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Elena tapped her foot restlessly and waited on the beach. She watched the seagulls swoop down to grab fragments of littered food and the pink sky with the pale, yellow sun as its feature. Some surfers were already on the water picking up the waves.

Come on, come on, where are you? She panicked.

Her heart was beating at the rate of the propellers of the ferry that was docking at the port. She heard footsteps approaching behind her. Elena turned around to face Andreas who was smiling from ear to ear.

"Hey. I'm sorry I'm late. Had to get some things done for my next tour."

They looked at each other for some time trying to capture every small detail about one another. Andreas saw the camera around Elena's neck.

"We should take a picture together," Andreas smiled.

He walked over and stood behind her. He snapped the photo and handed Elena the camera.

Andreas pulled out a novel from his backpack quickly. "I wanted to meet you to give you this book. Now, you can finish The Alchemist. I think you'll find the ending to be exceptional."

"But, I can always get one from my library," Elena frowned.

"I want you to have this one. This one is special."

Elena nodded and took the book from his hand, sliding it into her backpack.

"Thank you."

"I don't want you to go, Elena," Andreas suddenly said. "I'll miss you."

Elena's heart already ached for him. "I'll miss you too."

"I have a strange feeling we'll meet again," Andreas grinned. "At least, I hope so. And if we don't, it's been an honour being your friend. There's a reason we met. Don't you think so?"

Elena nodded as the ferry's horn sounded again. She could see Andreas was hiding disappointment behind his smile. It was subtle, but she could tell.

"I have to go now," Elena said, heavily sighing.

Those five words had hung in the air like an elephant in the room and they were finally acknowledging them. Andreas took a deep breath and nodded. Elena bid him goodbye and walked over to the ferry. Everyone was climbing on.

Elena looked back at Andreas as he stood with his hands in his pockets watching her leave. She captured his dimples, his thoughtful eyes, and his wise personality.

Andreas looked so defeated. He couldn't make her stay. The next group of hikers was gathering on the beach and Diego was waiting. He stood on the sand looking at Elena for a long time.

"Aren't you going to go?" Elena asked him, turning around.

Andreas shook his head and smiled. "Not yet."

Andreas was sadder than he expected he would be. He enjoyed talking to her like he had never talked to anyone before. But, he had a lump in his throat, and couldn't convey how he felt.  Andreas watched her board the ferry and walk to the top deck. The ferry began to move parallel to the sand and Andreas walked side by side, trying to spend every last moment with Elena.

She watched the new group of hikers, jealous of them. She wanted to take the hike again just so she could walk with Andreas through the valley of flowers and watch his playful green eyes and curious expressions and listen to his knowledge about the red-capped manakins. How badly she wanted to leap off the ferry and run towards him.

"Page 24," Andreas smiled and winked at her. "It has something special."

Elena laughed. "You're full of surprises, Andreas."

He grinned and shouted over the sound of the ferry's horn. "Don't read it yet though! Only when you get home."

Elena nodded, excited to see what was there. She promised to herself that she wouldn't open it right away even though the suspense was eating her up. The ferry was slow and Elena was grateful for that. She wanted to fill the silence with as many words as possible but was paralyzed. She couldn't believe she was leaving Andreas. Suddenly, her emotions overwhelmed her.

"How am I going to do this without you?" She asked, leaning over the railing.

"Is there anything you can't do?" Andreas smiled at her.

The ferry picked up speed and got further away from shore. They waved at each other, each trying to suppress their passionate emotions.

"Elena!" Andreas said over the sound of the propellers.

She looked at him, waiting for him to say something. The fog was descending and it was getting harder for her to see Andreas.

"What is it?!" Elena shouted.

Andreas panicked. He couldn't get himself to say the words out loud.

"Andreas!" Elena shouted again.

Andreas stood there, completely frozen. The seagulls were fading out his voice and so was his image through the fog. The ferry was getting further.

The misty fog became denser and completely covered the beach and Elena could barely see through it. The horn of the ferry and the sound of the propellers cutting through the salty water cut off his words.

Her heart sank. She was so mad at the fog. How could it get in the way today? Andreas was fading away from her and would soon turn into a memory. But, there was a space in the dense air in which she could see Andreas momentarily. She could see he was wiping a tear from his face. She could still see the wisps of his curly hair. He waved at her and then faded into the fog as a Caribbean ghost.