I keep my feet planted on the surfboard, knees bent, arms loose, and my eyes looking in the direction I'm going. My dampened hair sticks to the side of my face as the rush of the wind kicks the sea into into a huge wave. I almost lose my balance from the force of the wave but Cory's grip on my arms has me pull myself back to my perfect position.
It's a perfect Tuesday afternoon for a surf date with Cory— that's what I call it, sue me— and we both sneaked out of kitchen duties to hang out with dolphins instead. They seem friendlier than actual humans these days.
I opted for a wetsuit, and I'm glad I did because it's keeping my body warm in the cold water, preventing chills. Cory's figure becomes distorted as the water separates and comes between us. We connect our hands through the water as he unexpectedly drags me away from my surfboard and lands me on his hands, carrying me bridal style.
"I didn't plan for this!" I yell over the loud rush of the waves.
"I know! I think it's more fun this way!" Cory grins, but doesn't look down at my flushed face.
I climb my way to his back so he could concentrate ahead, wrapping my legs and arms around his torso and neck. The full mold of my chest is pressed tightly to his back and I'm wondering if that's what causing the somersaults in my stomach, or the fact that I've not had lunch.
The wave subsides after some minutes as we both slide down through the shore.
"That was pretty impressive. I didn't know you could surf like that," Cory says and retrieves our clothes we left behind on a large rock near the water.
"What can I say, I learnt from the best." We both know he gave me swimming and surfing lessons last summer. I used that as an excuse to get closer to him.
"Tell you what, there's a less crowded changing spot over there," He points to secluded corner in the beach and walks toward the direction. "Last one to get there is a rotten tomato."
I run after him as he laughs at the way my tiny legs keep sinking deep into the beach sand. "Wait for me! I don't want to be a rotten tomato!"
There's no one there when we reach the spot and I watch him dig the bottom of his surfboard deep into the sand.
"I didn't know this place existed. How'd you find it?" He turns around as soon as he hears the sound of my zip coming off.
"Let's just say I walk around. A lot."
I strip out of the wetsuit and drop them on his shoulders, slipping into my flowery patterned gown with ease.
"You think they would've found out we're missing?" I ask.
"I don't think so. Alexa would've found me by now, like she keeps a tracking device on me or something." He notices the way I frown at the mention of her name. "I don't know what bad blood you two have but you need to resolve it. Alexa's a good person."
"Keep telling yourself that until you believe it."
With a hand on my shoulder, Cory turns me around, sweeping my damp hair all the way to the back and weaving on it. "I'm serious. She's going through a lot of shit."
"Have you ever thought maybe she deserves it?"
"No one deserves shit, Allie. You should know better than that."
"I still don't like her, nonetheless," I feel the weaved part of my hair with the tip of my fingers when he's done and look up at him in awe.
"I had a kid sister, she made me do that all the time," Cory explains, his sheepish smile making me ignore the fact that he talked about his sister in past tense. "Allie?"
"Yeah?"
"We're happy, Right?" I stare into his eager, slant eyes that had me crushing on him in the first place as they glance down at my lips. My nerves skyrockets as he slowly leans forward, his gaze never leaving my mouth. I thought it was really going to happen before my stupid hands fly up to his hair to ruffle it.
"Tag! You're it."
I yelp as I run away from him in the direction of the lounge, laughing and screaming as Cory chases me, not caring that I manage to break a toe nail in the process. His carefree laugh is music to my ears as I burst open the door to the lounge. It's crowded and bubbly today, but despite the crowd, I can still see where Simone and Lacey are seated at.
I look around to see if Cory's still behind me and I see he's already occupied with some guys.
Lacey and Simone both see me coming as they both abruptly stop whatever they were talking about.
"... and that, my friend, is how you divide a decimal."
Something is very wrong with Lacey's math.
"What are you guys up to?" I ask, taking a seat opposite them.
"Definitely not dividing a decimal," Simone shoots Lacey a look. "Did you hear the rumors?"
