This Was It
Title
This Was It
Creator
Paola Hernandez
Date
04/22/2022
Text
It was mid-September in the year 2020; I was in my room, and it just hit 10:40 p.m. I was texting my best friend if he wanted to escape with me that night.
Wanna go for a drive?
We weren’t romantic, but we grew very close, and I knew that spending time with him made me reconnect with the world. To give input, I had gone through the worst heartbreak. I had pushed my friends away and only spoke to a handful of people about what happened, so he became the very few I trusted and enjoyed spending my time with. I wasn’t suffocated, it wasn’t pressured; I wasn’t drowning anymore, I was living.
It was almost midnight, and he checks up on me to see if we’re still able to ‘escape’. I always wanted to get out of my house, my home wasn’t a home for me but a dark reminder of the sadness that I had gone through.
YES. LET’S GO.
I’ll pick you up!
I had already told him on where we’re going. He has told me that he’s gone to the beach at night only once, I was surprised! His way of living was always around music, art, and friends; he would enjoy his free time in the most interesting places in Miami. Places I have never heard of such as holes-in-the-wall restaurants that were better than any “fancy” food spots. I was so excited to spend my night with him I was ready to show him exactly on what he was missing.
It was about 12:50 a.m. I pick him up and he hops into my car with a backpack which included a speaker and towels for us to lay on the sand. As I drive out into 88th street I turn to look over; he was smiling as if I was taking him to Ikea, his smile was huge! He couldn’t hide his excitement, but I was too glum to realize on how much this meant to him. Don’t get me wrong I was also happy and excited (as I said before) I was just too wound up in the thought that I wasn’t meant to be in any kind of relationship, any special connection.
We were talking about all sorts of things on our drive, we were mostly laughing and cracking jokes. Being the living and walking meme/movie buff that I am I make funny references out of everything. He would laugh every time, he wouldn’t make me feel awkward or alone. We’re driving on the I-95 bridge that connects Miami and downtown. As I press on the brakes, I remember I’ve always hated the engineering and structure of this bridge.
It becomes from a 5-lane to three to two... And you know what’s worse? They haven’t finished construction since 10,000 B.C.
Just kidding, but it feels like it’s been too long.
If you switch back to the memory channel you can see we’re listening to my playlist. I had set up my “Old Gold” playlist, for example, listening to Frank Ocean, Khalid, Kid Cudi. Just to give you the idea that the atmosphere was great and comfortable which was important. Now driving past downtown I had rolled down my window to breathe in the humid night air, my skin started to become slightly moist, but it was okay. We were by the bay and we both smelled the salty waters, I felt safe and so did he.
I planned on heading to my favorite pizza place on Lincoln Road, “Pizza Rustica”; the pizzas are amazing, and they also serve my favorite drink, wine! White wine to be exact, or Rosé if I want to mix things up a bit. Since this spot is more towards the middle of the strip and I usually park in the lots that charge $2 an hour on the other end, we walk about 5 minutes or so, but these walks are what I enjoy the most. What makes me happy is what the strip consists of the small art exhibitions, all different kinds of restaurants, kiosks of hand-made jewelry, and drunk tourists.
I realize that sometimes I don’t value my hometown. I sometimes forget how beautiful this side of the city is. Couples of different genders and age groups enjoying this Sunday night, it was way late but these night owls were enjoying their last night of freedom from their regular routine. As we’re getting closer to the pizza place, I was just talking about how I would mostly visit the beach alone. This wasn’t my first time visiting the sea, it was my second that week. It was a terribly long drive from my old job, but I would do it. I’d stay there until 10 at night when I would leave work at 7 p.m.
I didn’t realize how lonely and sad my story is. His face changed to a more sorrowful look. No heartbreak is easy, but I wasn’t in a good place for a full year. The only place I could breathe was when the ocean air would blow into my face, a way of giving my stifle body CPR. I was the walking dead. I’m not kidding, my eyes were sunken, and I had gone down in weight.
You’d serve me a brain or two if you can.
We’re hosted almost immediately, and we sit down near the entrance of the place. I’m looking over the menu as if new pizzas will show up, I already knew what I wanted to order. He doesn’t say too much so I stare at the menu; this is getting slightly awkward. I hear but a calm statement, “you deserve everything.”
The waiter comes to our table, and I’m saved by the damn bell. I’m starting to believe this moment is more than just a night of two friends eating pizza.
We’re almost done with our shared plate and we’re on our third glass of wine. It’s almost time for the best part!
The check has been paid and we walk 10 more minutes to get to the ocean. We must walk through Washington Avenue and the Ritz Carlton that’s located on a random corner to get to it. Before getting there I always people watch, I’ll never get over to how funny drunk tourists can be. Getting excited for the slightest things and making the most unexpected choices. We all enjoy a drink or two from time to time, but I’m guessing Northerners don’t have a limit but it’s hilarious all together.
I show him the path after walking by the CVS that’s also located in the corner. “It gets pretty dark on this path”, I warn him. The homeless sometimes reside here, I find them sometimes sleeping near the bushes, or them hanging out with their belongings surrounding two sometimes three of their friends. Talking low with each other.
