Katherine discovers the mystical oceans that she had guarded every day, drawn to its magic.
While Braderian discovers the joys of the land and begins to abandon his ancient heritage.
WARNING:
Mentions of drowning, PTSD, and violence.
Please do not...
I walked on meekly to my first lecture of the year. All that had happened recently drained me of what little energy I had.
Staying up till 3 in the morning just isn't what it used to be.
I was wearing a comfortable yet presentable outfit, and since the sea breeze made out Septembers a bit more chilly I decided to wear a thicker sweater.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Listening to the shuffle of my sneakers against the sidewalk, and the morning gulls fly overhead. The occasional crunch of sand beneath my shoes was rhythmic.
In my arms, I clutched closely a file of several forensic investigation papers while in my bag I carried multiple textbooks. I was thankful that the university was so nearby my house.
My thought were ended abruptly as I bumped into someone at the cross walk.
"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed and quickly looked up at the person.
"Oh it's alright, no need to apologize."
I gasped slightly but regained my composure quickly. It was Brad, Emerson's son.
His messy brown hair and wrinkle shirt suggested he was just as tired as I am. Looking up into his sea green eyes, I found a glint of recognition.
My eyes darted to his backpack and then back up to him. He must've guessed what I'd been thinking of.
"So it seems we're going to the school huh?" Brad said, gesturing to my bag.
"Yeah, it's my third year here."
"Hm really? Well I hope you could show a newbie like me around."
"Well I'm a little busy," I held my files tighter. "But I think I can find some time to help you."
"That'd be amazing, thank you." He smirked with his last words and we walked to campus in silence.
- After the lecture, I decided to meet up with Brad again. Luckily, he was just outside the lecture hall staring confused at his schedule.
"Hey! Are you still lost?"
He laughs. "Yeah, could you help me figure out this paper?"
I took a look and smiled.
"Looks like we have the same classes together this year! Glad to meet another marine biomes student."
"Ah I see, I hope we get to be good friends this year."
"Me too!"
We exchanged numbers and decided to meet up after lunch to show him around the campus.
I waved him off and walked to a nearby cafe called The Guppy, and took out my textbooks to mark each chapter of the semester.
After two hours, I glanced up to see him waiting outside the cafe, I smiled.
Walking out I saw that Beatrice Solaris had come up to him as well. Her cropped cami and black short shorts showing off all of her.
Quickly striding over I greeted them both.
"Hey Brad, I see you've met Bea!"
"Oh hello, Katt. Yeah I was just talking to her before you walked over. You still wanna show me around?"
"Of course! It'd be better if you didn't get lost." I chuckled softly.
But seeing a clearly fuming Bea, I smirked slightly. She always did try to get with the freshmen.
"W-well I think I can show him around too!" She squeaked out, her face flushing red. I almost laughed.
Brad just looked confused and shook his head.
"I already asked Katt, I don't want to bother you too, Beatrice."
"No no! It's not a bother at all, please let me show you around!" She squealed loudly, her curls bouncing with every word.
Brad visibly cringed.
"No that's alright, let's go Katt."
I nodded along, seeing his discomfort, I walked with him quickly towards the campus. We walked throughout the main buildings and I showed all the halls and auditoriums that our lectures were being held. As well as the marine studies port, a section of the harbor and the beach that was for our major to train in.
He seemed to be slightly upset when we were by the ocean, his eyes were sad and his posture slacked a bit.
That moment quickly passed though as I gave him some advice about this school.
I enjoyed the time I spent with him and my heart swelled when our little trip ended. I glanced over to him to say goodbye when I noticed a familiar tattoo on his forearm.
"That tattoo..." I blurted out.
His eyes widened and he tugged down his sleeves.
"Yeah?" He tried to cover his panic.
"It's just.. your father had one just like that didn't he?"
He winced. And now that I think of it, I hadn't had any appointments with him at all in the past week, I must've been too distracted to notice.
'Shit...my appointments stopped right after Mom's..."
He shook his head and looked down, solemnly.
"My dad's been gone...it's hard to talk about. I don't know when he'll be back. It's a family tradition to get this tattoo, and it's the only thing I have of him right now."
"Oh I see...I'm sorry for bringing it up. My mom's gone too...I'm sure you're still grieving about it."
He simply nodded.
"I'm sorry, I have to go now."
"It's alrig-" He was walking away before I could finish.
