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Chapter 1
Istoodinourcozy kitchen, the worn wooden floor cool beneath my feet, reaching for the cookie jar that Ava had placed on the topmost shelf. With my not-so-tall stature, I had to stretch on my tiptoes, my long, sun-kissed, blond hair brushing against my back like a soft, silken curtain. The soft morning light poured through the lace curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room.
As I finally got a hold of the jar, the familiar scent of freshly baked cookies filled my nose, wrapping me in a warm embrace. The aroma, a blend of cinnamon and vanilla, beckoned me closer. I carefully lifted the lid, the cool glass jar smooth against my fingers, like a comforting touch from an old friend. Inside, I found a plump raisin cookie, still warm to the touch. The surface was slightly crisp, and the middle was soft and gooey, as though it had just left the oven. I bit into it, savoring its sweetness, the raisins bursting with juicy flavor, and the aroma of the freshly baked dough infusing my senses. A satisfied sigh escaped my lips as I indulged in this simple pleasure.
I then cradled a warm cup between my hands, the curves of the mug mirroring my own silhouette as I gazed out at the bustling streets below. The morning sun painted the sky a soft pink as it lazily rose over our small Wyoming town.
The shops on Main Street opened for the day, and cars filled with people drove by. Birds sang in the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. I watched, mesmerized by the peacefulness of it all but feeling like something was missing from my life.
Ava, my always-on-the-go roommate, burst into the kitchen, her bright eyes sparkling excitedly. “Guess what, Mia?” Her long black hair needed a brush, and she was still wearing traces of last night’s eyeliner, but the excitement on her face was irresistible. I set down my tea and turned to face her. “Last night, I discovered the Viennese waltz, and it’s delightful!”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I twisted to face her. “Oh no, not another new bizarre hobby!”
Ava boldly presented her arms in a graceful pose. “It’s not just a hobby, Mia! It’s magic! If you take the time to learn, the movements become so effortless and beautiful.” She twirled around the room with her eyes closed and a smile on her face, looking more like Tasmanian Devil than Ginger Rogers.
Ava stopped in her tracks, noticing my contemplative expression. “What’s on your mind, lovely?”
“Nothing much,” I sighed, taking a slow, soothing sip of my tea, its warmth spreading through me like a cozy embrace, and looking back out the window. “The usual. Just daydreaming about waking up to an ocean view again.”
“You and your dreams of beach life,” Ava mused, joining me by the window. “You’ll get there someday, Mia. I know it.”
“Come on, let’s have breakfast,” Ava said, pulling me away from the window and into the vintage kitchen. Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, casting a warm glow over our mismatched china and well-loved appliances. The smell of toast soon filled the air as we sat down at the old oak table, its edges worn smooth with generations of use.
“Tell me more about this ocean daydream of yours,” Ava prompted, her eyes twinkling as she spread strawberry jam on her toast.
I hesitated for a moment before diving in. “You know my grandmother visited recently, right?” I asked, my mind drifting back to that particular time. With steaming cups of chamomile tea, we listened to Grandma Evelyn Fairchild’s tales of family traditions and the magic of the sea in this very kitchen.
“Of course! She’s such a lovely lady,” Ava replied while sipping her coffee.
“Well, she told me stories of how our ancestors used to live by the ocean,” I explained, playing with the edge of my napkin. “She said something is enchanting about it - the way the waves dance under the moonlight, and the salty breeze whispers secrets through your hair.”
Ava leaned forward, her face alight with curiosity. “And you’ve never seen the ocean in real life, have you?”
“No,” I admitted, feeling a pang of longing. “But I can’t help but imagine what it would be like. To stand on the shore and let the waves wash away everything else.”
“Oooh, yes, I’ll have some of that. Sounds amazing,” Ava sighed, daydreaming alongside me. “I’d love to see the look on your face when you finally dip your toes in the ocean.”
“I know it’ll happen one day,” I said, trying to sound more hopeful than I felt. “Maybe I’ll stumble across the perfect opportunity, and everything will fall into place.”
“Cheers to that!” Ava declared, raising her tea in a toast. We clinked our mugs together, laughter bubbling between us as we shared our dreams over breakfast in the heart of our shared home.
I retreated to the tranquility of my room and opened the top drawer of my nightstand. I pulled out an ornate diary with a delicate seashell design on the cover and flipped through the pages. I traced my fingers over the drawings and notes about the sea, each entry reflecting my deep-rooted desire to honor my family’s legacy.
As I studied my sketches of crashing waves and swirling tides, I felt the stirrings of adventure in my heart. The ocean called to me, whispering promises of new beginnings and unforgettable experiences.
“One day,” I murmured, gently closing the diary, its pages whispering secrets of distant shores, and hugging it to my chest. I could almost feel the embrace of the sea breeze, the touch of sun-warmed sand, and the taste of salty air on my lips at that moment.
As Ava and I sat down to dinner that evening, we giggled at her experimental pasta dish with colorful vegetables. “I call it the ‘Perfect Pasta Surprise,’ she announced, grinning from ear to ear. “The surprise is that you never know what you’ll get in each bite! I used all the leftovers I could find, so it’s... interesting!”
“Here’s to adventure, both in our meals and lives!” I exclaimed, raising my fork in salute before digging into the delicious chaos on my plate.
“Speaking of adventure,” Ava said, pausing between bites. “Are you looking forward to any other exciting changes?”
“Speaking of adventure, I’ve been thinking all day about it,” I admitted, twirling a forkful of noodles. “I’m ready for something new, and I can’t shake the feeling that amazing things are waiting just around the corner.”
“Planning to swap cowboys for pirates?” Ava teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Who knows?” I laughed, shrugging playfully. “Maybe I’ll sail off into the sunset, chasing after hidden treasures and uncharted lands.”
