We meet at the sea

Annoying at best.

Aaliyah for the first time in years on a weekday woke up without an alarm.

She had passed out early last night after the massive day she had yesterday.

The sun peaked light through her drapes as golden slivers brightened her room enough to pull her from sleep.

In Aaliyah's usual world waking up at half past seven in the morning was considered a sleep in. She had grown accustomed to waking to a 5AM alarm every day in New York.

She stretched her body out under the covers, Aaliyah fancied checking out a cafe. First on the agenda was breakfast.

Aaliyah knew there was a good cafe down the road which had exceptional reviews on its coffee and breakfast food.

She readied herself for the day, making sure to wear light breathable clothing. Knowing today would be another hot and sticky day.

Aaliyah regrettably turned off her air conditioning before heading out the door. She was instantly swamped by the damp hot air.

She felt like she was breathing in water along with air. A layer of sweat began to form in her hair line.

Aaliyah set off down the footpath with breakfast and coffee on her mind.

Sand littered the street, mixed in between the lawns of peoples' front yards.

Aaliyah could see main stops come into view as her ten minute walk became five. There was a slight crowd outside what she assumed was the cafe.

Her body was already sticky and she now was kicking herself for not wearing her bikini underneath her clothes.

These lessons she had to learn, perhaps she would buy more swimwear. Having an entire arsenal of different swimming options would be good to have in her dresser.

She approached the cafe, luck would have it that in the five minutes it took to reach the store most of the crowd had disappeared into the morning.

A friendly teen greeted Aaliyah as she made her way inside. Surf memorabilia hung from the walls of the cafe, pictures of people surfing and community days were proudly displayed.

"Can I get you a table?" The boy asked sweetly.

"Please, just a table for one. Thank you." Aaliyah smiled.

"Of course, you can take this one here." He led Aaliyah to a single table and laid a menu down for her.

Aaliyah took her seat, taking a moment to appreciate the atmosphere. Soft conversations and clinking cutlery filled the room.

The cafe had a barista making coffees, the milk frother screeched as it heated milk. Aaliyah's brows pulled together, she couldn't imagine having a hot drink right now.

She placed her order, making sure an iced latte would make it to her table. The walk from her home wasn't short enough in the suffocating heat.

While Aaliyah waited for her breakfast to be cooked, she eyed the photographs with more attention.

She almost rolled her eyes when she found a picture of Cruz and a gang of sunburnt looking surfers crowded on a table.

The picture seemed more recent than the others. Everyone seemed to be celebrating an occasion, cheering drinks, tapping them in the middle of the table.

Cruz seemed to know the photo was being taken because she had her annoyingly perfect smile on, dimples showing and everything.

A man had an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in as the photo was taken. He seemed older, maybe a friend? Aaliyah wondered.