Right Here Waiting For You [Published]

Chapter 3

~ Sean ~

I place my earphones in my ears, scanning the songs on my playlist on my iPod. Scrolling down until I came to my favourite band, The All-American Rejects. I click on my favourite song by them. I look down at my three month old German shepherd, Sam, who was sitting in front of me on the back veranda of our home where we lived on the beach in Canary Bay. She stares at me, wondering if I was ready to go for a run on the beach, like we always did every afternoon before the sun went down.

"Come on girl," I tell her.

Sam turns and runs down the steps, running ahead of me. I run after her, telling her to wait. She obeys me and together we run along the beach towards the pier. Sunset was in an hour and people are starting to leave. I like it when the beach was less crowded. At least then I don't have to worry about dodging out of the way for anyone who might be lying on the beach or playing games of Frisbee. Sam likes to chase after the Frisbee sometimes so I'm glad no one is around with one.

We head over to the pier. By the time we reach it, I'm breathless from running. Sam is panting too. I walk over to the kiosk where my cousin Kayla works, waiting to serve a customer. I wait for her, like I do most evenings when she gets off work. While I wait we always chat about idle things, sometimes the weather crops up. I usually buy a bottle of water after my run, and share it with Sam.

"Hey, Sean," Kayla greets me when I got to the counter.

I wave to her.

"Water?" she asks.

I nod. "Yes, please."

Kayla turns to the fridge behind her, grabbing a bottle of water. I take out my wallet, grabbing a two dollar coin and hand it to her. Thanking her for the drink, I place my wallet away. I then unscrew the lid and down half of the water. Sam whines from where she lay beneath my feet. Kayla hands me an empty takeaway container and I pour some water in for Sam, placing it on the ground for her.

"So, did you have a nice run?" Kayla asks me.

"Yeah, I did."

"I don't know how you can stand to run in this heat."

"The heat doesn't really bother me. Besides, I love this weather. I'm so glad my parents don't have to teach in Reykjavik any more. I have missed out on hot summers for five years. It feels great to be in a warm country again. Það er frábær."

My parents are both teachers. Mum teaches primary, while Dad teaches high school. They were offered teaching positions in Iceland for five years. As much as I love Iceland, I missed Australia. It feels good to be back in a warmer climate after spending the last five years in a cold climate. Iceland is always cold, even in summer. I spent my last year of high school in Australia.

"I would do anything just to be in Iceland right now," Kayla tells me. "And please don't say things in Icelandic. I hate it when you say things I don't understand."

"Sorry. I said it's fantastic. Anyway, you should visit there someday. It's such a beautiful place. You would love it."

"Maybe I will."

"Well, I better head back. Bye."

"See ya, Sean."

I pick up the container Sam has finished drinking out of and place it in a nearby bin. We head back home. Just as we do, I notice a blonde haired girl under the pier. She is digging in the sand frantically. I cannot tear my eyes away from her as she continues digging. I can see the frustration etched on her face. I can only assume she must have lost something important. I recall the time I did that when I was ten, how I lost a pair of shoes in the sand. I don't know what made me bury them. I never did find them.