Chapter Seventeen

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Chapter Seventeen

Sophia

Driving down the highway, I try to push away the disturbing thoughts that try to creep into my head. Connor said to pretend like we are a normal couple for the next couple days, so that's what I am going to do. As hard as it is to forget the nightmare I just experienced, I know I have to push it aside. Whatever happens these next few days, I need to live life to the fullest. I need to live my life for today, not worrying about what will come tomorrow or how I could have changed yesterday.

"How much longer?" I plead in a baby voice but I don't care. This drive has been so long and painful.

"It depends, do you want to stop at the beach?" Connor looks over at me and flashes me the biggest smile and I like him more and more.

"Yes!" I can't help but scream. I have never been to the beach; I've heard it is the most amazing place in the world.

We drive for two more hours and then stop at a little town called Kill Devil Hills that is a part of the outerbanks.

"Do you want to stay for a few days? We can get a hotel room if you want, there's always Jacksonville beach but we won't have a lot of alone time." Connor asks as we pull into the parking lot of a sovenier shop.

"Where else do I have to go?" I joke and he laughs slightly.

A few short hours later, we have an amazing hotel room that gives us a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. We made it just in time for sunset, the sun is starting to drop and it makes the sky turn a beautiful light pink color that lays a top the ocean, creating the most astonishing swirl of colors. The clouds are low so that they create a cotton candy effect, swirling with the sky. It looks as if I could reach out my hand and grab a piece of the warm, sugary, delicious cotton candy. If I lay it on my tongue, it will melt away and dissolve into tiny sugar crystals.

"Want to go feel the water?" Connor can tell I am awestruck from the amazing view.

"Yes please." I respond not taking my eyes off the amazing site. He slightly tugs on my arm and I follow him down the carpeted hall to the stairs. Then to the door where he opens it and I smell the ocean breeze for the very first time. It hits me like a wall, it smells of salt mixed with pure bliss. My nose dances with joy as I inhale the intoxicating smell. We amble down the short boardwalk, Connor has an arm around my hip, and for a moment I feel as if I am in heaven. We reach the sand and I step onto it, letting my feet sink in. The warmness of it surrounds my toes as we make our way to the Atlantic. The sand feels extremely strange but yet natural. Connor pulls me up and holds me like a baby and then sets me down when we reach the part of the beach where the sand meets the ocean. I pad down to the water and the first bit rushes up the shore and hits my feet.

There are no words to describe how peaceful the beach actually is. It's something you cannot even put into words. It's something you would only understand if you have been there, to see and experience the most blissful thing in the entire world. The water edges its way back down the shore only to be replaced with more salt water; it glides over my feet and continues its journey up the beach.

"What do you think?" Connor grins and I fall in love ever so slightly with him.

"I think I'm in love." I look back towards the sunset and take a deep breath. I feel free, even if it's just for a second. I am worry free at this moment in time and I feel like maybe everything might be all right. Before I can continue, Connor places his lips over mine and kisses me lightly, making every nerve perk up. He puts his hands on each side of my head and deepens the kiss making me fall a little bit deeper. The rest of the night is spent walking along the shore, where the ocean meets the sand, talking about anything but David Black.

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