Almost Alice » l.h

2.1

Wake up, eat breakfast, take my pills. That was basically my entire morning routine on weekends. If I was going out anywhere, I'd shower a few hours before hand. Today, however, I wasn't going out on my date with Luke until later. He'd called - actually called instead of texted - the night before to see if I still wanted to go and where I wanted to go. I told him I wanted to go to the beach. I decided it was my best bet to stay away from people at school.

I'd gone to the beach a few times with my sister before and we always hung out under the pier because no one was ever there. I guess it was too shady for typical beach-goers. If I could just stay under the pier with Luke, I'd be okay. Plus, he wanted to go at night to see the fireworks they set off every Saturday at the beach. It would be dark so people probably wouldn't see my face.

Calum had also called me the day before. He said he couldn't come to the house to say he was sorry because he had a family thing going on but he promised to come by today before my date. He did give a brief apology on the phone, which I obviously accepted.

I spent the entire day checking my phone for the time. I just wanted it to be time for me to get ready so I'd have something to do while I waited for six-thirty to come around. Until then, though, I spent most of my time with Amy in her room to avoid my mom's proud stare since this was my first date - kind of sad considering I was nineteen and my sister had done plenty more than gone on dates.

Around four, I went to take a shower. I shaved my legs and underarms and everything, making sure my skin would be perfect for the beach. Afterwards, I got out and wrapped a towel around my body before blowdrying my hair. I decided to throw it up in a bun before I scurried off to my room to grab a bathing suit and pick out an outfit to wear.

"Jesus!" I breathed out, jumping a little at the sight of Calum on my bed. "Can I help you? I don't know if you knew, but I'm very naked under this towel."

"I promised to come apologize before your date, so here I am." he said, holding his arms out. "Your parents said I could just come up."

"Could you at least turn around while I get dressed?" I asked.

He playfully rolled his eyes and turned his head the other way while I looked through my closet for the new Triangl bikini I'd just gotten. Amy and I had gotten matching ones - her's was blue, orange and white while mine was orange, pink, and white - and I really wanted to wear it because it looked nice on me. I was really proud of my body.

"Like I said last night, I'm sorry." Calum began. "I was an asshole and I shouldn't have gotten mad just because you didn't tell me. I think it's really cool that you're...whatever it is you are. I don't remember the word..."

"I appreciate the apology," I said, smiling when I found my bathing suit, "but I'd rather not think about that when I'm getting ready to go on a date with the only person in the school who doesn't know about me."

"Right, sorry." he nodded and then sighed. "Can I turn around now?"

"Yeah." I replied just as I finished putting it on.

He turned and his eyes widened, probably because he expected me to be fully clothed. "What the... Alice, you're hot."

I laughed. "Thanks. Luke's taking me to see the fireworks at the beach."

"Are you wearing anything over that? Please wear something over that."

"I thought you just said I was hot." I pouted, putting my hands on my hips and looking at myself in my mirror.

"That's the problem," he nodded, "you're too hot. Luke would be a stuttering mess. Like when he asked you out."

I turned back to my closet. "Let me guess, he told you about that?"