Living In The Moment: Sunrise | Teen Ink

Living In The Moment: Sunrise

November 15, 2009
By nextkidd30 SILVER, Oregon, Wisconsin
nextkidd30 SILVER, Oregon, Wisconsin
7 articles 0 photos 45 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts."
-- William Shakespeare


I opened my eyes in the morning to a bright sun that was just peaking over the ocean’s horizon. It felt early. The sand around me was still a little damp and it clung to anything that it touched. I felt a cool breeze brush over my arms so I pulled the blanket a little closer, forgetting that I was sharing it. I kept my eyes closed even though I was awake and rolled over to put my arm around Ashley. I expected to feel her warm flesh against mine but was surprised when I felt nothing but an empty bed of sand next to me. My eyes shot open, fearing that she’d already left.

She hadn’t though. She was sitting cross-legged only a few feet away with her drawing notebook in her lap, face glowing in the sunrise. The soft rays of the sun illuminated the front her body while she concentrated on her canvas, looking away only when switching pastel colors, or to take a peak out onto the horizon. God did she look beautiful. The pink and orange light seemed to purify her beauty, bringing out every perfect feature in her face. It looked like a painting, and there was an almost surreal feeling about it.

I sat up, not sure if I should say anything to her. I didn’t want to break her focus. If she was anything like me I absolutely hated being distracted when trying to work. I looked around and everything was just as tranquil as it was last night. The only sounds were that of the waves that continually crashed into the shore every few seconds, and no one else seemed to be around but Ashley and I.

I looked out into the ocean and at the sunrise. It was beautiful. The sky wasn’t as clear as it had been the night before, but the thin layer of clouds created an assortment of pink and orange and red colors. The sun was already about three-fourths the way over the horizon and everything reflected off the glassy ocean water. I’d never seen a sunrise exactly like this before. I watched for a few minutes, seeing the colors change while the clouds shifted around slowly.

I was so lost in the moment.

“Hey you.” I heard Ashley say softly from behind me. I turned and she caught me by surprise with a quick peck on the lips. She smiled wide. “Good morning.”


“Good morning to you too.” I said. She knelt down next to me in the sand. Her hair was a little messy and her makeup was a bit smudged but she looked fantastic nonetheless. She looked cute in her large sweatshirt and sweatpants that I hadn’t noticed her wearing last night.


“I just finished up.” She said, reaching over to pick up her notebook.

“How long have you been up?” I asked.

“Oh, about a half an hour. I figured I’d let you sleep a little longer.”

“Do you like how it turned out?”

She glanced down at the cover of her notebook. “Yeah . . . I do. It came together so perfectly and I’m surprised at how quickly I finished.”

“I’m excited to see it.” I said.

“You can’t just yet though.”

I smiled.

For another few minutes we talked lightly with each other until the sun was fully up, and until the tranquility of the moment began to fade with the arrival of a few of the resort’s workers. Everything around us seemed completely normal, the sand, the water, the people, but there was something about the moment that felt almost dreamlike. My body felt great and energetic even though I’d just spent the night on the beach, and I couldn’t help but smile every time I looked over at Ashley. To put it simply, I felt happy.

“Are you up for some breakfast?” I asked her.

“Sure.” She smiled. “My uh—bus leaves for the airport around two so I have to finish something else quickly before we go, is that alright?”

I got up and folded the blanket. “Do you want me to wait with you?”

“No, no it’s fine. It should only take a minute. I’ve just got to get some things in order back at the room. Meet me at the restaurant in about a half an hour okay. Just enough time for me to get cleaned up and stuff.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

I laid the blanket next to her in the sand and after giving her a kiss I made my way back down the beach where I’d come. I couldn’t help but wonder what it was that she needed to get done. I looked back, getting one more glimpse of how gorgeous she looked, and then turned to walk away.


The author's comments:
This is a continuation of my story Living In The Moment. Thank you to everyone who voted or commented on that story. It inspired me to continue. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 12 comments.


on Nov. 21 2011 at 4:16 pm
Jappyalldayeveryday, Detroit, Michigan
0 articles 0 photos 163 comments

Favorite Quote:
They say that good things take time, but really great things happen in the blink of an eye

What does she have to finish up?

on Sep. 24 2011 at 10:55 pm
artfullymade14 BRONZE, Chesapeak, Virginia
2 articles 5 photos 41 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Live as if you'll die tomorrow, dream as if you'll live forever."
-Unknown Author

I read the first story and this one and you have me in shock. My friend and I both love to write romance stories, i have countless onnes that are unfinished but im going to post some soon. PLEASE look at them when I have some up. PS, id look you up on facebook but I dont know your full name :) haha oh well

on Sep. 16 2011 at 2:31 pm
PeachyKeen2 BRONZE, Greensboro, North Carolina
3 articles 0 photos 9 comments
This hooks you in. I loveee it! good job with the sense of imagery. I like it. I can see it happening! Keep up the good work!

PippinP GOLD said...
on Oct. 21 2010 at 5:16 pm
PippinP GOLD, Bolingbrook, Illinois
15 articles 0 photos 67 comments

Favorite Quote:
Faith is like learning to walk; you have to fall at first, but don't stay down. When in doubt, don't stop believing.

lol I won't die but I'll scream my head off!!!!!!!

on Jul. 6 2010 at 12:07 pm
nextkidd30 SILVER, Oregon, Wisconsin
7 articles 0 photos 45 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts."
-- William Shakespeare

New writing to come soon!

on Jul. 3 2010 at 10:21 pm
ImmaCheerGurl BRONZE, Desert Hot Springs, California
3 articles 2 photos 8 comments
I AGREE WITH EVERY ONE BELOW ME! IF U DNT WRITE MORE OF THE STORY I WILL DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on May. 5 2010 at 8:19 pm
HappyAsABee SILVER, Victoria, Other
8 articles 0 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
Those heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter; therefore ye soft pipes, play on.
-John Keats

i read the first one, and now this one, and youvr got me on edge. prease, please write more.

 you're fantastic at what you do, please, please PLEASEE write more.


AmnyR BRONZE said...
on Mar. 7 2010 at 7:53 pm
AmnyR BRONZE, Clifton, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 134 comments

Favorite Quote:
To the world, you may be just one person, but to one person, you may be the whole world. ~unknown

seriously, you need to write more of this story, i want to know sooooo bad!!!

on Feb. 22 2010 at 6:58 pm
KristinaA BRONZE, South Riding, Virginia
1 article 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
all your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo you need to finish it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its so cuteeeee. please write moreeeeeeeee!!! i love your storiesssssssss ure an amazing writer! good job! <3

on Feb. 21 2010 at 9:51 pm
AmazingGrace88 GOLD, Lake Oswego, Oregon
13 articles 0 photos 25 comments

Favorite Quote:
No boys are worth your tears,
and the ones who are wont make you cry.

noooo i didnt want it to end what else happens? you have to wright more! i love it so much keep going!

on Dec. 18 2009 at 9:09 am
nextkidd30 SILVER, Oregon, Wisconsin
7 articles 0 photos 45 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts."
-- William Shakespeare

If you'd like to check out what happened before this . . .
http ://www.teenink .com /fiction/romance/article/95129/Living-In-The-Moment/

on Dec. 17 2009 at 6:34 pm
xxxVanessaxxx SILVER, Alexander, Arkansas
9 articles 0 photos 66 comments

Favorite Quote:
"i CaNt Be AwAy fRoM hEr BeLlA, iT hUrTs ToO mUcH." (Jacob from the breaking dawn book)

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, that's so sweet that he looked back at her.....i wish i had someone like that, not that ill ever find someone, but i'd love to love someone that way'