Crashing into new waves - a Wesley Stromberg/Emblem3 fanfic

Chapter 3 - On collision course

The next morning I wake up to sunlight blinding me. I groan in annoyance and bury myself deeper in the covers. Oh I could have slept a lot longer! I try falling back to sleep but eventually I realise there's no point, I'm awake. I stretch my body under the duvet like I do every single morning.

Suddenly I feel a slight panic hitting me and I shoot my eyes open. Where the hell am I?! This isn't my bed! My heart starts hammering in my chest and my stomach twists in knots. I look at my surroundings in fear but then it hits me. I breathe in relief and end up chuckling while shaking my head. Idiot. Duh Melina, you're in California.

When I go get myself some breakfast, I find a note with my name on it.

Morning sleepy! We had to leave to work and Leo is in day care. Feel like at home and take whatever you need! If you run into problems, call me! 

- Mikko

I pout a little. It sucks that they are at work for most of the time I'm here but at least I have the evenings with them. I frown when I notice a phone next to the note. I pick it up and find another piece of paper.

Don't think that I didn't thought your trip through! Here's a phone you can use. It has a local sim card in it so you don't need to you use your credit from your Finnish number when calling me.

I know, I know, I'm awesome! You can thank me later.

Mikko

I chuckle and shake my head. I do love my brother.

After breakfast, I put on my usual running gear since I like to go for a run in the morning. I'm wearing some training pants, a top, sneakers and of course one of my snapbacks. I follow the coast line since otherwise I'd probably get lost. I have the worst instincts in navigating, like seriously the worst. As a kid I used to get lost in our backyard. Backyard! Who else can say they managed to pull that off?

After few kilometers of running, I find a nice isolated harbor and I go there to take breather. I take in the sun and think about my life back in Finland.

Oh there's so many things that went wrong with my life... Why some people never have to experience struggles that break you into pieces and why do some get the shit of ten people? It's not fair but then again, you cannot appreciate life without going through something difficult times. So I guess that's the bright side in that... But lets not forget, there's still a certain amount of shit a person can handle without falling apart... My limit isn't that fair away.

Later I realize I should make some skype calls to let everyone know I've arrived safely so I head back. When I reach the public beach which is on my way back, my eyes widen in shock. Da-amn, where did all these people come from?! There's people everywhere, like literally  e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. I guess I sat on the harbor longer than I thought, it must be afternoon and everyone has come out to enjoy the weather. Well shit happens, my way back is through that beach so I'll go through that beach.

I discover it's extremely difficult to avoid tripping on anyone especially with the kids running around. After several close calls, a small kid suddenly comes out from nowhere forcing me to jump left to avoid him. My accelerated heart beat calms down slightly when I manage to keep my balance. I turn to look in front of me and BAM! I’m on the ground.

“Oh shit man! I’m sorry! Are you okay??” A male voice asks me.

Jesus. What the hell happened? My head is banging as if I ran into a car! When I move my hand to touch my head, I moan due to the pain.

“Are you hurt?? Shit! Eh.. Let me help.” The same voice speaks.

I open my eyes but I cannot see who the guy is as the sun is behind him. He must have been in the water since he is without a shirt and he's dripping wet. He gently puts his hand behind my back and helps me to sit up. “Wow, what happened?” I mumble outloud still completely confused. What on earth knocked me down?