~ Poolesville High school ~

Standing in the front yard of the school, the little violet haired girl feels a bit overwhelmed. She thought, for a number one school in the state, shouldn't it develop its facilities to be more advanced? 'Sure it didn't look as good as Parisian high school but it really didn't reach my standard'. She really missed her time back in Paris as she made many friends at Lycée Fénelon. It was really hard for her to leave the place but then, aunt Iris – the one who take her in after that altercation – along with her husband want to move here in order to extend her business. She wouldn't want to refuse for they have done so much for her. They even take her to the beach house in New Jersey last week as a gift for her because she got in Poolesville. She spaced out as she recalled what happened a week ago.

*flashback to a week ago* (Saturday)

"We're here, Ally! Look outside sweetheart! The sound of the waves is calling you! Isn't it wonderful?" Iris pointed out the window with glee on her face

"Honey you sound like a five years old girl whose first time seeing a beach" Joséph chuckled

"Well, because it's beautiful, right Ally?" Iris pouted as she glanced over to the braided hair girl

"Of course, Auntie! But this is actually my first time to the beach! I'm amazed by the enchanting view!" Allium excitedly gazed out the window

"Haha! Then you'll absolutely love our place when we're get there!" Joséph gave out a hearty laugh

The car then stopped at a wooded beach house. Stepping inside, a light aroma of a new house along with the faint brine smell hit Allium's nostrils as she explored throughout the cabin. The rooms are rather spacey but the cabin itself still felt really homey and rustic by the decoration. Behind the glass door was the sunny beach. Golden sand, clear blue water, warm weather. They all called her to come out and join them in the fun. Allium really can't wait no more.

"Aunt Iris! I'm going out to the beach now!" Allium shouted as she slid the glass door to get outside.

"Okay sweetheart! Have fun! And make sure to be back here by lunch!" Iris smiled brightly as she waved Allium from the kitchen

Feet buried in warm sand, Allium closed her eyes as she felt the sea breeze caress her paled skin. She strolled along the shore. The scenery was truly magnificent. It brought out an indescribable feeling inside her. The water soaked her feet, clear like crystal. Sunlight kissed her skin and made the sea glitter along with their movements. The sky above was filled with large cotton clouds that look like the chiffon cake that Allium always ate in a small café after her school hours back in Paris. Oh how Allium would trade anything to be back there. Then something come to her mind. Her pen pal or her online friend to be exact, whose name is Lucius, is attending the same school as her. And since he skipped a grade due to his unbelievable intelligence, Allium thought why not giving Lucius a call so he might help her around the school and accompany her. And with that, she happily skipped back to the cabin to the sound of her aunt calling her for lunch.

It was four in the afternoon, Allium was immersing herself into the cool substance below her. The water was hyaline, enough to see the sand beneath her. She dived lower, watched tiny fishes swim around the colorful coral reefs. It's nothing like she has ever seen before. Magical, translucent somehow. She could feel it, not with just her eyes or her skin but with her mind too. Speaking of senses, she really needed to get some air or she might drown in this extravagant view. Emerging from the water, she took a deep breath and wiped the water of her face along with the hair that stuck on it.

"Is it beautiful? Is it mesmerizing? How does it feel down there? Were fishes friendly?" Iris constantly drowned Allium with thousands of questions.

"Let the kid breath in some air darling. I'm sure she's as excited as you do" Joséph chuckled "Here, take my hand and I'll help you up kiddo" He extended a hand for Allium and she happily took it.

"Come here sweetheart, let me dry you so you won't get cold" Iris smiled gently as she wrapped a towel around Allium's lithe form and her hair to rubbed off the excessive amount of water.

"It's like another dimension down there! Everything is spectacular auntie! Too bad you couldn't come with me" Allium's eyes brightened up as she told her aunt what the view looked like from underneath the water surface " I really wanted you to see it with you own eyes! It's even more amazing than my description!"

"I wish I could too you know, but I had thalassophobia sweetheart. The best I could do is to sit here and watch it from above" She pouted as she looked afar.

"And it took her eight therapies to get her this far. You don't know how much she nagged me to go on this trip. I accepted on the condition that if anything goes wrong, I'll take her immediately back home." Joséph looked at his wife proudly. "Anyway it's late already, we should head back or it'll get colder." The boat moved as he turned the wheel.

"You're right. I'm really feeling the wind right now" Allium rubbed some heat on her skin as the wind pounding her

"Well, you must be hungry after all the swimming. I'll make a delicious pot of Bouillabaisse with the clams I bought at a fresh market nearby!" Iris smiled as she pulled Allium closer to her, gave her a warm hug.

"I'm drooling from just hearing. Let's get this boat back to shore!" Joséph lightened up after hearing about Iris's food. Typical guy. But no one could blame him as his wife is a gifted chef.

