Their excuse to get away from Meg led them down onto the beach where several games were in progress, luck was with them though, a new game was just getting started, and they were welcomed into the group easily taking their places on opposing teams and calling abuse at each other, their competitive streak getting the better of them.
Later, tired and sweaty from the game, Zach and Ness headed back to the bike, still laughing at some of the faces their teammates had made when they had started on each other,
"I can't believe you threw the damn ball at my head! It was volleyball, not dodgeball, bitch!" Zach laughed
"Well, you weren't paying attention to the game, it was too good to miss, wasn't expecting you to turn around just then and get it full in the face though, how is your nose?"
"sore." He replied, rubbing it, "You really put some force behind that one"
"I was still pissed at Meg interrupting the silence, imagine if it had been her, would've probably snapped her neck"
"Definitely, nearly did mine, that was why I sat down." He grinned. "So, fancy grabbing some dinner, or do you have plans for this evening?"
"Plans, Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary, so I'm popping over there for dinner." Ness said,
"Oh, say hi from me, will you?"
"Say it yourself, I'm supposed to have a guest but, well, he fell off the bike, so you can come instead, informal, so no need to dress up and it's not like you're a stranger"
"You sure? I'd love to, your parents were kinda fun"
"yeah, I'm sure, and you can drive so I can wear a dress and heels and be a proper girl for a change!"
"What? With a purse?!" Zach asked, an incredulous tone creeping into his voice
"Don't push it" Ness laughed as she pulled the crash helmet on, I'll drop you at Jon's to get your car and you can come pick me up at 6?"
"Deal" Zach replied, pulling his helmet on too.
Ness sat in front of the mirror and pulled the towel from her hair, she didn't get home much these days, so she was making an extra effort for her parents benefit, at least, that was what she told herself as she dragged a comb through the damp hair and switching the hairdryer on, tried to style it but the best she could manage was dry, so she pulled it back with a handful of pins. Next, she pulled out her make-up and set about applying it, noticing her reddened knuckles again she added a little concealer to them, her parents had long ago come to terms with her fighting nature but that didn't mean she had to flaunt it in their faces, even if it was only from a punch-bag nowadays. A pair of crystal drop earrings and a matching delicate necklace finished the look.
Ness checked the clock, 5.45, Zach would be there in 10 minutes, he was always 5 minutes early, it was one of the dependable things about him; she dug the heels out of the bottom of the closet and slipped her feet into them, giving herself a quick once-over in the full-length mirror she grabbed her purse and headed out, a wry smile on her face that he had been right about that too.
"You look nice, going somewhere special?" Boyd was out in the hall, no surprise, he lived 2 doors down from her
"Parents wedding anniversary, just heading home for dinner, I was supposed to take Ian but, well, we kinda ended the other night" she replied
"He was a douche, you deserve better."
"Yeah, we both know who I would like to be with, and he'll be here in a few minutes" she grinned and winked at Boyd.
"Finally?"
"Nah, just as friends, he knows my parents, so I figured he could be my guest and he could drive"
"Hence the pretty dress and heels" The elevator arrived and they both stepped in, Boyd pressed the button for the first floor, moments later they stepped out the front door of the apartment block, just as Zach pulled up.
"Have fun tonight Ness," Boyd winked at her, then stepped up to Zach's window "drive carefully or I'll break you, got it?"
Zach nodded silently, swallowing hard
"BOYD! Pack it in already, geez!" Ness called, fixing him with a glare, Boyd just laughed and sauntered off to wherever he was headed as Ness slipped into Zach's car.
"He still scares the shit outta me" Zach said
"Nah, he wouldn't hurt you, he only does it because, as badass as you are, you quake at him, he's as soft as a kitten really, just got a bit of a protective streak."
"A bit? Nice purse by the way" he grinned
"Shut up."
They chatted on about nothing in particular throughout the drive, passing their old high school caused a comfortable silence to descend for the last 20 minutes of the journey as they both remembered their time there