S A L T Y

Beach

As I lay in bed, my eyes still closed I listen for the sound of the waves crashing outside my open windows. A smile comes to my face as my eyes flicker open and I stretch and take a deep breath. I lay there for a few more minutes before rolling my covers off my bare body, roll my legs over the side of the bed until I'm in an upright sitting position. After taking a minute to focus myself I stand up and grab some grey tracksuit pants and an oversize white shirt that I threw on the floor the night before. I slide my fluffy bed socks and my light brown ugg boots on my feet and start walking upstairs to grab coffee. Upstairs I'm greeted by my four siblings and my step-mum making breakfast and school lunches. My dad is a detective, so I guess he started work already as he's no where to be seen.

"Good morning, family". I greet them as happily I could in my not fully awake state.

I get an assortment of "morning" and "Morning Loz" from my siblings.

My siblings are all different but all amazing in there own way. I have a lot of siblings; 12 in total, but only the 5 of us live here. Here I have my 2 sisters, Grace and Sophie and my 2 brothers, Sebastian and Chad. Chad, Sophie and Grace are all from my step-mums side, where Sebastian is from my dad's.

"Morning Hun, do you want something for breakfast?" My step-mum Kelly asks from the kitchen.

"I reckon I'll just start with a cup of coffee." I say as I weave between the kids to get to the coffee pot. I grab my favourite mug, a plain white mug with a French Bulldog face, and the sugar from the cupboard. I put a spoonful of sugar on the mug and pour the coffee on top. Taking a sip I decide to take my coffee back down to my room and get ready for my day.

"Bye Lauren!" I hear my siblings yell as they leave to go to school. I give them a wave goodbye in return.

I decide to put on the TV show friends while I get ready. It's my favourite show. I love the humour and the general friendship. Plus Joey is pretty good looking too.

I decide to go for a walk along the beach, as I haven't got much planned for the day. I put on a long maxi skirt and a crop top and grab my earphones and flip flops and head for the front door. I shut the door behind me and walk down the side street near my house to the start of the beach. I look around and I can't see anyway except a man further up the beach with a dog. He's here almost everyday but he kinda freaks me out. He always wears a black hoodie, sunglasses and dark pants, so I've never seen his face. I walk down the steps and step onto the warm sand. I look around again and the man and the dog are no where to be seen. I get really happy at the thought of having the whole beach to myself. I decide to walk up the beach towards poles in the sand that stop cars driving past that point of the beach. I take out my iPhone and start taking pictures of the poles, the waves and the seagulls I see flying around the deserted beach.

***

I've been at the beach for about an hour and a half now, just soaking up the sun and the sounds of the ocean when my trace is broken by the sound of laugher. I look up to find a group of guys walking onto the beach. They are pushing and shoving each other while laughing and talking. I decide that I should probably head home and get some lunch anyway so I collect my flip flops and headphones and slowly make my way towards the steps when all of a sudden the beach goes dead silent again.