SOLACE

twenty-five

       "I love this," I gave him a thankful smile and he returned it with a sigh of relief.

"I hate to say this but, this is actually the first time someone gave me flowers," I added as I looked at the flowers he gave me with a smile plastered on my face.

Someone actually gave me flowers? Am I dreaming?

It sure felt like it. I was already thinking of ways how to preserve it because I want to keep this forever with me. The first time an actual guy gave me one. 

"It's also my first time giving someone, flowers" He countered while scratching the back of his head shyly. I chuckled at him while I kept the flowers in my hand.

"So, what's with the flowers? Is there a special occasion?" I asked teasingly.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything," He softly says. 

"No worries. I have to thank you for a lot and one of it is for always being there for me," I replied, while looking at our view and burying my feet on the sand. 

"You don't have to thank me for that. You're the one doing me a favor for giving me your company," He chuckles lightly.

"Stop flattering me, Henry Wright!" I playfully rolled my eyes at him. 

One more flattery and I might just confess my feelings to you.

I stood up and slowly removed the slip-on dress I was wearing before I turned to face him who had his lips parted a bit. I giggled at his reaction when he looked away.

"Let's go! We're taking a swim now before it gets dark," I say, offering my hand to him.

He holds unto my hand as he stands up and removed the polo he was wearing. I looked away as he was unbuttoning because I might look like a creep. I admit, he has a good body. He had toned biceps and flat abs that could give him hundreds of contracts from modeling agencies with his six-feet tall body. 

He had smooth, olive skin and mine was a shade lighter than his. When he dropped his polo, we walked together towards the shore. I couldn't avoid my eyes from looking to his strong biceps and the muscles in his back that shifted with the slightest movement from him. 

I appreciated the waves for a moment and some few birds passing by in the air. The smell of the saltwater reaching my nose. I looked at him as he observed me. 

"Whoever goes the farthest wins, okay?" I challenged him. I smirked before I walked through the water before swimming underwater.

As I raised my head out of the water, catching my breath, I looked around for Henry. I was already a bit far from the shore but I can still see our stuff.

I jumped away when I felt a hand on my foot and Henry resurfacing in front of me. He bursts into laughter when he saw my frightened look.

"Okay, that's a bad joke! I was really scared," I grunted.

"So, who won?" He says as he put an amused smile on his lips.

"Were not even that far yet," I answer before swimming away.

When I was already a bit far from the shore and Henry following behind, I saw that the sun was starting to set and I had the perfect spot to look from. I tried staying afloat as Henry stayed beside me. 

"Look how pretty the sky is," I mumbled. It had purple and orange hues as it slowly sank down.

When I looked at him, I caught him looking at me already. His lips were in a thin line and looked like he was thinking a lot. I gave him a small smile as I chuckled.

"What are you thinking? Why do you look so serious?" I teased.

"I don't know if it's obvious already and honestly, fuck this. I just want you to know I like you, Adeline," He stuttered as he said the first few words. His eyes showed that he was nervous telling me this.

"And I'm really scared because this is the first time I liked someone this much and I really thought I couldn't see you as more than friends but here I am," He continuously rambles. 

He was panting when he finished his sentence. My lips parted in disbelief and I blinked, not knowing what to say. So, instead I just closed the distance between us as I put both my hands to his jaw and pressed my lips to his.

I felt the surprise in his body when it became tense, but then he relaxed as he parted his lips and kissed me back. His arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

"You and me both, Henry," I mumbled as I grinned at him in between our kiss. 

After what felt like an eternity, I didn't know if it was mine but my heart was racing. I had this fuzzy feeling in my stomach when I backed away from our kiss and looked into his eyes.

His eyes creased when he smiles at me and I also gave him a smile in return. All I felt this day was pure bliss. I gave him a tight hug before we returned to the shore.

I wrapped a towel on my shoulder before I laid down my back on the blanket. Henry took his phone and played a soft acoustic song. I turned my head to him as he gets his sketchpad and a pencil with him. 

I towel-dried my hair before I stood up again to go to the shore. I wanted to collect some shells to bring home because I don't know how long before I have my next beach trip. 

I crouched down to get some of the shells buried in the sand. I glanced at Henry, who had his head down to his sketch pad, and his eyes focused on what he was doing. I collected a bunch of small seashells before I returned and sat beside him.

"Look what I found," I greeted him. I showed him the shells gathered in my hand and smiled at him like a proud kid. He chuckles at me as he shook his head. 

He returned his eyes on his sketch pad and saw that he was drawing on what looked like a person. When I looked at it closely, I realized it was me that was in the drawing.