Dedicated to antisocial_dp2 because she pointed out a mistake in this chapter :)

S a m

"All I want to do is hide. But I can't stop myself from staring." - Standing in the Dark, Lawson

I saw her.

The moment she walked into the room.

She stood in the corner.

Watching the world.

Eyes darting everywhere.

I saw her.

And I couldn't look away.

*

I sit on the stool in the corner of the shop, slowly taking in my surroundings.

The thing I like the most about this place is it's uniqueness: how everything is always different, always changing. There are few, if not no, duplicates. I like how this shop is filled with simplicity and complexity at the same time.

I like how this place shows that not everything has to be perfect to have a use.

"Sam."

"Yes, Mr Jones?" I answer, getting to my feet.

"You can go back early today."

I stop in my tracks, startled by his words. "What?"

"You can go back early today," he repeats, walking towards me. "You don't have to stay."

"Are you sure?" I ask, concerned. "What if something happens?"

He chuckles, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's clear that today would be a slow day. Just go home, Sam. I can handle it here."

"You sure?" I ask again, not wanting to leave Mr Jones for fear of any unexpected situations. "I can stay. I have nothing going on today."

He shakes his head. "No, go. It's summer. You shouldn't spend it cooped up in a shop like this."

But I like it. That's why I come back every summer.

Do you really like it?

Is that really why you come back?

You know the reason, Sam. Stop lying to yourself.

"Thank you, Mr Jones," I answer, uncertainty thick in my voice.

He smiles, clearly sensing this. "Don't worry, Sam. Go."

I nod, making a beeline towards the back room to retrieve my belongings. I swing my backpack over my shoulders and head out of the shop.

"Bye, Mr Jones. Take care."

He chuckles. "It's not like you'll be gone for a month. I'll be fine, Sam. Stop worrying."

I nod. "Will do, Mr Jones," I say as I exit the shop, the chiming of the bells signalling my exit.

My right hand holds the strap of my backpack while I stuff my left hand into my jeans pocket, the left strap of my bag dangling behind me. I don't have the energy or motivation to wear it across my shoulders right now.

That's what you think, Sam.

Stop wallowing in a pit of self pity.

I trudge along the cement pavement, the hot sun beating against my back. I was actually counting on work to take my mind off things today but it looks like that's not going to happen. I guess I just have to find a different way to distract myself.

I let out a sigh, tired of the world and their judgements.

I stop at the end of the street, glancing left. A long row of identical houses lay before my eyes. If I walk further down, I will get to my house. And while my room can sometimes be an escape, it feels too suffocating to be at home right now.

My eyes dart left and right before crossing the road, making it just in time for a car to pass. I continue walking, deciding to take a detour instead. I can't go home. I just need to get out of the house. I need to clear my head. I need to distract myself.

And why exactly?

Why are you so weak, Sam?

You are only weak because you want people's pity.

I walk, keeping my eyes on the ground, not intending on making any awkward eye contact with anyone passing by, and especially not Jasmine.

And who's fault is that?

My ears perk up to the sound of footsteps on the pavement, taking extreme caution too avoid their eyes as people walk past. I stop at the next junction, taking a quick look left and right before crossing the street.

I need to get away. I need to get away as fast as I can.

My steps grow faster and faster and I break into a jog. I go faster and faster and faster and before I know it, I am sprinting through the walkway with only one thought in mind.

I need to get away as fast as I can.

I run, knowing exactly here I need to go. My safe little hideout.

I stop the moment I reach the stairs leading to the only beach in town, removing my sneakers before descending. I can feel my racing heartbeat slow down when my bare feet touch the warm sand. I walk to the far right end of the beach, carefully manoeuvring my way up the huge pile of rocks.

When I reach the top, I head further right until the end, before sitting on the edge. I swing my dangling feet inwards until I find the cool surface of the floor of the small cave formed by the rocks. I lower my body, using my arms as support, until I enter the cave.

I move towards the back of the cave and extend my legs in front of me, leaning against the wall of the cave. I let out a sigh of relief, glad to be away from everyone, my tensed body slowly relaxing.

The best thing about this cave is that it is peaceful. It is secluded enough that you don't here the usual chatter from the beach and yet not far enough that you can easily get there. And no one has found it yet. If they did, there would be names of couples etched all over the walls but there is not a single one in sight.

This used to be the place we would meet when the world got a little too crazy.

But now, it's just me.

And who's fault is that?

Will you ever be able to let go?

I look out towards the vast ocean, glistening in the sun. Beautiful. The ocean has a way of calming a person.

"Amazing, isn't it?" a girl comments.

Shocked, I ask," Who's there?"

"Just nobody," she answers, moving out of the shadows on the other side of the cave.

At first, it's just a silhouette. But as she moves out of the shadows and into the light, I manage to take a good look at her. Her hair is in a messy ponytail, stray locks of hair framing her face. Her eyes are blue grey, like that of a storm, and they look at me as if they can see into my soul. A shiver goes up my spine.

"Are you new? I don't recognise you," I say, hoping that I didn't offend her.

She nods. "Yeah. I'm just here for the summer to visit my aunt." Her voice is soft, almost as if she is afraid to be heard.

"It's nice to meet you." I pause, contemplating my next words. "How did you find this place?"

She shrugs. "I was out exploring this morning."

"It's not easy to find this place."

"I know."

"Then how did you-"

"I guess I'm just good at finding places like these," she replies. She opens her mouth, as if about to say something else, but decided against it.

"Well, welcome to my spot," I reply, not sure if I am very keen on sharing it or not.

Sharing it with anyone else you mean?

"The ocean is nice, isn't it?" she says, staring aimlessly into the ocean, the sound of the waves splashing against the rocks reaching our ears. "When you look out into it's blue waters, it's almost like nothing can go wrong."

She looks at me, her eyes guarded. I nod in reply.

She turns towards the ocean once again and I follow suit. Neither of us continue talking, but it's clear that both of us don't feel the need to. We may both be strangers, but as of right now, each other's company is all we need.

And so we just sit there, in silence, watching the waves to shut out the world, until we need to go back.

[A/N I'm sorry it's short again. But it's getting longer! It's hard writing in Sam's pov. I'm scared I'm not doing him justice. But I promise I'm trying to lengthen it. And now, who exactly is Jasmine? An ex? A childhood friend? And who is this mysterious girl in the cave? I'm sure you know, but I won't say anything. You just have to read on to find out]