Labyrinth

Chapter Two

I decide to ride my bike on the boardwalk for a bit before I headed home.
It was a good first day, well as good as it could get. Beth trained me in while I got to know some of the local regulars.
I wasn't entirely clumsy, just a bit ungraceful at times, although I did dance for a few years.
The shops and stores on the beach were all quaint and homey feeling, but again I wouldn't feel at home anywhere, at least not for a bit more time.
I passed by a few jewelry stands whose jewels created rainbows in the sun, and a golden retriever barking next to a blind man sitting on a bench.
It was nice here, I had to admit that.
The ocean breeze blew my hair behind me as I rode and it almost felt freeing.
I pulled over near the edge of the boardwalk and stood there looking over the beach.
The water was loud today and a bunch of surfers were laughing and catching the waves.
A lifeguard blew his whistle and waved his flag to call them back to shore.
I took a deep breath and turned around to get back on my bike.
"Don't have a lot of waves back in New York?"
It was Jack from Phil's.
I was a bit startled.
He gave me strange look when I didn't answer.
"Are you following me?" I asked.
"Was actually about to ask you the same thing," he said placing a hand on his surf board and giving it a bang to emphasize his presence already taking place.
"Oh," I said dumbly.
He laughed a little and said, "Our first impressions haven't been too successful, how about we start over. I'm Jack and your Meria-just Mer, right?"
I smiled back and said,  "Yeah that's me, and sorry for almost knocking you over and then calling you a stalker."
He laughed again, which seemed to be a usual habit of his, it was kind of nice.
"No worries new girl, was just about to surf for a bit if you wanted to join, I could introduce you to some of the other teens from around here If you'd like."
"No that's okay, I should be heading home anyways."
The idea of meeting new people didn't sound very exciting.
"Well I guess I'll see you at work tomorrow then," he said a bit disappointed at my refusal.
"Yeah enjoy the surfing, try not to drown."
He laughed at that and said, "Wait you never answered my question!"
"Which one was that?" I asked confused.
"About the waves in New York."
"Oh," I laughed a little which made his cheeks redden for some reason.
"There are beaches in New York too."
At that his cheeks grew a darker shade of red.
"Haha, right, of course," he said scratching the back of his neck.
I smiled and said, "But they don't compare much to this one." 
At that he smiled, he was glad I was liking it here.
I said good-bye once more and headed back while he stood there watching me for a few seconds, when one of the boys from the waves called out to him to join them.
He grabbed his board and ran to the water with a certain endearing smile and laugh engraved in his mind.