11:32 am The Beach
Brielle ran straight on like a gazelle, her beautiful curls bouncing on her shoulders.
“I have to get my seashells!” Brielle screamed. Andrew and I patiently waited for her to collect her shells, and then decided we would help. We searched the whole beach, like scavengers, to find sea shells beautiful enough to satisfy her standards. We each grabbed about 10 shells for her pick from, varying from black to an off white. Brielle’s luminous face lit up like the sun and tears rushed to her eyes.
“Thank you guys, I love them so much.” Smiles came across our faces after seeing her so happy.
She caviled through the shells, picking out her favorites. With Brielle having to stay at her Dad's so much she has not been available to spend extra time outside of school. Andrew had recently been awarded a high position in his youth group, so he had been too occupied with that to do anything. The day was special, and the people were special.
12:14 p.m. The Restaurant
The ringing of the bell that went off when we opened the door to the pizza place represented the first distinguishing sound of Spring Break of my junior year. Andrew and Brielle’s craving for meat on their pizza disgusted me, but not enough to ever say anything. It was just a benign joke that they would buy the bacon and ham covered pizza in spite of my vegetarianism.
“Can we sit in my spot?” Brielle importuned. Never being able to disagree with her, we both nodded and made our way to the corner of the restaurant. I slide in so Brielle can sit on the right side of me, as her OCD tells her she has to do so. I look across into Andrew's eyes, and they never seize to amaze me. The sight of fresh blue paint engulfs his eyes. The warm cheese pizza smothers my mouth, bringing me back to the good times of summer.
1:44 p.m. Lighthouse
“Should we walk the rocks?” Andrew asked.
“It’s about a mile long.” I said reading the plaque that explained everything about them.
“Can we please, it is so much fun, I promise.” Brielle exclaimed.
We embarked on the journey of the rocks that rested on top of the ocean. The wind blew at, what felt like, 20 miles per hour. The passion Brielle had in her eyes for the rough waves overcame her. I stood watching her as she dreamt of becoming one with the ocean.
2:15 p.m. Nature Walk
As we were about to set out on the nature walk to see what sights Long Beach Island had to offer, Andrew made various different innuendos, and Brielle and I both recognized that he was a child. Admiring the impeccable flowers and bushes, the railings of a tiny bridge stood next to us. The initials of couples were carved into the wood, with hearts drawn around them.
“Give me your keys.” I asked, sticking my hand out to Andrew.
“Why?” He retorted.
“Just do it.” Knowing not to ask again, he handed them over. With a strong grip, I carved the initials A, B, and T into the railing. In that moment we realized we didn’t need anyone else in our lives but each other.
“I love you guys” Brielle said as her voice cracked. Her eyes became waterfalls, and we stood in silence for a moment, admiring the love that was felt in the air and garnered memories.
3:54 p.m. Bridge to Nowhere
Andrew’s concentration on the long dirt road ahead of us gave me a sense of comfort that I would never be able to explain. The car became as taciturn as a library. The breathtaking view of such an aesthetic bridge that led absolutely nowhere took over us all.
“Let’s go.” Andrew whispered like a mouse. We stepped on to the base before the bridge where sea glass had layed and graffiti covered walls stood. Analyzing the remake of Nirvana's album cover, I fell in love. It wasn’t the sound of the waves that stole my heart, or even the art. It was the feeling of comfort knowing that I was surrounded by my favorite people. I fell in love with the moment. We didn’t need anyone else, because we had each other, and that was plenty.
4:41 p.m. The Woods
Pushing through the knives that were the thorn bushes, that seemed to bother not one of us, we left Andrew’s car on the side of the road. We sat together in silence taking it in. We became surrounded by the trees and together, we became apart of nature. Time began to pass but we stood still.
5:43 p.m. The ride home
The vibrations of the old car stereo ran up my spine as Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” played. My heavy eyes opened to see my best friend with his one hand on the wheel, and his other resting on his lap. A rush of gratefulness flowed over me, for being able to spend the day with the greatest people with whom I haven’t seen in a long time. I turned around to see not only my best friend, but my person, drifting off into serenity. I could no longer fight my body’s impulse to shut my eyes and dream about the day I had just experienced.
I rose my heavy eyes to see Andrew staring at the road with a poker face, and Brielle now gone. The sun burnished through the window. Andrew sensed my staring and grabbed my hand. The hand holding was nothing romantic, just a symbol of knowing that he, and Brielle, are my forever friends. I finally let my exhausted body take over me and I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
