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Holding on to Nothing

Captivated

As many could confidently say, Huntington Beach was the best place to be in California. It was always a place of interest when it came to somewhere I wanted to settle down in, and had finally decided to make that decision just over a year ago. My family wasn’t the happiest about it, as they weren’t able to keep their arms tightly around me, but having recently turned twenty-two with still living in the same Oregon home I had grown up in, I knew it was time for a change.

Majority of the funds were simply from putting back each and every earning I would receive, whether it was from the small jobs I’d work, or sums that would be given to me on special occasions. My parents were always expecting me to enroll in a prestigious college, studying for the typical occupations you’d hear about from their generation, along with settling down with Mr. Right. I had many problems with that, for I didn’t believe in true love. At one point in my life, I thought I did.

There was someone whom I had chosen to let become my world once before, and tried to claim he saw eye to eye with me. For the longest time, the feeling was mutual and I was certain that I wouldn’t have to worry about being alone once again - but that quickly turned into me being jinxed when his heart started to beat for some girl who was a polar opposite of him. Perhaps it would have given away his true intentions if I had waited around long enough to see just how desperate he was, and how looks were more important to him. Either way, I made the decision to be independent, not looking for love in any places.

Finding work was a bit of a challenge, though I had finally found my bearings at a local aquarium in Long Beach. My love for animals was obvious to anyone who knew me, and it was what gained me friendships with two other girls who happened to work here as well — Zahra and Whitney. Not only was I shown the ropes by them, but they also got to know me on a much more personal level rather than just simple acquaintances you see the faces of at your job everyday.

“Z, as many times as I’ve said this to you, the fact that you get to work with dolphins is something I’m still upset about.” I remarked, shutting the cash register after the recent transaction from a very enthusiastic family. “It wouldn’t even seem like work, just leisure.”

Zahra rolled her eyes to accompany the shaking of her head, moving her tongue against the ring in the left side of her lip as she tried her best to hide the growing smirk on her face. She always got a kick out of my envy towards her getting the better position, but I practically considered her my best friend at this point, and she knew that.

“Face it, Lu. You’re better with the greetings and tending to the newcomers. Especially when there are those big busses full of curious kids who want to press their sticky hands up against the glass. Kids aren’t my thing.” She shrugged, having stepped behind the front desk to rub my shoulders. “We fit for each part! Besides, counting money is tedious and so not my style.”

She had a point. Many times she’d remind me of how underpar she was with handling a register, and found it to be a crutch to try and learn how to use it under stressful conditions. I always knew when she’d be managing the desk, when there would be a line stretching out to the parking lot.

“Where’s Whitney? Did she leave early today?” I asked, eyes shifting between the entrance and the large cylindrical tank of goldfish in the dead center of the lobby.

“She’s assisting some group of guys, I think. They look an interesting bunch if I must make any comment whatsoever.”

Her tone seemed a lot different than what I was used to hearing. Almost as if it were guarded? Sitting here and trying to assess the situation, nearly took my attention away from the fact that the previously mentioned group was nearing the front desk. That meant I had to tend to them. Clearly I wasn’t prepared for this. Whitney had spotted my lack of preparation as she neared the front, and basically pulled me aside to take my spot behind the register.

“Welcome to the Aquarium of the Pacific. General admission is our last slot available for the night, as we close in about an hour and a half. It'll be about twenty-nine ninety-five per person.”

The guy who was handling the money to Whitney looked to be the leader of the group, for he seemed like he was the one who spoke for the group while the others hung off each other and made more than profound jokes. One of them stood out to me more than the rest. He stood tall, a crooked and contagious smile, with teased hair looking nearly like a sentient being. There was a silver piece of metal sticking out underneath his bottom lip, giving him a sense of style and character. While all of those qualities were obvious, the one thing that captivated me were his eyes. Crystal blue, with a light that outshone anything I had ever seen with a large amount of vibrancy. This man was enticing, but I felt like there would be so much to learn about him.

As if the person of interest heard my thoughts, he approached the desk with vigor as his hands slammed down onto the counter top. The amount of energy he had was a bit intimidating to say the least, but it was a change up from the typical people who would pass through here. He was giving the place charisma, and that was something I favored.

“Come on, Matt! I really want to see the fish before this place closes and you’re taking forever!” He exclaimed, soon catching my gaze while I was fixated. Way to be obvious, Lucia.

The tall one shot a smile at me, before immediately caging his arms around the one who was now known as Matt - who clearly wasn’t too pleased with being hung onto with such a tight grip.

“Jimmy, let go. I can’t pay for this thing you so badly wanted to go to, if you’re going to practically climb all over me. Go pester Johnny or something.” Matt grumbled, using his shoulders as a vice to pry off the hyperactive human behind him.

So his name was Jimmy. An interesting name for sure. Certainly that wasn’t his actual name, for it was hard to come by anyone who had that instead of James. The evening was already interesting enough with them showing up, but within a short amount of time I had gotten a name to go with the smile. Now they were at the aquarium, looking to get a tour before we closed - but I could only wonder one thing…

Who would be their tour guide?






Notes

<3

A huge thanks to fyction for motivating me to post this story. Not only is she a really kind new friend of mine, but she is also a fantastic writer! I recommend all of her stories, and you should go read them now!

Another huge thanks to my two good friends for the use of their OCs; Zahra and Whitney.

This story has many plans for it, and will definitely be a roller coaster. Here's to hoping that Lucia wins the hearts of you guys, for she is my first OC I have ever developed. She's new, and I already consider her my baby.

Chapters will come in regularly, and I hope everyone enjoys the ride. Someone's heartbreak is imminent in this story.





Comments

<3 Thank you for the support!

RamonaFoREVer RamonaFoREVer
6/18/19

Happy belated birthday =)

insaneangel18 insaneangel18
6/11/19

That was an awesome Chapter. Really liked it. Excited for the rest of it.

Veehansen1982 Veehansen1982
6/8/19

KISS HIM. BLAME THE WHISKEY SOURS BUT DAMMIT KISS HIM!

PS I love how sweet Jimmy is to her, she needs him in her life!

RamonaFoREVer RamonaFoREVer
6/8/19

@fyction
She can’t be tamed, and that’s what worries me the most. It’s times like this when she needs to placed her under surveillance.
Hint; “Mean Girls” ;)