It is early morning. I roll over in my comfy bed. The one that was made for me upon my arrival. The sheets smell like water and hotel. The smell can only be described as that for I don't know a better way. I wake up without a worry on my mind other than getting my swim suit on. But, for some time, I just stare out the window of the balcony in my white, soft sheets. I feel the heat from the sun already and I am not even outside yet.
I hop out of bed an grab an ice, cold water out of the little, black fridge. I know I will need it after being on the beach all day. I then grab my bathing suit and throw it on. My bottoms are black and have strings that you can tie on the side while my top is a tealish, blue. It is lace-like and points like a V at the middle of my ribs. I figure this will make me look less bloated after I eat, which is a regular thing for me. I rub copious amounts of sunscreen on my nose for that's where I get burnt most. I feel the coldness from the can hit my legs, arms, and shoulders, grab my shades and pack a small bag of water, money, along with my cellphone.
I feel light, like I have no one to impress. I have no one to make happy but myself. I walk out of the hotel, as I shut the door the chlorine smell from the hotel's pool sweeps past my nose. The sun is beating down already and it is only 8:00 am. But, it feels so good. It is like a warm blanket on a cold night, very comforting. I hit the boardwalk and the sun begins to feel uncomfortably warm and that's when my eyes dart towards the water. It's so blue and loud. The waves are kissing the sand in the most rhythmic, relaxing beat. My body begins to crave the ocean.
Off come my flip flops and on comes the burning sensation in my toes from the heat of the sand. However, just as my skin feels like it's going to melt off, my feet melt into the softness of it. It's as if I can feel every grain massage my skin. My bag lightly hits the sand and my legs move faster. My eyes are darting towards the only thing that ever makes me calm, the waves.
As soon as my toes caress the wet sand, I hear the waves rolling towards me. They invite me in deeper and deeper. My body rocks with the waves. Back and forth, back and forth gently riding with them. I am nothing in this moment, I think nothing and feel everything. Little seashells and crabs bounce off my thighs. Somehow even in these moments, feel calm and out of control. The waves take me where they want and I allow them to. The sun balances out the chill I feel from the water. The air smells fresh and I taste occasional salt from my lips touching the water when the waves become too large. I hear small children laugh in the distance and it makes me think of being a child. Everything being so simple and enjoyable.
I wake up...
I am in Johnstown, sitting on the couch with my puppy dreading a final I have to take tomorrow. Beach, come take me away.
