Autism

Preface

I sit on the dock near the beach, dipping my toes in the water which had been polished a royal purple, my favourite colour. My headphones are on and the sweet, beautiful sound of Coldplay is coming out of them. I'm sitting here alone and feeling the breeze fly through my hair and I can't think of anything else I would be doing in this particular time.

I live my life with Autism and a mild intellectual disability. It has never bothered me and I wouldn't ever want to live without it. It makes me special and a good different, but sometimes I have a hard time finding myself. I know that it will come clear to me sometime soon but unfortunately at this point the only option is just to wait and have patience.

Deep in my thoughts, I look over to the beach and observe the people making the most of their day splashing in the waves and building sandcastles alongside enjoying the ice cream. There was just something about doing that which seems very relaxing.

Suddenly, I feel a tap on my shoulder and quickly turn around to see who is trying to ask me something. As soon as I slip off my headphones, he starts to talk to me.

'Do you mind if I sit here with you,' He asks. 'Or if you would prefer to sit alone, I completely respect that. It just seems like such a nice and relaxing view here.'

With a smile, I pat the spot next to me and he sits down, crossing his legs and looking out to the distance. This was definitely a surprise since not many people wanted to just sit with me. Usually it was for a conversation and not just complete silence like right now.

'One thing I like about just sitting up here is that I can just relax and just forget everything for a second,' I say as he looks at me. 'It's basically just a escape from reality for me.'

He nods in response, simply closing his eyes and I do the same. It's so much easier to hear the tide coming in and out and to focus on the cool breeze whipping my hair all over the place. 'I can see why you like this place.' He comments, his eyes still shut.

I smile. 'You can come back here anytime you want.'

'Thank you.' He replies.

After a few minutes of being completely still, he talks to me. 'By the way, what is your name?' He asks as I open my eyes and look at him. He had short brown hair with chocolate brown eyes and a nice smile. He looks like somebody I would like to spend more time with.

'My name is Alice and it's nice to meet you.' I grin while shaking his hand with him grinning back at me as he shook it. We look at each other until he suddenly gets back onto his feet.

'I'm sorry but I need to be somewhere soon,' He says with a smile. 'I guess I will see you around if we live in the same area.' He waves goodbye and walks back down the dock until he reaches the sand and walks off.

I wonder if I will see him again sometime soon.