Her Light

VII

"Why was walking your best option?" Lauren complains as they trudge the last stretch to the marina. It's within their view, and that makes Camila feel relieved, wiping freezing sweat off her forehead.

"Did you have any better ideas? Oh, yeah, you didn't." Camila sticks her tongue out at Lauren. She crinkles her nose to hide childish laughter at the immature gesture.

Lauren sways slightly away from Camila in her step, rolling her eyes as she gravitates back to her. "I mean, we could've boughten a bicycle or something. You're all muscle-y, you could've biked us here."

"And then what? Kept the dumb bicycle on the boat with us?" Camila retorts, shaking her head. "It wouldn't have been practical. Plus, I want to save as much money as possible."

"I told you after this, I'll pay you back for everything. That would've included the bike if we would've gotten one."

Sounding incredibly genuine, Camila hums at her words. But then a thought strikes her mind like a chord on a guitar. Does that mean after this, after they get her boat and belongings back, will Lauren leave? Will she go and just be a fond memory Camila will clutch to when she can't sleep at night? Glancing over at Lauren, she's afraid of the answer.

Which surprises her, actually. Years of solitude and she's worried about some pirate leaving her after almost two months of knowing her? Some would call her soft and easy, but Lauren is her friend. Lauren is the only person Camila likes having around. But how much longer is that going to last?

Camila's head clears once she smells the salt air waft to her. Her eyes focus back in on reality and finally, they've reached the marina. Her parents used to make trips up to this marina with her, this marina was actually the place she tried out for a crew at... and was denied.

Lauren speaks loudly beside her, putting any incoming negative thoughts to a halt. "It's been fucking forever—"

"It's been three hours."

"—but we have made it! This is so pretty, Camila. Is it even open, it's like 7 in the morning?" Lauren asks, her pupils enlarging to soak in all the beauty the scenery has to offer.

Camila will admit—beside from the somewhat rocky history—the view is absolutely gorgeous. She isn't sure what's so different about this compared to the last view, but the boats rocking rhythmically on the surface of the water, basked in golden sunlight breaking through the clouds, the water lapping at the docks, spilling over and wetting the wood. The seagulls squawking, flying overhead and landing down in the ocean, pecking at the ripples. It's very scenic, Camila can appreciate that.

With another look around, Camila does pick up on something different, however. No one is here.

"Shit," she grumbles. "It might be closed. Let me go check the store sign."

Hurrying after Camila, Lauren grabs onto the belt of her book strap as they run. Passing over from earth to sea, their feet echo and knock upon the dock, stilling when they reach the front door.

Closed. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"I hate it here." Lauren grumbles, rubbing her eyes. Camila is disheartened, as well. Two whole hours to wait until they can continue their expedition.

"That's... that's okay." She tries to stay optimistic. In fact, she's feeling optimistic. The longer the marina is closed, the more prolonged any more human interaction is. Camila allows herself to sink into her comfort zone for the time being. "Here, let's lay down on the beach for a while."

Begrudgingly, Lauren follows Camila off the dock and onto the beach adjacent to the dock and marina. It's made completely out of rocks and pebbles, but Camila finds a nice spot beside a boulder. Sitting down with her legs out, she leans her back on it. It's bumpy and hard, but damn, she's exhausted.