(Sunday)

The sun lazily rose up, lightened the sea, turned the night sky to a silver gray color mixed with light honey color. Allium truly can't sleep. Yesterday the night sky called her to gaze upon the shiny little stars. But only till the stars slowly burned down under the sunlight did she realize it was dawn already. She really wanted to see the dawn on the beach so carefully stepping out of her room, she headed out to the sandy shore. Cold breezed morning air seeped through her jacket as she strolled upon the sand. Everything was even more heartening than watching it on movies and seeing through pictures because she was a part of it. Just stood there and all your feelings and thoughts harmonized with nature.

Voices. Allium kept strolling until she heard voices. Hallucination? No. It was clear as the air was nothing but the sound of the waves. She stood still.

"How, Jonathan, how did you know? Through the letter? Or even before that?"

As the silence made Allium curious, she took small steps near the rocks as another voice went on

"Rose..."

The soft voice of a person whom she guess was male made her peaked up from the rocks to see the owner of the voice. But as soon as she got a glimpse of the tousled brown hair, she immediately ducked down as the female voice spoke up.

"John?"

"Um, nothing."

"So can I have my answer now?"

"...I don't know. The letter was meant for me. So I read it and found out. That's all"

"...You didn't seem to be like that, Johnny"

" I'm assure you that I am just the way I am. Also, what are you doing here?

"I was just looking for you. I knew you would be here somehow"

'I wonder if he comes here all the time...?' Allium thought

"That's not the point. You cannot just rushing out here and yelling my name."

"No, I came out here to tell you that we should head back to pack our stuffs. Dad has to drive us this afternoon so we should be leaving earlier than planned."

'Are they leaving this place?' Now Allium puzzled

"Oi! Are you deaf or something?!?"

"Ouch! I heard you the first time! Fine, let's go. Who know what dad would do when we are away. And do you have to pinch me that hard? It's all red and swollen up."

'That must really hurt' Allium chuckled

"That's what you deserve for not listening to me. And it doesn't look that swollen, you just made up. You even look like a shy little girl blushing after a confession" the female voice giggled "Come on. Let's go home then."

"NO, I don't look like that. NOT. EVEN. CLOSE."

Allium got out of her hiding place as she heard the footsteps faded away. She kept strolling, lost in thought until a shiny little object caught her eyes. Kneeled down, she came to notice it was a necklace, a pendant to be exact. Does this belong to the female, she wondered. She picked up and followed the trail, hoping they are still there. But there wasn't anyone in sight. Sighing, she took the pendant with her back to the cabin and prayed that fate will help her returned it.

When Allium got back, the sun was fully up, Joséph and Iris have already packed some of their stuffs and waved her from afar.

"Well somebody's up early today. We both know that you love the view here but please tell us that you're going for a walk or leave a note. Your aunt was very worried you know." Joséph shook his head with a hint of disapproval in his voice as Iris frowned worriedly.

"I'm sorry" That's all Allium could say. She didn't want to make excuses to worry them.

"It's okay. Next time, you should be more attentive, okay darling? Now go pack your bags and bring them to Joséph. He's packing everything, give him a hand. After breakfast, he'll drive us back to our new home in Maryland." Iris patted softly on my head

"Yes, ma'am!" Allium ran up to her room to packed and quickly going back down.

'I'm excited now. I can't wait to see the new place.'

*End flashback*

'Eventually I still forgot to call Lucius until uncle asked if there is anyone there to show me around' Allium sighed at the thought ' And where is that guy anyway? He really got the nerve to let a lady wait'

"Well, if it isn't my Sweat pea." A voice broke her thought as she perked up to find a familiar face, an annoying smirk seemed to be more correct "You seem dazed. A penny for your thought?"

"You will have to guess that, Lucius Blackwood. And dare to leave me here under this heat, you're really testing my patience you know." A vein popped up as Allium clenched her teeth

"Now now, lady Deslauriers! A lady shouldn't clench her teeth like that!" Lucius laughed " But I do apologize for keeping you waiting. I'm promised to make up for you later." He took her hand and kissed it gently

"My my, aren't you a gentleman. You're truly the Prince Charming of every girl's dreams. But too bad, I'm not going to fall for that." Allium smiled darkly " For in my eyes, you're nothing but the satan now, Lucifer."

"Clever girl, I am a devil in disguise. But even a 'Satan' like me could spot out that you're quivering. Nervous on the first day?" Lucius smirked as he led me through the yard.

"A little. Everyone does. Not just me" Allium mumbled

"Well, don't worry. You got me here, right" Lucius hummed

"Yeah, that sounds comfortable" Allium shot back a sarcasm in his face

"Hehe, you'll have to bear my presence then. Anyway, welcome to Poolesville High school." Smirked, Lucius pushed the door to open up a new chapter in Allium's life.

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Annotate:
Thalassophobia: fear of water or ocean
Bouillabaisse: a famous seafood soup in France