Hidden Treasure

Alex rolled over onto his back, the sound of the wind rustling through the palm trees pulling him from his deep sleep. His eyes crept open and he squinted at the sun lighting up his suite. He stretched against the mattress and noticed how good he felt after falling asleep to the sound of paradise outside his window. He sighed as a pleased smile tugged on the corner of his lips and he sat up.

He was surprised he’d managed to sleep until noon, given his usually demanding schedule requiring him to be on the move by early morning and his body growing used to that routine. Even on his days off, he never slept passed seven. He felt blessed and grateful for the fourteen hours of uninterrupted sleep he’d just endured.

He stood from the king-sized bed and walked out onto his balcony, taking in a deep breath of salt air. The water looked like sapphires as the sun shined off it. People were already scattered across the beach and Alex decided to go join them. But first, he had to get some lunch.

After getting dressed, he left the hotel in route to one of the diners he read about in one of the many travel guide brochures fanned out over the desk in his room. It was also on the list of places he should go from the old cab driver and he wanted to try to visit as many places and attractions as his week would allow him.

He walked a few blocks down to the diner adequately named Aloha! and was greeted by a chorus of alohas as he entered. He took a seat at one of the booths and soon an older waitress was hurrying towards him.

“Aloha, sweetie. My name is Meilani. I will be helping you today. What can I get to drink for you?” she smiled as she pulled out her ticket book.

“Water, please,” Alex grinned as he opened the menu that was set before him.

She nodded and hurried off to get his drink. After glancing over the menu and deciding on a meal, he waited for her to return so he could place his order. As he was reading one of the various hot sauce bottles on the table, another chorus of alohas was sung, but this time it was echoed in a rowdier way.

Alex glanced up from the bottle at the crowd of people coming through the door. They all looked to be only a few years younger than him. They were definitely locals, judging by the way they were greeted by the staff. He eyed each of them as they filed in, collecting around one of the bigger tables. When he saw the blonde trailing close behind, he instantly recognized her as the girl that almost plowed over him with her surf board the day before. She must have recognized him, too, because when they made eye contact, she smiled.

Alex tried not to stare, but he couldn’t help but steal glances every now and then. Even when the waitress was taking his order, the only time he looked up from the menu was to steal a peek at the girl. Her long blonde hair that hung in tousled curls matched her soft tan skin perfectly. Her eyes were the brightest shade of green he’d ever seen and he couldn’t get over how her nose adorably scrunched when she laughed with her friends. He was too focused on trying not to die the day before that he didn’t notice how gorgeous she was.

He continued to steal glances every now and again, but he kept getting caught as she would look up and catch him. He didn’t want to freak her out, so he fought with himself to stare down at his empty hands. He was surprised when he looked up a few moments later and she was sliding into the booth across from him.

“Hi,” she said with a sweet smile.

Alex grinned and begged his cheeks not to show just how embarrassed he was. “Hi.”

“So I believe I almost ran you over yesterday,” she said, her smile spreading.

“Yeah, only by this much,” he said mockingly, holding his thumb and index finger an inch apart.

“Yeah,” she laughed. “I’m really sorry. I was excited, trying to land my first successful set of the day. I wasn’t even looking for floaters.”

“It’s fine,” Alex shrugged. “I’m still alive and that’s all that counts to me.”

She smiled at him and extended her hand. “I’m Lily. Adams.”

He took her small, soft hand in his. “Alex Gaskarth.”

“Gas-karth? Yikes,” she said, faking a wince. “At about what age did you learn to pronounce that one correctly?”

“I was about eighteen,” he said sarcastically.

Lily rose her eyebrows. “Makes sense.”

They shared a smile, followed by a brief moment of silence before Lily spoke.

“Well, Alex, I would like to make up for almost killing you yesterday. Can I buy you a milkshake?” she asked.

“No,” Alex chuckled. “That wont be necessary, really. I appreciate it, but you don’t have to do that.”

“Oh, c’mon!” Lily scoffed playfully. “Mama Mei over there makes the best chocolate milkshakes in all of Hawaii!”

“I bet she does,” he nodded. “But you really don’t have to.”

“Suit yourself,” she shrugged. “Are you on vacation?”

Alex nodded, taking a gulp from his water.

“Nice. How long are you in town for?”

“I leave Sunday,” he replied.

“Hmm,” she smiled. “I’d say that’s plenty of time to increase the chances of us running into each other again before you leave.”

Somehow, her energy made him loosen up, and it made him comfortable enough to poke fun at her, like she was someone he’d known for a long time.

“Definitely. Just, this time let’s hope you don’t nearly drown me.”

Lily’s mouth fell open and for a second Alex thought he offended her until her lips started to form a smile.

“Alright, that’s it,” she giggled. “I’m buying you a damn milkshake.”

Alex tried to protest, but as the waitress was bringing him his dinner, Lily was hard to overpower as she asked for a chocolate milkshake.

“Really, you don’t have to,” Alex insisted to Meilani while Lily jokingly scowled at him, but she was already hurrying off to whip one up for him. A few moments later of Alex tirelessly protesting and Lily ignoring him, Meilani brought back a tall glass, setting it next to the plate he’d yet to touch. He thanked Meilani, then looked towards Lily, the victorious grin she was sporting causing a smile to pull at the corners of Alex’s mouth.

“Lily-“ he started, but was cut off.

“Just accept my peace offering and say ‘thank you’,” Lily giggled.

Alex sighed in defeat and nodded. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” she smiled. “I’m not going to keep you from your lunch. It was really great meeting you.”

“Yeah,” Alex said, a little bummed she was leaving. “You, too.”

She slid from the booth and stood in front of him. “Maybe I’ll see you around before Sunday.”

“Yeah, that’d be awesome.”

“Okay,” she giggled, almost bashfully, and tucked a blond strand behind her ear. “See ya.”

Notes

I'm not even gonna lie to you guys, the next two chapters are gonna be pretty filler-y. Don't hate me <3