," he introduced a beautiful African girl with crystal eyes. "This is Jake," he pointed to a big guy with blue highlights in his hair. "And Naleen," he introduced the last girl with long black hair.

"Hey, beautiful," Aella said to me. I saw Andrea in her; the same way of speaking, and I knew she had a great sense of humor. "Hey," Jake greeted dryly. Naleen just smiled at me. Aella looked at Naleen, "Naleen, I see wine over there, let's go," then she looked at me, "Are you coming with us?" "I'll stay here with Kevin, but thanks for the offer," I smiled at her. Naleen and Aella left, heading towards a small bar where some guy was standing.

I looked at Kevin, who was chatting with Jake. I cleared my throat, "Kevin," I called him. Kevin turned to me and came closer, "What's up?" That word was like ice cream to me. He could've said anything else or something different. I grabbed his hand and ran with him to an empty spot on the beach. The last thing we heard was Jake asking bewilderedly, "Where are you going?"

We reached that spot. The water was nearby, giving us a beautiful atmosphere. I sat on the sand, and with my feet, I slipped into the cold water. Kevin sat next to me. The surroundings around us were calm and laid-back. "How do you like it here?" Kevin asked. I smiled at him and replied, "It's beautiful. I love how the calm water whispers and the view of the sunset is stunning." Kevin also smiled and gazed at the water. "Yes, it's a great place to relax and unwind," he said. We both enjoyed the serene moments together. We talked about our hobbies, favorite places, and dreams. There was something magical about how easily we became friends. When the sun started to set slowly on the horizon, more people gathered around us. Laughter and joy filled the air from the nearby beach. Kevin looked apologetically at me and said, "I have to go back to the others, but I'm really enjoying it here. I hope to see you again sometime." "Certainly," I replied with a smile. Kevin smiled and went back to the others. I stayed sitting on the sand, watching the sunset, and thinking about the coincidences that fate brings.

I got up and headed towards the others. Kevin and the rest were dancing to the music, which was blaring in my ears. Graceful movements, smiles, and handsome appearances, these words were swirling in my head as I observed him among the others. I smiled to myself; this summer is starting to be fun. Even though Andrea isn't here, there are others with whom I could spend the rest of it. The wind played with my hair, and the beautiful summer weather warmed my whole body.

"Selena?" I heard a graceful, deep voice. I turned around. Before me stood the guy I had lost sight of. Muscular figure and beautiful tanned skin, brown hair that matched his chestnut eyes. "Noah?" I gasped. He smiled and replied, "Yes, it's me, old Noah." I ran towards him, my hair flying in the air, and I hugged him tightly. His big arms enveloped me. "I remember you differently," I said. "Likewise, Kelley," he answered. I moved away from him and looked into his eyes, the same eyes as Andrea's, brown like a forest in the mist, or like old trees that have seen it all.

We sat in the same place where I had been with Kevin a while ago. The moon reflecting in the water illuminated our faces, a gentle sea breeze caressed our hair, and smiles on our faces consoled us both. "You're quite muscular now," I declared proudly. He laughed. Ah, he had the same laugh as before, "You know, puberty and all that stuff," he replied and added, "you're now such a..." He paused, and I completed his sentence, "beautiful?" "No, that's not what I meant," he tried to defend his silence. I smiled, "But you meant it; I don't have acne anymore, and I'm skinny." "So, what's new with you?" he asked. I thought for a moment; many things have changed, well, everything. The guys finally see me, not as the ugly one, but as the pretty one. Recently, I've read a million new books, and I even won the award for the best student of the year. I cleared my throat, "Not much, just that I'm different now." After a moment of silence, I broke the silence, "How about you?" He also pondered; I want to know what he's thinking right now. "I'm the captain of the football team and going to Harvard." "Harvard?!" I exclaimed, "Congratulations." He just laughed and then looked up at me, "Hey, Kevin," he greeted. I froze and slowly looked at Kevin. "Hi, Kevin," I greeted him. Dead silence ensued, that awkward situation when someone tells a bad joke, the same silence was circulating between us. Kevin cleared his throat, "So, you've found another friend." I looked at him, "I've known Noah since I was four years old when I lived here," I corrected him. Noah just agreed with a nod. I felt a strange pain in my stomach. "Well, I'm going now," I smiled at both of them. "Can i accompany you?" they both said at once. You must be kidding, they said it at the same time, like in a silly romantic movie. Dead silence ensued again, and I didn't know what to say. After a moment of unbearable silence, I dared to say something, "I'll manage on my own," I smiled again and got up. Both of them stood up and looked at me. I gestured a farewell and turned around. Slowly, I headed home.

When I got home, everyone was asleep. I took off my heels and tiptoed into the room. I lay down on the bed, not feeling like doing anything. The guy I probably like is jealous of the guy I've known my whole life. It seems like this summer will be heaven in hell.