We get to the sandy pathway, and I take off my sandals.
“Are you going to take off your shoes?” I ask.
- “Oh!”
I’m guessing he forgot he had shoes…
I grab his hand and we run down near the water. The moon was almost full, and the high tide was splashing to how windy it was.
This was it. Heaven.
I sit on the sand, it felt cold and tough. It must have rained or drizzled earlier. He sits close to me, and I tell him that this is where I end up some nights. I admitted that I listen to “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood as if I had created an unwritten law about this song and being on the beach at night. I give him my right airpod as I was adjusting my left to my ear. I open my “let’s be free” playlist and press play.
This is what peace suppose to feel. No worries, no sadness, no dark clouds. Just music and great company. I rest my head on his left shoulder, he rests his on mine.
“Are you having fun?”
- “Yes, I’m having a beautiful time.”
I wouldn’t have thought that this would be our most special memory. I would enjoy each moment as if it was my last because I was so alone during this time. I wouldn’t imagine anyone trying to be part of my life since I thought I was insignificant to everyone. He made me feel seen, and I wanted to share my piece of heaven to someone who made me feel human. I wasn’t invisible anymore. I’m here.
I’m breathing in the strong winds; the air was light, cool, salty, moist. Light drops of the waves that crashed hits my face, arms, and feet. I want to be in this moment forever, then a few drops from above start to fall.
It’s raining!
We look at each other and run beneath the lifeguard house. We sit on one of the wooden skids that’s holding the structure in place.
As we’re waiting for the rain to stop, I look out into the gray sheet of falling water.
The water’s freezing and the wind is still blowing, but I take it in. I close my eyes and breathe in.
We speak about small things, big things, silly things. Before we know it the rain stops water drops from the porch above drips to the side of the lifeguard house. We both stand up and he opens his backpack revealing towels. We’re extending it on the sand, and we lay down. The clouds are being pushed by the gusts of wind it’s as if they’re running away quickly to invade another part of the city. My clothes are moist from the rain we tried to get away from, my hair has frizzed up a little, and I’m at peace.
We both stare at the sky, almost cleared, to watch the stars. Very little lights we have in Miami but I’m still grateful for this.
What time is it? Who cares? Has anyone messaged you? I haven’t felt my phone buzz so why check?
This might not be so bad. Being with him, maybe I am this cool gal like how he’s told me before.
Probably the greatest learning lesson is to let go and focus on now. This moment made me realize that it’s not me, it’s them. I was so sad for so long and I wanted to break free.
This is it. Heaven.
Wanna go for a drive?
We weren’t romantic, but we grew very close, and I knew that spending time with him made me reconnect with the world. To give input, I had gone through the worst heartbreak. I had pushed my friends away and only spoke to a handful of people about what happened, so he became the very few I trusted and enjoyed spending my time with. I wasn’t suffocated, it wasn’t pressured; I wasn’t drowning anymore, I was living.
It was almost midnight, and he checks up on me to see if we’re still able to ‘escape’. I always wanted to get out of my house, my home wasn’t a home for me but a dark reminder of the sadness that I had gone through.
YES. LET’S GO.
I’ll pick you up!
I had already told him on where we’re going. He has told me that he’s gone to the beach at night only once, I was surprised! His way of living was always around music, art, and friends; he would enjoy his free time in the most interesting places in Miami. Places I have never heard of such as holes-in-the-wall restaurants that were better than any “fancy” food spots. I was so excited to spend my night with him I was ready to show him exactly on what he was missing.
It was about 12:50 a.m. I pick him up and he hops into my car with a backpack which included a speaker and towels for us to lay on the sand. As I drive out into 88th street I turn to look over; he was smiling as if I was taking him to Ikea, his smile was huge! He couldn’t hide his excitement, but I was too glum to realize on how much this meant to him. Don’t get me wrong I was also happy and excited (as I said before) I was just too wound up in the thought that I wasn’t meant to be in any kind of relationship, any special connection.
We were talking about all sorts of things on our drive, we were mostly laughing and cracking jokes. Being the living and walking meme/movie buff that I am I make funny references out of everything. He would laugh every time, he wouldn’t make me feel awkward or alone. We’re driving on the I-95 bridge that connects Miami and downtown. As I press on the brakes, I remember I’ve always hated the engineering and structure of this bridge.
It becomes from a 5-lane to three to two... And you know what’s worse? They haven’t finished construction since 10,000 B.C.
Just kidding, but it feels like it’s been too long.
If you switch back to the memory channel you can see we’re listening to my playlist. I had set up my “Old Gold” playlist, for example, listening to Frank Ocean, Khalid, Kid Cudi. Just to give you the idea that the atmosphere was great and comfortable which was important. Now driving past downtown I had rolled down my window to breathe in the humid night air, my skin started to become slightly moist, but it was okay. We were by the bay and we both smelled the salty waters, I felt safe and so did he.
