Where The Waves Can Take Us

Chapter 1 - Summer Heartbreak

A few weeks earlier...

I watched Dad drag my suitcase into the back of the car as I yawned my way out of the house. Good thing I only brought one for the check-in and a backpack that I will carry myself on the plane. He closed the trunk and walked back in my direction. He's wearing a black hoodie and his pajamas, which I suspected that he did not bother to change into something more publicly appropriate since it's three in the morning. He had his glasses on and his black hair had some turning white already sticking all over the place.

He closed the front door behind me and helped me carry my backpack. I entered the front seat as he put my bag in the back. As I waited for him to enter the car, I couldn't help but stare at the house in front of us. All of the lights are dark except for one window. It was the window in their second-floor hallway. I would always look out that window to see if Dad's home from work, otherwise I would be having dinner at that place.

Dad finally entered the car and drove off. With only four hours of sleep, I stare at my plane ticket that is tucked nicely in my passport so I wouldn't just be dropping it anywhere as I drag my entire body through security. The last thing I want is for security to mistake me as a dead body as I accidentally crashed into the X-ray machine.

I tried getting more sleep inside the car but to no avail because of Dad's loud music as he also tries to stay awake at this ungodly hour. He can't blame anyone but himself for booking a ticket in the early morning, so he has to be the only one who can take me to the airport two hours before my flight!

"Your phone! Do you have it?" He suddenly snapped. I shot my head up and glared at him. I just know he almost trailed off while driving. I already suggested that I should just book a taxi but he'd rather crash the car than see me drive off with a stranger at 4 in the morning.

"Yes," I groaned. I lean my head at the car window with my cheeks resting on the strap of the seatbelt.

"Airplane ticket?" He asks.

I sighed. "You're the one who gave it to me before we drove off." Dad has been doing a roll call of everything I needed since yesterday. He kept asking for my passport and my debit card, so I ended up giving everything to him so he would stop looking for them. He then gave it to me as I entered the car, but he talked about nothing but going through the list of what I brought.

It's not my first time traveling alone, as the first time was when I went to Indonesia by myself to visit my older brother, Jacob, for his birthday. Today, he's also the reason why I'm flying alone again. For my 18th birthday, he gifted me a ticket on his cruise. Since the ship is currently in the UK, I have to fly there to get to him. The trip would be ending in New York, so he thought it would be good for us to do some bonding time there before I returned home.

After hearing that I'd be on the cruise for 11 days, Dad was nervous and tried convincing Jacob if I could only stay for a week. I had to prove to him that I was going to be fine as my brother tried to ignore his pleas.

I heard him chuckle. "Sweetie, let's chat for a while to keep ourselves awake. How about that?"

"Are we even near?" I stared outside and couldn't see anything as it was still dark.

"We're close," he stares at the dashboard with the GPS on. "What are your plans? Will you go surfing?"

I shrugged. "I don't know what to do there."

It was quiet for a while. I heard him sigh. "You will be having fun there. I heard there's miniature golf there. There's also musical theater. You love those!"

I smiled. "Just because I don't know what to do doesn't mean I will be miserable there," I sat back up and faced him. "I think it would be good for me to just enjoy the ocean breeze."

"Okay. But you have to be careful! Stay off those railings—" he started again.

"Yes, Dad. I'm going to be safe. I promise," I stop him before he starts overthinking again.

We both saw the welcome sign for the airport. "Dad, can you drive home safe?" I asked, changing the subject.

He slows down as he tries to find a spot near my gate. "I'll just get to Starbucks and I'll be okay," he says as he pulls up the emergency break.

I exit the car and Dad takes my luggage from the back. I grabbed my backpack before shutting the car door. "Are you sure? I'm more concerned about you driving for another thirty minutes than my 15-hour flight with a layover," I said.

He pushes the luggage towards me. "I'll be okay. I'll text you when I get home, so you better text me when you arrive in Dubai and when you arrive in London," he reminded me.

I nodded and hugged him. "Sure thing. I love you!"

He hugs her back. "I love you, too. You have fun," he kissed the top of my head before letting me go. I waved at him as I started walking to the security. "Don't be bothersome to your brother while he works!" He screamed and I lower my head as I spotted a few heads turning in our direction.

