I met him when I was sixteen. I went on vacation to Charleston, South Carolina a few summers ago with my family. I was standing on the pier my back facing the water. The railing broke and I fell to the warm water. I knew how to swim, but the bottom of my jeans caught on an old anchor. I couldn't get it loose, and I ended up blacking out from the amount of air I lost.
The next thing I remember was waking up to a boy’s face. I caught my breath and sat up to spit out the salty water. I looked around me; I was on the warm beach. The boy smiled and I knew I was okay. I tried getting up.
“You should probably sit for a while.” He told me. It was true. I felt sick and tired. He sat next to me, legs out in front of him.
“Thank you.” I said while wiping off my hands. I didn't know what to say. He was gorgeous, and I was a klutz. He seemed shy but very outspoken. He smiled even wider.
“You’re welcome. You should be careful.” He told me. I smiled again.
“What’s your name?” I asked. He looked down and starred at his feet. He was tan; he looked like he spent a lot of time in the sun. Maybe he was a life guard.
“My name is Bradyn.” He said quietly. I smiled and held out my hand. He took it and shook it.
“Are you a lifeguard?” I asked looking into his eyes. I noticed his eyes were bright blue. They stood out from all the other features on his face.
“No, I’m not. I was under the pier when you fell. Can you swim?” I was too memorized by his eyes to answer him. He smiled and looked down.
“Oh yeah I can. The bottom of my jeans caught onto something. I think it was an old anchor.” I said looking over at the pier to see the damage I’ve done. “Do you live here?” I asked looking at the necklace tight around his neck.
“Yes." He said, “Where do you live?”
“I live in New York with my parents and my cat.” I said, and laughed at how I made the cat seem important. Actually, I don’t really like that cat. His name is Smokey. My dad brought him home one day when I was five.
“New York? What brings you to Charleston?” He asked with his smooth voice. My stomach fluttered.
“Vacation with my family. My older cousins live around here.” He smiled and I looked down at my wet clothing. My red tank top clung to my body. “Maybe I should get going. I’m all wet.”
“Yeah, maybe you should.” He helped me up, I was close to him. My hands against his chest, I looked up and his eyes met mine. I became weak and I lost my footing and almost fell. He caught me and we both smiled.
“Do you want me to walk you home?” He asked. I couldn't get the words out so I just nodded. He smiled. We walked until we came to the front door of my cousins’ house. “I never got your name.” He said with a small smile.
“My name is Molly.” He smiled and asked me if I was going to be fine. I nodded.
“Molly, I would like to see you again. Meet me by the pier tonight.” I nodded and walked into my cousin's house. The smell of a turkey filled my nose. I went to my guest room, showered and put dry clothes on.
That night after dinner I told my parents I was going for a walk. I ran to the pier, where I almost died earlier that day. I saw Bradyn sitting in the sand. I walked quickly towards him, a smile spread across my face. He looked in my direction and smiled and stood up.
“Hey Molly.” He said. I missed his voice. In the few hours I didn't see him it seemed like forever.
“Hey Bradyn.” I said back with a smile. He looked toward the water. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful sight.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” He asked, looking back at me.
I nodded and we sat on the sand, staring at the water and the beautiful colors reflecting from it. We talked all night. I was lost at that moment. I didn't know if Bradyn and I would even have a future together, I didn't know what he would bring to my life. I just knew that I wanted to be with him.
That summer I spend all my time with Bradyn. We talked on the beach while the sun was setting, we swam in the mornings, and he even tried teaching me how to surf.