Happiness Unending

Chapter One: Unprecedented Events

It's my turn now. I can be myself without worrying about what others think. I've come this far. I've got the life I've always dreamed of and all I had to do was say hello. Of course, that isn't exactly what happened, but I'd like to think so. It all started on a particularly warm and sunny day down by the Santa Monica pier. I was with a group of my friends chilling, eating sandwiches and drinking ice cold lemonades. Currently I was the only one on shore, afraid of what lurked beyond the shallows. I appreciated the ocean don't get me wrong, but I didn't feel like risking my life or limbs to it. They were trying their best to get me to come in, but I stayed anyway because I was stubborn like that. Instead, I took my time admiring the scenery playing out around me.

To my left was a bunch of people probably around my age who were playing a rather intense game of volleyball. To my right were a bunch of families with their children, many of whom were running around, others building sandcastles and still more screaming in pure joy from the ocean waves. By this time, my friends were now waist deep in the water, splashing each other playfully. I shook my head and put my hands on my waist, looking out at the far horizon. There was a slight breeze blowing, the salt making my hair an unruly and tangled mess. This was the kind of thing I wish I had back home. Sunshine for days on end and nothing to get in the way of having fun. I played with the sand in between my toes, completely oblivious to the shouts of my friends. Before I could comprehend what they were trying to tell me, I was plowed into by someone who appeared to have been chasing the stray volleyball. I fell rather hard, but I was grateful I fell onto something soft. It took me a moment to register what happened and I looked at who was incompetent enough to run into me like that. He was definitely sweaty. EW. He was also shirtless which was much less disgusting but his sweaty body was sticking to mine and I did not like that feeling whatsoever.

"I'm so sorry." he immediately stated. I ignored his blatant stare and pushed him off of me rather harshly.

"It's fine." I grumbled grumpily. Great. Sand was everywhere including places I did not need it. Gross. He stood up and offered a hand to help me but I got myself up just fine without his help. I finally took in his appearance. He wasn't much taller than me and I stood at five feet and seven inches. He was clearly in better shape than I was. I took the time to admire him through my sunglasses, my stare pretty obvious but what he doesn't know won't hurt him. He looked strangely familiar, though I didn't say anything at first. I was too busy admiring his broad shoulders, his unbelievable torso including a defined six pack and the v-line that so many girls rave about was plainly obvious. He was a beautiful man to look at and there was no denying that. I finally looked at his face. His eyes were a gorgeous brown that seemed to glimmer as an amber shade in the afternoon sun. He seemed to be sincerely apologetic but I still narrowed my eyes anyway. Plus what guy has eyelashes like his? Even standing five feet away from him I could see them sitting there looking perfect. What I wouldn't give to have eyelashes like his! His brown hair was fairly cut short, though it looked extremely soft.

"Are you okay?" Once I heard his voice again, it started coming back to me. I still couldn't figure out why he was so familiar though. He had a slight lisp to his words, not as deep as I figured it would be. I brushed off more sand on my shoulders and shrugged.

"Other than feeling like I got ran over by a truck, I'm fine. Thanks for asking." I retorted rather sarcastically. He grinned, his eyes crinkling in the corners, making me want to smile back but I contained myself.

"Are you sure? I didn't hurt you or anything?" I could tell he was trying to stifle a laugh, but he maintained his composure well.

"I'll be fine. Just watch where you're going next time." I was about to walk back to my towel that lay haphazardly in the sand, but a hand on my arm stopped me.