The only sounds that could be heard where the crashing of the waves upon the pristine, snowy sand. The gulls, hanging weightless in the hot air, cried blatantly, their screams falling deaf to the man's ears. The thick, salted breeze played with his already tousled hair, picking up the mahogany strands and tossing them in every direction. He didn't seem to notice.

Max ran his fingers over the paper of the cigarette, watching his skin come painfully close to the burning end before he winced and withdrew his hand. He was sitting at the waterline, his shirt tossed carelessly behind him, much like his shoes were awhile back. The beach was fairly empty today; a remarkable thing for such a popular hang out. He liked it this way.. it was just him and the azure waters that crashed around his legs. The heavens were clear and cloudless, the sands reflected the sun in a blinding display of sparkling light. His only wish was that his mother could have seen it.

Max lifted the cig to his mouth, taking a long drag before slowly letting the thick smoke drift out of his nose. His calm eyes scanned the coastline through the dark glass of his shades, watching the boats bob along the horizon. They were tiny, cute even, as if a child had accidentally let his toys drift out into the ocean. On an impulse, Max pretended to grab them with his fingers, smiling when he realized what he was doing. Old habits die hard.

Max could taste the salt on his lips as water slid from his hair down his face, remnants of a swim he had taken earlier. His fingers dug themselves into the dunes, and he let the warm sand slide through his fingertips. He loved it here-- the scenery, the people, the way the tourists flocked here during summer vacation.. for the most part, it was everything he expected the infamous Hawaii to be. Except now that he was actually living here, his rent was overdue, and was clambering to scrape up enough money. With his meager pay, his choice to live in Suburban Grassford probably wasn't the best. He sucked in a large breath of warm air, and let it out in a rush. He relaxed his muscles and fell on to his back, his eyes closed slowly. Max was just beginning to realize that life in Honolulu wasn't all perfect beaches and good liquor.

It's never that easy, is it?