Just In Time

Floating On Water

I was alone. I was always alone. At least that's what it felt like and that's what all 16 year olds feel like. Or so they told me. But why must I feel like this? Why must I go through life day by day without reason? "Don't worry, you're young," "Things always fall into place" that's what they tell me, my parents, "Be this, do that" if only they could just

"Jennaaa, we're ready to go!" Mom called. On that note I closed my journal, grabbed my bag and was 5 steps away from the front door when she called again.

It was the end of another dreadful school year. Exams were finally over and I was ready to start my eventful and exciting summer vacation. That's what I am supposed to tell myself, right? In reality however, I had finally reached the few months in my life where I could spend 12 hours sleeping and another 12 hours catching up on the numerous TV series I watch.

Today however, was an exception because the Powers family has been planning this outing for about two weeks. My stepmom, Nichole, has this creepy obsession with dates and organization so my brothers and I try to be on time before she gets one of her freak attacks.

"You're doing that thing you do again," my twin brother Jace turned to me and said. "And what might that be, Jay?"

"Making facial expressions as if someone's talking to you," he said.

"Why don't you do another thing that I do and pretend we're not related."

"You see Jen, I would, but who else would you talk to?" and with a raise of an eyebrow he turned his attention back to his phone hinting that he already knew the answer to his question.

He left me thinking though, who else would I talk to? Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't have any friends. In fact, my two best friends, Laela and August were meeting us at the beach today. Laela's been with me ever since we started high school but August and I practically grew up together. Nowadays for some reason, I just don't feel a close connection towards them anymore. Sometimes I feel guilty for not expressing my true feelings but it's not like I'm doing anything wrong so I just keep to myself.

Exactly two minutes after we arrived at Sunset Beach I heard the screams of Laela Daniels as she ran towards me. This in turn made my younger brother scream as well then we all joined in laughter.

"Why do you always do this? I saw you four days ago. Doesn't your lungs hurt?" I said as she wrapped her arms around me.

"Because Jenna, your expression kills me everytime. Now could you please go tell August he didn't come here to talk to every passing girl," she rolls her eyes, "how did we become friends with the school's number one player anyway?"

"The question is, how did our friend become the school's number one player?"

As Laela thought about that I began to help set up the beach chairs and blankets we brought until August finally joined us. "Need any help princess?" It was his nickname for me ever since we were kids. Although Augustus was known as a player, he was the best bestfriend anyone could ask for. He was always there for me and I knew that I could always count on him.

"Thanks, but while you were busy talking to one of your many targets, we got everything done here," I said as he checked his phone.

"Hm, one missed call. I guess I couldn't hear the sound of my phone over your jealousy," he responded trying to hold back a laugh.

"Funny," I retorded. "Theo, would you like to go for a swim?" I asked my 4 year old brother as I tried to turn my attention away from August who couldn't hold in his laughter anymore. I swear this boy could laugh at anything. To be honest it's kind of cute sometimes.

By the bright smile on Theo's face and continuous jumping I could tell that he was ready to hit the water. I quickly changed into my bathing suit and picked up Theo as we headed to shore with Laela following behind.

"Be careful!" Nichole shouted with a wave, "As always mom!" I shouted back. It wasn't long before Jace and August came up to us and we stayed there until or bodies began to shiver.

As the night came upon us, they were already packing away our stuff and I was trying to get Theo to stop playing in the sand. It had been a great day, better than I expected and before I left the beach I would always go back out to shore to look at the water in the nightsky. Objects in the water never surprised me but this time however, what seemed to be a plastic bottle caught my attention.

I walked out a little before picking it up and noticing something inside. I brought the bottle back to where my friends and family were and slipped it inside my bag before anyone could notice. We then said our goodbyes and I couldn't wait to get home to see what looked like a rolled up paper inside the bottle.

9:15pm. I was finally settled and ready for bed and the anxiety was killing me. I opened up the bottle to reveal what seemed to be a letter.

And it was addressed to me.

AN: Cover made by
TLN