“After dreaming about being in love for so long I finally got what it meant to actually be in it.”

“Simon nodded. “You need your beauty sleep.”“Do I?” I said coolly.“I didn’t mean,” Simon stuttered. “I meant…you’re a girl and all.”“Thanks for telling me,”

“I was being strong. Even though I felt weak.”

“If you don't have any dreams then they won't come true.”

“After that, Simon swam naked every night. By the third skinnydippingsession, I secretly peeled off my bikini top while I was inthe water. It was safe. Simon was splashing somewhere ahead ofme. He couldn’t see. It was an amazing feeling. I felt free. Or at least half of me did.And right then that seemed to "t with the person I felt I was onLong Island: half-cautious, half-spontaneous, surprising myselfwith my random behavior, my sudden moves away from who Ithought I was.“So how was it, your half skinny dip?” Simon asked as I wasdrying off.“You were watching me?” I blushed, horrified.“Just a hunch,” he replied. “Feels good though, right?”I hit him with the towel.”

“#e sound of a breaking wave echoed across the water. “I havedoubts. I get afraid, same as anyone.” Simon’s eyes glazed over. Butthen they refocused and he smiled at me. “Nothing is for certain.Except maybe one thing.”“What’s that?”“If you don’t have any dreams, then they won’t come true.”

“If you stay on the sidelines of the here and now then your future will only ever be a pale version of a dream you never had the courage to experience.”