Coming to Shore

Chapter One- An Introduction

   I used to love the beach. Well, she used to love the beach. She thought of it as some sort of landing strip for god knows what. You know how a plane lands onto a runway from up in the air? Yeah, she thought that the beach was the landing strip for the ocean. She was mesmerized by the sea. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't one of those people that wanted to study the ocean and she wouldn't try to add in a fun fact about some extremely rare seaweed that literally nobody gives a shit about into a conversation. I think that instead, she liked not knowing much about the sea. She liked the mystery of it all. She was probably the weirdest fucking person that I've ever met and probably will ever meet. But, I couldn't help but love her. Okay, yes I admit it that this sad excuse for a human being (AKA- yours truly), actually felt human emotions. Shocking, I know. But, don't think that this whole thing will be as if you're reading some emo teenager's diary that consist of talking about dead roses and daddy issues. This is not that story. This is the story about how something that you had held close for so long, can so easily slip away from your grasp. This is not just my story. This story belongs to someone else as well but unfortunately at the moment, they aren't around to tell it. I am of course, talking about Mavis Renee Garrison.

Mavis was noteworthy to say the least. She had a mind that was a deranged yet brilliant device and she saw the world like nobody else did. She never had a bad word to say about anybody, although she wasn't afraid to joke around every once and awhile. Mavis could have been popular if she wanted to but I think that she didn't want her life to revolve around stiletto shoes and Friday night beer blasts. We were never really into all of the things that a lot of other teenagers do. She would always say, "There is no point in trying to fit in when I like to stick out." I liked that she had an odd way of explaining things. That's one of the many things that I miss about her.

It's been three years since I last saw or talked to Mavis. We were just beginning our freshman year in college and everything seemed fine. The only problem was that I couldn't see her as much as I used to anymore. I got accepted into a school in Michigan but her school was all the way in New York. It was perfect for her, to be in a crazy yet amazing city that would fulfill her need for adventure. It was however, not perfect for me. I moved to Michigan to major in Astronomical Studies and Mavis was studying psychology. Mavis was always trying to understand people and their emotions so it was no surprise to me that she picked that as her major.

For the first few weeks of school, we would talk almost everyday. I would listen to her go on and on about her classes, teachers, and roommates without a complaint. She seemed really happy to be there and she always said that she missed me. That's why it surprised me when she stopped calling. She wouldn't pick up when I called and eventually her phone just went to voicemail. At first I thought that she just wanted space to get used to a brand new environment but something just felt...off.

   I called her parents and asked if they had heard from her even though I knew that it was unlikely. Mavis never had a great relationship with her parents and with her being an only child, it was always just the two of us. As I had predicted, they hadn't talked to her since she left.

    I phoned my best friend, Warren, and discussed my concerns with him. He too thought that she might just need some space and that I'm just being paranoid. "Maybe you're right," I said in agreement . "I'm probably just being paranoid." Warren, being my best friend, saw right through my lie.

    "Look, dude if you're so worried, why don't you just drive up there to see her?" He asked. I thought it over in my head. What's the harm right?  The drive is only a few hours from Michigan to New York and I could always stay in a hotel and visit for a few days. I just have to make sure that she's  alright.

   I quickly thanked Warren for the idea and hung up the phone. I packed a bag full of clothes, money, and other essentials and headed to bed. I decided to leave in the early morning so that I wouldn't be there too late. I lied awake, staring at the ceiling. I hadn't seen her in months so I should've been excited. But, why was I so nervous? Maybe it's because I knew what was awaiting me when I got there.