A Summer Memory

-Part 1-

There are so many memories here in his small blue beach house. The stairs from the soft white sand up to the balcony where the little restaurant and bar is, not far off from the beach house. One of my favorite memories is when I met him over a very short vacation. Out of all the girls that decided to visit, he took interest in me. I took a seat at the bar again. It's been a couple of years now since everything has happened. I doubt he'll notice me. My hair is much longer and dyed now from dark chocolate to a white blonde ombré ends. I've changed my style since senior year as well. I used to be more into more colorful clothing, but now, I tend to go more dark and cool-toned, mature as some would put it.

"Hello miss, what can I get you?"

"How are your piña coladas?"

"Personally? One of my favorites!"

"Mine too!"

I let out a laugh less loud but more bubbly than before. He always liked my laugh, everyone except myself, of course. I take my drink out on the beach near the clear blue water. I sip on it while drawing in a sketchbook. That's one thing that hasn't changed is my love of art, music, and the beauty of nature.

After a couple of hours of sunbathing and sketching I rip out what I'm working on and fold it placing it under the empty glass of my drink. I gathered my stuff to leave. I wanted to come and see him again to decide whether I needed (rather wanted) to tell him. I wanted to see how he was doing, and if my news would be any burden to him because if it did, I wouldn't tell him.

I reach the boardwalk and look back one last time. My gut told me not to tell him, that it would turn out badly. I spot him looking at the paper I left under the drink. Then his eyes desperately searching for the girl who drew it, the girl that left him all those years ago. But he wouldn't find her the same as she left. No, in fact, he would see that she became so much greater. And in the time of their separation, he too became greater.

I can see his eyes, grey-blue and a spark of green, searching for old me until he stops. He looks at the bar again, then the drawing. He scans the edge of the sand and his eyes lock to mine. I turn quickly to leave, not looking back to see if he'd follow. He did. As I open the car door, I hear him scream my name.

"Catherine! Wait, please!"

I scrunch my face at the temptation of staying, my gut instinct then wrong. My body turns before I can think. I'm looking at the ground then up to look at him and let out a sigh. My hand is still on the open door.

"What do you want Charlie?"

"You're just going to leave? No goodbye? Again?"

"No," I wouldn't, more couldn't, lie to him so I had to turn to the truth, "this time I can stay."

"What? What do you mean you can stay?" He was taken aback. I didn't blame him, honestly, I wasn't expecting it either. I'd never thought I could come back without giving up my dream. It seemed so unreal I convinced myself there was some kind of catch to it all.

"A lot has happened Charlie. We should talk," I paused to gather my thoughts, "if that's what you want of course."

"That's all I've ever wanted Catherine."

He comes closer and pulls me in a hug. He always smelled of saltwater that reminded me even more of the ocean.

"Come on"

"Where are we going?"

"You already know. Or did you forget?"

No, of course, I didn't forget, I couldn't. I shut the car door to follow him, the door that fate wanted closed.

We walk in silence to the place where it all started, a large flat rock that overlooks the ocean. Charlie first found me there admiring the sky. Little did I know what would happen all those years ago. We sit down listening to the crashing waves. No one really knew about our spot, they were all busy sunbathing on the beach.

"Why did you come here, Catherine? From the way you left, I figured you didn't want to come here again."

"I didn't mean it Char, but it was necessary."

"I guess we both learned from it."

"I guess so."

"So how was it? The internship I mean."

"Quite amazing actually. I run my own little business under a larger corporation, that's why they let me say. They wanted me somewhere of my choosing that would inspire my creativity. When I asked them about staying here, they seemed thrilled about the different inspirations. "

"Sounds nice Cat, I'm happy for you." He sort of chokes the last words out. I don't blame him.

"What about you? How's surfing?"

"Great, I'm ranking up in the competitions"

"That's amazing Char!" I resist giving him a hug. I wanted to run into his arms, staying there forever, but I felt I couldn't now.

"So you can really stay this time?"

"I can hardly believe it myself, but yes, I can."

"The sun began to set behind the ocean.

"It's getting late," He stands up, I follow. A smile spread across my face, so amazed at how we could come back together. He leaned down to reach my lips. I forgot how our height difference made this a little awkward. I was 5'1" while he was 6'4". I remember the first time he kissed me was sitting where we were now. He breaks to put his forehead on mine.

"Please don't ever leave again."

"I'm not planning on it, Char."

I smile and lean into another heartfelt kiss. And that, that was a spark of a flame that I should have never left behind.