SOLACE

twenty-four

       I was tying my wavy hair into a ponytail before Henry comes to our house. I only wore an olive green slip-on dress and a pair of sandals, I was also wearing a two-piece bikini with a tube top underneath. 

The weather was already perfect for our destination and I hope everything is going according to my plan.

At first, I suggested we take the bus on the way to the beach but Henry insisted on bringing his car and so, I didn't argue anymore. I just prepared the things that I needed for our trip before I went down to the kitchen to get the snacks and drinks that I made.

Mom wasn't at home since she also had work during Saturdays, which didn't happen before but we let her be. I was surprised to see Kai also in the kitchen looking for food or something. When he saw me, he instantly scans my whole body and looked at me with confusion.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"Uh, to the beach. Only until before dinner maybe," I timidly replied.

"With who?" He arches a brow at me as he crossed his arms to his chest.

"Quit asking questions. Just text me if Mom comes home, okay?" I countered as I rolled my eyes at him.

"And why would I do that?" He scoffs.

"Ugh, Kai! Just please do me a favor," I pleaded as I pouted my lips.

"Just go, before I change my mind," He mutters with a slight smirk on his face.

With that, I immediately left the house and saw Henry's car parked at the front of our house. I opened the rear door of the car to put the things that I brought. After that, I sat on the shotgun, and Henry greeted me with a smile and a hint of excitement in his eyes. 

"You seem excited," I commented. I also gave him a smile in return as I put my seatbelt on.

"Well, I am," He says as his smile grows into a grin while he momentarily glanced at me as he drove. 

The beach was maybe an estimate of a two-hour drive from our house since we live a bit far from the beaches in our area. That's also why we rarely go to one and this is maybe my first time going again after years. 

The last time I went there was with my grandparents, which feels like a long time ago already. My finger unconsciously went to the ring I always wear in my ring finger. It was a thin gold band with a small crystal embedded on it. A simple ring that was given to me by my grandma as a birthday gift.

I would describe myself as a very sentimental person which is why I really appreciate the small things given to me. I sighed happily thinking of those memories with them at the beach. We already passed by the city and I decided to put the windows down to let the fresh air in.

"When's the last time you went to the beach?" I randomly asked as I gaze at the view we passed by. 

"I guess, last year? It was with a few of my friends from the team," He answered.

"Oh, that seems fun," I replied. Maybe I should ask Cali and Franco to a beach trip soon.

"It was, but everybody got busy because of senior year," He sighs which made me look at him.

There wasn't much traffic during the drive. So, we arrived earlier at the beach and already caught some people leaving. It was afternoon when we arrived and some people go in the morning. 

When he parked the car, we took our blankets and towels and also the essentials that we needed. I was carrying a small bag that contained some snacks that I just made and fruits that I bought from the money I saved for this spontaneous trip.

I decided to remove my sandals before I reached the sand. I left it in the car and we proceeded to walk towards the beach. Hearing the soft waves and feeling the sun lightly touching my skin was very pleasing. I wiggled my toes under the sand while I smiled looking at the beach. 

I looked to my side and saw Henry smiling at me already. Saying that I was feeling genuinely happy wasn't even enough to describe what I was feeling right now. From the far side there was also a family and some few people that were already taking a dip in the waters.

We decided to go a bit farther from the other side and laid the blankets for us to sit on. I released my hair from its ponytail as the wind blows it behind my back. 

I still couldn't remove the smile on my face. It just felt new that I'm now at the beach, enjoying our time peacefully with the person that I like. 

"Thanks for bringing me here. I almost forgot that beaches existed," He chuckles lightly at me. 

I just noticed how good-looking he was wearing a loose beige polo that has three buttons opened and paired with white beach shorts. His skin was almost glistening because of the sun and those eyes, his eyes were the epitome of a perfect view. It suddenly felt like I was in a movie.

"No problem. Technically, you brought us here, though," I jokingly say as I gave him a cheeky grin. I brought out the food I had with me and we started to eat some of it before we go for a swim.

"Have I told you, you look beautiful?" He suddenly says while we were eating. 

I looked at him while I felt my cheeks getting warm, he was biting inside his cheeks as he looked back at me. I was stifling a smile but I couldn't resist it. He turned his back on me and took something from his side.

He then hands me an arranged posy of the flowers I always looked at back at the apartment. My heart beats loudly in my ears as I took it. It was a lavender, lilacs, daisies, and baby's breath. All of my favorites gathered into one.

"I just noticed you always looked at that and thought maybe you'd like it," He explained as he pursed his lips. I didn't even know he even noticed that.