I heard the sound of keys clanking against each other as the door unlocked; it was my parents, back from wherever they had been. A wave of unease washed over me, I knew they were going to come back at some point but I wished they wouldn't, not like that wish was going to come true anyway. I didn't even know where they had gone in the first place, not that I even cared.
Frozen in the kitchen, I tried to block out their presence, focusing instead on the dull sound of my own heartbeat. They both brushed past me, completely ignoring my existence, just like always. Not that I was complaining about it; it was better when they pretended that I didn't exist because, when they did, things don't really end well. They carried on with their lives, smiling and joking, acting like nothing ever happens, acting like they don't abuse their own child. I still try to forget those memories but I can't seem to since those memories start to replay again whenever my parents are mad at me for something.
Everything is fine.
It's always fine.
But before I knew it, my feet were moving on their own; leading me away from the house. I found myself unlocking the front door and bursting outside, the cool air hitting me like a refreshing wave. I quickly secured the lock behind me, my heart racing as I took off, my feet carrying me along a very familiar path that I had walked on countless times before-the path to the beach.
The air was crisp and invigorating as I walked, the sound of the ocean waves growing louder with each step. The beach was only a short distance from my home, a few minutes at most, yet it always felt like a world apart. As I neared the water, the familiar scent of salt and seaweed washed over me, invading my nostrils
The sky was awash in vibrant reds and purples, the sun dipping toward the horizon, bathing everything in a warm glow. I settled into the cool sand, scanning the ground for any inconvenient rocks that might interrupt my moment of peace. As I sat there, watching the waves roll in and out, the tension that had gripped my chest began to loosen. The sea stretched before me in endless blue, each crashing wave a reminder of how small my troubles were in the grander scheme of things. I let the rhythmic sound of the water wash over me, allowing my thoughts to drift like the seagulls soaring above. For a moment I thought that things truly were fine, but they weren't and they never will be.
"Hello." A soothing deep voice startled me, sending a jolt through my body as I jumped slightly.
"Um... hello." I turned my head, curiosity mingling with surprise. It was the angel boy again. We seemed to cross paths at the most random times and places-was it mere coincidence, or was he deliberately tracking my movements? Had he lied about not being an angel, or was this destiny? He simply sat down beside me, his gaze fixated on the undulating waves of the ocean, as if he were searching for something beyond the horizon.
I desperately wanted to ask him if he was, in fact, following me. It felt odd to even consider such a question. But then again, Felix didn't strike me as the type to stalk someone. Still, people weren't always what they seemed to be.
"I'm not following you, by the way," he suddenly interjected, effectively cutting through the tangled web of my thoughts. That was an oddly suspicious to say. How did he even know what I was thinking?
"How'd you know I was thinking that?" I blurted out, trying to hide my bewilderment.
"Well, um... because we keep meeting each other in places. I just thought, maybe you thought I was following you or something." He shrugged, a hint of a smile creeping across his lips.
"You're being quite suspicious," I replied, eyeing him cautiously.
"Sorry," he said, his tone earnest.
"Why're you apologizing? You didn't do anything," I countered, still skeptical.
"I'm just apologizing for being suspicious," he clarified, looking genuinely remorseful.
I glanced at him, instantly regretting it. He looked absolutely breathtaking-the sun bathed his features in a warm glow, accentuating the freckles that danced across his cheeks. I felt a flush creeping up my neck and promptly turned my attention back to the ocean's rhythmic waves.
"Do you come here often?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah... all the time," I mumbled, my thoughts still swirling. We sat together as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink that slowly faded into darkness.
"We should probably go back home... it's getting dark," he suggested, glancing at the twilight sky with concern. I didn't want to leave, especially not when my parents were at my house.
"Not yet. Could you stay here... with me... for a bit longer?" I asked nervously, fearing I might annoy him by asking him to stay. His simple "okay" gave me a sense of relief as he turned his attention back to the water.
Stealing a quick glance at him, I was startled to find him staring right back at me, his gaze unwavering and intense. He wasn't even trying to hide it, which sent a rush of warmth through me, leaving me flustered as I lowered my gaze to the sand beneath my feet. We sat in silence-an awkward stillness filled with unspoken thoughts, neither of us quite knowing how to bridge the gap of silence that had enveloped us.
Eventually, both of us sensed it was time to leave. I wished desperately that I didn't have to go, but Felix insisted that if I didn't leave, he would stay with me because he didn't want me to feel lonely by myself. I agreed with him, only because I didn't want to burden him from staying here longer.
..................
"You don't have to walk me home, you know," I protested, even though having him walk beside me filled me with a warmth I hadn't expected. It felt as if he genuinely cared for me-a rare comfort, even if it was hard to believe he could care so deeply when he barely knew me. After all, no one really cared or has cared about me anyway.
"But I want to. It's dark, and you never know what can happen when it's dark outside," he replied, sincerity lacing his words.
"What's the worst that could happen?" I scoffed, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Well... you could get kidnapped," he said, the gravity in his tone catching me off guard.
"I can defend myself, and I don't think anyone would even want to kidnap me, anyway," I retorted, attempting to dismiss his concern.
"We can't risk it, though," he insisted, as if he genuinely cared for my safety.
"Stop acting like you actually care about me when you don't even know me," I challenged him, a tinge of frustration creeping into my voice.
"What if I do care for you?" His words hung in the air like a fragile thread, and I nearly stumbled in shock. Did he truly mean it, or was he simply saying what he thought I wanted to hear? The notion was both exhilarating and terrifying, sending my thoughts into a spiral. I remained silent, grappling with the weight of his declaration as we approached my house, my heart heavy with dread at the thought of going inside.
"I guess this is goodbye, then," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Bye," he replied, his expression a mixture of disappointment and encouragement. I opened the door and stepped into the familiar chaos of my home, the warmth of his presence lingering like an echo.
As the door closed behind me, one question swirled in my mind.
Does he really care about me?
