“Who was that you were talking to?” My brother asked as I walked over to him.

“I…I don’t know, Luke! I just,” I paused, then sighed, “it was no one.”

Luke shrugged. “All right, whatever sis. Now let's get back for lunch!” As we began walking back to our family, my mind raced. “Who was she? And why am I so interested in her? Ugh,” I shook my head, I need to get my mind of things.” Pushing past the crowds, we finally made it back to Mon.

Well, foster Mom, and...foster-brother. I was only 9, when my parents died. It all happened so fast, I couldn’t do anything to stop it. One day they were here...the next, gone. Because all of our relatives lived far away, I was sent to a foster family. Luke was only 1 at the time and his Mom was happy to have me. Of course it was a rough time for me, but my new family was so nice that I soon moved on. However, I am still sensitive whenever someone brings up the topic of family...it just hurts.

“Y’all are just in time! I got some pizza from the booth nearby. Dig in!” Mom said, smiling as we approached. We hungrily dove in, not eating anything since early this morning. After a minute, Luke looked at mom and said with his mouth full, “Jaime met a girl today!” Mom looked at me and responded, “oh really? What’s her name?”

“She doesn’t know,” Luke responded, “but Jaime got herself a C-R-U-S-H!”

“God, stop it!” I exclaimed, lightly punching him on the arm, “I barely even know her. We just bumped into each other at the go carts. We’re probably never going to see each other again, it's no big deal.”

“Uh huh, sure Jaime.” He smirked at me and turned around, acting like he was making out.

“Oh stop it, Luke.” My mom responded, laughing. I was beet red and furious.

“I’m leaving! You guys are unbelievable…” I said as I walked away.

Mom sighed and called out, “just be back at 10!”

“Whatever…” I responded, quickly walking away.

I couldn’t believe them. We just met! And we didn’t even really meet, we just bumped into each other. I took a deep breath as I reached the edge of the park and leaned myself against the railing. As I looked over at the ocean, I began to think about my family. I remembered this exact ocean, a week before the accident…

'“Mom I just can’t do it!” I cried, discouraged.

“Yes, you can sweetie. I believe in you!” She responded, setting me back laying on the surfboard.

Another wave came, and she backed away to let me try. “Remember,” she called, “Lift up with your arms first!” As the wave approached, I lifted up, got on my feet, and held a standing position. The wave rushed by as my surfboard flew towards the shore. Wind was rushing past my ears, water droplets were hitting my face, I felt the sun’s rays shining on me...I loved it.

When I reached the shore, I fell off the surfboard and landed softly on the sand, but I wasn’t hurt. I was laughing! “I did it!” I cried out to my parents. Dad came rushing up first, lifting me up in his arms as he swung me around before pulling me into a tight hug. “Yes you did! I’m so proud of you!” Mom came next, joining in the hug. We were all laughing and smiling…'

“Thinking about your parents?” I heard a voice say, interrupting my thoughts. I turned around to see my foster mom standing behind me. I sighed and replied, “Yes…”

“Aww darling, I know you miss them” She responded, pulling me into a hug.

I sighed and held her tighter. “Why did they have to go…why did they have to leave me…”