Till the Star Blooms

Chapter 6 - Starry Beach

Summer 64

Later when we beat the boys again, everyone came and joined me. Even Jami built up enough courage and came in for a splash. We raced each other and threw the beach ball around. You never got to do this in the city.

We all watched the sunset fall behind the horizon while sitting around a camp fire that we had quickly scrabbled together. We pulled up some logs and sat around. Neil who I hadn’t really gotten to know got out his guitar and strummed a few cords.

“What should I play?” his rough voice asked and strummed a few more cords. He took a swig of some liquor he had brought from his bar. It sucked to be still under age, though I wasn’t the only one. Jami and Renata were in the same position as me.  Luckily he didn’t bring enough for anyone to get drunk.  He left the last case unopened by one of the rocks.

 We sang a few camp fire tunes laughing the entire time. At one stage we were dancing as Neil strummed some old folk’s dance, which I quickly learnt the step. We all collapsed in a pile of laughter. I was so glad I had came, before it dawned on me. How were we going to get home in the dark? I tugged on Lorrie’s sundress.

“Hey when are we going back?” I asked.

“Oh didn’t I tell you? We’re going to stay the night here. Don’t worry, it’s going to be a warm night.” She smiled and went to cuddle up next to Neil.

“Isn’t he so cool,” Renata sighed coming to sit next to me. I gave her a confused look. “Neil, he is so cool, I love how he plays,” she sighed. So that was who she liked, too bad Lorrie liked him too. Then again Lorrie had acted the same way around Allen and Darryl. Player alert.

“If you’re wondering who Lorrie likes…,” Jami came and sat on my other side. “She has this thing for  men who have to be at least five years older than her.”

“That’s why, even though Leroy is a year older than her, she isn’t attracted to him. Isn’t that right Jami,” Renata continued giving Jami a nudge. I giggled when her cheeks redden. I kind of guessed she had a thing for Leroy.

“I think we should get some sleep, it’s going to be a long hike back tomorrow,” Darryl announced. I shook out my towel and laid it down close to the fire that was slowly dying down. We said our good nights and let the night take over.

***

I tossed and turned not being able to sleep, I rolled over onto my back, and the sand was  so hard and lumpy. I stared up at the stars; there was no moon out tonight, so I could see even more stars than usual.

“Why is it that every time I look at the stars they become more and more beautiful” I whispered to myself. I listened the rhythm of the waves and somewhere I heard the soft laughter. I slowly sat up still gazing at the stars before turning to see who was still awake.

I was surprised to see the silver figure sitting on a rock; his head resting on his knee looking down at us. He diverted his gaze that fell upon me. Tilting his head slightly a shallow smile spread across his face. He had an elegance to him, that was a unnatural in a guy. Jayce eyed me curiously. What was he doing here? No he wasn’t here, this was a dream.

I turned away and looked back at the stars. This was probably a dream, stars like this didn’t exist and thefts didn’t sit on beach looking at you. Did they? I turned back to the others. Twinkles was gone, maybe just as well. I looked out at the stars once more. There were so many, like little diamonds scattered on velvet.

“Cameo?” I turned. Jami leaned up on her elbow. “What are you doing?” she asked.

 “Dreaming, aren’t the stars beautiful?,” I replied, unable to think of a better response. She nodded feel asleep instantly. Resting my head down once more I closed my eyes pulling my shirt tighter around me.

“Sweet dreams Cameo…”