"Between Alexa and Noah." My ears twitch at the mention of both of their names used in a sentence. "Rumor has it that our Delilah of the year got shamelessly turned down after pulling one of her slutty tricks on Noah, and now everyone thinks he's gay."
"Because that's the only logical explanation as to why there'll be a half naked girl in front of you and not still get a boner, or even anything close to that," Lacey adds.
"Stop being ridiculous. At least someone already proves she's overrated." I say.
"Who is overrated?"
We all jump in shock at the sound of the fourth voice. Noah stands in front of the coffee maker near our table with a mug in his hands, staring at all three of our bewildered faces.
"Were you eavesdropping?" I quirk a brow.
"I wanted coffee." Comes his short reply.
"I'll have one too," Lacey smiles as he brings out another mug on her request. No scowl? No snide remarks? Someone's in a good mood today.
"How do you like it?" He opens a coffee bean and pours into the mug.
"From the back, you pulling my hairs, and slapping my ass."
"I meant your coffee."
"Oh, sugar free. Thanks!" Lacey chirps, making Simone and I do a facepalm.
Noah drags out a chair from our table when he gives Lacey her coffee as he sits, leaning forward with his elbows and his head held in his hands. He has this ridiculously adorable look on his face when he's not scowling which makes my breath hitch in my throat.
"Allie, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?" Simone drags the last part out as if trying to confirm if friend is the right word to use and to be honest, I don't know either. She shoots me a glare when I don't reply, turning her attention back to Noah. "Tell us about yourself."
To my greatest expectation, he frowns, seeming slightly surprised and unprepared for that question. "I was born at a very young age."
"Oh... that's an interesting way to summarize your existence," Lacey glances at me in a rather disapproving look, telepathically telling me I snagged myself a weird freak.
Tell me about it.
"Would you look at the time," She stares down at her empty wrists like there's a wrist watch on it. "I have swimming practices right about now. That's my cue to leave."
Lies! Lies!!
"Me too. I need to resume back to the kitchen to..." Simone pauses, realizing that we've both covered all kitchen duties for the day. "... mop the walls."
I watch them hurry out of their seats after supplying us with their lame ass excuses, leaving me with Noah who looks the least perturbed at the situation.
"Your friends are horrible liars." He bluntly says. If there's one thing I've noticed about Noah, is that he doesn't sugarcoat his words. Like he just pours out whatever's on his mind without caring what the other person feel.
I kind of like it, I kind of don't.
"What's your own excuse? You need to visit the nurse? You have a headache in your stomach?"
"Hilarious." I wryly reply. "There's no reason for excuses. I'm not scared of you."
"Bad girl vibes, huh?" The way he says it makes it sounds like he's mocking me.
"You don't know me. I may have kidnapped a child."
"Right." He piles some ham on bread from the table. "Yeah, you're a real desperado, sweetheart. Anyone can see that." Again, he mocks. "For God's sake, look at yourself. You're an annoying, tiny female with a conscience as wide as Kansas. I sincerely doubt you've done anything wilder than sing in the shower."
It stings. I couldn't say why, but the bland and goody-goody description put my back up. "I've got a tattoo on my butt."
"Is that so? Well, if you tell me you've got something other than your ears pierced, I'll have to turn you in to the cops."
"I'm so pleased I could amuse you."
"You fascinate me." My jaws lock. "Temper. That's a good sign. Allie's not a wimp."
I fold my arms across my chest and he intentionally mirrors my action. "She likes scrambled eggs with dill and paprika."
"Have you been stalking me?"
"Knows how to make lemonades," Noah ignores my question. "Cuts tomatoes in very precise slices and knows how to tie a shank knot."
"A what?"
"Your belt. Her voice gets icy when she's annoyed, she has horrible taste in clothes, bites her bottom lips when she's nervous— which I should warn you, instills wild lust in me for no reason."
His dimples winks when I immediately stop nibbling my lip and clear my throat.
"She keeps her hair at a practical length," He continues. "and acts without thinking. An invigorating person, our Allie. Now what were you saying about me not knowing you?"
I eye the bread in his hands as my stomach rumbles. I almost forgot I haven't had lunch.
1713 Number of words
Edit