* * * *
‘Now this is what life is made of,’ Nick thought to himself as he walked down the beach. ‘No worries, no stress, just me and the ocean.’ It had been weeks now since the wrap up of his tour, and Nick had finally adjusted to sleeping in and having nothing to do but please himself. No more interviews, early morning rehearsals, or late nights in the studio. It was vacation time. Smiling to himself, Nick thought about the past few days he had spent with his brother. Aaron had flown in for five days, and the two did nothing but laugh together and race on Nick’s wave runners. ‘I’m so proud of him, he’s really growing up.’
The cool water of the ocean swayed under Nick’s feet. Looking up he lost his breath at the sight of a million stars lining the sky. ‘How do I ever manage being away from the ocean for months at a time? It’s so beautiful here.’ Step by step Nick continued down the beach. He was getting farther and farther from his house, but it was just too peaceful to turn back. Ahead Nick saw the outline of a girl sitting alone on the beach. ‘Hmm, maybe I should turn back, I really was enjoying this time alone’ Nick thought, but as he got closer to the girl he began to recognize her. Though he had only met her twice, he could never forget her gorgeous long hair. ‘That’s that girl from the restaurant. Gosh what was her name... Haley? Heidi? No...Hannah! Yea, Hannah.” For a moment Nick stood there watching her, he should say hello but remembered how she always blew him off. Suddenly Nick realized that something was different now, he could hear the faint sound of her crying. He watched as she hugged her knees to her chest and stared out at sea, as though she was looking for something.
Nick turned to head home, but something told him to turn back. Slowly he approached her, but she still did not see him. She was so small and vulnerable. Standing behind her, Nick reached out and touched her shoulder.