𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡 | 𝟏𝟖+

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐱

Gavin runs after me after I run up the sand hill. The hot, late July breeze flows against my body and through my hair. Once my feet touch the burning pavement, I run over to the ice cream shop.

"Wanna get some?" I yell over to Gavin. He catches up to me and puts his hands on his hips looking up at the sign with the flavors listed.

"I think I'll get the Coffee Oreo," he says after deliberate thought.

"Oh my god, I always get Coffee Oreo," I laugh. "Actually Mom always yelled at me when I got it when I was younger, so whenever I went to the beach with my dad I would always have it."

"Well, this is my first time trying it so I'm assuming it's beyond delicious?"

"Duh. I think I'm getting the Matcha ice cream."

"Wow, look at you having such grown-up flavors."

"Grown-up is getting rum raisin or pistachio. Or maple walnut."

"Okay, you're right. But, this is 'I'm twenty-eight and have a somewhat stable job in the field of journalism or marketing.'"

"That was so oddly specific, but come on that was the goal."

"You are so weird, Cami."

"What? Matcha tastes good," I argue as I approach the register.

"Yeah, if you're a cow and love the taste of grass," he remarks. I roll my eyes and order for us.

Grabbing our cones, we make our way over to the pier where there are either families with young children or couples. We find an empty spot and lean against the railing. I look up at the clear blue sky as I lick my ice cream. The sun doesn't set until seven, but I'd have to be home by then.

"Besides your name and sexuality, I know nothing about you," I state, turning to Gavin.

"Well," he starts, thinking for several seconds. "I'm originally from LA, but I go to Boston University. I'm going into my sophomore year there with Colin. My birthday is exactly in a month."

"Wait, hold up. I'm going to UCLA this September," I point to my t-shirt.

"You're kidding," his eyes widen.

"And, my brother is going into his sophomore year at BU too. I don't know how you guys haven't met yet."

"You're literally lying."

"No I swear, this is crazy," I look over the ledge and see Alex and Chris walking along the shore talking about probably something stupid. "So, what's your major?" I continue.

"Business," he replies and I smile. "Don't look at me like that, I know you're gonna say something."

"No, I wasn't," I lie. "But damn, getting into Questrom is difficult."

"So what about you?"

"Nursing." He rolls his eyes. "Hey, I'm not one of those popular, mean girls that peaked in high school."

That's all I've ever wanted to do since I was eight. Well, actually I wanted to work somewhere in healthcare, so the first thing I said was a doctor. I stayed like that until I realized that it required six to ten years more of education. Plus, I get to connect and interact with patients more than doctors do.

"It's still really impressive that you got into UCLA and on top of that you're a nursing major."

"Well, I'm glad that all my high school efforts paid off in the end." We continue walking along the pier until we reach the end.

"Hey, wanna do something stupid?" I pause and look up at him.

"Depends on what it is." He starts climbing over the railing and onto the ledge. "No, fuck that. I'm not dying before college." I glance at the 'Do not climb railing sign' and cross my arms over my chest.