Love Like the Ocean

Make New Friends, Remember the Old

When I woke up, I was already in their car. It smelt so strongly of smoke it was nauseating. I looked up to see Uncle Frank smoking a cigarette. I tried to roll down the window in order to escape the smell, but it was locked. Instead, I put my sleeve over my nose to muffle out some of the smell. I looked out the window and saw parts of Maine flying by. We passed a nice looking beach. There were children running around and playing in the water. There were parents and teenagers sitting in the sand.

My eyes fell onto one teen in particular. He looks to be about 18. He has long light brown hair. All I could see was that he’s tall and muscular. He was holding a little kid just above the water. Maybe I will like it here.

Eventually we got to the house. Without them saying much, they led me to my room. It was small, but comfortable. At least I moved here during the summer. Too bad it’s almost the end of summer and soon I’m going to have to start my senior year in a new highschool. I can already tell I won’t fit in. Even though I’m from Arizona, I’m extremely pale. I don’t tan at all. I only burn. A lot of these people are also big and muscular from what I’ve seen. I’m pretty short, standing at about 5”7. I’m also very thin.  Lastly, my hair. My hair is brown with a layer of purple dyed underneath it. I get made fun of for it, but I like it. It’s been this way since 8th grade.

There was only one person in my old school who accepted  me completely for who I am. His name is Kayden. He was my only friend until he left. He didn’t return to school one day so I’m guessing he moved. But that was two years ago. I was 15. Just a child. I need to stop thinking about him.

I started unpacking, which didn’t take very long at all considering I barely brought anything. I picked up the snow globe and walked over to the window. I placed it down on the window sill. You can see the ocean from here. My mom used to love the ocean. I sighed and walked away.

I walked out of my room and decided to try to get better acquainted with my new family. However, when I walked over to them and opened my mouth to speak, I couldn’t find my voice. I tried again but I still couldn’t manage a sound. They sat there staring at me like I was an idiot.

“What’s wrong boy, cat got your tongue?” Uncle Frank said teasingly.

I walked past them to the bathroom. What was going on? Why can’t I talk? But then I realized I haven’t talked since my mom died. Maybe now I’m a mute. No. Let’s not call it that. I hate that term. Okay I just don’t want to talk. I walked back out and tried to rush to my room, but my aunt stopped me by placing a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at her.

“Why won’t you talk to us?” She questioned gently.

I didn’t know how to respond, so I held my throat and shook my head. She made an ‘O’ with her mouth and nodded her head.

“I know this must be hard for you,” she said, bringing me over and sitting me on the couch with her, “But our house is your house now. Please make yourself at home and don’t be a stranger.” She smiled caringly at me.

I nodded my head before getting up and walking back to the room. I looked out of the one window in my room. I liked how the light from outside shined through the snow globe.

I grabbed a piece of paper and wrote, “Can I walk down to the beach?” and then walked out to show it to Aunt Claire. She told me I could as long as I was home by 5, which gives me 3 hours.

I went into my room and changed into my blue somewhat skinny jeans and a black short sleeved shirt. Yes, I wear this in hot weather. I’m always cold. I grabbed my sketch book and headed down. I found a nice spot that was less occupied and had a beautiful view of the rocks and lighthouse. I sat down in the warm sand and began drawing. After drawing the rocks and the lighthouse, a volleyball bounced off of the ground and hit me.