I approached the security guard and handed him my passport. "Farah Mae Lim?" I nodded. He handed back my ticket and my passport and I proceeded through the security checks. My mind remained empty as I boarded the plane. The flight attendant led me to my seat and I quietly sat down as I looked out of the window. The sun wasn't up yet but it was getting a little brighter. The plane finally took off and I just continued to admire my city as we slowly disappeared into the clouds.

It was a good thing that I brought my iPad to keep me company for the dreadful flight. Although I tried to keep my eyes shut for the first ten minutes of being on this aircraft, I failed to make myself go to sleep. I truly love Jacob but he honestly loves giving me complicated presents. Last year, for Christmas, he bought me a gift card for a buffet and I could take a friend, so I brought Dad. I had to convince him to drive for two hours just to get to this restaurant, but I couldn't complain as the food was good. For my 15th birthday, he gifted me something from the stock market which I refused to understand, so I secretly passed the complicated gift to Dad. Now, he wants me on a cruise that he sails which dock in the UK, so I have to fly there!

As I tried to look for a movie to watch to get myself to sleep, I came across a downloaded show that I don't recall downloading. I read the title and felt my heart tighten. It was 'Friends', Grayson's favorite show. I closed the iPad and just stared at the window. He probably downloaded it three weeks ago when we went on that water park trip with our friends. He sure knows how to get through my stuff without me knowing.

Grayson...Grayson James. I started to feel even more awake as I thought of him. My best friend of eleven years, his name is Grayson James. Not only is he my best friend, but he's also the person I have been secretly crushing on since we were thirteen. I remember how much he used to hate his Mom's vegetable snack pack that he always had for lunch, so I would mostly eat it. I remember how we would play in the school playground until our parents picked us up. I remember how we would stay at each other's homes whenever our parents are out. I remember how he defended me from Henry Tucker, who used to pick on me during 6th grade. That's when I developed a crush on him.

We were classmates up until high school. It was when he started getting into dating. I remember how he introduced me to Brenda Cooper who hated me for apparently hanging out so much with Grayson. Grayson dated four girls in a span of a year and most of them were popular girls in school. It is no surprise, as he is very attractive, especially when he started going through puberty. He got even taller and his voice sounded pleasing. Despite the fact he was over the moon with the girls he dated, I still liked him without him knowing. I never wanted him to know, as we are just friends, but I felt out of place whenever we hung out, so I also decided to get myself into dating regardless of my true feelings.

I turned 18 two weeks ago. As the only daughter, Dad and Jacob arranged a huge party as a celebration of my legality. While Dad was making a fuss about the invitations, the only thing I had in mind at that time was whether or not I should finally confess to Grayson. He also turned 18, two months earlier than me. I thought that maybe if we are already at the right age, we could give each other a chance. We've been hanging out for eleven years, went to a lot of places, know each other's secrets, and even share our stuff. I believed that we would work.

When the party ended and my friends were waiting for their parents to pick them up, I pulled Grayson to the balcony of the hotel ballroom. I mustered up all the energy and confidence that was left in me that night. I told him...and he immediately said no.

I didn't finish what I was supposed to say but the second I told him that I like him, he immediately said no and walked off. He was stern and his eyes were dark. His jaw was clenched as he was trying to connect the words I was saying that were leading to my confession.

That night was the last time I ever saw him.

I bit my lip as I remember the nights that I tried calling him. I apologized. I even went to his house but his little sister, Grace, always told me that he was out. I regret confessing. I regret that I even liked him in the first place. I haven't seen him for two weeks and I have been a mess. We haven't gone more than two days without talking to each other. We just live across from each other!

"Miss, are you alright?" I turned to my side and saw a concerned expression on the flight attendant's face. I blinked a couple of times and felt tears streaming down my cheeks. Good God, I'm crying again.

I wiped my tears. "Yes," I croaked.

"Would you like a glass of water?" She offered. I nodded and she walked away.

I stared at my hands as I started to fidget with my beaded bracelets. What if I truly lost Grayson? Am I still his best friend?