The Beach

I sat on the same piece of drift wood looking out at the ocean holding back tears and watching the waves crash and come in, looking for someone I feared I'd never see again.

One month before

“Do you have to leave?” I asked hoping his answer would be different this time. He didn't answer. We sat on the beach in silence, my head resting on his shoulder. The sun disappeared behind the water.

“I have to go.” he said as he stood up, it was the same thing he said every time he left.

“When will I see you again?”

“I don’t know…”he stood there thinking, “soon.”

We hugged, and he disappeared into the darkness. I walked home cold and lonely.

“Ding, ding, ding,ding….” My alarm woke me up early, I got up, got dressed and walked to the cafe across the street to get a coffee and croissant.

“Iris is that you?” my best friend Adalie was walking toward me.

I looked up and gave her a smile. “Hi.” She sat down across from me.

“I couldn't tell if it was you or not.” She meant it as a joke but I didn't laugh. “Are you okay, you look as gloomy as the rain clouds outside.”

“I'm just tired.” I lied.

“No you're not. talk, i’ll listen.”

“Fine….i…i was with Kai last night.” Addie got quiet, I tried reading her expression, but I couldn't.

“From what I've seen, every time you see Kai, you look sad afterwards.”

“You're right, but I can't leave him…” she cut me off “He’s able to leave you, maybe you should just dump him. I know it would be hard but then you could go to the beach without looking like a depressed puppy.”

A week went by, addie kept saying the same thing, i really want to do what she told me to but i can't.

I went for a walk on the beach hoping that he would show up. The sun started to set. I turned around to go home and there he was, as handsome as ever walking toward me, his hair blowing in the wind, I ran toward him. We hugged, I leaned into him and I embraced him like I would never let go.

“I missed you two.” he said, i stepped back blushing. He grabbed my hand and we started walking farther down the beach.

“Why…why do you always have to leave, why can't you ever stay longer. We don't work if I only see you for a couple hours a week if even.” I probably sounded like i was complaining but I needed answers.

“I cant… you cant know.” he wanted to tell me i could hear it in his voice.

“Why can't I know?” he was silent, a few minutes passed he stopped,

“We won't work IF you know.” I stayed silent trying to figure out what he meant. “Here, I want you to have this,” he took off the shark tooth necklace that he always wore and put it around my neck. “Always wear this and I will be with you.” I held the tooth part between my fingers.

“It's so pretty” there was blue and green sea glass and tiny pieces of wood strung around the tooth. I took off one of my bracelets and handed it to him. He smiled as he put it on.

The moon was shining and there were thousands of stars in the sky. We walked by the water letting the waves lap at our feet. We walked almost all the way to my apartment when he said the words I dreaded to hear.

“I have to go.” he turned around and walked back towards the water.

It felt like years before I saw him again. My life was flat. Adalie would brighten it when she was around, but she was really busy, with her college finals and work. I walked on the beach almost daily hoping he would be there, but with no luck.

I was getting lunch at a coffee shop on the water thinking about kai. I slowly chewed my muffin and sat there wondering where he went, and why he always had to leave. I finished and grabbed my purse and headed to the door. It had gotten crowded.

“Excuse me” I pushed through the line of people. Unfortunately I ran into somebody. He started to turn around.

“Sorry” I said walking away before he could see me.

“Iris! Wait!” just my luck the guy i ran into was calling my name. I turned around to see who it was. And there was Kai walking as fast as he could in the small crowded shop. I smiled and waited for him to catch up.

“Iris, I'm so happy to see you.” he said as he embraced me.

“So am i” we walked farther down the promenade.

“Kai, I need to know why you always leave.” He didn't answer me. “Kai, can you tell me anything? Please, I need to know.”

“I’ve told you iris you can't know.” he sounded sad.

“Kai, look at me.” I waited til our eyes locked. “What can't you tell me? Do you need anything? Are you okay?” he looked away.

“Meet me on the beach tonight.” and without looking back at me he walked away.

I sat down on a bench to process. That was the first time he told me when I'd see him again, and also the first time I'd seen him in a store. I usually just meet him on the beach near my apartment.

That night after the sun had already set, I grabbed my sweater and walked to the beach, I didn't see him, I watched as the few groups of couples and friends went home. I walked along the beach wondering if he had decided to not come. Then i saw the silhouette of a guy sitting on a big piece of drift wood, I walked toward him, and there was kai looking past me into the huge grayish blue ocean. I sat down beside him. I let him talk first.

“Iris, you're not supposed to know.”

“Why?” i asked nudging him to say more

His answer was short “Laws.”

“What laws?”

“My people's laws.” I waited for more. “I’m not like you Iris.”

“I love you but my people forbid out of species romance” I got quiet, not understanding. He leaned over and kissed my cheek. I wanted to stay there forever sitting next to him listening to the ocean, but he got up, helped me up and led me to the water.

“put your hand into the water.” I leaned down and touched the water. He put his hand into the water next to mine, his hand instantly turned a grayish blue. I took a step back, shocked.

“We’re different,” he said calmly.

“But….” I was lost for words.

“I love you.” he said, grabbing my hand, I stepped closer and hugged him.

“I love you too.” he pulled away ever so slightly then leaned down and kissed me. We stood there, his arm around me looking out over the dark and mysterious ocean.

“I have to go.” he looked at me sadly and ran into the waves.

A few days later I sat on the same piece of drift wood looking out at the ocean holding back tears and watching the waves crash and come in, looking for someone I feared I'd never see again.