"These are Kevin's clothes," Berry asked as he poured tea for Stuart into a sample porcelain cup. He sat opposite Stuart, a small smile gracing his lips as he poured tea for himself.
"I don't mind," Stuart answered. "You can keep them. It looks better on you."
Berry's eyebrows raised at the answer before he tsked, trying his best not to smile. "You really shouldn't say things like that to me," he said. Stuart only shrugged as he raised the cup to his lips and took a sip, the warm liquid sliding down his throat, the sensation spreading around his insides, making him shiver slightly. The hot tea was a massive relief to his muscles on this chilly morning.
"When do we leave?" Stuart asked.
Berry slowly put down his cup, a small 'clack' sounding in the room as the cup made contact with the table. "Would you believe if I said that I have nothing planned for today?"
Stuart also dropped his cup, evident surprise adorning his expression. He thought Berry had everything planned out already. As much as he wasn't interested in it yesterday, this morning, he found himself looking forward to the activities lined up for today. "Why did you ask me out then?"
Berry sighed, "I just wanted to spend some time with you, just for today." His palms covered the small cup, his fingers locked tightly that Stuart thought he wanted to break the cup. "You must think I'm desperate, don't you?" Berry asked, lowering his head and fixing his eyes on the remaining liquid in the cup.
Because he was too embarrassed to look up, Berry did not notice when Stuart brought out his phone and typed something on it. "We are attending a beach party today" he said simply, and Berry's head shot up in surprise. But he only saw Stuart typing on his phone like he wasn't the one who had just spoken.
Stuart finished typing and tucked his phone back into the safety of his pockets. He looked at Berry, who was still surprised like he just heard the most unbelievable news. "We don't have much time to prepare. We have to go shopping to buy some swim trunks and drinks."
Berry was yet to realize that he wasn't hearing things, so he took too long to respond. When he finally did, he could only manage a small nod before he watched Stuart go back into the room.
Stuart came back almost immediately, holding a jacket and an overcoat. He wore the jacket himself and helped Berry wear the black overcoat that matched his pants. "It's quite cold outside," he said absentmindedly, still trying to figure out if he should button the overcoat or just let it go. In the end, he chose the latter before nodding in satisfaction.
"Do you want to walk to the store, or should I drive?" Stuart asked as he straightened the collar of Berry's overcoat. Berry suddenly grabbed his hand, pulling him closer like they weren't close enough.
"What is wrong with you today?" Berry asked with narrowed eyes, looking like a policeman interrogating a criminal. He really couldn't help but feel that something was up with Stuart. They were friends now, but wasn't this a bit too much?
"Don't think too much," Stuart said, "a friend of mine from college is having a beach party today to celebrate his birthday. I refused to come earlier since you wanted us to spend time together, but you have nothing planned, so I thought we could go there. You don't have to come if you don't want to."
Berry suddenly smiled, "I will come with you to the beach party, and I think walking to the store sounds much better than driving."
Stuart smiled back before holding out his hand for Berry to take. "Let's go then."
Berry was surprised once again. He still thought all of this was too much, but he placed his hands on Stuart's, and together, they left the house.
In the early morning, as the sun rose, its warm rays bathed the streets in a golden glow. The scene was tranquil, with only a few early risers wandering about, and the shops were still closed, their shutters down. If you gazed into the distance, a captivating, mystical fog enveloped the landscape, giving it an ethereal quality. As you walked through the streets, a subtle but refreshing cold breeze whispered through the air, carrying the promise of a new day.
Berry looked at Stuart, a smile forming on his lips when he realized that Stuart was still holding his hand. The walk to the store was relatively long and would have been tiring for Berry, but he wasn't tired. He was especially satisfied and energetic this morning. He never knew that walking together with Stuart so early in the morning would be so satisfying.
When he asked Stuart to come with him yesterday, he had nothing planned. Even though he thought about it all night long, he ended up falling asleep with zero ideas. And this morning, he intentionally stepped out of the house into the garden because he was afraid of waking Stuart up, hoping that he would sleep for a long while.
They stopped in front of a supermarket, the sign reading 'Open 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week,' which meant it was open at any time, every day, even if it was still early in the morning.
Stuart dragged Berry into the building, where both of them started looking around for something to wear to the beach party.
As Berry and Stuart perused the supermarket's aisles, their laughter echoed through the quiet store, breaking the early morning silence. It was unusual for either of them to be out so early, and the spontaneous decision to attend a beach party added a sense of excitement to the day.
They reached the swimwear section, filled with vibrant swimsuits and trunks in every color imaginable. Stuart picked up a pair of electric blue swim trunks and held them up to Berry. "What do you think? These look like they could make a splash."
Berry chuckled and nodded in approval. "Perfect choice. I might go for something more classic, though." He selected a pair of black swim trunks, a timeless option.
As they continued shopping, their bond grew stronger with each item they added to their cart. They debated over which snacks and drinks to bring to the party. Berry insisted on grabbing some tropical fruit punch, while Stuart opted for a cooler filled with ice-cold beers.
The checkout line brought an unexpected wave of nervousness. It was the first time they had gone shopping together like this, and it felt strangely intimate. Stuart paid for the items, and they walked out of the store, carrying their beach essentials in a couple of large reusable bags.
The morning sun was now higher in the sky, casting a warm, inviting light on the streets. They decided to walk back home, embracing the beautiful day. Birds sang, and the world seemed to awaken alongside their blossoming friendship.
Stuart broke the silence, "You know, I've always loved the idea of beach parties. The ocean, the sand, the laughter; it's all so carefree."
Berry smiled, grateful for the unexpected turn of events. "I can't believe we're actually doing this. I thought it was just going to be a regular morning."
Their footsteps echoed through the streets as they approached their house. The atmosphere was relaxed, a stark contrast to the rushed pace of life they usually encountered. They put their bags down, still basking in the contentment of their shared experience.
The hours passed quickly as they got ready for the beach party. Berry decided to wear a light blue shirt to match the clear skies they expected to see. Stuart, on the other hand, donned a white shirt and aviator sunglasses, creating the quintessential beach party look.
With their beach attire on, they looked at each other and laughed. Berry playfully teased Stuart, "You look like you're ready to conquer the beach, Captain Cool!"
Stuart flashed a grin, "Well, we have to make an entrance, right?"
The anticipation built as they made their way to the beach party. It was located at a picturesque spot by the sea. The sound of waves crashing against the shore grew louder with each step they took. Tents, colorful beach balls, and smiling faces surrounded them.
As they arrived, they were greeted by Stuart's college friend, Jake, who had organized the event. Jake welcomed them with a hearty handshake, introducing them to his group of friends.
Berry was initially reserved, but Stuart's reassuring presence eased his nerves. They joined a game of beach volleyball and quickly found themselves immersed in the festivities. The sun, now high in the sky, felt like a warm embrace.