RS   Avril? Is that you, sweetness? ♡

RS   Come over here. ♡

You squeeze some saltwater out of your hair and glance over. She's lounging on the most exquisite beach setup you've ever seen.

AV   omg

AV   hiiii miss rosa B:)

AV   lookin supes sexy as always B)

As you walk towards her, she lowers her sunglasses and looks you up and down.

RS   I've always thought a body fresh out of water is a most wonderful thing. ♡

RS   You, my dear, were birthed from the waves themselves. ♡

AV   aww thanx miss

AV   u make this gal blush

AV   but if u like da water so much y not go 4 a swim?

AV   i heard u got a wicked breaststroke B)

RS   You've heard correctly. ♡

RS   But... ♡

RS   Mmm, not right now. ♡

RS   My petals need... photosynthesizing. ♡

RS   Wouldn't you agree? ♡

She yawns and stretches, the smooth fabric of her beach attire curling around her body.

AV   awooga

RS   Mmm. I know. ♡

RS   Care to join me? ♡

AV   catchin som rays w/ u?

RS   It's quite a large towel. ♡

AV   u dont mind?

RS   Go ahead, darling. ♡

RS   An Anthemusa always shares. ♡

She shuffles to the side of that humongous towel, and you place your surfboard firmly into the sand beside you. You lay on your stomach, resting your head on your arms.

RS   You're not a delicate beauty. ♡

RS   Not a particularly well-taken care of one, either. ♡

RS   But there is something in your shape, Avril. You catch the eye. ♡

AV   aww thnx

AV   id like 2 think im kinda busted but ina good way B)

RS   We've all got our aches and pains. ♡

RS   Mmm. Speaking of which... ♡

RS   How is that heart of yours? ♡

AV   i gotta good blood pressure i think

RS   No, dear. I mean love. ♡

RS   You've felt it before. So strongly, in fact. ♡

You try to keep up that casual smile, but the way she's looking at you is putting you on edge.

RS   The first heartbreak is catastrophic. ♡

RS   And it leaves scars. Just as any wound of the skin. ♡

RS   I can see your scars, dear. It's okay. ♡

RS   I just want to know how you're doing in your recovery. ♡

You swallow.

AV   i mean who doesnt have hangupz?

AV   but im over it lol

AV   im hot on da market now B)

AV   like.... i was chattin up this hunky bartender -

RS   Mmm, yes, I'm happy to hear you're tending to your physical needs. ♡

RS   But the heart, dear. Romance. ♡

RS   Its health should be valued as well. ♡

You're glad your sunglasses have slid onto your eyes at a certain point. It's much easier to stay easy-going, to act like living carefree is the easiest thing in the world, when they can't see the dull behind that shine.

AV   u dont kno if im datin or not

RS   But you aren't. Isn't that right? ♡

RS   The furthest you'll commit to are dalliances of the... sensual variety. ♡

AV   ...

RS   Darling, don't make that face. ♡

RS   It's thrilling, exploring the indulgences of the body. ♡

RS   Seeing how far you can go. How much it can take. ♡

RS   How much air can escape your lungs before they ache. ♡

RS   Mmm. I know it all too well. ♡

RS   But they are supplemental to indulgences of the heart. ♡

RS   And you, dear, have been neglecting it. ♡

AV   man

AV   i didnt think id be suntannin w/ a lecture

RS   Not a lecture. ♡

RS   Just a reminder. ♡

RS   You're a lot like myself. That's why. ♡

RS   I was your age, once. Fresh to the world. ♡

RS   And I've had my fair share of heartbreak and rejection, as well. ♡

AV   ive heard a lil bout them

AV   so... what did u do?

She chuckles, then lowers her sunglasses and gazes into your eyes. It pierces, even through your shades.

RS   To those who wronged me... ♡

RS   Dear. ♡

RS   What didn't I do? ♡

There's a feeling in your body, like the flesh will bubble and break apart in any minute. Rosalyn tends to have that effect on people. You shake it off by laughing uneasily.

AV   lol umm actually were still friends

AV   so it didnt end 2 messy

AV   i dont liek drama anyway

RS   ...is that right? ♡

AV   yea

AV   its not liek he wuz tryin 2 hurt me or anythin

AV   so... why would i want to hurt him?

RS   Why? ♡

RS   Why indeed. ♡

When you were 15, you fell in love. With a world outside of your own. With a boy who seemed to promise you the eternity you desired. And even when things ended unhappily for yourself, you let him have his happy ending. You couldn't bring yourself to drag him down with you.

RS   Well, that's where we differ. ♡

RS   A shame. ♡

RS   I expected more... ferociousness from you, dear. ♡

AV   im no shark maam

AV   im a lil guppy thang B)

RS   Mmm. So it appears. ♡

RS   But that's alright. ♡

RS   I doubt it would've worked out, anyhow. ♡

RS   After all - punishing others doesn't seem to be your specialty. ♡

She stretches again, seemingly satisfied enough to drift off into a drowsy state.

RS   What lovely rays. ♡

RS   And the sound of the sea... it lulls me like a cradle. ♡

RS   But the sights and smells of the garden always pull me back. ♡

RS   No one is water-bound forever. ♡

AV   lol

AV   yea

RS   By the by... ♡

RS   I hope you got everything back, dear. ♡

RS   All that you offered to him. And more. ♡

AV   ...

She's asleep by the time you think to respond. But you have a feeling the words wouldn't have mattered either way.