Lilliana

15

Paddle boarding
As I soared along the blood of the Earth, the surface looked as smooth as glass. I felt tempted to step on it and walk, but I knew that my foot would break right through and would be swallowed by the water. The afternoon heat beat down on my head and shoulders mercilessly. The sun sent down rays that danced across the waves in a series of sparkles. The light ricocheted off the water and into my eyes. The only thing defending me against the harsh rays beaming into my eyes were the sunglasses given to me by my mom for protection. The air smelled of sea salt and algae mixed with the sunscreen now melting off my face. There was a weak breeze that blew warm air on my back and moved the water along. This ruined the glassy effect, though every now and then the wind died and the canal returned to its still state. And when I breathed in the ocean air, the salt got to my tongue and I could almost taste the sea itself. My board rocked when the wakes hit up against it. The wakes made by the passing motorboat. The captain on the ship nodded to me, as if to say, “Good afternoon,” to his fellow nautical adventurer. The roar of his boat’s engine faded into the distance as the ship drove further and further away. The paddle grew heavier in my hands, desiring to be pushed through the water again. But I was content with just floating, and drifting wherever the sea wanted to take me. I trusted the ocean, because it was my friend. The water was my only companion. The only company for anyone who sets out to sea alone, except for the occasional visit of a traveling boat. So I sat there, on my board- with my paddle lying still. Going with the tide, I allowed my friend to take me away…