A Girl Called Nothing

3

The pink and orange mist was drifting through the grey sky, leaving a blue trail, smudged with white. The water was peaceful. The beach was quiet. There was barely a hiccup in the sleeping hum of Brighton. 

I lay, my eyes following the teasing tide. In, tempting me in. Out, drawing me away. That was when I noticed the wet sensation on my hand. There was a snuffling around my arm, that was hanging off the bench, and a warm tingling sensation. 

Looking down at my arm, I saw Charlie standing there, licking my hand with intent. It was probably remnants the burger I had last night, being scooped up by his moist tongue. 

I stroked the top of his head, feeling coarse, soft fur on top of his bushy eyebrows. 

***

"I want that one Mummy! Please Mummy!" Emily pleaded, feeling the head of the soft, pudgy Labrador. She was always one to get her own way, Emily.

***

I sat there, Charlie on my lap, with my hand circling the area behind his ear, watching the sun rise up into the powder-blue sky. 

He was a fairly large dog, with strong muscly legs with claws clipped close the the paw. 

"You haven't been out here long, have you Charlie?" 

He looked up at me with his big brown eyes, and blinked solemnly at me. I stroked under his beard, before getting up, to get some breakfast. I left Charlie on the beach, and as I left, he sprinted off in the direction he went yesterday. 

After getting my breakfast of a croissant, I decided to go walking today. I see people when I go walking. Them and their lives. I wonder who I will see today.

I deviated off the sea-front road and onto the Main Street and walked along. I noticed a group of teenage girls, walking along the road wearing the uniform of the local school. They were wearing short skirts and their hair was done up in highly-fashionable messy buns and ponytails. One of them was tagging along behind the girls. 

She was rather small, with sea-blue eyes and long light-brown hair. Their was a smattering of freckles across her small nose and her stature was shrouded by a backpack that contained the stars. She looked sad and dejected, following her friends at a small gap that holds a mile. I looked over at her, from the other side of the road. She looked at me, a small smile flickering on her face.

Despite not knowing her, I felt a strong connection to her.

"Chin up Princess," I said, "your tiara is falling."

A grin flashed across her face, as she caught up with her friends. 

I carried on with my croissant, walking down the road at a steady pace. I thought of the girl, and I was wondering how she was getting on. What happened with her? What is her story? 

I looped back round to my little side street, and was thinking about my past, the present, and most importantly, the future.