21 SINS IN THE ABYSS

Seashore Furore

Don't say you love me, because then you'd be lying. Don't say you'll hold me, because you'd stab my heart, only to watch it heal for you. Don't ask for my embrace, because you'd push me away.   Only to watch me wither, like a pretty rose. So you could blame my tears on the thorns....

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Athea woke up with a jerk the next morning. The result of an unbelievable yet terrifyingly realistic nightmare. The nightmare was a memory that had morphed into a more devious form of itself in her dream. She groaned. Mornings were the pepper to her cake. Her annoyed expression soon turned into a curious one as she realized that her phone had been pinging all this while. Who in the devil's name would be texting her so much on a Sunday morning? Unless it was.....Yeah it was the broodingly handsome boy who's smirk would make Lucifer want to run away. Ethan. She smiled without really wanting to. The smile turned into a blank expression as she recalled the previous day's course of events. Ethan was probably the type to leave after deflowering you. He obviously wanted something. Nevertheless she replied to his million 'Hi's' with a 'yes?' of her own. She didn't want him to get the wrong idea about her. She wasn't the type of bimbo to lead every Tom, Dick and Harry on. All those thoughts angered her pretty little head. But what came next, was totally unexpected. Instead of bringing attention to her cold reply, he asked her if she could meet him at the beach nearby, in an hour. Before she could ask him why he wanted to meet her, he requested her not to do the very same thing. Apparently he wanted it to be a surprise. 

She shook herself awake and put her hair up in a bun. Hearing no noise from downstairs, she realised that she was alone at home. Smiling to herself at that she trudged down the stairs. She found a note from her mother saying that they'd be away for the day due to some work. Apparently Blaire was over at a friend's place for a sleepover. She ate some cereal for breakfast and went for a shower right after. She dressed into a teal spaghetti top and paired it with white Hawaiian shorts that had teal blue flowers printed on them. After getting the keys of the house, she strapped on light brown flat sandals. 

The beach was within walking distance and she reached within ten minutes. Even still, she was a few minutes late. She looked around to try and spot Ethan. He didn't show up even after 15 minutes. She checked her phone and found out that he had sent her a text saying that he wouldn't be able to make it. The swim team decided to have sudden practice apparently. She gave the text a weird look and replied saying that it wasn't a problem. Feeling the cool wind against her exposed skin, she decided to stay on the beach for a while longer. She sat on the sand and put her feet into the water. Her toes curled and dug themselves into the soft sand. She decided that it was time for her to go back. Just as she was about to leave, she saw a figure about a few meters away. It seemed to be a man. In his early twenties maybe. He was leaning on to his bike and taking a smoke while enjoying the view. He had a black leather jacket on and his hair was tied into a short ponytail. After stubbing his cigarette on the sand, he looked towards Athea. She realised that she'd been staring and started walking back home. 

She locked the door and made her way up the stairs to her room. Seeing that they didn't have any assignments, she started doing some extra work and listened to some songs. She spent her afternoon watching videos. Her evening started with a text from Ethan, asking her to meet him at the beach. For real, this time. 

She made her way out the house again. It was pretty dark for 6:00 pm, but she didn't mind that at all. She made her way to the beach yet again. This time there was a small fair / carnival like place set up a few meters away. She wondered how they had set it up within 5 hours. But then again, she hadn't really paid attention to her surroundings in the morning. She sent a text to Ethan saying that she'd meet him at the fair. She walked to the fair and started looking at the various stalls. Food, games, jewellery. There was everything. Something caught her eye.

 A shoot-the-balloon game. She walked up to the stall and paid. Luckily she'd brought her wallet. There wasn't anybody else waiting to play, so she got right to it. The balloons had points on them. Most were numbered '1', few were numbered '2', there were three '5' ones and a sole '10'. If one managed to score 25 within 8 turns, then they'd win. Her arms steadied themselves with the gun and shot the balloons. She managed to score 7 within 4 turns. At her 5th turn, she was aiming at the '2', but by fluke she ended up shooting the '10'. 8 more points to go with three turns. With a '1' , a '5' and a '2', she reached the total of 25. She smiled cheekily at the store owner and he grumbled and gave her a stuffed tiger toy that was almost as big as her. 

"You've got some skills girl". She turned around to see who it was. Expecting Ethan, she turned around with a sassy look on her face. But it wasn't him.

"Oh it's you! I saw you at the beach today morning. On your bike...?". She said with a smile of embarrassment.

"Well, you say that like it's a bad thing. Do I look that scary?"

"Eh I- uh no! It's just that I was expecting someone else".

"Who's this lucky someone eh?". She blushed red at that.

"It's nobody , really".

"So I'm a nobody to you?" Ethan had made his appearance at the stupidest of times. 

"Nooo! Of course not. Let me explain". Her words were ignored.

"He's your boyfriend?" Both of them said at the same time.

Athea facepalmed at that. The other two looked at each other with wide eyes.

"Listen up shitheads, one of you is a friend and the other is an acquaintance who's name I don't know. That's it. End of story."

"Where are my manners? I'm Charlie. Charlie Abaddon. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He said with air quotes.

"My name is Ethan Hollisters. Lovely to meet you, sir." He bowed.

"So we're doing the whole Disney thing?". She fluttered her eyes and said, "I am Athea Adelyn Nyx. Pleased to meet you". She ended with a bow. Being the clumsy girl she was, she tripped over. 

Charlie held her shoulders and said, "woah princess". He smirked at Ethan and held Athea longer that he should have. 

Sensing the tension in the air Athea said , " Ethan and I really gotta get going. It was nice meeting you Charlie. I hope we'll see more of you!". 

"Speak for yourself", Ethan mumbled.

 He then trapped Athea by the wrist and took her to his side. Ethan's turn to smirk. She looked at him with an angry expression. When she turned to see where Charlie was, she realised he wasn't there. He was gone...and he'd taken his leather clad glory with him.

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Heyoooo!!

It's been so long. I was on a semi hiatus coz of my studies. I'm sorry this chapter was kinda shitty. I've been in a weird mood. Tbh this book is becoming like too much of a 13 Reasons Why thing and I don't want that. For some reason  fearisadesireoflove wanted the main character to win a toy tiger at a shooting game and that's what we see. Anyways that's all for now.

Byeeeee. ILYSM <3