Love, Stephanie

Chapter 1

The sea salt was quiet strong in the air as I stepped off the boat. Yes, it was a cruise line, but it was absolutely phenomenal. Not the food or decor. I'm talking about the ocean. The ocean is just so open and welcoming, and is willing to share its secrets, like the fish in the sea. I don't know why it intrigues me in such a way, but places like the ocean are just so magical and mysterious. I want to travel the world so I can see magical and beautiful places that make you want to memorize every inch of it. That's why I love the ocean, I think. I don't know, I'm still trying to find myself. Maybe being a model does make you seem like there's no personality behind the face. But actually, I consider myself a true someone.

Maybe I should give you more information on this 'someone.' My full name is Cristina Stephanie Roninessi, which is quite a mouthful, I know. Blame my mother for that one. I am a women model, even though I'm just 17. I lived in the bustling town of Albany, New York, but I grew up on the beach in ocean city, Maryland. I loved having a lake house though, but a beach house is still good. I love to tan and swim, and play in the sand with my little siblings. I want to become a famous composer, and I hope for that to happen. I know the cello and that's it though. What kind of person could compose when you only know the cello? Anyways, on with present time; this isn't a biography about me, you know.

"Hey Cristina, you have your bag right?" I rolled my eyes at my brother who was three years older. Ironically, his name was Christopher, so it's always Chris and Chrissy. It got me irritated, but it's truly impossible for me to get completely angry or frustrated. "Yeah, and the rest is being moved by the moving truck," I explained. But before we were going straight home, I needed glasses.

Yes, I have to have glasses. Not because I couldn't see, it was because I didn't like to be recognized in the small town of Liverpool. The only reason I picked this place was my brother needed to study here, and yes, I know it's odd to go to the other side of the world to continue your studies, but he's Chris, and I'm Chrissy.

Also, poor Chris wanted to follow the love of his life here. Ah, teenage love is so innocent. I guess I had to tell you that since I think of all perspectives, options, beliefs, and situations. I'm just prepared in mind. I only wish it would work on the outside. On the outside, I just go with the flow and not do anything. But I always want to fight my battles. Succeed, or try dying; as I always say.

We went to the glasses store, using a bus, since Chris and I had no idea where anything was. We walked in and found only two people, a mother, and her son, arguing about what glasses to buy, in their grand Liverpudlian accents. It made me smile, but I quickly sent the feeling away. We looked around and I finally agreed on basic lenses; they were a tortoise if sorts and they were round-ish. They looked decent enough. We went to go check out quickly. "Don't you want an appointment," the woman asks curiously. I shake my head. "I just want them for looks," I said.

Before we left, I heard that son and mother argue more. "Mimi, I want these ones!" These ones. Liverpudlians obviously could not speak proper language. "John Winston Lennon, please just get some proper frames! Either way, I can't afford them," she explained impatiently. I watched this argument and thought about it, till I felt the pocket of my dress pants. I started towards them. "What are you... Ah not again Cristina, we have to go," Chris said to me.

"Excuse me," I said to the both of them. They both turned to me. The son, or whatever he was, was eyeing my appearance, while his guardian mixtures up a plastic smile. "Oh I'm sorry, I'm just trying to explain to my nephew that I..." She trailed off, probably too nervous to say she was too poor. "You can't afford the.." I took the pair of glasses out of this John boy's hands. "The Buddy Holly glasses."

I looked at John now. "You want them," I asked with a slight monotone of a voice. "Hell yeah I do," he said surely. I looked at the price, shrugged, and pulled out my wallet. "Open your hand," I said again as I looked for actual English money. I saw Mimi's and John'a eyes get bigger when they saw all the different kinds of money. I finally found the right currency and handed enough money for him.