Part 4: Manly Beach

Australia

“Kay Kay!! Kay Kay!! Kay Kay!”

Screamed the joyous bar crowd as I jumped from table to table downing shots and handing out high fives.

I’m a light weight. Call it Koala problems. Aya had only given me 3 drinks before this mayhem began and naturally being a local celebrity the atmosphere took a turn for greatness.

“Okay lil one, calm down now before you make a mess the staff have to clean up.” Aya said in an attempt to bring me back to planet Earth.

She giggles as I stick out my tongue at her in reluctant agreement.

“Wanna order some wings and get some sun?” I suggest to her.

“Only if they’re teriyaki”

Once the wings reach us, we drunkenly stumble our way down to the sand and relax on the beach. Watching on as people walk past us with their bodies trained for summer, or lack of.

“See anyone you like?” I ask Aya. In an effort to see what dating is like as a human, it all looks so complicated.

“Hmm..” Aya let’s out as she glances over the beach.

“No, to be honest I haven’t been looking for anyone lately. It’s been more peaceful this way.”

“How so?” I enquire, trying to get a better grasp.

“Well, when you’re with someone. It isn’t just dates, it’s two people trying to amalgamate their lives together, while also simultaneously trying to better themselves. It takes effort and endless communication to try and keep that balance intact.

In all, it’s energy I don’t feel like exerting at the moment. Because the moment one person decides not to put in the effort for the other, the relationship starts to go downhill.”

I stare at her for a while trying to process it all.

“Shit, well if it takes all that the I’d rather just drink beers on the beach, sounds like a pain in the ass.”

“You have no idea” Aya responded as she took a sip of her drink as we stared into the sunset.

“Where do you wanna go next?” she asks, breaking the silence.

“Melbourne.”