Elena
I was back at the party before anyone realized I was gone.
There were people sunbathing, soaking up the dregs of what would probably be the last warm day. An intense game of volleyball was taking place at the far end of the beach. Sandcastles had been built. It was a picture-perfect party, something my younger self might have been envious of.
There was a beach chair not far from the volleyball match that I commandeered. I watched as the ball was served, set, and spiked from one side to the other. I couldn't help but notice Jeremy caught my eye a few times. He spiked the ball with such incredible force, it left a crater in the sand. His team erupted in cheers, but it wasn't him winning that surprised me, it was how quickly he came over to me once the game was over. His teammates
