polaroids; malum

X

It was one of the first really sunny days of the summer, and Calum had insisted that we go down to the beach. I never really liked going to the beach, but it was a nice day, so I agreed.

I had packed a small bag of stuff, with some snacks, my book, and the camera, and we brought our big beach umbrella to sit under. Calum was all set to go swimming in the ocean, he was ready for it to officially be summer. I never really liked swimming, but I knew he did, so I went along with it. He knew I'd be sleeping under the umbrella for most of the afternoon anyways.

When we got to the beach, there weren't many other people out. There was a family a fair way down from us, and a sweet old couple walking along the shoreline. We were the only ones there to stay for a while.

"C'mon, Michael, just come dip your toes in." Calum took my hand in his, and led me down to the crystal clear water.

"Cal, I'm gonna get burned." I said, starting to walk away. "You know where I'll be." He watched me walk the whole way back to our blanket and umbrella, making me feel guilty the entire way.

I got back to the blanket and got comfortable, and dug out my camera. Even though I never liked swimming at the beach, I loved the scenery, especially when I was there with Calum. He let me take photos of him all the time.

I looked up to see where he was, and he was standing facing the water, with his hands on his hips. He cast a dark shadow onto the pale sand next to the water. This was one of those perfect photos of the scenery.

He never knew I took that photo of him that day.