Wherever You Are

Chapter 8: Felicia's Unsent Letter

June 30, 2015

Dear Jonah,

School just ended. Emma was happier than I'd ever seen her. I could tell she was really waiting for this. She looked beautiful at graduation too. Derek came and after she threw her cap up into the air he ran up to her and picked her up in his arms. They are inseparable. Usually I would think it was gross, but they are really cute.

Ashley graduated. She tripped up the stairs on the way to get her diploma. She had on these tall heels, six inches at least. When she was walking up, the heel got caught on the step and she fell right on her face. Her face turned red as a tomato and the principal asked if she was alright. She tried to help her up, but Ashley pushed her hands away and grabbed her diploma and left. She got what she deserved. It was well worth the wait.

Once everything had settled down and Seth had some free time with his job, he bought three plane tickets to Florida. He was taking me and Sandra on a trip. He worked so hard and wanted to give us both something special. And it really was.

We stayed for a week. We were at a hotel right on the beach. We spent everyday at the beach, laying in the sun and playing in the water. Seth tried surfing and the three of us went snorkeling. We saw the fish swimming just below the surface. We were near a coral reef and they poked their heads out of their homes to see us.

There was this guy that was staying at the same hotel as us. He was pretty cute. He and I made awkward eye contact from across the pool a few times. He came to talk to me once. He asked my name and where I was from and asked if I wanted to go to this beach party with him.

I was about to tell him that I was on vacation with my family so I probably shouldn't, but Sandra saw the whole thing and before I could say anything, she was telling him I would be ready at seven.

She grabbed my hand after that and dragged me to the mall which was just down the street. She bought me a dress and a new bathing suit and offered to buy me some skimpy underwear and a lace bra, but I only laughed at her. What did she think was going to happen with this guy?

At seven I met him in the lobby. He was dressed in a button down shirt and his beachy brown hair was drying from his shower I presumed. He looked good.

His jaw dropped as I walked up in my dress. "Woah," he said. I blushed and looked at the ground.

"Ready?" I asked. He smiled and held out his arm for me. He was a gentleman, I could tell.

We went to the beach and there were people gathered around an outdoor cafe. It has lanterns strung around and a dance-floor lit up with bright colors. We took a seat at one of the high top tables and ordered some food to start. We talked for a good portion of the night. He was really fun to talk with. He was really easy going and understood exactly what I was saying to him. I told him about us. He said you were a total fool, but he also said, "it sounds like you're not over him." He may not be entirely wrong.

After talking he eventually got me out on the dance-floor after some intense refusal. After a song or two my feet started to hurt so he let me take off my shoes and we walked across the beach. It was dark by this time. We walked out onto the jetty and stood on the rocks. He held my hand as we walked out because I knew I would have fallen if he hadn't kept me steady.

The waves crashed against the rocks. I closed my eyes and felt the cool air on my skin. It felt good. Before I knew it, he was leaning in to kiss me. Just before he touched my lips I turned my head to the side and he kissed my cheek.

He pulled back and looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry," I said quickly. I wasn't ready for that.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried anything. I hope I didn't ruin this," he said shyly. He was really cute and respectful. I didn't understand why I was pushing him away so hard. I should have just let him kiss me.

The rest of the night wasn't awkward at all. He had a way of not letting the awkward tension settle. He brushed it away quickly. He walked me back to the hotel and up to my room. When we got there he asked if he could kiss me on the cheek again. I let him. He smiled and did so.

It was a great night. Right when I walked through the door, Sandra was standing there waiting for me. I rolled my eyes and dropped my shoes on the floor.

I still love you,

Felicia