Frankie sat on the rooftop of her beachy house on the Hawaiian coast in Maui. The night sky sparkled with stars, and waves of the ocean crashed, creating an aura of tranquility. Her silky brown hair fanned across her tanned face in the warm breeze as she caught her breath and recalled her perilous climb up the side of the house.
*Flashback to two hours earlier*
Frankie’s best friend Kalista was supposed to be at the beach by now. Kalista had red hair that complemented her fair skin and emerald green eyes. As she waited for her friend, Frankie dug her toes into the soft sand and watched the orange and yellow of the sky melt into the fringes of purple and blue peeking over the horizon. Palm trees swayed in the slight breeze as the water made its way to her feet. She wore a white and grey raglan over her bright blue bikini, a pair of flowery flip flops laying next to the pink beach towel she sat on. From the distance she could hear a familiar voice call her name. As Frankie looked back, she saw Kalista make her way past several weathered and vacant beach chairs, kicking grains of sand all over as she went. Kalista hobbled her way over to the brunette, her yellow surf board in one arm.
“Frankie! Frankie!” Kalista cried, finally reaching the spot at which Frankie had been sitting peacefully. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as the two teens embraced in a long and meaningful hug.
“Kalista! What took you so long?!” Frankie exclaimed-much quieter than her rambunctious friend-making sure that her voice didn’t echo through through the small beach.
“I can see it in your eyes Kal, what have you been up to?” The redhead giggled as she told her friend all about her trip through the village, dodging suspicious glares as she ran through the sidewalks of the coastal town. According to the bubbly ginger, she was riding her bike when she suddenly ran into a tall palm tree, almost hitting an old man on the way. She quickly apologized and ran away from him through the streets.
This meeting had become a recurring thing: they met every Thursday night on Little Beach at six twenty P.M. For an hour Frankie and Kalista would watch the sunrise and catch waves as they pursued their hobby of surfing. Their parents were never bothered by the weekly activity (the two had been friends since birth). Their only request was that the girls be home by 7:30, as Frankie and Kalista would have to wake up early for school the following day.
Time passed quickly as the girls caught up on the latest gossip, including talk about their favorite show, New Girl. They sat on their surf boards letting the waves roll by, occasionally catching a ride from the current to the shallow shore. They discussed the stress of freshman year of highschool, still admiring their youth while they could. The pair knew how lucky they were, not only to have each other, but to be loved, appreciated, and happy.
“Fran, do you think we should go back soon?” Kalista asked, using her weird tone that only a best friend could understand. It was as if she should be worried, but had no cares in the world. Frankie agreed, both girls paddling back to the shore. As they walked out of the water, they shivered and hurried to their towels. The girls quickly shook the specks of sand off of their towels, dried off, and put their shirts back on. Frankie glanced at her phone, finding, to her horror, that it was 7:50.
“Our parents will kill us!” she cried. “How did we lose track of time? That never happens!”
“Shoot,” Kalista muttered, holding back a smile.
The girls ran as quickly as they could in their flimsy flip flops, giggling on the way. As they ran, they saw surf shops and scuba travel adventure booths close up. They could hear the owners lock their stores and pull down overhead doors. On the way back, childhood memories flooded Frankie’s mind as they passed the girls’ favorite Snow Cone shop called Mountain Snow. Since they were little, that was their favorite summertime destination; every time they ventured in, they bought mango snow cones that came in a hollowed coconut, countless smiles coming on the side for free.
Soon, the girls parted ways, Kalista taking a right, and her friend going the opposite direction. They exchanged goodbyes as they rushed away in separate ways. Frankie ran through the boulevards, finally seeing her streeet. It was getting dark outside, and the stars began to illuminate the sky. As she ventured her way closer to home, she ran through her neighbors yards, feeling damp grass. She was careful not to run into any flower bushes or palm trees, finally turning the corner and making it to her house as she slowed down. Frankie made sure to keep herself hidden in the dark night. She found the ladder on the side of the house that led to a side window of her baby blue colored room. Instead of stopping at her room, she decided to continue up the ladder, making her way to the roof. One of Frankie’s favorite things to do was sit outside at night on a crook in the roof that seemed specially made for her. She sat in peace, absorbing the beauty of Maui, able to hear the waves of the ocean crashing.
Suddenly, Frankie could hear noise in the kitchen as the refrigerator door opened and several lights turned on, disturbing her peace. She heard the garage door open and close, and the ladder began to move, anxiety filling her as the noise continued. Slowly and cautiously, she walked closer to the edge of the roof by the ladder. As she hesitantly peered over the edge, a familiar bob of brown hair came into sight.
“Mom?” Frankie asked, surprised. “Mom, why are you up here?” Her mom smiled as she handed her daughter a cold glass bottle of Coca Cola, wearing pale yellow pajamas.
“Well, I heard you come home, and knew you’d be up here. I decided to join you,” she said calmly and unphased. “It really is beautiful isn’t it? How did I ever get so lucky, living in the most magical place on earth, with the best two people around?”
The words of Frankie’s mother hung in the air, allowing a realization of gratitude sink in. I love you Mom, Frankie thought, keeping the sentimental feelings inside her mind. I love you, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. The two sat together on the roof, gazing at the night sky and admiring the calm sounds of the ocean combined with the palm trees swaying, not ever wanting to change a thing.