Smells Like Nirvana

Chapter 20

Strange Coincedence

Scarlett slept in, and loved her double pillowtop serta sleep number mattress, so much that she didn't want to move. She gently rubbed her eyes, blinked a few times, then decided she had to get up. After all, she was in Hawaii! She didn't want to spend the whole time sleeping! Scarlett got up around 11, and decided to order room service. She looked over the menu, and wanted to see what Crystal wanted as well, so she decided to check on her.

Knocking on her door, she didn't answer.
"Crys? You still asleep?"
No answer.
Slowly, she pushed open the door, and walked inside. Crystal wasn't there. Scarlett was all of a sudden worried. She began to run around the room yelling for Crystal and when she didn't find her, she decided to call her.

Crystal answered in the 3rd ring.

"Scarlett?"
"Crystal! Where are you! I couldn't find you anywhere!"
"Oh, I... um... well, I am next door at the Hilton... with... with Liam. I left early this morning. You were still asleep. Did you need something?"
"No. I don't need anything. Just, next time... leave a note or something please?"
"Sure thing. I'll be back soon."

They hung up, and Scarlett began to feel sad. Crystal was over with Liam. And the band, and... and with Michael.

Scarlett and Crystal had decided to stay at the hotel for the day, relaxing by the pool, or on the beach since they were right on the shore line, but she wasn't even there to do that.

Finally, room service came,
She had ordered strawberry banana French toast with eggs and coffee for breakfast. She loved it. She sat at the kitchen table, that had a window beside it, looking out over the same view as the balcony. She used her fork to cut her food, and she took her first bite. It was amazing! They had the same thing at her favorite restaurant, but this one was so much better. She closed her eyes, to savor the taste.
"Mmmm..."
She moaned, as she tasted each and every delectable bite.
Opening her eyes, she continued to see the view from her floor. She could see molokini crater. Which is a small piece of land that was turned into a bird sanctuary that people aren't allowed to set foot on, but is a great place for divers to go. They had planned to go there sometime while they are there.
It was created, when the top of a volcano blew off, and landed in the ocean. Making the top of the volcano, now molokini crater.

Her mom had brought her there when she was 11, for her birthday, and they had stayed in this same room. She went snorkeling and fed the fish. They went to Luau's, went on walks, saw the beaches but she was too young to enjoy it. That's why she was so excited for this trip. She was old enough to enjoy it.
She remembered going for a drive, and being so scared on the road to Hana. It is the size of a one way road, on the side of a mountain. She cried and cried, and when her parents left her in the car to go check out the nude beach, that was super boring. However, the concierge knew her by name, because she would go down there to rent movies a lot and get snacks when her parents were out.

She remembered it like it was yesterday. And here she was again.
But older.
But right now, she was alone.
Crystal was where Scarlett really wanted to be. With Michael. She figured they were all hanging out and having fun. He probably wasn't even thinking about her.

She put her plate in the sink, and went to put on her bikini, so she could go out to the beach and relax with a good book.

Sunglasses on her face, and hair in a ponytail, towel and book in her beach bag, she headed down to the beach.

The air was perfect. About 75 degrees, and a light wind.

Perfect

It wasn't too busy out front, lucky her. She found a nice spot and put down her towel to lay down. She smiled at the view, laid down and closed her eyes. Enjoying the sun dancing on her skin.

"Nice suit. You come here often?"
Opening her eyes, she looked into the eyes, of an amazing looking man. His eyes were blue, like the ocean behind him and silky sandy brown hair. He had swim trunks on, and had a chest of steel. He was so tanned she'd assume he lived at the beach.

"Me? No. I just got here the night before last. You?"
"Ya, I'm totally here like everyday! I surf. Do you surf?"
"Me? Well, no. Not since I was younger."
"Oh wow, where are my manners. I'm Brian. And you're beautiful name is?"
"Scarlett."
He knelt down beside her, grabbed her hand and kissed it.

Scarlett blushed. She hadn't had many guys pay attention to her, and if they did, she didn't notice. Her face is almost always, or was always in a book. She was really enjoying the attention.
"Well, would you like a refresher course?"
"A refresher course? On guys?"
"What? No silly."
He laughed
"Surfing."

She thought for a moment. She hadn't done that in so many years, she didn't want to get hurt. She looked at him, and heard shuffling of feet on the sidewalk about 10 feet behind her. She turned around quickly thinking it was Crystal, but it wasn't. It was Michael. She could feel the jealousy.
You could see the regret in his eyes, but as quickly as she saw it, it disappeared. He looked empty.
Cold
Soulless
She didn't want to have fear anymore of what would have been. She looked away from Michael, away from her past, and to her present. And her present wanted her in the water.
She held his hand, as he offered to help her up, and as she stood up, she dusted her self off.
"I'd love to, Brian. Thank you."
And with longing in her eyes, still, she didn't look back. Knowing he was still there, watching her go off into the water with someone else was enough for her.

Michael stood there. Watching her walk away, and wondering... if he was supposed to care.