This is Euphoria

-12-

an: fun fact, I physically cannot read my own writing, I cringe too hard. That may sound weird but it's 1000% true. I cannot take myself seriously it's an actual problem... anyway, enjoy :') ps new character! emma watson plays vera kraus

ATHENA

I stand by the frontal of the beach, waiting for Vera to emerge past the bearings of relaxed couples and rowdy teens. When I reckon her chestnut-honey hair, I can't stop myself from meeting her halfway. Or more accurately, three quarters on my part.

With each stride I take, my feet feel heavier and heavier until I finally reach her. Only the weight doesn't depart. Part of that, I know, is because I missed her this past last month more than I care to acknowledge, but also because Vera is a walking, talking, breathing reminder of reality; my reality.

I knew the potential this summer held, it was a chance to break away from my routine for a while, but that doesn't explain the feelings of nostalgia. I definitely don't miss my dry lifestyle.

Maybe I've been too caught up in the moment recently. That's it. It's got to be. Whenever I'm with Kai, I'm free. I don't have to worry about anything; bills, work, day-to-day life. It's just him and I. But with Vera, it's an eviction, reminding me this summer will end, and I suddenly don't feel invincible any more.

All these feelings are crashing in on me, so I hug Vera tighter to attempt to make them go away.

"I'm suffocating," Vera croaks, and I'm forced to release her.

"Are you alright, you look a little white in the face," she remarks. She pinches both of my cheeks before I can slap her hands away. As odd as it is to admit, I missed her crude humor and pessimism.

"It's a nice day, isn't it?" she says.

It is a nice day. The sun is high in the sky, but the sand isn't scorching like it normally is; happy, or at least smiley, people crusade the San Francisco beach. The water is blue and tempting.

"Yeah, it is," I reply blankly.

"Okay.." she drags out. She takes off the large, squared shaped sunglasses that took up most of her face. Her eyes are light, like the color of the sand, and she looks pale, but perfectly well rested.

"Before I figure out what's up with you, why don't you show me where you're sitting. This bag is heavy and I have a paper cut that's hurting like a bitch," she finishes.

I chuckle a little, but nod.

I takes less than two minutes to reach where Kai and I are sitting.

"That was awful," she says, her voice full of revulsion. She's referring to the walk- if you could even call it that, of course. Vera hates physical activity.

"I never met someone who hates- well, everything, as much as you do," I say honestly.

"Don't be dramatic, I don't hate everything," she tells lies.

"Vera," I begin, but she waves her hand.

"I like puppies, -purest things on Earth, those guys. Enchiladas are tolerable, oh, and James Franco, that man is God," she says dreamily.

"Speaking of Gods," she smiles maliciously, "who are you?"

The question is directed to Kai, of course.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Kai," he holds out his hand, which I know she knows is gesturing a shake, but she high fives it instead.

"And he's british," she narrates, her hand going over her heart.

"So have you guys.." she holds up her left hand, forms the 'okay' gesture, and sticks her right pointer finger in the opening between her left thumb and pointer finger. Repeatedly. While making a sound effect.

Kai starts to say something, but I slap Vera's hand down from doing the gesture any longer.

"Vera!" I exclaim, not embarrassed, but more in disbelief. What did I expect, it's Vera.

"What! It was a serious question," she tries to remain stern, but her lips twitch.

I put my hands on the side of my face, wondering what I got myself into.

She turns to Kai, totally ignoring my presence, "How was I suppose to know I wasn't suppose to talk about sex? Speaking of, you two would make beautiful babies.

I groan, and Kai laughs, who I suppose is finding the whole ordeal comical. I reckon I would too, if I wasn't having a midlife crisis at the age of 19.

"Let's go in the water," I grunt, before Vera "accidentally" let's something else slip.