Endless Summer

July - Chapter VII - Lemonade and Watermelon

I looked at Grace is total humiliation. I could not believe my old lifetime crush just overheard us talking about Keith. She laughed in my face.

We chatted for a few then made our way downstairs for a snack. Grace was really in the mood for some diced mangoes, which sounded delicious.

Carter and Luke were playing video games on the couch hooked up to the flatscreen. Matthew was there as well, I figured he came over recently. Grace ran over to him. They are cute, the two of them, boyfriend and girlfriend.

"Congratulations on graduating by the way, Matt!" I spoke.

"Thanks Ke!" He smiled.

Grace pitched in. "Guys! It's soo nice out. Let's go in the pool or down to the water!"

Her request was glazed over by Luke and Carter, who were glued to their game.

"Get him!! Go, go, go! YES!" Luke was spamming the controller.

"Let's gooooo!" Carter added.

Grace stepped in front of the television. "Hello. Come on!!"

They shouted at her to move, threw their hands in the air, and finally surrendered to her. They agreed, and everyone made their way to the rooms to change.

I busted out my pastel yellow billabong bikini set. The color complimented my tan skin perfectly, inflicting me with a sense of confidence. Grace was in the closet, putting on her pastel pink bikini set.

"Grace, I'm heading down, I'll meet you in the kitchen."

"Okay!!" She spoke from the closet.

I grabbed my towel and locked it between my waist and arm. I trotted down the stairs, heading to the cabinets to grab a glass. But of course, it was a tall cabinet with a glass in the back. I didn't feel like grabbing a stool, but instead proceeded to reach on my tippy-toes. I was clearly struggling.

No one has come down yet. I was alone in the kitchen with the goal of obtaining a glass for water. I could feel the rim with my fingers, right at my grasp. But before I could attempt again to grab it, a tall figure appears slightly pressed against me, picking up the glass at the back of the cabinet.

I turned around, my back now to the counter and my front to the person. Luke presented the glass to me, with his charming smile and gentle siren eyes.

"Here you go." He spoke, our bodies still against each other.

"Thank you, Luke." I looked up at him with doe eyes. He is wearing royal blue trunks, perfectly sitting in his body.

"You look.." He trailed my body. "..Sexy. Yellow is definitely your color."

Butterflies filled my stomach. I've never been called sexy before. I smiled, thanking him for the compliment.

His hands rested on the side of my body from before. I felt them pick up and move to my hips. Luke kept complete eye contact with me.

"You never congratulated me on graduating. Me and Matt did together." He sounded sympathetic yet annoyed.

I frowned sarcastically. "Jealous much?"

His hands met my bathing suit bottoms. I felt my head slowly start to bend backwards, exposing my neck to Luke's pleasure.

We heard Grace, Matthew, and Carter coming down the stairs. Luke smirked, and released his hands from my body.

I configured myself back, then continued. "Congrats, Luke. Proud of you." I stared at him.

"Thank you, Brooke." His face said it all. In a matter of seconds I was falling under his hypnotic charm, and even obeyed his request instantly.

The three of them rounded the corner.

"Hey! Who's ready to party!!!" Grace was ecstatic.

No one really made a fuss of how close me and Luke were. Although, Matthew glanced over at Luke quickly, and chuckled quietly to himself.

"Pool or beach?" I stated.

"Beach, more area to explore." Luke hurriedly responded.

"Beach it is!" Carter and Grace spoke.

We all gathered food, drinks, and items we wanted to have with us for the ocean. Then, we took the Jeep down to the beach.

Me and Grace immediately booked it for the water, insisting on feeling the temperature. Carter followed us taking a quick dive into the waves.

Matthew stood back with Luke, I saw from afar. They seemed to be talking with each other, but nothing upsetting or negative. Both of them were smiling.

Seconds later then ran into the ocean, meeting the rest of us. It was so nice being all together, with the exception of Patrick. He was stuck at home forced to study for his exam tomorrow by his mom. We'll meet up eventually.

Patrick has no connections to anyone in our group other than just hitting it off when he first met Luke. They became best friends and then he later introduced Patrick to Grace, Matthew, Carter, and I. He's a really awesome and caring guy. Patrick helps out at local beach cleanups and always puts others first. I call him a teddy bear, his brown hair fluffy as always.

***

Grace pulled out a container of watermelon slices from her bag. In the hot heat we all sighed in relief to taste cold and juicy food.

"A true lifesaver."

Afterwards, the boys were playing Spikeball a little away from our beach spot. Grace and I decided to tan. Feeling the warmth was amazing. I could feel my skin baking, hoping for a good tan. Grace practically fell asleep.

I could hear the guys excitement towards their game. They visibly get very competitive.

"Grace!!" Matthew shouted to our area. "Come play!"

She didn't respond so Matthew ran over and coupley played with her. Both of them were laughing.

Grace begged him to take me instead, therefore leaving me with the guilt of joining.

We played Spikeball until the sun was setting then began starting to make our way back to the house.

We opened the door and walked to the kitchen. Grace's mom was there, setting up a bunch of glasses next to her freshly squeezed lemonade.

"Hi! I made you guys some lemonade, fresh and cold! Please, have some!" She smiled, putting straws on the countertop as well.

"Thank you so much!" I responded. Then the rest of the group said the same.

"Of course sweetie!" Their mom gave me a hug. "It's so so nice to see you! Luke talks about you all the time." She chuckled.

"Mom, stop." Luke was fast to reply.

I smiled and gave a long look to Luke. His friends were giggling and playfully pushing his shoulders.

"Oh, whoops! Sorry Luke."

His mom looked back at me and winked.