I Knew You (English Version)

Chapter 1

"Babe, do you remember how we met?"

♡ ♡ ♡

It was a summer in this little island in pacific. The wind whooshes as I walk by the shore.  It could've been a relaxing feeling but it somehow makes me feel even more dramatic. The people, tourists, and residents of this beach, seem to enjoy the sun even though its heat feels like it could light up a match and burn their skin. I used my hand to block the sunlight so I can look at the sky, not a single cloud, it is blue, but my heart feels bluer. The wind whooshed again, stronger this time, causing my hair to go all over my face yet I didn't mind.

I grew up here. I have never been anywhere except this place. My tanned skin and my bracelet made up of sea shells could serve as evidences. I look like a full-blood island girl.

I sigh as I regret not wearing slippers. The sand is slowly burning my feet. I tried heading towards the water where few people are swimming. I had the urge to look around as I walk so I sighted something falling from the sky heading to my direction. It's a beach ball. I quickly received it with my wrists before it landed to my face. Then, I watched the ball fly back to the court.

"Nice receive, Sheki!" Jake shouted and I just smiled. I have been dealing with beach balls all my life. "Come play with us!" He ran towards me and attempted to drag me to the game.
"Oh no, I'm sorry Jake, I can't." He asked why out of disappointment. "You know the situation. I have to figure out how to get through this or we might not see each other again." He gave me a sympathetic stare and hugged me tight.

"Oh please stop, you stink!" I pushed him and he grinned, "You think you don't? You smell like a hundred year old unwashed socks." He pinched his own nose as if he's blocking a really bad smell.

"Jake! Don't dare to leave the game hanging!" We both turned to Aki, our friend, and rolled our eyes at him. "I'll see you around. Let me know if you need help." I nodded then he went back to the game as I headed towards the water.

If I leave this place, he's one of the things I will surely miss. We have been best friends since we started learning how to walk and talk. He lives in the house next to ours and our dads are good friends. Our moms, I never met mine, she died giving birth to me, while his mom chose to live with her other family. My feet felt relief the moment they soak in water.

Jake and I used to hide behind the dunes to troll our fathers when we were kids. We learned how to swim, together. I have lived my life with him by my side. We barely spend a day without each other. So, I, leaving this place would break both our hearts, that's one of the reasons why I'm trying to figure out where on Earth could I get huge amount of money without doing a heist. Will I be able to do it before the day after tomorrow comes? Before the day the bank completely claim our home.

This is my entire fault. Two years ago, I got sick and I had to stay in the hospital for more than a month. Dad had to borrow money to pay for the hospital bills, and our little house served as the collateral. We fail to pay the loan and the house will be the payment if I would not be able to get the needed money within two days. We are far from being rich, I work at a café, and my dad sells sculpted wooden souvenirs.

"Oh, Sheki. I thought you don't have shift today?" Liz, my co-worker, greeted as soon as I entered the café I work on.

"Hi, and yeah, I just need to talk to Ms. Trainor." She stared for a moment before speaking again. "You're really not into giving up, huh? This is your nth time asking for an advanced pay, and not to discourage you, but she will probably reject your request again." She voiced as she wipe the counter clean. She's right, but no, it's worth the try. "Well, each day could be a new chance. I should go now, is she here?" She nodded and I headed to the office.