𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐞𝐬┊✓

n i n e t e e n | c o m m o u v e r e

I just stared at him, quite breathless. His wise beyond years attitude was enough to take my breath away. And the way he spoke, so confident, there were the undertones that he had been through all this at a way younger age.

"That was really helpful, Phoenix, thank you," I said softly.

"Of course," he smiled, "Now, how about we call it off for today and go walk along the strip?"

"I'd love to," I return the smile as we both began packing our books in our Vans backpacks. Twins? His was checkered black and white while mine was a fading lavender, cerulean, and dusty pink.

§

"I want some," I pouted, looking over at Phoenix. We were currently in some shop on the strip, a tourist seeming shop - there were little trinkets, jewelry and artsy beach decor and sorts. What caught my eye were tiny glass jars filled with sand and tiny seashells and then there were empty glass jars to collect sand on your own and fill it with tiny seashells. Guess I'm going across the street into the beach to get sand afterwards.

"No one's stopping you," Phoenix smirked. He was standing at the end of the aisle - just a few feet away from me - leaning on the shelf. His shoulders and built were as broad as the aisle itself, he blocked anyone who wanted to enter the aisle.

I huffed, "I need a basket to put it inside."

He put his hands up and backed away with a huge smile on his face, returning seconds later with a small basket to put what I wanted inside.

"Choose as you please, my dear," he laughed.

"I hate you," I muttered and he threw his head back laughing. He looked absolutely sexy, so young and carefree, it was a completely different look from his usual scowl and cold eyes.

I picked two tiny glass jars, one reading Las Olas and the other reading South Beach. Then I handpicked tiny seashells of different styles, shapes, and colors; it was almost impossible as most of them were chipped or broken. And lastly, as I picked little broken pieces of sea glass, Phoenix stood alongside me picking tiny white starfish and sand dollars. He has nice taste.

We walked up to the register and the dainty elder lady smiled at us, her eyes shining with stars and crinkling in the corners. She looked graceful and serene as she wrapped the glass in newspaper and packed it in a bag for us. I want to be passionate and genuinely happy like that in my life one day.

The total was $33.93 and just as I was pulling out my wallet, Phoenix handed the lady his credit card. I turned to him, pouting, and he just smiled a boyish smile.

"You two are an adorable couple," the elder before us said faintly. Before I could say anything, Phoenix wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his body, "I know," he said softly, "My girlfriend is unbelievably divine," he finished off in a low voice and leaned his head on mine. My face turned cerise and I was feeling terribly heated in the moment, so I turned my head into his chest with hopes that I'd be hiding my face. The lady handed Phoenix our bag along with his card and the receipt and he pulled away from me to put the plastic bag in my backpack.

Just as he wrapped his arm around my waist again, a gunshot was heard, along with the shattering of glass and the small woman screamed. She was frightened as she ran for a room in the back of the shop and disappeared. Panic rose within me, consuming my entirety and I was about to start hyperventilating.

"Fuck," Phoenix swore under his breath and looked out the shop.

"Phoenix, what's going on," I asked in a quiet and wavering voice.