My alarm blasts from my phone and I feel tired as hell. My head's giving me pains and my eyelids were about to fall over my face.

Last night was such a long night and we were so close to the fucking on the beach! This was all I dreamt about last night. What would it have been like if we made love in the sand?

His big hands grabbing my ass and tugging on my outfit, ripping my clothes off as our kiss grows more intense. Our skin is dusted with sand and seashells stick to our bodies. In that case, I wouldn't mind a little sand in my eye.

Instead, while we did the tongue wrestle and tug-of-war with our clothes, Cass calls for me outside of the restaurant. She was so loud that a few festival attendees were hollering for her to stop calling for me. It turned Tripp off so we just went back to the bash and had a good time.

Sex on the beach is still not checked off my list. Feeling pretty disappointed now.

Anyway, the summer bash was amazing but saying goodbye to Tripp was difficult. The feeling finally fell over me the moment I hugged Tripp for the last time. I didn't want to let go. Talking over the phone, video chat, letters, and whatnot. They can never compare to skin-to-skin human contact, seeing each other in person.

I'm officially spoiled off this love and Tripp has a piece of my soul now.

Anyway, it's eight in the morning on a Saturday. Last night, the girls and I decided to leave a bit later since we have Sunday to gather ourselves back at our homes. Once we go back to work on Monday, it'll be the same schedule all over again.

The only difference is my position and I'm coming with full force, focused on the job at hand.

Though vacation-to-work is not the vibe, I have to go through the transition. This dream was ending and it's time to wake up.

I go downstairs and find the rest of the girls eating breakfast and talking amongst each other.

"Angie, since when you start talking to girls?" Darian asks as I reach for a few things of food from Angie's platter.

"That's none of your business. Good morning, T-Pain." Angie calls out to me while I'm on my way to sist down.

"Girl, you gotta think on this one? You're sprung, sis. We all see it." Cass fills me in on the joke while I'm watching Angie questionably.

Ha ha ha. That was so funny that I forgot to laugh.

I stay quiet while eating a cinnamon bun and focus on the waves crash into the sand one last time. The seafoam forming near the shore, rolling against the people's toes. The water feels so far away but it's only a couple of feet away.

While it's here, I want to enjoy it but I can't stop thinking about how far away it feels. The distance between me and the ocean water will grow soon.

"We should be excited to go home! All of us have something to bring back home! Darian got a number, Angie got a full belly, I got a man, and J got a happy pussy."

As Darian and Angie laugh, I sit there with a straight face. She get on my nerves sometimes.

Cass is too excited, not realizing that her experience here isn't ours. We can't take what we were initially here for back to Kentucky, especially me. However, I will make the most of what I've been given.

"Girl, bye. Congradu-fucking-lations. You got your man. I'm surprised you even got a good one. Then again, he could be desperate."

As Cass and Darian get into it, Angie sits by me and follows my sight.

"You look like you got a ton of shit on your mind, staring at that water for almost 30 minutes straight. Don't worry. That water will still be here and you can always come back to it."

How long was I watching the ocean water?

It's that mesmerizing. The memories by it make the ocean much more special. I guess you could say I have so much on my mind but the ocean captured most of it. The sight of it alone is captivating, drawing me into this unknown space that gives me comfort.

An unknown, fruitful world that I just wanted to stay in.

"Well, I guess you could say that."

My eyes were planted on the water because it was such a show. The bubbles washing up on the shore as the rest of the water performed its tricks. I didn't want to leave.

"Just so you know, this is what Florida is supposed to be; a dream getaway. It's only supposed to give you a taste and go. You gotta come back to reality sometime."

Reality; a place where you can't exactly control your own life. Dream; a place you can make your own and be perfectly happy. Why would I want to come back to reality again?

Maybe she's right though. Too much of a good thing can make you hate it and lead to other issues. There has to be a balance, I guess.

I washed my plate and silverware before leaving the catty sisters in the kitchen. My phone goes off and it's the one person I need to talk to.

"Hey, Dad. We need to talk."

I answer while going up the stairs. I had plans to speak to him since his little surprise about Davin. It's would've been nice if he gave me a warning or something. Better yet, don't even tell me he was doing business with one of my exs. I don't want no part in that. Davin's cool and all but I'd rather not see him all the time at Dad's office.

"Hey, Beautiful Butterfly! You coming home today?"

Someone's ready to see me. I know why too.

"Yeah, but there's something we need to-"

"Hold on, Journee. Davin's calling and it's important. Talk to you in a minute, J."

The person I was about to tell him about interrupts my conversation with my Dad. How could that be a coincidence? Dad has to know what I'm about to talk to him about.

After so long, Dad finally calls me back and I pick up.

"Alright, J. I'm sorry about that. Davin's meeting up at my house for our formal business dinner tomorrow. Are you coming over for it? It'll be like the old days. It'd mean the world to me."

"Okay, but that's not why-"

"Great! I gotta go, sweetheart. I love you, butterfly. See you tomorrow."

Dad seems so rushed for no reason. Well, he has a reason but he's never interrupted me nor hopped off the phone so quick.

Now, I'm questioning his actions.

****

Heeeeeyyyyyyy everybody!

We're in our week of World We Created! Which means everyday this week, I'm dropping a chapter since we're coming to the end of the book.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Tripp and Journee. I had an alright time writing them.

Yall we only got two more chapters left! Omg!

What y'all think is going to happen in the end?

Thanks for your support, love, and all that jazz. I appreciate you all! Until tomorrow!

Love ya!