Someday BEGINs Today

If you have not read part 1 and 2 to this story, then please do so via the following link:

Part 1:

Part 2: By Rowan Finley

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“No way,” Maya exhaled, curling her toes into the sand. “This is not happening. I'm expecting somebody to jump out of the ocean yelling 'Surprise! You're dreaming!'”

Ethan smiled, offering her a sandwich. “Well, if somebody jumped out of the ocean, I hope they bring chips.”

Maya laughed, sweeping crumbs off her jeans. “You don't pixelate AS MUCH AS I thought.”

“Thanks,” Ethan grinned. “I use real-world air as my moisturizer.”

They both laughed, and for an instant the only sound between them was the gentle hiss of waves edging in against the beach. The sun set lower in the sky, tinting everything around them with gold.

Ethan shifted, catching a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye when he didn't think she was paying attention. Maya was, though.

Their eyes met. For a second, there was nothing said. The silence wasn't tense, but it was thick, heavy, filled with the kind of unspoken emotion.

Maya's cheeks flushed pink.

She bobbed out of range and growled, “What? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Ethan smiled. “Just double-checking to make sure you're not an AI hologram. You know. the light's suspiciously too GOOD there.”

She rolled her eyes, laughing. “You're impossible.”

“However, you traveled halfway AROUND the world for me.”

“Yup, and now I'm having second thoughts.”

That made him chuckle, clearly and loudly, and in short time, both of them were in tears of laughter.

The ocean murmured at their side, gentle and teasing.

Ethan stood up and walked toward the water, rolling up his jeans. “Come on, you've touched clouds. Time to touch waves.”

“Oh, no way. I'm good right here, dry and emotionally sane.”

But he splashed a scoop of water in her direction anyway.

“ETHAN!!!” she shouted, jumping out of her seat. “That's it! You're so DEAD!”

She scooped water in both hands and splashed it back at him. The splash hit squarely in the center of his chest.

He took a dramatic gasp. “Did you just assault ME with the Atlantic Ocean?”

Maya was already walking away, laughing. “Maybe! Revenge for my death metal bird jokes!”

Ethan raced after her, tossing a spray of water up the beach. She screamed and ran down the sand barefoot, laughing uncontrollably as he chased after her.

“You can't outrun Florida humidity!” he bellowed, laughing.

“Watch me!” she yelled back over her shoulder, her hair flying behind her.

They ran until their lungs burned and their giggling was harsh. By the time Ethan reached her, he caught her, both of them panting and grinning like children who'd been caught in the rain.

“Gotcha,” he whispered.

Maya's eyes looked up at him, big, cheeks rosy half from running, half from something more.

“You're ridiculous,” she whispered.

“And still,” Ethan teased, “you're HERE.”

She smiled wistfully, sweeping wet hair from her face. “Yeah… I guess I am.”

The sun continued to set, casting them both in golden light and pink. Ethan poured the orange juice into the small cups and offered one to her.

“To new beginnings,” he said.

Maya lifted her cup to his. “And to surviving my first flight and your water assault.”

They sat side by side as the waves sparkled in the fading light, laughter still resonating in the air like music.

It wasn't until there was a moment of silence that Maya whispered, “You know what's ironic? I was so scared the plane was going to crash… but now I guess the only thing that crashed was my FEAR.”

Ethan smiled, lying beside her. “Guess 'someday' finally landed.”

The horizon flared one final time before the sun dived beneath the sea. Maya turned to him, light dancing in her eyes.

“Today started somewhere,” she whispered. “And I think it's only the beginning.”

The waves caressed their ankles, soft and insistent like the beginnings of something lovely, real and a long, long time in the making.

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TO BE CONTINUED…

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Author’s Note:

Stay tuned for part 4 which will be written by Rowan Finley. His profile is listed below: