Strawberry Blonde

三十三

I awoke to the sound of sea crashing on the sand.

The projectors light which showed the end credits of titanic illuminated the space around us.

Looking around, the ocean waters appeared more of a navy blue color and the sky was now a dark purple blanket, scattered with small stars.

The wind had picked up and the salty smell was more pungent then I remember it being.

I tried to get up but a pressure on my chest had me pinned to the confines of the blanket.

A sleeping Laurence was laid across me with his head nestled into my chest and arms wrapped around my torso.

The sight instantly triggered a smile as I softly ran my hand through his silky hair.

My heart thumped at a controlled but heavy pace. One small fateful interaction lead me to something like this, I just can't believe it.

Just then another light caught my attention.

Squinting I could see it was my phone going off vibrating in the coarse sand and my heart sank.

What time was it !? How long have we been here !?

I reached for my phone, slightly waking up Laurence in the process and I had just missed a call from Bee.

19 missed texts from Bee
35 missed calls from Bee
28 missed texts from Mom
50 missed calls from Mom
3 missed texts from Dad
5 missed calls from Dad

I think a light wood casket would really compliment my skin. A yellow themed funeral would be nice too...it's different ! Maybe fireworks at the end of the service.

" What's wrong ?" Laurence said yawning from behind me.

" WHY IS IT NINE THIRTY PM !?" I yelled startling him.

He jumped back confused and then looked at his phone and his eyes widened in shock.

He looked back up at me and I nodded my head in confirmation.

It's almost like we read each other's minds and instantly started to clean and pack away all of our things.

" Laurence can you call the taxi or something !? We gotta move quick !"

" I know I know ! I'm doing it right- my phone just died..."

" HUH !?"

I pulled out my phone and although it was pretty good on battery life I had no service out here.

" Um Laurence...I think-"

" We're stranded ?"

"Yup" I sighed.

We both shoved as much as we could into my school book bag and the basket that held most of the stuff prior.

The moonlight flowed over Laurence's face revealing his sullen expression.

" Hey what's wrong ?" I said gripping his shoulder.

We started to walk through the thick foliage which blocked us from the road.

" This was our first real date and it's ending terribly !"

I grabbed his hand and held it tight.
" This is completely perfect to me. No one has ever done something for me like that before and no one has ever made me feel a fraction of the way you do."

Our shy smiles mirrored each other's until he forcefully pulled me in front of him almost making me stumble.

" Sorry you were about to trip over that sneaker !" He laughed.

I looked down and seen a familiar untied shoe just laying in the dark.
" I can't stand when people just leave shit around and then wonder why the planet is dying, but a little WARNING next time would be nice !!"

He laughed at me as we made our way down the night dark road with my phone flashlight and moonlight guiding us.

"So how long is this walk ?" I asked.

He stayed quiet.

"Laurence....how far away is town ?"

                                 ><•><

After an hour of us walking in pitch darkness my phone finally got a hold of service and I paid for the lyft back to town.

It dropped us off in front of my house and the fear I felt was unimaginable.

The place where you sleep and find security and comfort can hold the same energy as a maximum security prison when you know an angry family is waiting for you behind the door.

A pat on my back cause me to jump and Laurence pulled me in for a side hug.

" You're gonna be fine ! At least you're still alive !"

" The way my parents are, they would probably be more upset that I'm alive and came home this late. At least if I was dead it would be an excuse." I gulped.

" yikes..." he said through hissed teeth.

We turned towards each other.

" So this is the part we say goodbye right ? So how does this go down, is it a handshake ? A fist bump ? Or-

He pulled me into his arms mid sentence.
" There's nothing ever wrong with a hug."

I wrapped my arms back around him and he held on tighter.

I could tell we both didn't want to let go but had to just incase we were being watched from unknown spectators.

As we established space apart he kept his hands on my shoulders and focused on my eyes.

" You're going to be fine okay ?"

I sighed looking back at him then back to my house.

" ....I really hope so"

The stress in me was starting to build and with every inhale I grew more anxious.

Laurence quickly kissed my forehead and then started his walk down the block.

He didn't even look back at me but I knew his face was red and he couldn't stop smiling just like how I was right now.

I shook my head in disbelief biting my lower lip and fighting off my smile.
" Well....here goes nothing."