Poseidon

Perpetual third wheel

I love the sea. I've always loved the sea. It was the place to go, clearly, when shit got in the way.

I was sitting on the sand, my legs pulled to my chest, watching the magnificent creature that is the ocean. The waves lapping, the sound of the waves lapping.

I could live here, even though she scared me; the ocean. It was better to admire from afar. I loved to swim, but I was terrified of sharks, half the time, so I spent most of my time in a pool.

I stood and walked to the edge of the water and let the waves lap over my naked feet.

I was in shorts and a tank top, it was summer, so plenty of heat, no need for socks.

The water was slightly cooler than my feet, washing off the sand, before the water pulled back, and sand was cascading between my toes yet again.

This was also the best therapy from all those assholes I went to school with. Was it still called school when it was college? I was a sophomore, and I had yet to meet my future gang of awesome people to spend my time with.

Yeah, I'd never been super lucky in the friend's department. It was how it was. I wasn't bullied, it was the type of situation where I just wasn't asked. People included me as part of the class, but no one ever asked me about anything.

At a certain point in time, you give up being the third wheel. I'd given up, it was awkward, then rather walk alone.

My brother was an avid Liverpool fan, so I knew the song 'you'll never walk alone', but I figured it didn't apply to me. Yes, my brother is into European soccer, I didn't ask. Sports weren't my thing.

I looked back at the waves, lapping over my feet. Except, I liked to swim, but I wasn't into watching sports of any kind.

I lifted my feet out of the shallow water and walked along the beach. I had my hands in my pockets, my small bag bouncing between my shoulder blades.

This was what I did most nights. Walking along the coastline, following the beach.

I went to parties, sometimes, I spoke with people. But it wasn't, you know, deep talk. It wasn't my friends, and that changes things.

I sighed and looked towards the sea again.

Right. Time to get back. I had an early morning class I wasn't going to miss.

I walked back to where I'd hidden my shoes and looked at the beach. At the runners there, and just enjoyed he place, and the sun. It wasn't about to set, but we were getting there.

I was back at the dorms and unlocked the door. My name's Athena, and my roommate, Tara, is into Greek mythology like it's her religion. And she was over the moon when she realized what my name was.

Now, on our door, she'd cut out our names in the old Greek style. You know, the letters were white with that blue distinctively old Greek pattern? Yeah, it's all great and stuff.

I hadn't ever really thought about my name. I knew it was and old Greek goddess, but that was about it.

"Who is it?" Tara called.

"Me!" I said when I stood in the door.

The campus isn't by any means new. Well, a few of the buildings with classrooms were, not the dorms.