We meet at the sea

It's golden like daylight

Aaliyah's alarm drew her from sleep. She had tossed and turned all night. Anticipation and nerves had kept her brain firing for most of the night.

Aaliyah groaned as she rolled over to turn it off. As she pulled open her curtains, faint light from the sunlight illuminated her bedroom.

The weather outside was calm, only a few clouds floated in the sky. She knew without looking at her weather app that today would be hotter than last Sunday.

After having dressed, Aaliyah decided it would be a good idea to bring some snacks for the day. She packed the strawberries she had been looking forward to eating as well as crunchy green grapes.

Mentally she checked off everything and packed it into her beach bag. By the time she had eaten some breakfast and readied herself it was 6AM.

There was a knock on Aaliyah's door, she almost immediately opened it. Cruz looked stunned as Aaliyah swung the door open.

"Good morning." Cruz smiled as she eyed Aaliyah's beach bag.

"No, I can carry this." Aaliyah turned to lock her door. As she was distracted Cruz took the opportunity to take the beach bag to the truck.

Aaliyah rolled her eyes as she watched Cruz open the passenger door for her. She wondered if Cruz was always like this or if the surfer was only making the effort for her.

"Thank you." Aaliyah spoke as she moved to sit in the passenger seat. Cruz closed her door then jogged around to the driver's side.

"Ah, I need to get gas. Sorry, I was in a bit of a rush this morning to be on time." Cruz pulled away from Aaliyah's home.

"I wouldn't have been mad, I would have only teased you if you were late." Aaliyah smirked.

"Exactly, I couldn't have you holding it against me." Cruz half smiled with a dimple showing.

Aaliyah shook her head. Cruz had been figuring her out and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.

The service station wasn't far from Aaliyah's house. As they pulled up there seemed to be a queue for the pumps forming.

Aaliyah spotted the issue, an older gentleman having trouble with paying at the pump. Cruz diverted from the queue and parked in the street.

She wondered what Cruz was doing, Aaliyah went to ask before Cruz unbuckled her start belt.

"I'm gonna go help him." She smiled softly then hopped out of the truck.

Aaliyah decided that Cruz was in fact always just thoughtful, selfless even. There were plenty of other people waiting around for this guy and Cruz was the only one to do something about.

She watched as Cruz jogged up to the man with her friendly smile. Cruz listened intently, nodding her head as Aaliyah watched him explain.

Cruz pressed a few buttons, pulled her own card out and paid for the gas. The surfer was smiling as the man objected to her assistance.

He shook Cruz's hand and as she turned to walk away he patted her on the back. Cruz made eye contact with Aaliyah in the car as she jogged back with a grin.

"I don't think his card was working or he didn't have enough money. Either way it's all sorted." She announced.

"You've warmed my heart. You don't see much of that in New York." Aaliyah looked away not wanting to see the stupid smile on Cruz's face that she knew the surfer had.

Cruz pulled up to the pump and turned off the truck.

"Didn't think you had heart." Cruz smirked as she got out. Cruz walked around the front of the truck, she winked at Aaliyah continuing the joke.