Currents

Four ~ Gratitude

Four ~ Gratitude

The town was small, but a nice small—quaint and intimate. Although it wouldn't provide much entertainment, it was pleasant enough to explore.

I glanced into each shop window I passed, pausing in the middle of the pavement when I noticed a girl working at an opticians. The prospect of people my age living in this town filled me with hope; it was pathetic to feel sorry for myself if there was a way to improve my time here.

Biting the bullet, I headed inside and browsed the sunglasses. The conversation with the lifeguard sprung to my mind, and I squirmed, not happy that I still hadn't thanked him properly. A thought occurred to me, and I sidestepped towards the glasses for men, examining the selection of Ray-Bans.

"Can I help you?"

The girl offered me a friendly smile as I stood with my fingers poised over a pair of aviators.

"Maybe in a moment." I returned her smile.

"Sure. You're the British girl, right?"

Taken aback, I let my hand drop to my side. How did she know that? Did she know my mother? Had word already spread that new people had arrived in town?

"Brent told me about you," she added.

"Brent?" I asked.

"Yeah, he works at the beach as a lifeguard. He mentioned he'd met you."

"Oh," I said, embarrassed at what he could have told her. "I don't think he gave me his name."

She laughed, and I glanced at the nametag pinned to her shirt. Mia.

"Well, he's not a man of many words. It's exciting to have a new face around here, anyway," she said.

"It's good to meet you, as well. I don't think I made the best impression with... Brent."

She waved her hand behind her head as if to dismiss my concern. "Don't mind him. He can be moody sometimes."

If Brent had mentioned me, I couldn't imagine he'd sung my praises. This might not be Carringham, where everyone has a different agenda, but I couldn't assume friendships here were simple, either.

Mia seemed nice, with her sweet smile and sparkling blue eyes, so perhaps she genuinely was a kind-hearted girl ready to offer some friendship. But when had that ever been the case? When had someone offered me something without a reason?

"Can I help with the glasses?" she asked, and I realised I'd been silent for longer than intended. Her friendly manner hadn't faltered, though, and she seemed just as eager to assist.

"I don't know... It's difficult to buy for boys when they're not here to try on, isn't it?"

"If you're not sure on the style, I'd suggest this pair—" she said, before cutting herself off with her hand still outstretched towards the stand. She glanced at me. "Sorry, I should have asked... What's your budget?"

At that point, I guessed exactly what Brent had said. Extravagant vacation. Beach-side house. Expensive sunglasses.

Mia admitting that Brent had gossiped about my money wouldn't be tactful in the slightest, especially when she'd no doubt been trained to ask about a budget. Unfortunately, now I had to say out loud that I didn't have one.

"No." I forced a smile. "I've looked at the prices and they're all within my budget."

"Okay, perfect." She removed her original choice from the stand, handing them to me. "These suit most faces. If he doesn't like them, you can bring them back for an exchange or refund."