For The Hope Of It All

Ilyes

 "Where do we get those umbrellas?"

Kiyara doesn't even bother to turn around as she weaves her way through the beach and colorful umbrellas embedded in the sand. It wasn't as busy as I expected for the summer. The boardwalk was a nightmare, yes but the beach was surprisingly mild. "Gotta bring them yourself. Besides, we're here to sunbathe remember"

She decides on a spot far enough from the crowd but close enough to the water without getting trampled by others. I'm kind of glad because I don't think I could have walked further than that. Kiyara sets her towel down, dropping her bag as an anchor just as I reach her. Maybe it's because she feels sorry for me for half limping through the sand whilst carrying our food because she gently unwedges my beach towel from under my arm and lays it down beside hers.

"Thanks" I utter, slowly lowering myself down. Just over a month since my surgery now and it didn't hurt as much to stand on my ankle. Some nights it ached so badly I couldn't sleep, tossing and turning before taking whatever half assed pain medication they had given me. Ibuprofen usually, too afraid I'd get hooked on oxy. And some nights it felt like I hadn't even gotten injured at all. I glance back at the boardwalk, the faint sound of screams from the nearby amusement rides. "I can see why you liked coming here"

"Yeah?" She smiles, pink and plump accentuating that beauty mark on the left side of her bottom lip. "I'll buy you a candy apple to make up for the fact your auntie never let you have one." She adds teasingly. A soft laugh leaves my mouth in response.

It was surprisingly easy to talk to Kiyara. At least a lot easier than Benny who was often short and concise with me. Sinclair had said that she needed time to warm up but I assumed it was just her personality. I understood but after all these years it was like pulling teeth trying to talk to her. She wasn't rude, nor cold. Just awkward. I guess I couldn't click with everyone. With Kiyara, there was this tone of ease. No need to grapple at new topics of conversations to keep it flowing. If there was nothing else to say, we'd fall into comfortable silence. But it wasn't long before we'd start talking again. It was nice. I can't lie, the fact that she had said no to being set up with me did intrigue me. She wasn't like other girls. It wasn't like I expected her to throw herself at me. I knew better than that. But I liked that about her. It made sense though. She just wasn't interested in relationships. Maybe that was for the better. For the both of us. I didn't want a relationship either, not after what happened with Safiyah. I wasn't over her. I don't think I'd be over her for a long time. But I couldn't deny that there had been something in the air. Something undeniable that went beyond today. I had felt it last month at the wedding. When my eyes had fallen to her as she danced with her friend. Even before that. I couldn't shake the feeling from when we danced. But I couldn't explain it either. And it'd only just returned with even more force today, when she stepped into the deli.

"I think I'm going to sunbathe first, while the sun is hot." Kiyara says, sitting cross legged on her towel. She reaches across to grab her bag, retrieving a black bikini. She doesn't show indication of heading to the toilets to change and I suddenly realize that she might just take her shirt off here. Heat pools into my stomach at the thought. Kiyara was undoubtedly the sexiest girl I've ever seen and the fact that she knew made it that much better. No meekness, no naivety, just pure unadulterated confidence. The thought made my cock twitch.

I watched as she twisted her hair up and clipped it with some sort of claw. I wasn't going to watch her strip, that would've been creepy and put me amongst the likes of Issa. So instead, I shifted away so that she could have some privacy and so she wouldn't notice the way my joggers got a little tighter around my hips. I lift my shirt over my head, tossing it to the side. The sun was beating down so harshly but it felt nice. Especially since this was a rarity in Newcastle. I take my time to stare off at the water, wondering if I'd venture off into the water. It would be nice, but the thought of taking off my boot was quite bothersome.