Touch of an Angel

Chapter 1

In that afternoon the sunbeams seamed more hotter than the usual. The light emitted a sensation of hotness  which was weirdly comforting. I was completely bored, lying on my stomach on my beach towel, listening to a music where prevailed mostly the sound of a guitar, I hit my fingers in the air, imaging I was playing that instrument (in my case it was invisible). My feet, that found themselves in the end of that fluffy towel, were in the moment totally buried. I felt the grains of sand being moved vertically, causing me shivers down my spine. My sister Willow had in her hand one of her pink shovels and apparently she had put in her head that it was of a major importance to cover my feet.

Nolan, my second younger brother was sitting in the sand looking at the sea.

-Saige help me build a sand castle!-I looked back and saw Willow crossing her little arms by her chest, making a grumpy face. Even though she was making a huge effort, she couldn't look mad, her adorable freckles and her dark brown curls, that curled up like waves on a stormy day, made her the most adorable human being on earth. I gave her a little smile, getting up right away and grabbing one shovel, ready to get all dirty.

After a while of finding myself on that very important task, the result was a sandpile, which Willow insisted on calling castle. I ended up considering that a sand castle, the only difference was that it required a large imagination (very abstract) to the viewer.

I got up, getting bored again. The solution? Well, let's say I have this addiction. I love to catch shells. Every time I go to the beach I end up bringing a large amount of them.

Made my way to this big mount of shells that were in the sand. It would always reveal itself when the tide was low, forming a line that contoured the whole beach.

What I love the most about my search for shells, is the fact that I never know what I'll find. The ones that are very damaged were always for me the most beautiful. They showed how strong people are, even after being hurt so many times.

So there I was, with my back curved, searching through rocks and whelks for something that would evoke my attention. I lifted up a black rock, revealing a pink shell, that along that structure got brighter until it looked almost white.

What called my attention was the fact that it was broken in half. This girl has been in a storm, I thought to myself, while I smiled, rising in my hand that little treasure so I could observe it better. I was determined to find the other half.

I put it in my pocket and started my search. I lifted a little my head and smiled as I saw two girls, probably 4 years old, running to the little lake that the low tide had formed, complaining while they passed through that rug to much agonizing to step in. After both of them passed that painful part of their journey, they looked to one another while giggling, holding hands to restart their run.

I lowered my gaze down again. So it didn't hurt me much when I was looking for shells, I would or pass by the line or with my hands, I would fend that rocky material to form a little path so I could walk without feeling pain.

I felt a presence passing by me, it looked like she was in the same position as me. Most likely she was dedicating herself in the same activity as me in that moment.

I raised up my head a little, but my light brown hair didn't let me see beyond that feminine body which was covered in some jeans shorts and a burgundy tank top. I couldn't see her face, but I don't know why, that figure awakened my attention. I looked up, being able to have full access to the person that found herself in front of me.

Her gaze went into my direction and I smiled, like I usually do with anyone else. This didn't seem to please her, cause the features of her face changed, her lips formed a straight line and her eyes showed despair by my presence.

-Do you always have this thing to smile to everyone?-She spat rudely, with no mercy.

My facial expression changed, transmitting my surprise by her reaction. People normally like to smile to each other, it shows empathy, but for that being seemed she didn't wanted to have nothing to do with that feeling.

-What's wrong with it? Don't you ever smile to people?-I answered her, a little outraged. I didn't wanted to sound insulting.

She looked at me, a little surprised.

-Now that was unexpected. I thought you were one of those good girls that never answers back to anyone.-I saw her changing of attitude, showing herself a little more nicer.-I'm Elyse.

She smiled, pushing her hand to the front, asking me to shake it. I looked suspiciously to it, is she bipolar or she just has short memory? I shook my shoulders, ending with my internal conversation ending to give up, shaking her hand, which made her increase her smile.

-Hmhm...-She cleared her throat, like she was waiting for something from me. I looked away, showing how confused I was. Started gazing to various places, questioning to myself what she wanted, ending up to figure it out.

-Oh, I'm Saige.-I started blushing of shame, she must think I'm an idiot. Elyse looked at me and started laughing like a maniac. It ended up being contagious, because after my big effort, I couldn't hold it anymore and started laughing really loud.

After a while of us laughing, we looked to each other and smiled. Her bright blue eyes sparkled, almost hypnotizing me.

-So, you like to catch shells?-She asked, while pulling a lock of hair to the back of her ear. Her hair was made in a braid to loose.

-A strange but fun hobby. And you?

-It depends of my state of mind. Sometimes I find it to monotonous. Today it's one of those days where catching shells just looks like the best thing to do.

Elyse came out of the rock line. I ended up following her, feeling curiosity screaming inside of me. She got on her knees, opening the bag that revealed a big amount of rocks and shells.

-Wow. I can see you had a very busy afternoon.-I said while my eyes opened in surprise.

-Yeah. I'm bored today. This is my favorite one.-Elyse grabbed a half of a shell that looked a lot like mine.

I looked to her while wrapping my fingers around that object, asking for permission to examine it. She nodded, ending to let it go.

It looked like the other half of my shell. But it would be a big coincidence right? Maybe to much. I straightened my back so I could have a better access to my pocket, searching for my little big coincidence. When I felt it on the tip of my fingers, I pulled it really quick and put it next to the other one, opening my eyes (that looked like they were gonna jump off in any second) as I saw that they fit perfectly. Elyse looked at me with this surprised face.

We talked for a while about that weird coincidence. When I looked to the horizon, I could see the sunset, turning the sky into a colorful frame, almost like a painter had grabbed a paintbrush and swabbed with various colors irregular lines, creating an unique piece of art.

-I have to go. It's starting to get late, my mom must be pissed off because it's almost dinner time and I'm not home.

I agreed, still looking to that daily miracle.

-We'll see each other again?-Elyse asked. I felt a little of fear in her voice.

-Of course.

I looked to her smiling kindly, almost like just by my look I was promising we would meet again.

She got up and hugged me. Her body was very thin. Elyse looked like someone that was sick. I didn't ask her, but I got a little worried. I felt her waist bones craving my skin.

-See ya Saige.-Saw Elyse getting distant, looking back sometimes.

After she was completely gone of my sight, I returned to where my brothers and parents were. They were packing all their stuff so we could go home. On that night I fell asleep with that girl in my head, seeing her walking on the sand, smiling to me while she waved her last goodbye.

***
Hi readers! What did you thought about the first chapter? I hope you guys liked it. See ya next chapter! :)