The Island Goddess.

iicx.

"Three more days..." He thought to himself as he sat along the sand, watching the beautiful sunset along the beach. The waves colliding gently as his thoughts now drifted on his family back home. He missed his father, his brothers and his mother. A small smile played on his lips as he thought about the amazing places he'd been and how excited he was to tell his family.

The smile turned upside down as he soon realized he only had one person to thank for all those memories.

Rather irritated, he stood up and gathered his towel and belongings. Staying on the island longer only made him think of her more and more. Thoughts of her invaded his mind. It was as if she was the island itself, the longer he stayed here the more he was engulfed on their memories.

If he was to get anything close to a free mind, with no traces of Emerald he needed to leave Barbados. He couldn't wait to leave because frankly; everything about this place reminded him of her and only, her! The beach had her name written all over it. This was where they first met, their first kiss and their first date. Every street he knew? She'd shown him.

He headed to the small bar on the pavement away from the sand, his belongings now in a bag.

"Wuh mi give yuh today, sir." He said in his thick Bajan accent.

"I'll just have a small sprite." He looked through the wallet, only full of hundred dollar bills. His search for loose change was impossible and when the bartender returned with his drink he stood there; waiting.

He passed the one hundred dollar bill and the boy sighed as he began ready to collect the change.

"Keep the change, for yourself." Lance said as he took his drink, and took a sip as he looked at the table; wondering what she could be up to right now.

"T-thank you..." The young bartender said as she took the money and kept some for himself.

He frowned as he looked at Lance's expression, not understanding why someone who seemed rich could be sad. If he was throwing money like that, he clearly had more than showed.

"sir..Yuh okay?.." He knew he wasn't but he needed to at least comfort and talk to him, afterall, it was part of good customer service.

"No man.. But I'll be good."

"Who she  is?" The bartender questioned, a smirk on his face.

Lance instantly looked up, puzzled. "How'd you know it's about a girl?" He instantly felt creeped out.

The young man laughed, shaking his head as he wiped the table counter with his cloth.

"Mi nuh fool..I can see de pain in yuh eye. Heartbreak." He said as Lance shook his head.

"I'm upset or whatever.. But she ain't break my heart man.." He shook his head again, in attempt to convince himself. "It's not that deep."

The bartender shrugged.

"If yuh say so."

There was an awkward silence before the bartender disappeared for some minutes.

Lance sighed, figuring his attitude had annoyed him and set him away. He didn't blame him he could understand why and it was all his fault. This wasn't him; he was never this drowsy and down in the dumps. Lance was completely out of usual character, something he was never used to. He didn't know how to enjoy the last days of his vacation feeling this way.

Moments later the young man came back with a wide smile on his features. He'd figured the right thing to lift his spirit. Once again in front of Lance, he placed the flyer on the table as  Lance looked at him and then down, reading the flyer.

"Come party with us..." Lance read outloud. "The best Caribbean-Dancehall party. Hosted by the best Djs, providing the best dishes, don't miss this summer jam experience."

When he looked up Lance smiled at the man for a moment as he thought about the party. If it weren't for him he didn't know how he could enjoy his last few days here.

"Wuh you staring for boy? You coming or naht?" He questioned.

Lance laughed as he nodded. "Yeah man, I'm down. Definitely coming I'm leaving the day after so it's a must!"

Lance held out his hand and the bartender took it as they did a handshake and fist pumped.

Shortly the bartender had to leave, due to customers needing to be served.

"Hope to see you there." Was all he said before he headed to the other customers.

Lance finished his drink, now heading back as he began to think of what he was to wear on this special night.