KARINA'S POV

Taking another mouthful of strawberry yoghurt, I flipped through a college pamphlet as my dad made himself some coffee. The room was silent, aside from the whisking of the paper and the muffled rumbling of the tumble dryer.

"So, I've been looking at the campus at Yale," my dad began, sitting down across from me. He took a sip of his piping hot drink and then placed it down on the table. "It looks quite nice, if I'm honest."

Scooping yoghurt into my mouth, I suppressed my whines. It was only a few days ago that I was lying on the ground at school, crying my eyes out because my best friend was close to killing herself. I mean, that night I did have a long, good talk with her, but I was still in shock. It just seemed like everything in my life - all the problems and pressures - refused to let up.

"They have some of the best Physics equipment in the country, too," my dad hastened to add.

I remained silent. I didn't want to argue at half nine in the morning. Not even noticing that I was being unresponsive, he continued to talk about how wonderful Yale was. How much I'd love it. How good of an opportunity it was.

Once he'd finished his coffee, my dad left the kitchen. I scooted back in my chair and rested my head on my hands for a moment, just enjoying the silence. Unfortunately, my short pause was cut even shorter by the sound of the phone ringing.

Groaning, I got up and trudged down the hall, passing my dad as he spoke formally and tightly to the person on the line. I entered my room, shut my curtains, and then collapsed on to my bed.

TONY'S POV

"I'm still mad at you for not coming to that party with me," Mike said, playing with the pegs on my guitar.

"I just wasn't feeling up to it, really. It's not like you need my help getting girls anyway."

"I'm touched," Mike chuckled, plucking the D string and mimicking its out of tune noise.

Shutting my sketch pad, I placed it on my bedside table before sprawling myself out on the ground. "I told her I loved her, y'know."

Mike stopped messing around, his eyes darting away from the instrument. "Seriously? Man, that's some serious shit right there."

"Shut up," I chuckled, putting my hands behind my head. "I can't believe school is nearly over."

"Yeah," Mike said, an almost sad tone in his voice. He was top dog at school, so he was pretty weary about entering the real world. He knew he'd have to start again - a change which may have resulted in him becoming a different person. "Are you going to college?"

"Hell no," I said, staring at the ceiling. "I'm putting my college fund into Lucia's, she deserves it."

Mike plucked another string, fiddling with he pegs to distort the sound. "Damn. What are you gonna do, then?"

I didn't want to answer that question. Honestly, I had no idea. All I wanted was to play guitar. "I don't know, dude. I might work with my uncle."

"Can you even lay bricks?" Mike chortled.

"I can learn," I shrugged.

Puffing out, I thought about how my life would be in a few years. Long work hours under the hot sun, only to return to... well, only to return to an empty home. Karina was destined for great things, and I was never going to hold her back.

Yanking her top over her head, Karina tossed it aside as she raced towards the ocean. The dark waves were lapping on to the shore, the moon's reflection laying still on top of the water.

Taking off her shoes, she chucked them over her shoulder before confidently wading into the water. Her dark hair, contrasting the pale skin of her bare back, soon found its tips becoming wet. She ventured deeper and deeper in, fingertips tickling the surface.

I wanted to tell her to get out, to come back, to be safe, but the words refused to leave my mouth. She looked so at peace.

I wanted to freeze time right there. As I thought that, though, I realised that it was something I often seemed to wish for when with Karina. No matter where were were, or what we were doing, she was always able to make it one of those moments you want to hide in a box under your bed.

"Its such a nice night," she said, barely audible over the sound of the waves. She waded along a bit, moving away from the lights of the houses down the beach, and calmly made her way out of the water. Her black shorts were soaking - clinging to her figure for dear life.

"You are something else," I whispered, taking her hand as she stepped on to the sand. Gathering her hair, I moved it all on to one shoulder, leaving her other exposed. Gently, I kissed her body. My lips tingled at the contact with her soft skin.

Being able to touch her, to actually reach out and touch her, was a beautiful thing. It was painful, and teasing, and amazing all the same. She was silly, she was funny, she was caring, she had a whole world locked inside her head, and you only got a glimpse of it when you looked into her eyes. She was perfect.

"Tony?" Mike questioned.

"Wha- Uh, yeah?"

"Dude, you totally spaced out," he chuckled, "your mum's shouting on you."

"Oh." Getting up, I ran my fingers through my hair before going to see what she wanted me for, leaving my memories and worries behind.

Notes

im sorry this is so shit, its just a little filler c:
so, the story is nearly over.. any ideas as to what will happen?

thank you for the continual support. I always get surprised at the amount of likes, votes and comments this has. I cant get over it, to be honest.. agh.
Have a good day, guys :) x