What is love?

Chapter 21

"Going out again?" Dad startled me out of my skin as he peeked into my bedroom, arms crossed.

"Indeed, yes." I replied shortly and resume my packing.

It's probably been a week after the amusement park hangout. I can't believe it's already been a week. It kinda feels like yesterday. But the actual yesterday is not us going to the amusement park. The actual yesterday is when March decided it's time for our next hangout to the beach. Since the beach is much better visited in the early mornings, I got up before every one else and began packing. I even made my own breakfast - a simple sunny side up egg and some bacons.

"Location?" Dad asks.

"The beach. Oh and don't worry I won't get swept off by the waves. I'm aqua-phobic remember? I'd probably just stay beyond the line and read a book or something."

"That's odd. You've changed. Usually you would hide your fears, pretend that they don't exist. Whenever someone brought them up, you cover them with excuses and changes the topic in a flash of seconds. What has that strange boy done to you now, hm?"

"One, he's not strange. And two, I know this is kinda weird but I like changing. Changing for the better I meant like right now. I'm accepting my weaknesses instead of hiding them. I guess now that I have accepted them, I'm one step closer to facing them, right? Pass me the sunscreen?"

Dad paused before tossing me a pale yellow bottle. "It's strange that he asks you out to a beach. The place where girls get to show most of their skin in pride."

My face turned a bright crimson as I swelled up in anger and embarrassment. "Don't talk about March like that. He's cool and I like it. He's my friend and I've known him for nearly a year now. He would never, ever have such desires. He's the most dignified person I know in fact. He won't do such absurd...things."

"Very well. I can see you have a strong foundation and beliefs. But do not come to me crying one day when your beliefs are crushed. This time, I won't take heed nor action to what happens next. You shall pay for your inability to spot someone's flaws and hidden traits. You shall pay for your gullible acts and stubbornness. Since you chose to learn the hard way." With that, he left the room.

"Ch, bet you my savings I won't regret my actions." I huffed before continue packing. "March is a different person and I'll prove it you, dad. I'll prove it I swear."

~~~

"Yo, Scarlette. You okay? You seem...distant." March bumped me on the arm with his elbow.

Earlier I was trying to read the book but I suppose it looks like I'm dozing off with my eyes open. "Y-yeah I'm fine." I shut the book closed.

"So, what do you want to do later at the beach? Since well you know...aqua-phobic?"

"Oh well usually I just sit on a mat and just...read?" 

"Read?! Just read?!"

"Y-yeah."

"You can read anywhere else other than the beach you know. But at the beach you get to do a lot of fun stuff even other than splashing on the seaside. You can go to the shallow side and look for shellfish and well shells, make sandcastles, ride a jetski play a game of volley, watch the sunset, etc, etc."

"Wow, that's a pretty good list."

"See? So how about we test our volley playing skills. I mean we've just learned it last term. Can't have gone all rusty, can it?" March stretched his arm muscles.

"Challenge accepted."

We both stepped out of the bus and took a short walk before finally sinking our flip flops into the soft, warm, pale yellow sand. I have hard time distinguishing March's hair from the sand. They're so alike! We decided to put down a beach mat somewhere in the middle of the area. While March was setting up his volley kit, I lifted up a bit of my sundress to apply sunscreen on my legs.

"Finished!" March exclaimed proudly.

"Neat. Now come here." I gestured. March sat down beside me without question. That is until I squirted a bunch of the creamy white liquid and began spreading it on his face.

"Eugh, what's this?" March spluttered.

"It's a sunscreen and don't move a lot! Or it's gonna go to your shirt. It's needed to protect you from the UV light you know."

We stay in that position, hiding our blush and being quiet for a moment until I finished applying the white creamy sun protector. With that done, both March and I take our places opposing each other and began passing the ball from one another. Though both of our hands slightly hurt after a game, it's still a ton of fun. And just before my arms can recover from the volley shock, March eagerly snatched a couple of empty Starbuck cups from the sands and ushered me to the shallow side of the seaside. Bordered with assortments of jagged rocks, the little water filled pool in the center is kinda cute. Either stuck to the rocks or hidden underneath the glimmering liquid, there are hundreds and hundreds of shellfish and shells there.

"Take as many as you liked. More will end up here sooner or later." March grinned as he plucked off a handful from a nearby rock.

"Hey, I can make friendship bracelets with these!" I exclaimed happily and began collecting the necessary amount of shells and perhaps a handful of shellfishes. 

After collecting the necessary amount, we returned to the mat where - after the volley net is all packed  - March proceeded to construct a sandcastle. In my whole life, I've never succeeded in making one. And while waiting for March to complete his new sandy estate, I pull out a couple of loose strings from my tote bag to make a couple of friendship bracelets with the shells. Although the shells differs in color, I manage to connect them using a similar pattern. After what must be taking ages, we've finally finished with our achievements.

"Ta-da! What do you think?!" March presented his massive construction proudly.

"Amazing!" I replied breathlessly. "And look what I made!" I showed him the two shell made bracelets.

"Ooh, pretty!" March smiled as I tied one of the bracelets to his wrist. 

"Hehe, cute. Mind if we take a picture of both our achievements?" I said as I pulled out my phone. 

"Don't mind if I do." March stepped behind his creation and did a sick dab. 

I giggled at his style, did a peace sign and, "say cheese!"

"CHEESE!" We both exclaimed as the shutter clicks.

"Send it your parents! I bet they'll be delighted and oh-oh send it to me too! I want to send it to my parents."

"Alright." I clicked a few buttons on my phone before saying, "all done!"

"Great. Thanks, Scarlette."

I put my thumbs up and sighed. If only I had the bravery to show it to my parents. I mean, mom wouldn't mind. But dad? Fuh, it's like shoving your head into the lion's mouth. If only dad had trusted March - and not a crazy workaholic - then maybe the trip would've been a bit more crowded. Both our families having fun at the seaside. I really want to get to know March's parents and the sister he always talks about. I want to make good connections with them like I did with their son and brother. If March has had any relationship traumas before this like I did, well I do hope they gave me a clean slate to start over with and not to follow my dad's stubborn footsteps.