Chapter 1
A young man with curly brown hair and deep blue eyes stands on a secluded beach in Key West. He wears a white T-shirt with a wave picture on it and blue shorts. His muscular build is obvious but unlike most muscular kids he knows, he's the quietest out of all of them. His hands rest in his pockets as the water covers his feet before retreating back into the ocean just to once again, cover his feet. His calm yet curious eyes follow the waters and waves. Scanning the water, he sees surfers, boats, the occasional dolphin jumping out of the water, and waves crashing against the coastline. Taking a deep breath, the young man smells the ocean. "Um. Hello?" A feminine voice speaks from behind him. The young man turns around and sees a young woman wearing a light blue floral print bikini. She has short blonde hair in a ponytail and left swept bangs with ocean blue highlights. Her eyes are a soft blue and she has peach lips. "Hey." The young man responds. The young woman smiles and asks, "Is that all you have to say? Hey?" The young man holds out his right hand and says, "Sorry, my name's Kael." The young woman grabs his hand and says, "Coral." They let go of each other and Kael turns around, watching the water again. Coral walks next to him with her hands behind her back and says, "Sorry if I spooked you." "You didn't scare me. Just surprised me, there aren't many people who know this place even exists." Kael responds. Coral smiles and says, "Yeah, I just moved here a couple hours ago. My hotel is maybe three miles from here. I noticed this place from my window so I wanted to swim." Kael says, "I'll leave if you want. I know it can be uncomfortable to swim with people watching you." Coral shakes her head and says, "You don't have to do that. You were here before me. Besides, it's nice having someone to talk to." A soft wind begins to blow against them and Coral asks, "Do you come here a lot?" "Everyday." Kael answers. Coral nods and begins to look out at the water. Kael was the first person she met here and he's calm. She doesn't want to annoy him but she has a feeling that he's different from everyone else. Sitting down, Coral begins to watch the water as well. She's loved the ocean ever since she was little but she's never just sat down and actually appreciated how beautiful it is. "So, what draws you to the water?" Kael speaks, breaking the silence. Coral begins to smile but Kael can tell that it isn't a smile of relief or humor. It's one that people put on when they're feeling nostalgic or grief. Coral says, "It reminds me of my mother. She died when I was eight and the last memory I have of her is us on the beach. So after that, I'd find any pond, lake, or ocean and just go swimming. I've never actually sat here and appreciated it." Kael sits down next to Coral, the water briefly connecting them before retreating once more. "I'm sorry. That must be tough." Kael speaks. Coral's eyes begin to glisten as tears form but she just wipes them away. Kael asks, "Can you tell me about her?" Coral looks at him surprised but his eyes are focused on the ocean. Without breaking his focus, he says, "It's just you me and the ocean. I lost my parents in a storm when I was five and my Grandpa took me here and asked to talk about my parents while watching the water. And now, it's like I can connect to them through the water. If you don't want to talk about it, then just reminisce." Coral looks at the water and begins to remember her mother. The two of them just sit at the beach for hours and eventually, Coral falls asleep on Kael's shoulder. The sun is setting and the sky is orange. The ocean is now clear of any people and the sun's reflection reaches Kael's and Coral's feet. Waking up, Coral looks at Kael and immediately turns red before scooting away from him. "I-I'm sorry." She immediately apologizes. Kael stands up and says, "Don't sweat it. I usually don't stay for the sunset but I couldn't leave you here alone." Kael walks off and Coral watches him. He is definitely not normal. Most people would wake her up but he let her sleep.
