Summer in Golden Bay [ ON HOLD ]

Sunsets and Night Swims

Sunsets are my thing. Yeah, I know, everyone loves a sunset, but I really like them. I will go out of my way to watch a pretty sunset. It's my favourite when the sky is streaked with deep purples, vibrant pinks and intense oranges. What can I say, I'm just a basic white bitch who appreciates sitting on the beach watching a pretty sunset.

After dinner the parents got stuck into their wine and totally engrossed in their own conversation. Hayley quietly snuck off when she thought no one was watching, and Kendall went to the neighbours house where there are twins her age. As for us, we didn't even have to sneak the bottle of vodka to the beach, no one was even paying attention to us.

"Golden Bay sunsets are my favourite sunsets," I sigh, as we find a spot a little away from the house.

"You love all sunsets," Krissy deadpans.

"I do, but Golden Bay are my favourite," I insist. You just can't explain the difference to someone who doesn't appreciate a good sunset. It's about more than just the pretty colours stretching across the sky, it's about the way it makes me feel.

We lay out a few towels and sit. I open the bottle and take the first sip, feeling the burn down my throat and savouring the sweet raspberry aftertaste left in my mouth before passing the bottle to Ryder who is sitting beside me, because Krissy already ditched me to sit next to Hudson.

Cue eye roll.

That girl is thirstier than a dog on steroids. If you've never seen a dog on steroids, just trust me when I say that's thirsty! Our family dog was on steroids once and I had to fill his bowl at least three times a day. May he now rest in peace with all the water, doggie treats and tennis balls his heart desires.

Getting off track. Sunsets on the beach, friends, boy I'm crushing on right next to me. So far, we're off to a good start. I don't think I'm even mad that Krissy is distracted.

"First night tradition time!" Krissy says excitedly, pulling three folded pieces of paper from her pocket.

Ryder groans loudly. "Surely we're too old for this now?"

"Don't act like you don't love it just because you have a friend here this year!" Krissy raises her eyebrow at him calling him out. Ryder acts like that's not true, but we both know it is. He has always loved this.

What is our first night tradition you ask? Our first summer we decided we would write goals for the year to come, then on the first night the next summer we would see the things that we had written down. If we hadn't achieved what we wanted though, the other two would challenge you to a task that had to be completed before the new year. Kind of like New Years resolutions with a twist.

The first year we all played it safe. It was things like make the football team, pass math class, and score a role in the school play. Basically things we knew would probably happen. Well passing math wasn't always a given, but my parents would get me a tutor the second my grades slipped so I figured it was safe enough.