surveillance {h.s. au}

ch 2

For the last couple of days, my mind has been rushing through what's been occurring during the week.

Curly's still coming to the beach around five pm every day but he wasn't facing the ocean waves anymore. His back was no longer in my vision. Now it seemed to be his left profile. He turned about 90 degrees and I felt myself staring at half of his face. An air of comfort surrounded me when all I could see was his backside and now it seemed to disappear.

He does the same thing he had done previously, which was to write in the journal of his and stay put until sun down but it tenses me.

Before, I knew he wasn't looking at me whatsoever but now he could very well see me if he crooked his head to the side.

I started to bite my nails and anxiously play with strands of my hair at this unexpected change. I was partially convinced that he wasn't focusing on me and that he wasn't aware of my presence at all but part of me was still unsure.

I don't understand why he affects me the way he does.

Of course I've seen wanderers here and there, strolling along the perimeter of the ocean. But the difference this time was that they weren't the ones that would come every single day and disrupt my daily routine. They didn't dress in a way to make it seem as if they were attending a funeral every day of the week. And they absolutely weren't the ones that seemed like they had the power to harm me in my sleep during the night, all of which the stranger here conveyed perfectly.

Besides this new atmosphere, I was excited for other things happening this time of year.

Specifically, my birthday.

But this wasn't just any birthday, it was my 18th, and I was beyond ready to be of the age.

May 24th marks the end of my childhood and everything I had come to known at a finish. Most people would be unprepared, perhaps scared for such a transition but I was not. I've always been independent, not to keen to rely on anyone besides myself. The trait often came to my advantage at times like these.

My parents and I decided that we would hold a party filled with everybody that I cherished the most. It would be a goodbye for me before I move to my college dorm for the start of the new term. Everyone from my best friends to my grandmothers would attend. I want to be surrounded by everyone that's close to my heart. It's certainly going to be a celebration to remember.

The most memorable moment of the party, I already know.
In my family, it was a tradition to pass on a cherished heirloom that had been in our care for decades on to the chosen recipient on her 18th birthday. My mother had gotten the valuable necklace from her mother when she was of age because she was the oldest out of the three sisters and she also happened to be her mother's favorite. I receive it now because my two aunts had sons and I was the only child of my mother's. Never the less, I was ecstatic to obtain such a treasured possession.

I've only ever seen it once because my mother has it hidden somewhere in the house and she insisted on keeping the location a secret. The necklace is simple but it values meaning. It's a gift to show the conclusion of an era and a start of a pristine one. It honored a beginning, a new life that I was going to create for myself.

Visions of what my upcoming party would be like and the necklace finally in my grasp run through my mind until they come to a halt.

"Juliana? Hello are you listening?" I suddenly snap out of my looming thoughts and lift my head to see my best friend Arabel snapping her fingers and staring at me profusely.

Looking forward, I realize that we're in the gymnasium sitting on the bleachers as our class around us walks nearby or does the same. I've been so absorbed in my thoughts that I completely forgot that we were in school.

"I've been talking to you for the past ten minutes, have you not heard?" She sounded somewhat annoyed but the playful expression on her face indicated otherwise.

"Sorry, Bell. My mind's been all over the place lately." Putting my notions to the side, I join her in the conversation. This time, paying more attention as I wait for her to continue.

"So, you'll never believe what happened yesterday." She says as her body turned itself towards me with a big smile and excitement showing in her eyes. Her glow was practically contagious. I began to grin and await for her answer.

"Don't leave me hanging, just say it." I urge her, now eager to know.

"Well, you know how me and Kyle have been 'seeing' each other for a while?" She puts air quotes around seeing as I already put together why she was in such a good mood.

"No way, did he finally ask you out?!"

"Yes!" Her voice squeaks, happiness practically radiating from her.

Arabel's had an insane crush on Kyle since the middle of junior year, so when he finally befriended her and started showing interest, she was euphoric.

Sure it took him a couple of months to do it, but now they had the entire senior year together. I didn't realize how serious their relationship was until now.

"Dude, that's so great! I'm beyond happy for you." I say, sincerely meaning it. Seeing her so joyful made me feel the same way. My arms wrapped around her small frame, giving her a quick embrace before I let go.

"It's about time, isn't it?" A light chuckle escapes her lips as she looks down, toying with her fingers as a smile lurks on her face.

"I say we go to the mall after school today to celebrate. You could get a new top or something."

She looks up, grinning as if I've said exactly what she wanted to hear.

"You know me so well."

Arabel never passes up a chance to go shopping. It's like her life depended on going at least once a week to see all of the new trends and fashions that were on display at the shops.

"I know, call it best friend's intuition." I tease, nudging her shoulder lightly.

"I'll pick you up after your piano lesson? It ends at 4:30 right?" She asks, just as the bell for the end of the day rings, dismissing us from our last class.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan."

// this came a lot more naturally and i'm vv happy for that and it's longer woowoowoo

i didn't include harry much yet but i will soon ;);););

don't forget to vote and comment pls!!