Making it to a small blue cottage, Kael walks inside and he sees his Grandpa in the living room watching the TV. His grandfather wears tan cargo shorts and a red hawaiian shirt. He's in shape and has short grey hair. "K, you're home late." Kael's grandfather speaks. Kael nods and says, "Wanted to watch the sunset. I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed." "You're not hungry?" Kael shakes his head and says, "Nah. I'm not too hungry." Kael's grandfather nods and says, "Alright." Kael walks to the bathroom and takes a shower before walking out with a towel wrapped around his waist. Kael's grandfather yells from down the hall, "Oh and we have some guests staying here for a few days. I forgot to mention that." "Alright." Kael responds. He isn't too surprised by this. His Grandpa always liked helping people anyway he could. He once saw him give someone his shirt and then two hundred bucks. Kael walks to his room and puts on gray sweats a white tank top with a shark tooth necklace. The doorbell rings throughout the house and Kael walks to the door. Opening the door, he sees three people. A man with dirty blonde hair and a woman with light brown hair. The man wears a three piece suit and the woman wears a sundress. Next to them is the girl from the beach. She wears jean shorts and a yellow t-shirt. "Oh, you're Coral's family." Kael speaks. Coral turns red and says, "I didn't know we were going to be staying here. If I did I would've told you." Kael shrugs and says, "Wouldn't have made a difference. Anyways, welcome." The family walks in and the man says, "I'm Toby. And this is my wife." The woman smiles and says, "I'm Dahlia. Coral's step mom." "My name's Kael and that's my Grandpa Sam. I can take your luggage to the rooms." Kael speaks. Toby looks at him confused and says, "Wait, I thought you guys didn't have any guest rooms." Kael nods and says, "We don't. You two will take my Grandpa's room and Coral will take my room. We'll just sleep in the living room." Dahlia shakes her head and says, "No, we can't kick you out of your rooms." "Why not? The hotel did that to you three. Heh heh heh." Kael's Grandpa speaks while letting out a stereotypical old man laugh. Toby asks, "Are you sure?" Kael's Grandpa nods and says, "We're more than happy to give you what's ours." Dahlia says, "Well, at least allow us to take our own luggage. You guys are offering your home and your rooms, if you offer anything else, I'll just feel bad." Kael says, "Sure, we don't want you feeling uncomfortable." They walk inside and Coral asks, "How big is your bed?" "Uh, I think it's a Queen Size." Kael responds. Coral turns bright red and says, "I don't take up much space, you can sleep in it if you want." "Oh ho ho." Kael's Grandpa teases. Kael says, "It's fine." Coral walks off and Kael says, "Grandpa. You're making our guests uncomfortable." Kael's Grandpa laughs and says, "Maybe, but I guess that means you won't be going to bed early." Kael sighs and walks to his room. Before entering, he knocks on the doorframe and walks inside. Coral looks at him and asks, "What's wrong?" "Nothing. Just grabbing my board." Kael grabs an ocean themed surfboard and a blue surfing leash. Coral says, "I didn't know that you surf." Kael nods and says, "I surf competitively. You can look at the trophies and pictures on the shelf. I'm not that good considering I only get third." Coral says, "You know, I was being serious about you sleeping in the same bed as me." "I don't feel right about what happened on the beach and then kicking you out of your own bed." Coral speaks. Kael sighs and says, "Look, I'll only do it if it'll make you feel better. If not, then I'm fine with sleeping in the living room." Coral nods and says, "Ok then. I'm sorry for bothering you." "No, you weren't bothering me." Kael speaks before walking to the hallway closet and placing his stuff in there. He walks to the living room and lies on one of the couches. Yawning, he starts to doze off and his Grandpa says, "You're serious about going to bed early." "I'm going surfing with some friends tomorrow. I need my sleep." Kael responds. His Grandpa says, "How about you invite that young lady, she's new here and she could use some new friends." Kael shrugs and says, "I'll invite her. It might be fun." His Grandpa smiles and says, "Every time I look at you. You remind me of your father but you act so much like your mother." Kael looks at his Grandpa and says, "Thanks. Just stay off your feet. That jellyfish sting was bad and I don't want you to hurt yourself more." Kael's Grandpa nods and says, "I promise. Just get your sleep." Kael looks at the ceiling and falls asleep.
