Changing Tides

Chapter 1

Photo: Aurora's beach house

The warm breeze hit my face, blowing my hair behind me. I looked out over the sea, its blue-green essence overwhelming my senses. I had always been drawn to the sea, for as long as I could remember. I mean, as long as a 16 year old could remember. It was always natural for me to be by the water. I would even prefer it over staying with my mother. She always seemed to be upset at me, but then she would be all sickly sweet and buy me all the things a teenage girl would love; her favorite foods, makeup, jewelry, a phone, an amazing bedroom and an amazing home to live in. I didn't want any of those things though. I enjoyed them yes, but I wanted something more out of life then school and routine.

I wanted to live in the sea.

Yeah I know that sounds crazy, but it called to me, seemingly every second of the day. But why, I asked myself couldn't I be in the water? My mother always told me to stay away from it, and to never set foot in it. And as the obedient daughter I was, I never did.

"Aurora!" A voice called from behind me, "come inside dear! I bought you some sushi while I was at the store! Oh goodness Aurora! You can't be that close to the sea!" My mother, Penelope, screeched. She grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me away from my friend the ocean.

Penelope was always so paranoid about the sea, I often wondered if she had an accident or something, but she never wanted to talk about it.

"I was only looking." I reassured her, "I promise I didn't touch it."

"I know, you're a good girl, but the tide will be coming in soon!"

This was another thing about me and the ocean, I always knew the tides. No one ever taught them to me, and I never did look it up, but I knew in my conscience, when it would come in and go out. And this told me that my mother was wrong; the tide was going out.

"Yes, mother." I replied, walking up the beach to our fancy beach house.

Here's something about my mother and I's relationship;

I always did what I was told.

I never wanted to upset her, or lose the trust she had in me. I did this because I was an orphan before she came into my life. She adopted me when I was a baby. So I always felt obliged to follow her pleas.

Once inside, I grab a carbonated drink and sat down at the island. I was always onto myself about what I ate, the phrase 'you are what you eat' always haunted me. Sushi, -which is what my mother brought home- was one of my favorite foods, and lucky for me, it's not junk food.

"So are you going to hang out with Jake today?" Penelope asked before popping a sushi roll into her mouth. Jake was one of my best and only friends. He was loyal, sweet and always optimistic.

"I honestly hadn't thought about it." I admitted.

"Well you always seem to forget everything when you go down to the beach," She sighed, "if you want to invite him over you may. I'll be in the living room catching up on my TV show. I love you." She kissed the top of my head, and then made her way to the living room.

I decided she was right so I picked my phone up off the counter;

A: Hey do you wanna hang out today?
J: Sure! Your house?
A: Whatever you wanna do
J: Lol you're always so specific
A: Haha I know
J: Well?
A: Fine come on over. I'll be in my room
J: Ah feisty today are we?
A: Ugh shut up
J: You know you love meh