The ocean breeze is messing with his perfectly coiffed hair, but, for once, Alex doesn't bring himself to care. It's just past sunrise, his bike is chained on a tree up at the promenade and he's holding his shoes, enjoying the cold feel of the cool sand on his toes. He's the only person fully dressed around, on jeans and a cardigan, as runners, surfers and the first beach-goers of the day rush around him.

There's a fleeting but very real sense of freedom pooling in his stomach. He wishes he could make it last.

Finally, up ahead in the distance, was the person whom had him wake up at an ungodly hour to bike to the beach. Alex races ahead to reach the ellusive figure on the sands.

"Hello!" He greets with an excited but quasi-bashful smile. "You got me waiting. I thought you wouldn't come."