The Beach
A staticky voice cracks from a radio stuck in the sand. Rambling off some ad that Lily was ignoring entirely. The hot summer sun dips just below the horizon, casting a gentle glow of light back onto the beach that seems to paint her skin in gold. Lily sits, legs-crossed, with a hand resting on her brow to shield her face from the sun as her eyes dart around. The beach was empty.
Lily stood, a wave of disappointment clouding her face. She grabs the radio and stuffs it in her bag, getting up to leave. As she straightens out her clothes a pale girl, wearing a shirt with the words ‘Sandside Burgers’ written across it in some fancy lettering, comes rushing over.
“I’m here! I made it…” The girl says breathlessly, like she had just run a marathon. Her eyes scan Lily, noticing that she’s holding all of her bags already, “Where are you going?”
“You’re late, Marlene. It’s my last day here and you're late… I’m leaving.” With light scoff, Lily pushes past what was now ‘just a summer thing’.
I guess all summer romances do come to an end eventually… Lily thinks while she walks toward the main road.
Marlene stops her before she could get too far, “Hey, I’m sorry! My shift ran a bit long and I came as soon as I could,” Marlene gently takes Lily’s free hand, “Let me make it up to you?” she asks.
Lily looks away quickly in attempts not to be swayed, “My parents want me home before sunset… We have to start packing for tomorrow-”
“Well we have a bit of time then!” Marlene cuts in, leaving no room for any more excuses.
Lily, with a small breath, lifts her eyes to meet Marlene's gaze. “Alright…” She puts her bag down. Taking out the radio and switching it back on. A familiar song begins to play.
Marlene grabs Lily by the hands, and pulls her toward the shore. Lily stumbled behind her, almost tripping.
Upon reaching the wet sand, Marlene takes off her shirt and wades into the ocean. She motions for Lily to join her. Lily hesitates for a moment before stripping off her blouse and jumping in.
The two splash around in the water together, their laughter filling the air around them. Marlene pulls Lily in by her waist, and the two exchange a soft, loving gaze. Their eyes meet and everything seems to stop. No matter what happens next, they know they will always have this time together.
Neither of them want this to be over already, but they both know what will happen when they go back to school. As Marlene brushes a lock of Lily's hair from her face, Lily's memories of all the time they've spent this summer wash over her. A sense of sadness over having to leave each other sets in for both of them.
“I don’t want this summer to end Marls… This can’t be the last time we see each other…” Lily says, “This can’t be the end.”
A silence grew between them. Lily’s words float in the air for just long enough to sink in before the two kiss, and the memory of this moment becomes something they will cherish forever.