What Is Love?

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The day after my date with Austin I wanted to be alone.

It just felt like one of those days.

One of those days where you don't want to really talk to anyone or even be around them. Even of you love them all.

I dressed in a grass green, button up tank top with two breast pockets, a red, plaid button up where the sleeves go to your elbows-I left it unbuttoned, black skinny jeans, and black studded combat boots.

I left a note for Alex that I was going for a walk and grabbed my phone.

It was still pretty early and it was a work day, so I didn't expect many people out as I walked out my front door.

I didn't exactly have an idea where I was going, I was just going to walk, go wherever my feet take me.

A half hour later I walking the shoreline on the beach.

As I walked I watched the handfuls of people around me.

A few people were in the water surfing or body surfing, there were a couple young kids playing in the shallow water with their parents, some kids running away from the rolling water coming towards them.

People on the beach were either sunbathing, throwing a football around, kicking a soccer ball in the sand, throwing a Frisbee to each other or for their dog.

It was quiet calming for me.

The smell of salt in the air, a small breeze slightly tousling my hair, the sound of laughter and children squealing in excitement, the crashing waves on the rocks.

I hear this just about everyday, and its still calming as it had been the very first day I moved here.

I got so lost in the calmness around me that I jumped when my phone went off.

I pulled it out and saw that it was Austin.

I thought about not answering, but thought against it.

"Yes, sir?" I answered with a playful smile on my lips.

"Are you OK?" He asked.

I could hear the worry in his voice.

"Yes, why?" I asked.

I was walking towards the pier, but I wasn't planning on going on it, I wanted to go under it.

Nobody ever went under there, but it was a make out spot.

That was usually at night though.

"I'm over at your house and saw your note," He said.

"OK, but why would you think something is wrong?" I asked.

All I had said in the letter was: 'Going for a walk, be back soon. Love Riley'

Nothing in that says something was wrong.

"Riles," He said using my nickname he gave me when we were kids. "I know you, what's wrong? I'll try to help."

I sighed.

"Too many thoughts," I said finally.

As I walked past one of the giant poles that hold up the pier, I placed my left hand on it, and kept walking.

"About?" He asked gently.

I took a deep breath.

"Everything," I said releasing the breath.

"I'm pretty sure its improbable that your thinking of everything," He said.

I could hear a small smile in his voice, which made me smile.

"You have always managed to make me smile, even when I don't want to," I said.

He chuckled.

"Its my specialty," He said.

I was in the center of underneath the pier and stopped walking.

I faced the ocean and just looked out over it.

"Want me to join you?" Austin asked me.

"Austin, I love being around you, but at the moment-"

"That's OK," He said cutting me off.

I didn't hear any disappointment, only understanding.

"Can I at least know where you are?" He asked curiously.

"Somewhere beautiful at this time of day," I said.

"That's everywhere at every time of day if your there," He said.

A goofy smile stuck to my lips.

"So cheesy," I replied.

"You love it though," He retorted.

Humor filled his voice.

"I live it everyday, every moment, especially if it involves you," I said.

He laughed and so did I.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a moment.

I opened my mouth to say something, but a small click sound behind me stopped me.

I froze.

"Turn around," A female voice said behind me.

"What?" Austin asked on the other end of the phone.

Before I turned around, and without taking my phone away from my ear, I moved my thumb and made it so Austin could hear us, but we couldn't hear him. Then I put it on speaker.

"Turn around," The voice commanded again.

This time I knew who the voice belongs too, without turning around.

I turned around slowly.

When I turned around fully, I was staring into the barrel of a .22

Sorry its short

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