Natural (Disaster)

The Party

Mia

This party is so... mind-numbing. I had made it through the day, and most of the party with minimal incident. Our parents finally left about half an hour ago, which meant I was finally free to do whatever I wanted to.

Finally, I gave in to my impulses, tossed my cup down, and headed down the sandy beach path. The grass along the edges of the sand was tall and I let it brush through my fingers as I walked, heading closer to the water and farther from the noise.

The silver moon’s kiss lightly caressed my face; it swept across the ground and reflected off the gentle waves as the wind gusted, causing a few larger ones to crash against the shore. The water's lullaby is deafening, drowning out everything else, and it soothes me.

Everything glows in the silver light that the moon casts over this world. I’ve dreamed of a place like it many times. I have let my mind fade away into the deepest thoughts I have and into an imaginary world much like this one, but this time it’s real. I can feel it with my very being and I know it's not just in my mind. Nothing in my mind ever feels this real.

I haven't felt like this in a very long time. This was the one thing I was actually looking forward to after the long drive and long day. The worst part of Normal was the feeling of being utterly landlocked, with all the large bodies of water being hours away. I allow myself to feel the energy of tonight running through me.

It’s a warm night for May on the beach, but you can still feel the slight chill leftover from winter. The cool breeze rushed through my hair, making it rise and fall around in soft waves. I let the soft scent of this new environment the breeze carried reach my nose, so crisp I could almost taste them on my tongue. The wind made my face sting a bit after a while.

I can’t tell you how long I just stood there listening to the sounds, the waves coming and going, the wind brushing through the light leaves on the trees around the shoreline, making the tall grass rustle, and my own soft steady breathing. My breathing came in puffs, softly tinting the air with a slight fog that faded just as fast.

I took my shoes off so that I could feel my bare feet in the sand. The ice-cold water not yet warmed by the sun rushed up and stung my toes every few seconds, but it didn’t bother me. I like the chill, in many ways it feels right. This is where I belong right now; this is my world. In every way and even with all its flaws, this place is my utopia.

“I love it here” I breathed out.

“Me too”, I jumped a little as a voice from behind me caught me off guard. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you! I’m Sam” she said as she stepped forward, brushing her red blonde hair behind her ear and extending her hand. The softness in her smile was soothing. I don’t know what I felt as she looked at me so genuinely, but for once in my life, I didn’t hesitate for even a moment.

“You can call me Mia” I replied as I took her hand and our eyes met for the first time. They were like pools of warm amber, inviting, safe, and captivating.