1: Psychotic New Beginnings

The breeze was flowing through my hair as the sun was beating down, warming me against the cool breeze. I can smell the salt water from the ocean in front of me. The view is absolutely breathtaking. This is one of the most peaceful moments of my life. Then big strong hands start to slide around my waist from behind me as he kisses just below my ear. I smile to myself soaking in the moment and then he whispers to me, "I love you."

• • •

4 years prior

Everyone goes through something that changes them. Whether that be good, bad, scary or even something you just can't quite put your finger on. I'm in that phase. I can't decide if the things in my past and in the present are things that are actually beneficial for me. Do you ever get that feeling like you're this completely different person then you were let's say a year or two ago? You feel almost a little scared because you're not sure how to handle the new you? Well I can relate. I feel like people know me better then I know myself and lemme tell ya, it's so frustrating.

I'm laying on my bed right now with my pillow scrunched up underneath my chin while my legs swing opposite each other lightly back and forth. I'm extremely bored holy cow. I don't even know what to do with my life. I graduated from High School about 2 years ago and I've just moved to Florida to start a new life. Not very many friends, new apartment, new neighbors, and completely new surroundings. I don't know about you, but I suck at change. It gives me anxiety. There's nothing familiar you can rely on or feel comfortable with. Well, I have my family, and I'm so grateful for that, but they're back in Oregon.

It's beautiful outside, gosh I love the sun. You know the sun can actually make you feel happier? Something to do about vitamin D I'm pretty sure. Ugh, you probably didn't start reading this to listen to me chat about random stuff did ya? Well, I'm taking my time, what else am I gonna do today? It's Saturday and I don't work so my days wide open. I guess I can head to the beach, I can never say no to the beach. It helps me clear my head,  to think and just relax. I'm pretty sure those who've been can relate. If not, then maybe I suggest just go to not think and just sit there peacefully. It does wonders to the soul.

I don't live too far from it. My mom helped me pick out my little studio apartment that was close to the beach. I'm from Oregon originally and well it's fun to see the contrast between the two places.

As I walked in the sand I'd sink a little with each step, every once in a while the water lapping over my feet since I'm right at the waters edge. The wind is blowing through my long hair, and my blouse ripples along with it. It's a little brisk against my legs due to the shorts I'm wearing, but manageable because the sun is shining so warmly.

"Hey there." I jump a little at the words. I was so caught up in my own thoughts and feelings I wasn't expecting anyone to come talk to me.

"Hey..." I sigh out frustratingly.

"Sorry I didn't mean to startle you." The cute random shirtless guy a little too close for comfort in my opinion says. Oddly enough I don't think he meant that from what I could tell.

"No you're not. But nice chatting with you..." I say and I go to continue my walk.

"Where're you goin' babe?" He grabs my hand making one of my sandals I was holding fall to the ground.

I gasp in shock. "Don't call me babe, I don't know who you are and please let go it's frankly too tight and hurting my wrist."

He gives me this smirk and loosens his grip, but start to pull me closer to him. Don't get me wrong he's cute, but very unbecoming considering I have no idea who he is, and is very creepy on his part. I never thought I'd be put in this position, but I guess there is a first time for everything and I am in a big city where god knows what could happen.

"What if I don't want to?" I rolled my eyes at that.

"I don't give I flying rats BUTT how you feel, I'm the one in this uncomfortable position which I really don't like and I'll scream if you don't!" I was getting a little nervous now.

He pulls me in roughly and brings his face close to mine, "come on babe, how about we take this some place else?"

"No! Stop!" I try to push his hand away from the one gripped tight around my other wrist while taking my head as best I can away from his close proximity, but his other arm comes around my waist to pull me closer.

"Ugh! Stop!" I slam hard on his bare foot with my heel and shove him hard in the chest to get him away.

He lets go for a brief moment enough for me to break free and start running away towards a cluster of people playing volleyball.

"Help!" I start sprinting faster and then I look back to see my progress and my heart jumps into my throat seeing as he's just a few feet from me.

He launches himself at me and grabs my foot yanking me to the sand.

"Where're you going sweetheart!" He says frustratingly.

I'm freaking out now. How has no one seen or heard me out of this whole beach?! Really?!

I kick him in the face with my other foot breaking loose again. "Ah! You bitch!" I continue sprinting towards the volleyball group in pure fear and adrenaline.

"Help! Please, someone!"

Some of the players turn to look at me wondering what all I'm yelling about.

I finally reach the first person closest to me pointing back at the psycho. "Please help me.... this guy... chasing me... attacked... won't leave me alone..." I ramble off in between hyperventilating breaths.

The man in front of me looked like someone I could trust possibly, but I don't have many options. He looked at me with alarm trying to put my words together, then looks up and behind me to see what I was talking about.

His eyes go wide, and mutters frustratingly under his breath as if this has happened more than once. "Bastard!"

I look behind myself and the psycho starts to slow his strides down as he gets closer to us. The man I asked for help, steps in front of me and puts a hand out as if to shield me or keep me from harm.

"Knock it off! This isn't a game!"

What?! He knows him?

"Can it be?" He said giving a sneaky smirk.

"Seriously Skyler, get out of here, now!"

I'm hiding behind the guy who knows the psycho and peaking around his arm to see what's going on.

"Pff, you can have her this time bud... I'll share." He looks over at me and winks, then starts walking backwards away from us while still watching us in amusement.

I sigh in relief and step away from the stranger who helped me.

"Hey thank yo—"

"What were you doing all by yourself? That was incredibly stupid on your part. There are guys like that all over the place. You need to be more careful."

I was stunned.

"I, I'm sorry...?" I was so frustrated. "It wasn't like I was looking for trouble. I wanted to enjoy my time alone." I didn't even know him how could he just say those things to me! I already feel incredibly embarrassed and here he is making it so much worse.

"It's fine, sorry I snapped. Are you OK?" He looks over me carefully to see if he can see anything wrong.

"Um, it's OK, I'm fine, thanks."

"You don't even know who I am. The names Ty." He gives me a small smile and reaches out his hand to shake mine.

I shake his tentatively, "Stella." I smile softly back at him. This time I got a good look at him. He's really good looking. Blue eyes and dark messy hair blowing lightly in the wind. Has a thin layer of scruff covering his strong jaw. I'm not exactly one for scruff but he pulls it off very nicely.

"Thanks again, you helped me... I, I didn't know what else to do."

"You don't need to thank me, of course I'd help you, that's out of the question."

"How did you know him?"

He sighs and puts his hand around his neck, "we were good friends all throughout High School, but then he changed and he's running around doing things like this and I don't want anything to do with him. He's gonna get in a huge mess someday..."

I sat there silently listening sympathetically. When he looks back over at me he smiles slightly, "you live around here?"

"Yeah just a couple blocks, but I just moved here about a month ago from Oregon."

"Right, because I was gonna say, I would definitely remember a face like yours..."

I blushed and shifted uncomfortably, looking down at my feet. "Thanks, um, I better head back, I'll see ya around maybe." I walked off to go find my sandals that I dropped when I got assaulted.

I sigh, Dave would get angry if he saw what just happened.