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Clearwater and found a place to park.

Chapter 5

When it’s too late
    C hase and Lyla walked along the beach. Chase held Lyla’s hand in his. The day was mild but the warm rays of sun beat down on them as they walked on the cool sand.
    “What’s your earliest memory?” Lyla looked up at Chase and smiled.
    “Probably when I met Jaden for the first time. I don’t remember much before that. We were at someone’s house and in come this kid with wicked wild hair. He came up and punched me in the stomach. We’ve been friends ever since.”
    Lyla laughed. “How old were you?”
    “Oh, I think four. Strange. You would think I would remember something from an earlier time but I don’t. When was yours?”
    “We were running, again. I think I was three. She threw me in a car, Dad jumped in the driver’s side and we drove really fast. All I remember is my Dad’s face when he turned around.” She shuddered. “It was old, intense and scared. They’ve been old forever.”
    “Lyla, did you ever try and find out why you live this way?”
    “Yes. I used to rifle through my parents papers and stuff. They didn’t leave me alone much so there really hasn’t been much freedom to snoop. I’ve never found anything. Not even a glimmer.”
    Lyla and Chase continued to walk along the beach through the morning. They stopped and sat, facing the water, watching pelicans dive bomb for fish.
    “What are you going to do after school?” Chase was leaning back on his elbows looking over at Lyla.
    “I want to go to college. Maybe find one around here. I don’t know. I like Florida, out of all the places I’ve been, Lakeland has the right balance of sun and small town. There are a lot of towns that are so small you can’t get lost even if you want to. Everyone knows your business. Big cities are exciting but I’ve only ever driven through them. What about you?”
    “Jaden and I were going to apply to a few together. I don’t really want to play football in college. My coaches think I’m nuts. I have a few looking at me but I’m undecided.”
    The two spent the entire day laughing and just hanging out. He didn’t remember when his time with someone was so easy and fun. Except Jaden but that was different. He didn’t want to kiss Jaden. Chase didn’t know if this was going to last but just looking at her made him happy. Something about them together felt familiar, like home. They clicked. Chase held her hand as they walked and pointed out pelicans swooping down to catch fish. Or a stray jellyfish stranded on the sand. The sun was warm on their faces. They ate at a little shack called “Shelly’s Fries” down the way, feeding fries to any seagull that came down to beg. That was a big mistake. Every bird within a mile radius came at them. Lyla screamed and threw the fries in the air. He grabbed her hand and they ran down the beach and into the water. Chase knew it was almost time to go and he hadn’t kissed her yet. They were up to their thighs in the water laughing about the birds that were now attacking the next person in the shack. Chase turned toward her and leaned in, put both his hand on either side of her face and kissed her. It was sweet and slow. He moved his right hand behind her head and his left down to her lower back. They stayed in the water and the sun not realizing that from this moment on, their lives would change forever. Eventually they pulled apart. Lyla smiled at Chase. He smiled back and they headed to the shore and began the trek to the car.
    Chase pulled up before school let out. He put the car in park and looked over at Lyla. “I’d like to see you again.”
    “I’d like that.” Lyla looked out at the reality of the school and preferred the beach.
    “Your parents probably won’t let you date a boy or go out to a movie with a boy or even see a boy. Will they?” Chase smiled over at her.
    “I’m not even supposed to know boys exist.” Lyla smiled back.
    “So we have to be careful. Where can