A Heart-Shaped Treasure Map

The days were getting warmer, and the sun rose earlier into the sky. The best part of approaching summer was the chance to dive back into the sea, to change up his routine and see a little more of the island. Eric had been anxious to try surfing again, after a long time away from the warmer beaches in Florida.

He left his clothes by a rock near the beach, hidden underneath in the shade just in case someone though it funny to swipe it. Eric himself wore a particular item from an old past. Well... it wasn't really an old past, but Eric didn't get much use out of this tight swim shorts. He had to admit, it fit him well. He could see why Europeans enjoyed them. Eric was comfortable enough with his physique that it didn't matter.

The surfboard in his hands was a more recent addition. He bought it just last week, now that the weather was getting nicer. He waded into the water and floated a fair distance from the beach, waiting for a good wave.

While he laid out in the sun and on the water, he looked up to the cliffs nearby. He noticed a familiar figure huddled up at the edge. That red hair... was that Nerina? Of course she would be near the ocean. It had been a while since Eric saw her, and as far as he imagined she wanted nothing to do with him.

It pained to see her, but all the same she was still a lovely girl. He waved to her from his board, trying to catch her attention.

As soon as she started to walk down from the rocks, Eric swam back towards the shore. Part-way there, a small tidal wave picked him up. He couldn't really ask for better timing. He stopped paddling and balanced himself on the board.

Eric crashed into the beach right as Nerina made it down. He wasn't the best surfer, or at least he was pretty darn rusty. He rolled along the sand and covered his eyes and mouth from the saltwater and sand.

So much for showing off. However, his embarrassment dissipated once he saw Nerina in front of him. They weren't together anymore, but something about seeing her again was a warm welcome.

"Hey Nerina," Eric started to brush the sand off of his chest. He managed a smile.

Eric wasn't expecting a hug. At least, not so quickly on seeing her. He nearly lost his balance and fell back, though he managed to keep himself up with one leg sticking back out. He wrapped his arms around Nerina in return, though she was quite cold. Just the bit in her chest felt warm, a good contrast to his ocean-soaked one.

“I've missed you too, Nerina,” Eric replied. He forgot how comfortable she was to hold. On the other hand, he knew in his mind that it'd be wrong just to... just to continue where they left off. Even if he thought Nerina would probably go for it, it wasn't fair to her.

“I didn't think you'd want to see me though. I um... We didn't leave on a good note.” All the same, Eric found it too difficult to let her go just yet.

Those were words he didn't want to hear. They were words he could fantasize and desire, but to hear them from her lips brought about a different shock. Did she really think it was Bunny who came on to him? That Eric had nothing to do with flirting with her? No, she couldn't be that naive. Not even Nerina.

Eric rubbed her back in kind. He loved feeling her this close, but he couldn't help realizing what she was saying. She was trying to ignore his betrayal, like it meant everything to her. It pained him to think just how much he meant to her. And now, even after they separated, he had to deal with the consequences.

“I...” Eric couldn't find the words to repeat her. Even he knew it'd be wrong. But maybe... maybe he could do something. “How about... a date? Right now.” Eric sighed.

“There's this new cafe in town. I'm hungry. What about you?”

A good part of Eric wanted to place his hand back over hers. That good part of him wanted to stroke the watch over her wrist, and thank her for remembering him that way. As they were at the stoplight, he took a moment to look at it. He noticed it was an hour behind.

Her words seemed to bear a poisonous encouragement for Eric. If she really didn't mind what they did, then Eric would have no trouble in getting back with her. Even if it meant inevitably breaking her heart again. But Eric knew Nerina better than that. She did mind. She was... she was just lying to him. To both of them.

“What do you want to eat?” Eric asked, changing the subject. The light turned green, and he broke eye contact to continue to their drive. They arrived at the cafe soon after. Sweethearts' Cafe. What a dumb place to go to, but... if he could find any chance to rekindle a more monogamous desire for Nerina, it'd be here.

Eric opted to take a booth, sitting across from Nerina where she couldn't get... too close to him. However, he did gently take her hand for a moment. He focused on the watch on her wrist, “You need to adjust it for Daylight Savings,” Eric said. He wound the watch forward by one hour. He still held her hand thoughtfully.