Volume 1 Finale: Beach day

I had a dream about Ayumi again. My feelings were spiraling out of control as I realized I needed to talk to her about it. I was reluctant at first because I could be rejected, our friendship could be ruined or things could be awkward between us. Then my alter self appeared and began talking to me. "Just tell her already. You're going to regret it if you don't you know." "But what if..." I was interrupted as my alter expressed how he didn't care about what I had to say. "Listen. One of the biggest things people regret isn't what they do. It's about what they didn't do.

Thoughts like if I did tell her maybe I would have been happier. Maybe she likes me to but she's to shy to break the ice. What if she likes you? You wouldn't know unless you go to her. What if she likes you but you take forever to tell her then she moves on? You just got to be more risk taking. If you are extremely cautious in life, then you won't make it far in life." I took some time to for the advice to sink in. "You're right. I can't coward out now. I'll tell her today at the beach but I gotta do something first." I planned to surprise Ayumi with a ring if she says yes.

I woke up and immediately called Ayumi. "Hi Ken are you ready for today?" "Yup, I just need to pick something up and I'll head to the beach afterwards." "Did you get the drinks just incase we get thirsty?" "Yeah I have them it's something else I have to get last minute. "Ok, I'll be waiting." I rushed to the store as quickly as possible. I picked out some silver rings and went to the counter. "What's the occasion." "I bought these for a girl and myself." "Aren't you too young to engage someone?" "It's not for engagement." I explained the situation to her and she guided me to more suitable and cheaper rings so I'm glad I met that lady at the counter to avoid misunderstandings from Ayumi about engagement.

I arrived at the beach a little late. I decided to switch to my swim trunks and put on some sunscreen. I then scanned the area for Ayumi who I found under a parasol, on a foldable chair reading. She looked great in her swimsuit. I couldn't help but to stare from a far. "You're such a perv bro." Alexander said before tapping me in the back. "Didn't know you were a pervert Kennedy. Should I stay far from you?" Samantha asked. I huddled with them and told them everything. "Oh, then you're going to ask her today." Samantha slapped me which gained the attention of Ayumi.

"You should've told us sooner." "Should've told you what?" All of the rest of us were inhibited because it was supposed to be a surprise. Then I remembered I didn't tell them Ayumi and I were going alone so I said that instead of revealing my true intentions. "Oh, I invited them. It was unfair we got to enjoy the beach without them." "Don't worry. We won't interrupt your date," Samantha punched him in the head knocking him out and dragging him away. Ayumi laughed and I joined her for a bit. "Ken here's the book I made. I wanted to make a novel but ended up making a short story. Sorry about that." "Don't worry about it."

I was in awe. The story was about an angel encountering a depressed girl and making her life better. The girl was abandoned by her parents and was forced to live struggling to survive. Then she felt a feather dropping on her face and she saw a male angel. This angel brought food and water and played with her. He even taught her how to read and spell. This angel took care of her until she was able to care of herself. She ended up getting children and told them stories of the angel. Time passed and she was on her deathbed. She was about to die when she saw the angel once more and the angel escorted her to heaven.

"You're so good at writing. I would pay for this." Her face lit up and her cheeks gained a red tint. "Thank you. I worked hard on it." "I can see. Nothing better than some stretching after reading a great story. You coming?" She nodded then I grabbed her hand then I raced her around the sand. She was scared to go in the water so I helped her gradually go in. Her eyes were closed and I could feel her shivering in fear. "See it wasn't that bad. You're fine, aren't you?" She nodded her head then we played in the water. We were having do much fun.

Something unaccounted happened. I ran into Jazmine once again. She swam towards me and talked to us. She was soon accompanied by Dacia and the four of us decided to hang out together. We swam, except Ayumi, we raced, we built sandcastles and we took photos of us. It was an enjoyable experience and we soon departed. We went to bathe ourselves and leave the beach and when Ayumi tried moving the sheet with my help my bag flipped over and the box with the two metal, circular rings fell out. She grabbed the box and then opened it and saw the rings.

"What are these for?" I couldn't move a muscle. I was planning to show her the rings outside of her house but my plan went up in smoke. I had two options. Either lie and make up an excuse for having them or tell the truth and hope for the best. I was leaning towards lying but then a flashback to what my alter told me made its way inside my head. Then courage flowed through my entire body and I opened my mouth and said, "They're for us. Ayumi you're wonderful, smart, caring, beautiful and really great at writing awesome stories. Because of this I like you. Do you like me?" She was stunned and I sat there in the sand waiting for her answer.