I planned on heading to my favorite pizza place on Lincoln Road, “Pizza Rustica”; the pizzas are amazing, and they also serve my favorite drink, wine! White wine to be exact, or Rosé if I want to mix things up a bit. Since this spot is more towards the middle of the strip and I usually park in the lots that charge $2 an hour on the other end, we walk about 5 minutes or so, but these walks are what I enjoy the most. What makes me happy is what the strip consists of the small art exhibitions, all different kinds of restaurants, kiosks of hand-made jewelry, and drunk tourists.
I realize that sometimes I don’t value my hometown. I sometimes forget how beautiful this side of the city is. Couples of different genders and age groups enjoying this Sunday night, it was way late but these night owls were enjoying their last night of freedom from their regular routine. As we’re getting closer to the pizza place, I was just talking about how I would mostly visit the beach alone. This wasn’t my first time visiting the sea, it was my second that week. It was a terribly long drive from my old job, but I would do it. I’d stay there until 10 at night when I would leave work at 7 p.m.
I didn’t realize how lonely and sad my story is. His face changed to a more sorrowful look. No heartbreak is easy, but I wasn’t in a good place for a full year. The only place I could breathe was when the ocean air would blow into my face, a way of giving my stifle body CPR. I was the walking dead. I’m not kidding, my eyes were sunken, and I had gone down in weight.
You’d serve me a brain or two if you can.
We’re hosted almost immediately, and we sit down near the entrance of the place. I’m looking over the menu as if new pizzas will show up, I already knew what I wanted to order. He doesn’t say too much so I stare at the menu; this is getting slightly awkward. I hear but a calm statement, “you deserve everything.”
The waiter comes to our table, and I’m saved by the damn bell. I’m starting to believe this moment is more than just a night of two friends eating pizza.
We’re almost done with our shared plate and we’re on our third glass of wine. It’s almost time for the best part!
The check has been paid and we walk 10 more minutes to get to the ocean. We must walk through Washington Avenue and the Ritz Carlton that’s located on a random corner to get to it. Before getting there I always people watch, I’ll never get over to how funny drunk tourists can be. Getting excited for the slightest things and making the most unexpected choices. We all enjoy a drink or two from time to time, but I’m guessing Northerners don’t have a limit but it’s hilarious all together.
I show him the path after walking by the CVS that’s also located in the corner. “It gets pretty dark on this path”, I warn him. The homeless sometimes reside here, I find them sometimes sleeping near the bushes, or them hanging out with their belongings surrounding two sometimes three of their friends. Talking low with each other.
We get to the sandy pathway, and I take off my sandals.
“Are you going to take off your shoes?” I ask.
- “Oh!”
I’m guessing he forgot he had shoes…
I grab his hand and we run down near the water. The moon was almost full, and the high tide was splashing to how windy it was.
This was it. Heaven.
I sit on the sand, it felt cold and tough. It must have rained or drizzled earlier. He sits close to me, and I tell him that this is where I end up some nights. I admitted that I listen to “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood as if I had created an unwritten law about this song and being on the beach at night. I give him my right airpod as I was adjusting my left to my ear. I open my “let’s be free” playlist and press play.
This is what peace suppose to feel. No worries, no sadness, no dark clouds. Just music and great company. I rest my head on his left shoulder, he rests his on mine.
“Are you having fun?”
- “Yes, I’m having a beautiful time.”
I wouldn’t have thought that this would be our most special memory. I would enjoy each moment as if it was my last because I was so alone during this time. I wouldn’t imagine anyone trying to be part of my life since I thought I was insignificant to everyone. He made me feel seen, and I wanted to share my piece of heaven to someone who made me feel human. I wasn’t invisible anymore. I’m here.
I’m breathing in the strong winds; the air was light, cool, salty, moist. Light drops of the waves that crashed hits my face, arms, and feet. I want to be in this moment forever, then a few drops from above start to fall.
It’s raining!
We look at each other and run beneath the lifeguard house. We sit on one of the wooden skids that’s holding the structure in place.
As we’re waiting for the rain to stop, I look out into the gray sheet of falling water.
The water’s freezing and the wind is still blowing, but I take it in. I close my eyes and breathe in.
We speak about small things, big things, silly things. Before we know it the rain stops water drops from the porch above drips to the side of the lifeguard house. We both stand up and he opens his backpack revealing towels. We’re extending it on the sand, and we lay down. The clouds are being pushed by the gusts of wind it’s as if they’re running away quickly to invade another part of the city. My clothes are moist from the rain we tried to get away from, my hair has frizzed up a little, and I’m at peace.
We both stare at the sky, almost cleared, to watch the stars. Very little lights we have in Miami but I’m still grateful for this.
What time is it? Who cares? Has anyone messaged you? I haven’t felt my phone buzz so why check?
This might not be so bad. Being with him, maybe I am this cool gal like how he’s told me before.
Probably the greatest learning lesson is to let go and focus on now. This moment made me realize that it’s not me, it’s them. I was so sad for so long and I wanted to break free.
This is it. Heaven.
Collection
Citation
Paola Hernandez, “This Was It,” Everything Speaks To Me , accessed September 18, 2026, https://everythingspeakstome.com/items/show/69.