A/N: A short vignette. No plans to do anything with this, just for your reading pleasure…enjoy! And R/R please!

The Beach—A Vignette

Rubbing his toes together on the cushiony sand, Adam Tanaka smiled. He loved the beach. The distant smell of salt, the sense of a cool breeze rushing through his tufts of black hair, and the comical but constantly fighting seagulls—all part of his home-away-from-home. It had been his ever since the Tanakas had moved to the island of Oahu from the mainland. A small inlet a mile from their house, five-year-old Adam had taken to it immediately. Now, thirteen years later, the beach had given him some of his best memories…his first time surfing, his first kiss, and finally the first major breakup of his life.

It's not you, it's me.

Lying on his surfboard, with the feeling of the waves soothing his injured soul, he scanned the sky idly. In his mind's eye, she was there—her lips forming those fateful words. We just need time off. His protests had no effect. He had promised he could change, but her mind was made up. Finally, he had told her she could take all the time she needed. But he had seen something in her eyes. In the depths of his being, Adam knew. There would be no more of "them".

A strong wave passed over him, splattering his face with the salt of the ocean; inevitably bringing him from his blanket of memories. Here was a new beginning; he would never know what had happened between them. It was best to leave it be, as his brother advised him. A new life elsewhere was burgeoning for him as well, since Adam had been accepted into a four year university. But, he had to see her before he left, say one last goodbye. He had attributed it to his stupidity or maybe his innate curiosity; whatever the reason, he had gone to find her.

Instead, he discovered her with another guy, some jock from another school or her part-time job; wherever it was he didn't care. Adam was just glad to leave without her seeing him. After wandering listlessly for hours, he found himself at the beach, ironically since it was where their relationship had started. 

A shot of lightning broke him away from his reverie. The bestial howl of the wind whipped the waves into a sudden fury, creating a semi-whirlpool surrounding Adam. A final surge of water and his grip on his surfboard was broken. With an expression as dark and smoldering as the weather, he swam against the waves to get to his board, but only succeeding in making himself wet as a wave smothered him repeatedly. After a determined Adam finally crawled onto his most prized possession, he collapsed, his lungs dying to release the water he had inhaled. He had to give up the fight, just like with her. He had to admit it; he was no match…

"Adam?"

Lifting a dazed head, Adam squinted, trying to make out the concerned form above him.

"Danielle?" he murmured, water spilling from lips.

"Take it easy buddy." His older brother looked down at him, a strained smile on his face. "I'm not the beautiful girl you were expecting, but I'll have to do." With a final thanks to the paramedics who had saved his younger brother's life, he put him gently into his truck, driving away.

I'm moving on,

The past is gone,

Only memories left,

Drifting away,

There's no way back,

Only a new life now,

                Will you be there?