Ailana’s Journal—2026-05-16 (Island Kids) (Patreon)

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AT LEAST THERE’S A BEACH by Jenna Mercer

I’m trying to look at the bright side of things. Where do I start?

First off, at least this time, the beach is nice. Like, really nice compared to some of the places Dad has been stationed. This one has sand! In Mobile, nah, bro… terrible.

Second, I got to more or less stay in the same school for a whole year. I had to finish early ‘cause Dad’s new duty starts Monday, but it’s all good. He’s reporting to his new unit at Station South Padre Island.

We drove down from Galveston after I got out of school yesterday and met the movers this morning. We don’t have a lot of stuff, so we mostly have it all set up. Now, we’re grabbing a late lunch.

Also on the bright side: the girl at the counter. She met me with a real smile like she was glad I was here—not like she was just doing her job, but like it really meant something.

We ordered and Dad stepped away from the counter to wash his hands. Nobody was behind us, so the girl started talking.

“I’ve not seen you before, but you don’t act like a tourist. Do you live here?”

“I do now,” I said. “Just moved in.”

“Awesome! My name is Brooklyn, but everyone calls me Brooks. What grade are you in?”

“Tenth, but I’m done. I got out early,” I said. “So, eleventh.”

Brooks said, “I’ve got one more week. I’ll be a junior, too. Do you know anyone here?”

I shook my head. “It’s just me and Dad. I’m Jenna… The moving van just left like a half hour ago.. My dad’s a Coast Guard chief. He’s gonna run one of the boats at Station South Padre Island.

“That’s cool! My dad captains a fishing charter boat… Look, let me give you my Snap. Once you get unpacked or something… I’m not a weirdo… Let me know when you get bored and I can introduce you to some people I know.”

So, in the span of twenty-four hours, I left my life as a sophomore in Galveston behind and landed in South Padre Island with who knows what ahead of me. And yeah… I gave Brooks my Snap. I can unadd her if I need to later.

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