BEGAN: Our Story

Chapter 2: Why're You Yelling?

Chapter Two

Levi

"You're really going away?" she asked, facing the ocean, not even looking at me. I didn't mind though. Her face was kinda blurry anyway.

I could do nothing but sit cross-legged on the sandy shore and look at the horizon in front of me with tears running down my face. Before running away, waves of deep royal blue crept towards me, only to repeat the process in a loop that caused salty water droplets to spray on my naked, sand-encrusted feet.

But there was something much more spectacular and breath-taking beyond those magical waves: the sunset. Beautiful smudges of lavender, turquoise, and a fiery orange mixed together to create a sight so incredible it made me forget all my worries.

For the time being.

"Yes," I nodded. "They found out I called the orphanage and now they have to send me back."

"...It's all my fault."

"Yeah, it is," I joked. It was my decision to call them after all, she just gave me the idea.

Apparently, she didn't get the joke and bluntly stared at me.

I felt my cheeks warm at this. "Sorry, I was just kidding."

She stared back at the ocean. "Is it slightly even better? ...The orphanage?"

I thought about it. "No. But at least I went to school and wasn't forced into child labor."

She nodded, agreeing with me.

"...Are you ever gonna come back?" she asked, now playing with the sand.

I shrugged. "I hope so." I really hope so.

"Come back when you're rich."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why?"

"My dad told me to marry a rich man or else he won't give us his blessing. He wants me to marry Evan but Evan doesn't like girls."

"Oh. Okay."

"You better not forget me," she threatened.

I gasped. "I could never! How can I forget someone so adorable?" 

She didn't seem to appreciate the sarcastic tone.

I hugged my knees to my chest. "Can I ask you for a favor though? "

"Sure," she answered.

"...If i come back...can you make the first move? ...Approach me first? ...I'm too much of a coward to do so myself."

She smiled. "Of course. I was going to anyway. But only if you promise me something."

I quirked an eyebrow. "Which is..."

"Promise me you'll marry me when you come back."

I shook my head. "No thanks." 

She glared at me and I felt the corners of my mouth go up a bit. "What? Why?"

"You should marry someone you love when you grow up," I grinned. That's what Isen used to tell me.

She scoffed. "That's not true. My parents are married but they don't love each other."