The weather was warming, and it was nearing your graduation for college. You and a group of your friends got together and raised enough money to go on a trip. The designation? Los Angeles, California. It was different, bigger, busier, something to get you out of your comfort zone.

It felt like a fever dream, really—you’d never thought you’d be booking a flight to California, but here you were, sitting in the gate with your friends. It was relatively easy except for the minor inconveniences that came with going to the airport—forgetting a toothbrush, spending a little too much on expensive snacks, going through TSA, which you thought was the most nerve-racking, what if they actually found a weapon that didn’t exist?

Though you made it out, and you survived the plane ride. Your friends rented out a car to use while here, only to realize how much traffic there was. The endless honking, people who didn’t turn their blinker on when turning, the ones who thought they could chance it out of a yellow light.

The car was left at the hotel after you guys had checked in and got your bags organized. One of your friends was looking at things to do, you, on the other hand was in awe—you were big on music, it was really the only thing you could turn to: Tupac, Eazy-E, Kendrick Lamar, Snoopdog, Dr.Dre, Ice Cube. You hadn’t grown up in the safest area; it was something you could relate to, but you were able to write yourself out of it, your essay granting you a full ride to a university of your choice.

When on walks, you recognized certain places from music videos, and looking at the murals, you were more artistic than the rest of your friends. Even saying that, the days were anything but boring. You went sightseeing, walking under the blazing sun, and at night you were at clubs, or in a hot tub at your apartment.

Though it was all mutual, you wanted to visit the beach. Today was perfect, it was warm, you and some of your friends decided to sunbathe, and sit around as the others ran around, playing in the water. Though after some time, you wanted something cold and sweet, so you got up and looked for your wallet, asking if anyone wanted to come with you.

You guys put on some coverings before leaving, of course, shops and such were closed. It wasn’t much of a walk; you could still see the beach and friends when you were standing in line for your slushy. Eagerly waiting for your turn to order, once the line shortened, and you were at the front ordering whatever suited you best, you stepped to the side waiting. Of course, your friend’s slushy came out early only because you were waiting for the snack you ordered with yours.

You sat at a table, sipping on the slushy as you waited. Someone sat across from you. Though unknowing to you, he had spotted you when you went in line, he nudged his friends to take a look, he thought you were attractive, so most of it was his friends hyping him up to talk to you, so that’s where he was now. Trying to talk to the pretty girl he had seen.

“Hey there, what’re you doing waiting all on your own?” He asked with a grin, his confidence coming off in waves. “If you're visiting, I can be your tour guide, I’m a local,” he eyed you—not in a creepy way, almost trying to gauge their reactions.