Ocean State of Mind

Happy Birthday

When I slowly opened my eyes, I realized I was sleeping on a magazine. I squinted, looking at sun shining through the windows. I heard the sound of people walking around on the beach along with the crashing of the waves. My phone buzzed and I picked it up, groaning at the brightness. I had five missed called and two voicemails.

I sighed listened to the first one:

"Hey babe. I'm really sorry for lashing out at you and Ricky... it was uncalled for on my part. Anyway, I noticed that you weren't here when I woke up so I'm guessing you're already at work? I love you, and I promise I'll be home for dinner! I can't wait to see you!" Ej said.

Thank god he's not mad because I definitely didn't want to have to deal with that. Then I played the next one:

"Nina Salazar-Roberts, you better be alive! Ej came to the diner earlier looking for you. I said you were cause I didn't want to make him worried, but where are you?! Also, I wasn't even supposed to be there but I stopped by to grab some breakfast. You're welcome, and you owe me! Call me when you get this bc I wanna hear about your date with Ricky!" Gina said.

I laughed and playfully rolled my eyes. It wasn't a date. Definitely not a date.

I looked down at the counter I was sitting at and saw I was still in Ricky's soft hoodie. I was about to get up when I heard the door open and heard Lily walk in. "Now Mom, Dad... this is where Ri -Nini?" Lily paused, looking at me. I looked at the small group and saw an older woman who looked like an older version of Lily, her father, and an amused, confused and worried looking Ricky.

"Why is she here, darling?" The older man asked. "I really don't know..." she responded, confused. "Oh, um-" I began to get off the stool, but my foot got caught under one of the bars and I ended up falling off.

"Are you ok?" Ricky asked, running over to me. "Yeah! Sorry! I'm just gonna go, um... sorry!" I said, scrambling up to get my things and running out the door. I heard Ricky call my name, but I didn't dare look back. I embarrassed myself enough as it was. I quickly walked over to Red's skate shop, and found him and Gina bickering about something ridiculous. "Hey guys, can I just hide here forever?" I asked in a ridiculous British accent.

"Okay, number one: when did you become British? And number two: why do you want to hide?" Gina asked. "I don't know, it comes out when I'm nervous or embarrassed and secondly, I was at Ricky's surf shack while he was out with Lily and her parents. I was just hanging out, but then I accidently fell asleep so that's why I wasn't with Ej earlier. That, and the fact that he kinda blew up at Ricky yesterday, but he apologized. I'm still going to talk to him about it, though. And then, when I woke up I listened to your voicemail and then right as I was about to leave, guess who just HAD to show up? Not only Lily, but her parents and Ricky! I'm pretty sure I weirded out Lily and her parents, and I'm pretty sure Ricky thinks I'm some clingy loser hanging out at his place." I mumbled, burying my head in my hands.

"Hey, it's fine! I mean sure Lily and her parents might of been a bit weirded out but that's ok! And Ricky wouldn't ever think of you like that. Speaking of Ricky, what was the boy's freaking reaction to your suit?" She asked.

"I'm pretty sure Ricky will think of me like that now. As for yesterday, I showed up and it was pretty obvious that he was checking me out, so that's a good thing! Also, when we were playing volleyball he got a bit distracted" I said, smiling at the memory. "Oh my god! Nini he totally likes you!" Gina squealed. "Now, as I much as I love hearing about how my best friend practically un-dressed Nini with his eyes, can you keep it down? You're gonna scare away my customers!" Red said, shushing us. Gina rolled her eyes and grabbed my wrist. "Come on, let's go out to the back deck." She said, walking us to the back of the store. She opened the back door that revealed a small deck. "So I want to tell you an idea Lynne, Red and I thought of!" Gina said.