Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Six

'Do you smoke?' Alfie asked rolling a splif. 'Or are you like Conservative Esme?'

Lauren looked at Esme. 'Sometimes, I guess it depends.'

'On what?' Alfie asked.

'I don't know,' Lauren shrugged. 'I guess it depends on what mood I'm in.'

'And what mood would that be?' Chris asked.

'I would if you offered,' Lauren smiled.

'I like this girl,' Aaron grinned. 'You're cool.'

'Thank you,' Lauren said as Alfie lit the joint then passed it to her. 'Thanks.'

'You can have that,' Alfie said watching as Lauren inhaled then exhaled a minute later, through her nostrils. 'I think you'll like it.'

'It tastes good,' Lauren nodded. 'What's in it?'

'Perfect grade A,' Alfie grinned. 'With a hint of vanilla, you've got to have the flavors.'

'Right,' Lauren nodded. 'I like it.'

'You're kind of quiet,' Dylan said looking Esme and Taylor. 'You didn't say a lot the other night.'

'I didn't have anything to say,' Lauren replied. 'I like listening to what other people have to say.'

'You're kind of cute,' Ethan smiled.

'Thank you,' Lauren smiled. 'I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not.'

'What I meant to say was that you're cute,' Ethan smiled. 'You've got a nice smile.'

Lauren grinned. 'That's the first time I've ever heard that one.'

'What else do you do?' Aaron asked. 'I'm intrigued.'

'What do you mean?'

'You smoke and stuff,' Aaron said. 'I also know that you drink as well. Are you like a bad child?'

'I wouldn't say that,' Lauren laughed. 'I don't really do anything.'

'Leave her alone,' Esme giggled as Taylor nibbled her ear and tickled her. 'Stop asking such personal questions.'

'We're trying to get to know her,' Chris said. 'You and Taylor look a little busy.'

Taylor kissed Esme behind her ear and pulled her in closer to him.

'This is like the first time they're not fighting,' Ethan laughed. 'Have you seen some of their fights?'

'I've heard about them,' Lauren replied. 'But they're so cute together; it's got to be worth it.'

'Oh it is,' Alfie grinned. 'The sex is awesome.'

'Right,' Lauren nodded. 'That's great.'

'How do you like California?'

'Dude, she's been here for two months already. I think she likes it already.'

'I love the sun,' Lauren said. 'It's nice being here. Everyone is so nice.'

'You obviously haven't seen the whole of California,' Chris laughed. 'This place is filled with scum.'

'Oh really?' Lauren said. 'Don't hold back, go on.'

'I don't know,' he shrugged grinning. 'Like all places, there are some not so nice people.'

'Are you one of them?' she smiled.

'Ha,' Chris said. 'I'm a nice guy.'

'Really? That's interesting.'

'What have you heard?' Dylan asked.

'Nothing,' Lauren shook her head. 'I haven't heard anything.'

'I think it's the dope,' Alfie laughed. 'It's starting to get to her.'

'Do you guys do this all the time?' Lauren asked. 'Sit on a beach smoking dope and hoping not to get arrested?'

'Pretty much,' Aaron laughed. 'It's fun when you've got great company.'

'What else do you guys do?' Lauren smiled.

'We surf,' Ethan said. 'We hang out at Taylor's store quite a lot.'

'Don't you do anything else?'

'I think you've been around Esme too long,' Chris laughed. 'You're starting to sound like her.'

'I'm curious,' Lauren smiled. 'I thought we were trying to get to know each other and stuff. I'm just really interested in you guys.'

'How interested?' Ethan grinned moving close to Lauren. 'You can get to know me really well.'

'Thanks for the offer,' Lauren laughed. 'But I think I'll take a rain check.'

They laughed at Ethan. 'Oh man. She got you.'

'This is what life is about,' Dylan said spreading his arms. 'This is it right here. We bum about on the beach and have a good time. What's the point in working too hard when you've got your whole life to do that?'

'But how do you get all your money?' Lauren laughed. 'You guys fascinate me.'

'We're in a shitty band,' Aaron laughed. 'We play at The Roxy and Viper Room and all over the place. We mostly do odd jobs and stuff.'

'And you all live together?'

'Pretty much.'

'I love you guys,' Lauren laughed. 'I love you guys so much, you're all amazing.'

'I think it's finally set in,' Alfie laughed getting up and pulling off his shirt. 'Who wants to run into the sea?'

They all got up and pulled off their shirts and ran towards the sea chasing each other and laughing.

Lauren tackled Ethan to the sand and laughed. She fell to the beach as she tried to get up, and Ethan grabbed her arm. He looked into her eyes then kissed her on the lips. Lauren looked at Ethan before closing her eyes and kissing him back. They lay on the beach kissing as the others ran past them screaming with laughter.

'It's not so bad is it,' Taylor said watching as his friends ran along the beach. 'Everything is great.'

'I guess,' Esme said rubbing the back of her head on Taylor's neck. 'They're getting on fine.'

'Oh look,' Taylor laughed pointing. 'Who the hell is that?'

'I don't know,' Esme said trying to see. 'It's so dark. What's happening?'

'Well I'm guessing that Lauren has befriended one of them because I think two people are making out and she's the only girl.'

'No,' Esme laughed reaching up to see. 'Really? I can't see.'

'Look,' Taylor laughed pointing. 'Can you see?'

'A tiny bit,' Esme laughed. 'Oh my god, you're right. It is Lauren, but who is that?'