She's Got A Way

Chapter Nine: The Beach

The ride to the beach was refreshing after driving for so many hours to California. It was only about an hour and traffic was conveniently great. When we arrived at the picturesque beach I noticed that it wasn't very busy. I liked that it wasn't packed, because beaches with too many people just aren't fun. We set up a few umbrellas near the water and put towels down to lay on. Some of the boys, including Frank and Mikey went into the water. "The water feels great!" Mikey yelled from where he was, waist deep in the waves. "You guys should come try it."

"We're good." I shouted back. I felt bad for Lyn-Z since she couldn't get her "love bite" wet, so I stayed with her. "You know, it's only on your collarbone, so you could probably get you feet wet."

"I don't really want to risk it." She frowned.

"But even if anyone saw it, what's so bad about having a hickey from the lead singer of an aspiring rock band that's growing more popular by the second?" I asked.

"That's a mouthful," Lyn-Z chuckled. "And there's nothing bad about it, I mean there was definitely nothing bad about getting it-"

"Woah woah woah," I put a hand up to stop her. "I don't need details."

Gerard appeared from behind one of the umbrellas and sat down next to Lyn-Z. "Hey." She pecked him on the lips and I smiled. They weren't one of those couples who were overly affectionate in public, but they were still cute. Apparently they made up for it by being especially affectionate on their own time.

"Hey," he replied. "Lyn-Z, I'm sorry that you had to cover that thing up," he pursed his lips, looking at the sand. "I should have known better."

"Gee," she kissed him on the cheek and he grinned. "Don't feel bad. I don't care."

"Okay." He smiled again.

Gerard decided to stay with Lyn-Z so I waded into the water. It was warmer than the water in New Jersey, and clearer too. "Vi," I heard Frank yell my name. He was much farther out that I was. "Come out here!"

I half swam, half walked to where Frank was standing with the rest of the boys. By the time I got there the water was up to my shoulders and the waves were tossing me off my feet every few seconds. The current was light and smooth. "It's so nice out today." I commented, glancing at the cloudless sky.

"Yeah, why won't Lyn-Z and Gerard come out?" Josh asked, suddenly at my side.

"I don't know," Mikey replied. "But she's gonna get wet anyway."

"What do you mean?" I asked, panicked.

"Look." Mikey pointed back to shore where Ray was holding a bucket of water behind Lyn-Z . He inched closer to her and poured the bucket over her head.

"Shit!" I cursed, and Frank burst out laughing. "Frank, it's not funny!"

"Why not?"

"The hickey!" I whispered angrily.

"What about it?"

"Makeup isn't waterproof." I grumbled.

"Shit!" Frank repeated my earlier comment.

We swam back to shore to find Lyn-Z yelling at Ray. "And you really didn't even consider the fact that I wasn't getting wet for a reason-"

"Babe, it's okay." Gerard said softly.

Ray looked like a deer in the headlights. "Lyn-Z, I'm really sorry. I wouldn't have done it if I knew you had a um," he scratched the back of his neck. "You know."

"Yeah, I know." She sighed. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"It's okay." Ray replied. "I deserved it."