Secrets in the Sand

Maya: Hi, my name is Maya Anne Walsh. I’m 16. I live very close to a small beach. I have always loved the beach, and have always been fascinated by its beauty. Almost every night since I was 10, I have snuck out at midnight just to sit and clear my mind. The beach is so beautiful at night. It’s silent, except for the sound of the waves and a few animal sounds here and there. When I was about 12, I started writing down secrets and thoughts, or sometimes drawing how I feel. It’s kind of like a diary that nobody will ever read, since it gets washed away with the tide every morning at about 8:30, half an hour before the beach is open. Derek: Hi, my name is Derek Joshua Peterson. I’m 17, and I work as a lifeguard at the beach, which is practically right next to my house. I love the beach, especially in the mornings. It’s just so peaceful. That’s why I always take the morning shift. I normally get there at about 8:45, so I can sit there in peace before I have to open. Kayla: Hi, my name is Kayla Melody Black. I’m 16, and don’t even know why I’m still alive. I want to kill myself, because I know the world is better off without me, but I guess I’m just too weak to actually go through with it. I’m fat, even though I eat barely anything, and I cut myself. The only good thing in my life is my best friend, Maya. She is really nice and amazing, and I know I don’t deserve a friend as amazing as her. She’s the only thing that gets me through the day.