Taire let out a loud sigh as he flopped down on the plush, yellow couch. The faulty aircon hummed loudly as it blasted cold air around the room. Taire relished in the feeling of the cold air on his hot skin as it slowly cooled him down. It was the middle of summer, and he was stuck in the worst heatwave his town had ever seen.
Taire grabbed the TV remote off the armrest and turned on the TV. The black screen flickered to life, bright colours and loud dialogue filling the living room. Taire scrolled through the TV channels, trying to find something interesting to watch but it was all just reality TV and cooking shows. After a while Taire gave up and turned off the TV, instead pulling out his phone and scrolling through social media.
Taire looked over his shoulder as he saw Maiko, his roommate and best friend, leave his room for the first time that day. Taire had no idea how Maiko could survive in his room with no aircon in this horrible heat. Maiko had been Taire's friend since they were in kindergarten and throughout their life, they had become inseparable. Taire was the extrovert of the duo, he was always smiling and laughing about something random, and Maiko was the introvert, always quiet and he never smiled.
Taire moved his legs up to his chest so Maiko could sit down on the couch next to him. "It's so hot!" Taire complained loudly. He frowned as Maiko just gave him an amused look. "It's not funny! We need a pool in this apartment complex or something." Taire complained loudly.
Suddenly he had an amazing idea and grinned at Maiko. "Let's go to the beach!" Taire instantly noticed the look on Maiko's face and remembered that he hated going out in public due to the fire that his body scarred and ruined his voice. "Don't worry, I know a part of the beach that no one goes to. No one will see you; I promise." He reassured Maiko. Taire grinned happily as Maiko sighed and gave him a thumbs up.
Taire stood up and walked into his bedroom to put on his beachwear. He took of his shorts and instead put on his blue boardshorts. He could hear the clinking of ice in the kitchen as Maiko filled the esky with ice and drinks. Taire made sure to grab the beach towels out of the hallway cupboard before walking into the kitchen. Maiko was already in his swimmers. He was wearing a black, long sleeved rashie and black board shorts that clung to his muscular frame. He could see a tiny bit of his burn scar poking out from the hem of the shorts. "You ready?" Taire said with a smile. His smile widened as Maiko gave him a thumbs up and followed him out of their apartment, the door slamming close behind him.