Warm sea breeze drifted past me sending few strands of hair into my face as I laid down on my blanket, an umbrella above shielding me from the shimmering sunlight.
I tugged my hair into place beholding the remarkable scene in front of me.
The majestic deep blue ocean, the sky was like a curtain of silk, tufty clouds of wizard white drifted past, the fierce yellow sun making the sand sparkle like tiny jewels.
The sea song of the waves soothed me, I breathed in the humid sea air.
A strong sense of peace and calm settled over me.
There were children by my left playing in the sand building sandcastles, Tanned bodies lying in the sun, I could see at a distance, some people playing volleyball, a couple walking their dog.
Kay was laying down next to me with binoculars facing towards the ocean.
"What are you looking at?" I asked, turning towards her.
"Kayla and the boys are surfing, such show-offs," she scoffed.
"Give it here, let me see," I said, curious to get a glimpse. Moving the binoculars toward me, I saw Xavier snag a big wave, then he swiveled to the side.
That trick looked difficult to me, the others mimicked him though were not as perfect as he was.
"Unbelievable." I voiced out, turning to Kay in disbelief, my eyes wild open in shock, the binoculars falling from my hands. "They are good".
"They are just a bunch of show-offs," she said, rolling her eyeballs.
"Can you surf?" I eyed her curiously.
"No?! Can you?" she asked back, one eyebrow arched in question.
'No'. I shook my head.
We stared into each other's faces and laughed out.
Shaking my head at the silliness of it all, I glanced around me again.
"Is it always like this?" I gestured towards the parked beach.
"Not all the time, just this beginning of March, Ocean beach is one of the popular beaches in San Diego so it is mostly crowded," she replied.
"It seems to be your usual spot, I noticed it is seven miles from the pacific highland ranch (community)." Glory said.
"Yes, it is, Ocean beach is about 24 minutes drive from there, though Tony, Leo, Kayla and I live in Torrey pines. Only the uppity rich like the Jorgia's and your aunt can live in P.H.R."
"Oh, I thought that's where you stay, sorry," I replied.
"It's okay, Torrey pines aren't bad, P.H.R is just higher," she said, waving my apology away.
"You are starting school Monday right?"
"Yeah, Xander's showing me around school tomorrow. Already got my school supplies." I replied.
"Are you free on Saturday?" she asked, her eyes pleading for a reply.
"Yes, why?" I questioned.
"No reason, just so we can go see a movie or something. Get to know each other? Bond?" she shrugged.
"Ok, let's do it. Girls bonding and all that," I said, imitating her shrug.
"Ok," she replied.
"Girls, let's go play volleyball," Kayla's sudden appearance startled me. Before I could comprehend the whole thing, she hauled me along with her. I glanced back helplessly as Kay trailed behind us shaking her head at her twin sister's antics.
"Hey, we want in on the team," she hollered out to the people playing.
A guy passed her the beach ball. "Sure, here."
"Here," she passed me the ball.
"Sis, join the other team, ok?" she called out to Kay.
"Okay," Kay mumbled.
Each team was made up of five people; two guys, three girls on both sides. Kayla and I were on the same team.
I threw the ball across the net to the other team, the guy that passed the ball earlier to Kayla caught the ball and threw it back in my direction. I couldn't catch the ball immediately, so it soared past me.
"I'll get the ball," I said, running after the ball.
The ball whirled to a stop behind some girls huddled together.
Picking up the ball, I glanced offhandedly at the clustered girls.
On the verge of turning, a cry of plea came the center of the girls. Realizing what this meant, I moved between the girls pushing aside the ones on my path. The whimper came from a girl, she cowered from the girls, she had her arms around herself, trying to salvage what's left of her ripped bikini.
"What is the meaning of this?" I yelled, putting myself between the victim and her bullies. I twirled around, glaring at the girl who seemed to me was the ringleader of these hateful girls.
"Who do you think you are to interrupt?" She taunted, gazed back at her minion for support, they chuckled back in response.
"You have no right!" I replied very calmly, my eyes burnished, my nails clenched into my palm.