Human

28.

            "On a scale of 1-10, how freaking pumped for this are you?"

I laughed with Derrek as we waited in the baggage claim for our bags to come around. "I'd say a 10 doesn't even begin to cover it." I told him. I had been doing a pretty good job of just shoving all of my other feelings away, and just remaining present in the things happening right now. Derrek only has one year of school left before he could leave Swanford. Who says he won't go to school in Florida? There is no reason this trip needs to be a sad one. It could just be the start of great things to come.

I hadn't stopped smiling since the second Derrek met me at the airport, 13 hours ago back in Missouri. I don't usually like flying, the idea of this giant thing just floating through the air seriously freaks me out sometimes. But this time, with Derrek, I forgot the majority of the time that I was even on a plane.

So far, the hardest part if it all was saying goodbye to Wes. I hadn't known him long, but he had easily become an important person to me. I still am in shock that he was willing to do so much for me. He'd told me that it would be about a week before he could get me all the paperwork I would need to start over here. He had thought of everything. He is even going to rent an apartment for me that is right next to the school down here so that I don't have to worry about anything. I was even a little bit excited about this whole new endeavor.

The main thing that stung was not getting to see Garrett again before I left. It had all been so last minute, and he didn't come by the house to see me off, so I guess that means we both really are just going to move on with our lives.

As I watched Derrek run to grab our bags, I had to think that maybe this was for the best.

The taxi ride from the airport to the hotel was not too bad, even though there was a lot of extra traffic due to so many schools being out for spring break. When we got to the hotel I was pretty happy to see that it was on the beach.

Derrek and I didn't bother with checking in first. We ran straight for the beach, Derrek lugging the bags over his strong shoulders. He dropped them just out of the waters reach and began to strip down to his swim trunks, then took off into the water. I stood back and took in the sight. The sun was still high in the clear blue sky, and when I closed my eyes I really felt like I was home again. The beaches here are a little different, but I'm sure it won't take much getting used to.

I pulled my cover-up off and swam out to meet Derrek. "Cali Cade!" He called out before getting smacked in the face with a wave. He came back up shaking the water from his hair and wiping his blue eyes. Out in the water like this, and against the backdrop of the blue sky, his eyes almost looked translucent they were so blue. Like shining crystals. "I never want to leave!" He shouted out, thrusting his fists into the air.

I couldn't contain my giddy laughter. "Me neither!" I called back.

We spent the next few hours swimming, and enjoying the sun.

As the light of day began to dwindle, and the sun began its trip back down into the water, Derrek ran up to get us checked in, and drop all of our stuff in our rooms. I remained on the beach, watching the waves come in and out. The crowd began to thin as people headed off to dinner or whatever other plans they may have.

Soon, Derrek was back at my side, sitting next to me in the sand, and throwing an arm and blanket around my shoulders. "It's getting cool." He mentioned lightly, eyes glued to the waves.

"You almost missed it." I chided him.

We both turned our gaze into the direction of the setting sun.