The Girl in the Striped Bikini

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

 

Kendal Bryce

　

　

“Kendal!” shouts Keana from her towel. “Who was that you were talking to?”

I walk back up to my towel, and sit down next to Keana feeling confused. “Actually, I was doing all the talking.” I say, stretching out.

“He didn’t say anything?” she asks, flipping on her stomach.

“No, he just stared at me with his mouth hanging open.” I say.

“Oh,” she smiles, “I bet he likes you.”

“Doubt it.” I say.

“Why do you say that?” she asks, narrowing her green eyes at me.

“I don’t know, I just doubt it.” I say, sitting back up.

“Whatever you say, Ken.” she says, and closes her eyes.

I get back up from my towel, unable to sit still. I walk a ways down the beach till I see Jude, walking out of the water with his surf board hovering above his head. An idea popped in my head when he never noticed me. I walk closer to the water, further out of his vision. When I knew he couldn’t see me, I quickened my pace. Seconds later I collide with his back and wrap my arms around his waist. I feel him startle, and whip around, but with me still attached to his waist. In the process of all this, I manage to land on my butt. Jude finally turns around to face me, all the while guffawing at my lack sneaking skills. “Kendal,” he snorts, “what are you doing?”

“Trying to scare to you.” I say, trying my best to wipe the sand off of me, but getting nowhere.

He grinned at me, amused. “Worked like a charm, huh?”

“You have no idea.” I say sarcastically.

Jude then lays his board in the sand and sit down, motioning for me to do the same. “You been boogie boarding?” he teased.

“Body boarding,” I correct. I hate it when people call it that. It’s so asinine. Jude was well aware of that too, he bugged me about it all the time.

“Whatever, same thing.” he smiled.

I rolled my eyes at him. A silence fell over us and I started absentmindedly started playing with the sand. Burying my hands down deep enough to feel the coolness of it, rising my hands and letting it slide through my fingers slowly. “Having fun there?” Jude asks.

“Huh?” I say, bringing my hands to my lap.

“Nothing.” he says. A moment passes, and he adds, “So, have you thought about what we talked about?”

“Um, yeah. Sort of.” I say, starting to feel nervous.

“Well, what do you think?” he urges.

I sigh, and push my curly hair out of my eyes. I really don’t know what to say. “I’m not sure yet, Jude. It’s not that simple.”

“But why can’t it be?” he pleads, pain etched in his features.

“I want it to be, but its not. I just need more time. Please? ” I say, taking his hand.

He huffs and lowers his eyes, “How much longer then?”

“I really don’t know how long it will take for me to figure it out, but I promise you will be the first to know when I do.” I say, hoping he will understand.