Twice The Trouble

Chapter 67: Sophia's Denial

Sophia

I arrived at the White Sand Beach just as the sun began its slow rise.

Wow.. the sky was a stunning palette of blue, pink, orange, and yellow. I marveled in the scenery and relished the fact that I was the only person here for the time being.

The beach is simply beautiful. It has fine white sand that stretched for miles and crystal-clear waters that change with alternating shades of emerald and azure.

I stepped closer to the waters and squinted into the distance, my gaze flying to the incredible cove  also known for its beautiful limestone rock formations that form a unique cave.

A fair amount of tall coconut trees were scattered around the massive beach. And as far as my brown eyes could see, there were no signs of jagged rocks or corals or seaweeds on the seabeds.

I automatically touched the bridge of my nose but I just remembered I left my glasses at home.

"Okay, Sophia. Time to relax." I squatted down and unzipped my green backpack, then I pulled out a medium-sized beach blanket decorated to look like an empty aquarium and splayed it out and over the white sand. Then I sat on it, bent my knees, and reached inside my picnic basket for a bottle of water because I felt thirsty.

Twisting the cap open, I drew the bottle closer to my dry lips and I emptied half the contents.

What was going on with me lately? I've been feeling easily tired in the past months.

I reached inside my basket for a sandwich and chewed it while admiring the environment.

An hour, maybe two, had crawled by. From time to time, I would scoop up fistfuls of sand and had been fortuitous enough to find some sand dollars.  I also created different sandcastles and strolled the beach on my bare feet.

I walked around on nude soles while one of my hands carried my pair of brown slippers. A salty breeze blew into my face. I closed my eyes, taking in the tranquility of this little part of the world.

It was hard to tell, what happened next: Did I take a nap on the sand or had I collapsed?

But when I fluttered my brown eyes opened after what felt like a lifetime, I was sprawled on my beach blanket with my right cheek pressed against the sea-blue fabric.

"How did I get here?" I said with a grunt, rubbing the side of my neck as I pushed myself up.

"Don't strain yourself, Sophia," I heard someone advise me.

A groan escaped my lips as I flipped over and leaned my elbows on the blue blanket under me.

"What.." I squinted blearily at him. "..are you doing here?"

Tall. With boyish black hair. Gentle brown eyes. He wore a blue hoodie and dark yellow shorts.

Lucas told me: "I arrived four hours ago."

"That doesn't really answer my question, but alright." My arms and knees felt heavy, but why?

"A smart girl once said to me," he began. "'Never underestimate the healing powers of three things--music, the moon, and the ocean."

I made a face at him. "Wait. Four hours? Have I been asleep that long?"

"Sophia, you fainted." Lucas helped me properly sit up, and I feebly thanked him.

"I did?" My head felt light and sore. I cupped my forehead. I wasn't running a fever.

The look he was giving me was full of concern and I lowered my brown eyes to my hands.