Seeking Solace

I closed my eyes and sighed loudly, although it couldn't be heard. It was lost in the sounds of my three older siblings screaming at each other. There was no way I could read my book here.

I stood up and walked out of the room for some peace and quiet. I walked until I got to the nearby beach. I looked at the setting sun emitting rays of orange and yellow. I abandoned my shoes and ran down the sandy hill, welcoming the cool air.

I sat down on the cool sand and attempted to read, but I heard the waves splashing as they hit the shore. It's like the ocean was calling me. I set the book on the sand and ran towards the water. I jumped into the water even though I was wearing my clothes and no bathing suit. My baggy gray t-shirt  with my nickname – Tyler – on it flowed in the water. I was probably ruining my jean shorts but I didn't care; I could always get new ones.

I swam through the cool water, feeling refreshed already. I felt so much better than I would have if I had stayed in that house.

I must have fallen asleep, because when I opened my eyes again, it was no longer sunset, it was almost pitch black outside. I didn't panic though because I could always just walk back up to the house since it was right above the beach.

I climbed out of the water and shook my short boyish brown hair to get rid of the water. Suddenly I saw a lantern appear around a corner. I wasn't sure who was here and I wasn't that fast of a runner, so I took a deep breath and crawled as quietly as possible into the water. My eyes were wide open in the water and my heart was pounding.  The person turned towards me and I got a look at their face.

He had medium length spiky blonde hair and sky blue eyes. He looked startled when he heard me climb into the water. He looked as panicked as I felt. He started to walk closer to the spot I was at and sat about two feet to the left of me. It was dark so he couldn't see me in the water even though I wasn't that far out, only about 3 feet.

Who is he? And why is he out on the beach in the middle of the night? I wonder, I thought to myself.

I was so focused on my thoughts about him that I didn't notice it at first when my lungs were begging for air. I instinctively reached my arms above the water, making a small splash.

The boy's eyes widened and he made a surprised sound that wasn't quite a scream. He ran into the water and grabbed my hands, pulling me out of the water. We walked to the shore and the sand stuck to my feet.

I coughed, gasping for air. I could have died if it weren't for him. Sure I was in pretty shallow water, but you can die in water, whether it's shallow or not. As long as you can't get air, you'll drown.

"A-Are you alright?!" he yelled, patting my back to help me stop choking.
"I-I'm okay," I said, coughing a few more times. "I must look like a stalker."
"Just a tad, but I suppose we all have those moments," he laughed awkwardly.
"Well you can think I'm a stalker if you want, I don't care," I said, walking away.
"Wh-what? I don't think you're a stalker," he said, running after me.
"Okay, that's your choice," I told him while picking my book off of the sandy ground.
"You wouldn't even mind if I thought you were a stalker?" he asked, confused.
"Eh, not really," I admitted, walking up the hill to get my abandoned shoes.
"Wow, you're strange," he told me.
"That may be so, but I like the way I am," I said, slipping  my flip-flops back on.
"Well...that's good," he said. "I'm Damek."

He reached his hand toward mine and I grabbed it with little hesitation.

"Taylor," I replied, shaking his hand. . "But I hate that name, so everyone calls me Tyler,"
"Strange nickname," he told me. "But I like it!"
"Thanks," I replied.

I normally don't talk to strangers, but this boy gave off a soothing feeling. Plus, he had just saved my life, he at least deserved a few words.

"Oh and thanks for saving my life," I said, smiling calmly.
"Oh! You're welcome! I was just glad I could help!"
"Well I guess this is goodbye!" I said, shaking his hand again.
"Okay! See you tomorrow!"
"T-T-To.....you're coming tomorrow?!" I yelped in surprise.
"Yeah, I just figured we should see each other again!"
"....Sure, why not?" I said, grinning.

I had been searching for solace, and I guess I had just found it!