Tender Times on a Distant Shore

Roxie's P.O.V. ~ Chapter 5

    I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Hair up, or hair down? I couldn't decide. I ended up going with a lazy ponytail and it looked pretty good on me too. My bathing suit was a black bikini and I wore a black rash guard over my top half, but then I changed into a t-shirt, and some comfortable shorts I wore to sleep. Finally ready, I lathered my face in sunscreen, grabbed my small bag with first aid items, and headed out to meet Ky and James down by the docks.

    I took my time, enjoying the smell of the salty air, the sounds of the waves coming to and fro, and the sun warming my back and shoulders. I noticed a person about a few years older than me, lying on the deck asleep. It was Aaron! Aaron Lake was a tall, lightly tanned boy with dark brown/black hair and dark brown eyes. He is a popular senior. I am an unpopular freshman. Ky was pacing back and forth nearby, while James had his legs in the water up to his knees, lounging on the edge. James said something that must have provoked Ky because the two started fighting. Their voices got louder and louder, and finally I noticed Aaron had woken up with a grouchy expression on his face, rubbing his eye with his fist like a little boy. Avoiding James and Ky's bickering, I went and sat next to Aaron. He had a dazed expression now that was softer and less intimidating than five seconds ago. He blinked, looked at me, and cocked his head to one side so that he looked like a confused puppy.

    "So cute!" I said out loud. He yawned in reply, and lay down on my lap. While I was stroking his hair like a mother would do to her child I noticed Ky and James cease their shouts after I had spoken. Both looked sunburned in the cheeks. Good thing I had extra sunblock.

    "Cʻmere" I motioned to the both of them, who sheepishly walked over and seated themselves on my right because Aaron was sleeping on my left.

    "Did you guys put on sunscreen today? You both look redder than tomatoes." I said motioning James to come closer so I could apply the sunscreen to his face. He seemed to become even redder. "There. Your turn" I said, motioning for the two to switch places. I put the sunscreen on Ky's face and ended up getting the same reaction. 'Hmm' I thought to myself. Aaron stirred in my lap and groaned. I noticed the reason why. He was sunburnt because he had been asleep in the sun for about two hours and his face was hot and warm, almost like he had a fever.

    "Aww, you poor thing!" I exclaimed hugging him tight. Ky and James looked over to where we sat. "You are so lucky I brought aloe gel." I said a little quieter. He rubbed his eyes again before he let me smear the cool substance all over his face, back, and shoulders. When I finished he went straight back to sleep in my lap. I tapped on his forehead. He opened one eye.

    "Are you comfortable?" I asked him. He nodded his head. "Okay then. You can sleep for as long as you want." He smiled and went back to sleep. Ky and James were sulking on the side and I had no idea why. But, whenever I was in a bad mood, my dad would give me a bear hug and a kiss on the cheek, and since I was in no position for a hug… "Guys, aren't you gonna go parasailing?" I called to them.

    "Yeah" Ky and James said simultaneously. "Well, you two go have fun, Arrow here is exhausted." (Aaro sounds like Arrow :\\\3) I felt like a mother talking to her children. "I can call you Arrow right?" I asked Aaron just to be sure. Groggily, he nodded his head. I continued to play with his hair. It was so soft and silky. Ky and James were about to sulk towards the boat but I called them back. They sat beside me with confused looks on their faces. I gave both a kiss on the cheek.

    "My dad always used to give me kisses whenever I was grouchy." I explained to them. They walked to the boat with their sunburned cheeks. What a day this would be. While I was watching the boat speed away with Ky and James trailing behind, I felt two arms wrap around my waist. It was Aaron! Since when did he get up off my lap and behind me? He kissed me on the cheek.

    "I want one too." He said looking me in the eyes. Well, he was grouchy earlier, so I kissed him on the cheek. He pulled me in for a hug and held me there for a long time. I thought he had fallen asleep again until he let go and sat next to me.

    "Aren't you sleepy?" Aaron said rubbing his eyes. I grinned.

    "You know, I think I might be." I was about to lean on a pole next to me and doze off, when Arrow wedged himself in between the pole and I so that I was resting on his shoulder. He put one strong arm around me. I was too tired to even care. I fell asleep against him, listening to his heartbeat and woke up in my bed in the room I shared with James. James was asleep beside me with a pillow barrier between us. I checked my clock. It was midnight. I had been asleep a long time, but how did I get back in to the room? I shrugged it off and tried to drift back to sleep, but I couldn't.