Sorry, Not Sorry

- 42

The walk to the beach feels incredibly fast, and soon enough our bare feet are hitting the hot sand as we run out to the cooler, wet sand. We ditch our shoes and shirts in the sand, a messy pile near three guys who told us they'd watch our stuff. We run out to the water, letting out a sigh of relief as the cold water hits our feet. We chat as we walk deeper into the water, up to our torsos as waves crash past us. Wind blows our hair and I'm grateful we're in the water because otherwise the sand would be hitting our skin. 

As each wave approaches, we brace ourselves before jumping up with it. A few times either Max or I is knocked over by a particularly strong wave, and the other has to help us up. I spit a salty, wet strand of hair out of my mouth, laughing as Max splashes me with some of the water. "I can't believe you've never been to the beach before, Xay." He says, "But- I'm glad to be your first!" He states, hands on his hips, only to be startled by a wave slamming into his side. He regains his footing and clears his throat. We're much shallower now, the water pushing us to shore. 

"I'm glad you're my first, too." I admit. 

Max gazes off to the sand, where a plethora of families or friends are sitting under umbrellas. "See that family there?" He asks, pointing. 

"Where?" I ask.

He comes closer, standing next to me, his side pushing against mine as he points. "There. See, the woman with the massive hat?" 

"Oh, yeah. That guy seems familiar to me." I claim, and Max nods.

"The woman for me... She... reminds me of someone." I watch recognition flash in his eyes, glancing quickly at me before grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the water, heading towards the family. "Max! What's up?" I ask, running after him. 

"Mimi!?" He calls out, his free hand at his mouth. 

Mimi? I think. His sister?

 As we get closer and closer, I glance over at the woman, a lady with straight, black hair; large sunglasses over her eyes and an even larger hat atop her head. A tall, bald man sits next to her, and two children play in the sand next to them. "Mimi!" He repeats.

She perks up at the sound of her name, tipping the edge of her hat up to get a better look at the two dripping boys approaching her- fresh out of the sea. "Percy? Is that you darling? I didn't think you came to the beach anymore." She says, raising an eyebrow over her glasses. "Though Percy's hair would never be so long." She claims, sitting up straighter.

"No, It's... Uh, It's Max."

"Max?" she startles. "Max... Huang?" She tears her sunglasses off, revealing the same bright brown eyes as Max. She turns, standing up quickly and approaching the two of us. Max nods, letting go of my hand as she gets closer. "It's really you?" She asks, reaching a hand up to brush her hair off her face. "This isn't a trick?" she asks pointedly. She pulls him into a quick hug as he nods, then holds him by his shoulders at arms length. She twirls a bit of his hair around her finger, then smiles smally. "I never thought I'd see you again!" She claims, "And so healthy, too!" The two smile, then she glances to the side and notices me standing there awkwardly, my arms crossed over my bare chest. "And who might this be?" She asks, her red lips parted as she watches me stand there.

"This is my best friend, Xavier." He says, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer to them. "We're on a road-trip together." He says. 

"Nice to meet you, Mimi." I say with an awkward smile, nervous. 

"Ohhhhh, Maxy!" She laughs, And I chuckle gently and look at him as he widens his eyes and flushes, glancing at me, "I always knew you'd prosper in life without the rest of us dragging you down!" She says, "Now, Your birthday was really recent, right?"