Life's A Beach

~Chapter One ~

I stepped through the wooden screen door that led to our little family-owned shop, my aching arms laden with boxes that felt more like bricks, whilst the contents made little clinking noises from bouncing up and down as I walked. My forehead shone from perspiration and my yellow raiser back tank top and light wash jeans clung uncomfortably to my skin. The chirp of the miniscule bell resounded off the walls, alerting the empty shop of my presence and I hurriedly set the hefty boxes down on the counter, relieving my stiff arms.

Stepping back, I heaved a sigh at the work that lay before me. Knowing there was no one else around, I decided it would be a good idea to get just get it over and done with. Working at the store can be tiring sometimes but it’s the least I can do to help out my parents. After all, that’s what family is for right?

I strolled behind the counter, the floor creaking with every footfall and pulled a pair of rusted scissors from the drawer and proceeded to cut the sealed tape on the boxes with the sharp end. Pulling out the packaged peanuts in the first box, I stepped on my tippy toes to peer into the two large boxes and continued to pull out many boxes of sodas varying from every kind of soda you could possibly think of to packets of differently shaped potato chips.

I lifted both boxes, carrying one on each hip whilst attempting to gain my balance and placed them on the old wooden floor making the bottles clink together. Squatting down, I began stocking the shelves with granola bars and cheese crackers but before long my thighs began screaming in pain, resulting in me dropping on the cool floor, crossing my legs beneath me.

The light sound of the waves crashing against the sandy shore drifted in through the thin screen door mixed with the sharp squawk of the seagulls above and the late July breeze carried through the windows bringing the scent of the salt water with it. Closing my eyes, it felt as if I was sat on the beach and without thinking, I stretched my feet forwards, only to snap back to reality as some of the condiments on the shelves came crashing down to the floor and I felt a sheepish grin make its way on to my face.

I wiped a bead of sweat off my forehead, making me wish the breeze would blow again to cool me down, even if it was just for a second. Shaking my head, I finished up stocking the snacks before turning to the remaining box with the drinks I was dying to gulp down. Leaving the now empty box on the floor, I lifted the box containing the drinks and made my way over to the tall fridge tucked in the corner of the store.

Opening the fridge, I shivered at the wave of coolness that hit me and opened the box of Dr. Pepper to reveal dozens of cans of soda waiting to be stocked. Pulling out can after can, I placed them in the empty spots of the fridge as I felt my arms sigh with relief at the icy chill that enveloped them.

As I leant down to get the next can, the bell above the screen door rang, making me jump and drop the box of soda. Brushing my fingers through my long sandy hair, I slipped it up into a high ponytail and wiped the beads of sweat that were collected across my forehead in an attempt to make myself presentable before greeting the new customer. Walking towards the counter, I scanned the aisles to see who had entered, but found nothing but the empty box I had left in the same spot a few minutes before. Huh. Must have been my imagination.

I turned on my heel to head back to the corner, only for my face hit a hard chest a moment later, causing me to stumble backwards and the perpetrator to drop a bag of Doritos on to the floor. Teetering on my feet, I attempted to regain my balance but ended up knocking into the open fridge and falling on my butt on to the bottom shelf. Groaning in pain I attempted to heave myself up until I was reminded of the other person in the room who clearly saw my embarrassing fall.

"Need help there?" I heard a deep masculine voice say from above me, amusement evident in his tone. I felt an involuntary blush creep up my cheeks at my clumsiness and looked up to see a man’s outstretched hand, my gaze travelling upwards until I met a pair of twinkling grey-green eyes with a hint of sly in them. My eyes roamed over his face, taking in his chiselled jaw, cropped chocolate brown hair and flawless smile. Realising I was checking him out, I blushed again, and noticed his hand was still outstretched, a playful smirk lighting his beautiful features. That smirk told me he knew what I was thinking and, forgive me for being a stereotype, but his whole demeanour just screamed player.