I graduated from Trinity with a degree in English. I found my passion at Trinity, and I wanted to become a writer. What I was interested in writing about were coming-of-age stories. The stories were somewhat inspired by my teenage years. The memories, both good and bad, the friends I made, heartbreak, first love, first everything.

Katie and I lived in an apartment together after I finished my first year, and we had gathered up enough money. I studied and worked part-time while she worked full time.

After graduation, Katie got an amazing job opportunity in Paignton, so we moved. The town was beautiful, and both of us loved it there. I never saw Cook. Not a day went by when I didn't think about him and miss him dearly. But with every year that passed, I slowly concluded I would never see him again.

One afternoon right before Katie started to prepare dinner, I decided to walk to the beach. Emily was also over. It had been exactly a year since Naomi passed away due to cancer, and Emily was still having trouble coping. She was staying with us for the week and take some time off from work in New York City. As for Effy, I hadn't heard much from her ever since she went to prison for insider trading.

I remember thinking Naomi was fucking nuts for not telling Emily as soon as she found out. She caused a lot of damage and wasted a whole lot of time with Emily by not telling her. But there was nothing we could do about it now.

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The sun was setting on the horizon, and the seagulls were chirping away. I laid a towel out and sat down with my legs crossed. The water was calm as usual, and the only sounds I heard were the birds, the cars passing by, and the water lapping.

It was my happy place. It was even better that no one was around so I could be completely enveloped in my thoughts.

I walked down to the water and let it hit my feet gently. I closed my eyes and started to zone everything out when someone broke my concentration.

"Excuse me, is this Paignton beach?"

I turned around and covered my mouth with my hands.

"It can't be," I said, "James?"

His face was dirty and covered with bruises and cuts, and he had a sullen look on his face. I ran my fingers gently across his face, and I knew something had happened.

"Brianna, it's really you," he said.

Cook gently placed my hands on his back and pulled me closer. He started to lean in, but right before he placed his lips to mine, I slapped him across the face.

"What the hell? You think you're just going to solve everything that happened over the last four years by kissing me?" I said, "Where were you? I needed you. I called you several times, and you couldn't be bothered to answer once. And you better have a fucking good explanation."

Then my phone rang. It said incoming call, Emily.

"Hi, Em. What's up?"

"Katie wanted me to let you know dinner's going to be ready soon," Emily said.

"Ok, I'll be on my way," I said as I hung up.

"Dinner? Katie and Emily? Haven't heard those names in a long time," he said, smiling softly.

"Yea, Katie and I live together, and Emily's staying with us for a while because. Well, I have a lot to catch you up on. Would you like to come to dinner, and afterwards we can talk?"

He nodded, "I have a lot to catch you up on too. Believe me, a whole fucking lot."