INVISIBLE STRING

CHAPTER 1

"I doubt that." I scoffed.

"Shut up, Augustine, or I swear I'll hit you with this brush." She gave me a look and I chuckled. "Don't try me."

"Fine, fine! Sorry, I guess?" I continued chuckling.

-⋆✮⋆-

In places like this is where you realize how out of place you have always been of the world.

This wasn't my little space of beach, we were closer to town. There was a big fireplace with people my age all around. Some were drinking, some were just talking. It didn't take long for Sarina to talk to other girls. Even some boys greeted her with a handshake. It felt like I was the side character no one paid attention to. The side character that no one care if it just... Disappeared.

It didn't stop me from trying, though. Some of the guys, after doing a handshake with Sarina turned to me extending their hand. Like everyone should know their handshake by now. I tried. I tried doing the handshake. It was all awkward and I even left their hands hanging, occasionally.

I never wished to belong more than I did in this types of parties. If I could even call this one.

Some girls said they liked my top, making me smile and giving them back a compliment. Then, they were just quiet. Waiting for me to start conversation, or continue theirs.

"So? Are you from here?" I asked one of the brunette girls who was now alone since Sarina left to get some drinks.

"Yeah, you?" She smiled.

"Nope, I come from new York."

"Cool."

Cool.

That was my only attempt of small talk. Ever.

Sarina came back with two drinks. One for the girl and one for her, I didn't drink. I thought, still think, it's a waste of time. Plus it makes you more vulnerable since you don't have control of your body, or so I heard.

I took her drink without thinking and I took a long sip. I felt how the liquid burned my throat, making me want to spit it right there on the sand. I swallowed it and hoped I didn't make any faces. The girl, who I still didn't know the name, chuckled. "Wow, you are brave... Uh..."

"Augustine." I finished for her.

"Augustine." She echoed, trying my name in her tongue. "That's a cute name. I'm Mila." She smiled and tilted her head to the side.

"Your name is also really nice." I said, I could feel the warmth in my cheeks and the blush in the tip of my ears. I heard compliment from Sarina all the time, but somehow hearing them from someone who didn't know me. Of someone who didn't have to tell me that I was pretty. Felt more... Significant.

I spent most of this gathering with Sarina and Mila, until I couldn't find them. I had a few drinks so my senses were clouded. I walked through the crowd of people around the fireplace until I bumped into someone, falling to the ground and rubbing my head I looked up.

There he was. A guy with brunette hair and blue eyes. They reminded me of the coast waves... He extended his hand and smiled at me. "Hey. Are you okay? We crashed into each other." He chuckled.