saved | e.d

2

I woke up to the feeling of turbulence. I raised my window cover and saw what looked like we were swimming in milk.

As if on cue, the captain came back on the intercom, "Good afternoon! We are currently descending into Los Angeles, if you would please stay seated with seatbelts fastened. The time currently reads 3:45pm Pacific time. We should be landed and making our way off the plane at 4:00 sharp! Welcome to the west coast!"

I stretched and woke up Chris. He's such a deep sleeper. As we watched the plane get closer and closer to LAX, flying over highways full of traffic and angry drivers, I put my earphones up and smiled.

I've always wanted to come to LA. The people, the beaches, warm air. It all sounded so appealing, like the place where dreams come true. Now, my dream of starting over can come true.

— — —

"I have to go to the bathroom," I told Chris as we walked into the airport from the plane.

"Okay, I'll wait up at that corner and book an uber."

"Alrighty." I suddenly feel my phone buzz a few times. I pull it from my back pocket and see I have one text from an unknown number and 2 from my friend, Callie, here in Los Angeles.

Callie: Hey girl! Your grandparents told me you're coming to live in LA with them!!
This true??!

I smiled and replied back.

Me: Yes!! I just landed, let's meet up tonight and catch up!

I then looked at my text from the unknown number.

Unknown: Hey! It's Matt from Chick-Fil-A. You're probably on your plane right now, but I just wanted to ask if you were hopefully coming back to Atlanta?

I frown. The answer is no, but he was so cute.

Me: Sadly, no. I'm sorry! We were moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Only my brother is coming back for work in a few days.

I changed his contact name to Matt right as I look up and realize I passed the bathrooms when I was texting. Oops.

I walked up to Chris after using the restroom. "Hey," I say coming up behind him, "get an uber?"

"Yep, they'll be here in 20 minutes, so let's get our bags and head to the front!" He said clapping his hands.

— — —

"Where to?" Our Uber driver asked.

We told him the address and he took off. I'm pretty excited. It's been a couple years since I've been here to visit. My grandparents house is beautiful and I miss Callie. We met when I was younger and came for the summer. She's been one of my best friends since. She always texts me about this guy she's been talking to, Grayson. The way she describes him makes him sound like he's such a gentleman and he's "so hot" according to her.

She even said he has a twin and wants me to meet him, but that's all I know about them. Speaking of Callie, she just texted me.

C: Yess!! Can't wait to see u :) Text me when you get settled in and I'll come over and we'll go to the beach !!

Me: Dude I'm down!! On our way to the house right now ;)

Not gonna lie, I was excited to see her again and surprisingly, go to school. Nobody will know me, nobody will know I'm the kid who lost her parents and pity me. I'll just get to be the new kid, which I'm okay with.

— — —

Arriving at my grandparents was one of the most exciting moments in the past few weeks. Getting to see their beautiful pearly white house with the beach across the road in the front yard. Chris and I grabbed our bags from the car and I walked the bags in as he paid. Right as I opened the front door I was instantly embraced by the scent of coconuts. My grandma.

"Oh, Kylie! How I've missed you sweetheart!" She gave me a toothy grin.

"I missed you too!" I say returning the hug.

"Ehem," I hear Chris chuckle behind me. We were blocking the doorway.

"Sorry," I laugh.

"There they are!" I hear my grandpa yell coming in from the living room. "Get over here," he yells and we all create one massive hug.

— — —

Once we all settled in, I decided to text Callie remembering our meetup. As I open our conversation, I receive a text from Matt.

M: Hey, sorry for the late response! I didn't check my phone between the end of my shift and driving home. But hey that's okay! We could still talk and maybe I could fly out sometime.

I smiled. Knowing exactly how to respond.

Me: Haha you're fine! And for sure, didn't know Chick-Fil-A gave its' employees flight-worthy paychecks.

M: Hahahah, me either, but they're going to have to start. I just met a beautiful girl that is so flight worthy.

Me: You're sweet :)

M: :)

I decide to leave him on read and text Callie.

Me: Beach time?

C: Yes! On my way. Be there in 5.

Once Callie got here we changed into bathing suits and some high waisted jean shorts. I brought my camera just incase. I love photography and maybe I can get some new shots for my wall. Walking across the street to the beach felt so good. I missed the salty air.

We laid out a blanket on the warm sand and talked for what seemed like hours.

"So you're doing okay right? You can be honest with me," Callie asked me, referring to my parents recent death.

"I mean yeah. I'm not really ready to talk about it though. In fact honestly I haven't seriously talked about it to anyone. I feel like I cut everyone off, but it's been 3 months. I'm not letting go completely, but they would want me to move on. So that's what I'm going to attempt."

"Yeah, but you know you always have me here." She says with a smile.

"Of course." I say looking out into the distant water.

"I'm gonna go grab my phone to make sure my parents don't text me, it's just inside on your bed. Wanna come?"

"Nah, I'll stay here." Callie nodded and began to walk towards the house. I began to scan my surroundings, spotting a few surfers, and some teenagers that look around my age walking towards the water with their boards down the beach. But a splash of water against some big rocks a couple yards down catches my eye. I grab my camera and walk towards them.

As I step up I see some starfish in the water and on the sides of the rocks. After taking some pictures, I pick one up and scan the features of its body. But I'm too afraid it can't breathe so I reach down for the water.

As I place it in the water. I see another wave of water coming straight towards me. Trying to get off I lose balance. Just as I almost fall into the water. I feel a strong grip pull me back to the sand, holding me steady.

Stunned, I turn around to a beautiful pair of deep hazel eyes. "Hi," he says and smiles.