An Archway on a Beach

The archway looms over her, tall, imposing and covered in clusters of soft pink and white roses, it’s rather daunting after everything that has just happened. She rubs her raw cheeks, the feeling of tears still there despite the lack of fluid left in her eyes. Tomorrow was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, she was supposed to marry ‘the one’. Right now she would have been attending her rehearsal dinner but instead she is sitting under the elegant archway on the beach, hugging her knees to her chest as she embeds herself in the sand. Her, now ex, fiancée had asked for the engagement ring back after they broke her heart but she refused and left them there with their hand outstretched. That beautiful sapphire embedded in expensive silver is currently on its way to the bottom of the ocean. She knows it’s cliche, tossing the ring into the sea, but she understands why the women in the movies do it, it really does feel liberating. However that feeling didn't last long and she was soon sobbing her heart out on the white sandy beach the day before what should have been the best day of her life.

As the sun began to set, the blue sky turning orange and quickly turning black, she realised everyone around her had cleared and she was alone. She lifted her head to look out over the water, it was dark now and looked like the depressing bottomless pit that was currently crudely carved into her heart. She stood, a little uneasy on her feet and light headed. She sways a little and her vision blurs with exhaustion. Something catches her eye.. or perhaps it was someone… or perhaps she’s going crazy and there is nothing there at all. But it’s getting closer, if it’s real then it’s a person. They’re walking out the water, carrying a… plank? Under their arm…. No wait, it's a surfboard. They’re a surfer.. They’re getting closer, they smile… they wave. She looks behind her, there is no way this surfer is waving at her, but there is no one there. She looks back and the surfer is jogging through the sand towards her. She backs up a little.

“Hey! Don’t run.! I’m friendly! Promise.!” The surfers voice is light yet husky, rough but comforting. She stops retreating and stands still in the sand, waiting. The surfer discards their board in the sand, grinning wildly as they slow to a stop in front of her. Even damp and in a wet suit they’re beautiful. She wasn’t sure if it was the vulnerable ‘break up brain’ but this surfer was truly stunning, their wet curls reflected the moonlight and their features were all soft curves and inviting. They smile. “no one is ever here when I get back, it’s nice! I feel like I’m being greeted” The surfers smile makes her blush, she can’t help it. She should feel awful for wanting to move on so quickly, society would call her every horrible name you could call women but… the surfers lips looked so enticing. She never thought love at first sight was real, she always thought she’d need a connection to ever fall in love but this surfer could scoop her up and whisk her away and she’d be totally fine with it. “So uh..? Do you talk? Or are you just going to stare at me?” They smile again and her heart leaps, and oh god she’s just been staring!

“I.. I talk.. sorry.. I” Her voice cracks, raw from the crying. “I thought I was alone..”. The surfer smiles at this.

“Me too… but we have each other tonight..” The surfer seemed to be looking at her with the same adoration. “Perhaps this is fate… I nearly didn’t surf tonight… but I’m glad I did now” They step closer and reach and hand out to cup her face, she can’t help but lean into the touch.

“Fate.? Maybe…” She nods and her breath hitches as the surfer leans closer.. is she really about to kiss a stranger? Yes.. yes she was. The surfers lips brush hers and they’re kissing on the beach, under the floral archway with gentle waves crashing in the background. It really was a magical moment that no one was ever going to believe, but it happened and it happened to her when she needed someone most..