Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Three

'This campsite is so pretty,' Joey Moore-Handler said as they all walked up a small hill. 'Look at this view.'

'Amazing,' Owen Miller said. 'This is going to be an awesome weekend.'

'You can put me down now,' Ecie said to Grayson Booker. 'I think we're here.'

Grayson grinned as he put her down. 'Here good enough for you?'

Ecie stuck out her tongue.

'This view is amazing,' Esme agreed looking down at the harbor. In the distance she could just about make out some land.

'We should probably start with the tents,' Markus said taking charge. 'There's kayaking down there, so anybody interested can rent some stuff out.'

Whilst Ecie sat in a chair, the others started pitching their tents and setting up.

'Are you sure you want to stay here?'

'Yeah,' Ecie nodded. 'I don't want you guys to have to carry me everywhere.'

'We'll be a couple of hours,' Markus said. 'Are you sure you want to spend all that time here by yourself?'

'I really don't mind,' Ecie replied. 'I can sit here and watch the horizon.'

'Okay,' Markus said doubtfully. 'We'll see you when we get back.'

They said goodbye to Ecie then went down the hill.

'How do you row in these things?' Esme said trying not to go round in circles.

'Wait a second,' Verde said. 'Stop moving.'

'These things are fricking stiff,' Joey said looking in front of Owen. 'Move a bit Owen.'

'There's nowhere for me to move to,' Owen replied. 'Have you seen how small these things are?'

'This is definitely a couples retreat,' Grayson laughed. He had his own kayak and was laughing at his friends who had to share. 'Lucky for me, I came alone.'

Markus and Luke also had their own kayaks.

'Try not to kill me,' Sara Wentworth said to Paul Messer. 'We need to work as one.'

'Then tell me which way to go,' Paul said. 'You're making us go all over the place.'

Sara pulled Paul's shoulder back and kissed him on the lips. He kissed her back then they went back to trying to steer the kayak in the right direction.

'This is why I should have sat in the front,' Owen said. 'You've got no idea what you're doing.'

'I went to camp a couple years ago,' Joey replied. 'I know exactly what I'm...'

Their kayak capsized and they were thrown underwater. Swimming out and up to the surface, Owen kissed Joey. Joey hit him playfully then kissed him back.

'Come on guys,' Markus said. 'Don't make out in the sea.'

'Just leave them alone,' Grayson laughed. 'If they want to stay out here making out then let them.'

'I think we're getting the hang of this,' Verde said.

Esme laughed. 'Not really Verde. We're still not really moving.'

'At least we didn't capsize.'

'I don't think that really says much,' Esme said. 'Maybe we should have read a guidebook about how to actually kayak.'

'You don't need one,' Verde laughed. 'I'm here, and I've been doing this for years.'

'You obviously weren't very good at it,' Esme teased. 'We're going nowhere.'

'Oh ye of little faith...'

They soon capsized too.

'E?'

Ecie turned and saw Langley Duke.

'You okay?'

'What are you doing up here?' she asked. 'I thought everyone was down kayaking.'

'I changed my mind,' he said. 'I thought you might like some company.'

Ecie turned back to her magazine. 'I've got all the company I need.'

Langley opened up a fold-away chair and sat down next to Ecie. 'You worry me sometimes.'

'I do?' Ecie replied not interested.

'Yeah,' Langley said watching as Ecie continued reading. 'Ecie.'

'What?'

'Will you look at me?'

Ecie ignored Langley and turned the page.

He kissed her.

Ecie pulled away and pushed Langley from her. 'I've got a boyfriend.'

Langley stared at her stunned.

'You should have stayed down there with the others,' Ecie said getting to her feet slowly and hobbling a little. She turned and hopped to the tent she was sharing with Joey.

'I don't care,' Langley said following her into the tent after a moment, and zipping it closed. 'I don't care about your boyfriend.'

Ecie looked at Langley. 'Get out of here.'

Langley crept closer to Ecie. 'I know that you still have feelings for me,' he said stroking the side of her face and moving some of her hair. He tucked some behind her ear. 'I know how you feel about me.'

'Langley,' Ecie gulped. 'You need to leave.'

'Why?'

'I don't want anything to happen,' she replied looking down. 'You need to leave.'

Langley kissed Ecie on the lips. 'I don't care.'

Ecie stopped for a second then kissed Langley back.