Forest Blue

𓇼 8: Thoughts

I spent that unforgettable night on the shores of La Push Beach, enveloped by the vibrant display of fireworks and the joyful echoes of laughter and cheers from the summer celebration. As the Summer Bash wound down around 10 PM, the once lively beach grew quieter, leaving me alone with the soothing rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore and the twinkling stars above. The soft glow of the moon painted a silver path on the ocean, and in that peaceful solitude, it felt like the world had slowed down, offering a perfect moment of reflection and tranquility. The night air was cool, carrying with it the faint scent of saltwater, and I found myself lost in the beauty of the scene—just me, the sea, and the stars.

And like that, night soon turned to day, and I found myself back at my grandparents' place. The warm, familiar scent of fresh coffee greeted me as I stepped into the small kitchen. The morning light streamed through the lace curtains, casting soft shadows on the wooden floor. My grandmother was already seated at the table, a worn paperback in hand and her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose. She looked up and smiled, her face glowing with the same warmth and kindness I had known all my life.

"Good morning," she said, her voice soft but full of energy, as though the new day carried with it a quiet excitement. I smiled back, feeling that familiar sense of home settle into my chest. No matter how far I wandered, this place, with its creaky floors and the scent of baking bread, would always anchor me. "Everything go okay last night?"

"Oh, yes! I just stayed off shore somewhat close to La Push. Didn't wander too far off." I respond causing her to smile and nod.

"Thinking of heading out today?" my grandfather's deep voice boomed from the living room as he walked in, his usual plaid shirt half-tucked and his cap resting loosely on his head.

"Maybe," I replied, sipping the coffee, though my mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. The memory still lingered like a half-forgotten dream, and part of me longed to stay wrapped in the peacefulness I'd found there. But before I could drift too far into thought, my grandfather clapped his hands together, his energy pulling me back to the present.

"Well, if you do, I could use some help down by the docks," he said, his voice gruff but affectionate. "Boat needs a little work, and I figure we could head out for some crabbing later in the day." He raised an eyebrow at me, the unspoken invitation hanging in the air.

I smiled. "Sounds like a plan," I said, appreciating his way of offering time together without making it a big deal. He nodded, satisfied, and headed out to the porch, his footsteps echoing faintly on the wooden floor.

I sat there, warm coffee cradled in my hands, gradually drifting back into thought. My mind replayed scenes of Seth, an almost embarrassing fixation for someone I had just met.

My grandmother set her book aside, her gaze settling on me with a knowing glimmer. "You were a million miles away just now," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Yeah, I guess I was," I admitted. "I was thinking about last night."

"Thinking about last night or about a certain someone?" she teased, raising her brow knowingly, which made me blush.

"Okay, maybe a bit of both," I giggled, causing her smile to widen. "Mimi, I've never felt this way about anyone before, and it's so confusing. I mean, I just met him, yet he's taken over my thoughts completely."

"We mermaids form bonds with people influenced by the Gods and Goddesses of the seas. It's something we have little control over. But when that bond forms and love blossoms, all of our senses become devoted to perceiving that person without question," she explained, leaving me in awe.