She Sells Seashells

She Sells Seashells- Chapter 4

Marney couldn't resist the small smile tugging on the corners of her lips as her step-mother told her the wonderful news. Her cousin was visiting today! She couldn't believe that her step-mother had even allowed him to visit, but there he was, standing right there before her eyes! Marney hadn't seen Philip since... um.. maybe ten years ago, and he was handsome (in a brotherly-cousinly way; no way was she checking out her cousin, that was an 'ewww' factor waiting to start. And it'd be waiting for a long while. *Shivers*).

He was cute, though. Messed-up dark hair, and bright blue eyes, though not as blue as Cole's....

Marney snapped back to the present as Philip engulfed her in a humongous bear hug. "Oh, I missed you, Marns!" he cried out joyfully, hoisting her over his shoulder and shaking her playfully. Marney giggled, then Sarah had to ruin the happy reunion.

"Yeah, I get it, best cousin ever, now get back to your job," she sneered, going back to reading her magazine. Marney sighed, then suddenly felt pity for Sarah. She looked all right, minus the fact that plastic surgery had her face, hips, legs and body looking like it should be on a Barbie doll. Sarah was only mean because her husband and kids were killed in a car accident, and she never really was the same. But that didn't excuse her for anything.

"Can I please take a break, Sarah? I've already collected my day's worth of shells, and Philly just got here," Marney pleaded. She really wanted to show Philip around.

"Really, Marns? Philly? Do not call me that in public," Phillip said, feigning outrage.

Marney stuck her tongue out at him very maturely. Finally Sarah grumbled, "Go take your little break, you're scaring away customers with your childish act."

Marney smiled at Phillip as he winked at her, then suddenly grabbed her, hoisted her onto his shoulder again, and began tickling her as he began to run towards the water.

"Phillip! No! Don't you even dare, you little--!" Marney squealed as he sent her flying into the freezing ocean. She was submerged in the deep water quickly, considering how hard and far Phillip had thrown her, and was cut off from saying the probably not most pleasant word, getting salt water into her mouth.

Marney resurfaced, spitting out water, and swam towards Phillip, who had just dove into the water. Then she got an idea.

Marney took a deep breath and silently slid under water, spotting Phillip's form easily, from all the foam he was making. He was not the most graceful swimmer.

Marney swam forward, slowly, then went deeper underwater, and quickly shot out her hand and grabbed Phillip's ankle, tickling the bottom of his foot. She resurfaced, and burst into laughter as she heard Phillip's screaming. "No, Marney, something just touched me!" he yelped, then heard her laughter.

He mock-glared at her then swam over and embraced her in a tight hug. "I missed you so much," he said. "And now, we are even."

Marney sighed, smiling. "I love you, Phillip, and I missed you too."

Suddenly she heard a splash, and she and Phillip broke apart, surprised to see Cole.

"Oh, hi Cole! What's up?" Marney said, her eyes raking his swimsuit-clad body. Wow.

His eyes were guarded. "Hi, Marney," he said dully, without any emotion whatsoever.

COLE'S POV

I couldn't believe it. She was wrapped around him like a slinky, saying that they loved each other. Even though I hadn't known her that long, my heart broke a little at the sight. She was beautiful, with brownish hair that positively flowed down her back like little ringlets of water, beautiful, bright green eyes like the lush, dewy grass, flawless tan skin, and a wonderful body. I still couldn't get the image out of my head of her blushing as that baggy shirt began to shrink, clinging to her body...

I was snapped out of my thoughts as Marney cheerfully asked me what was up. I stared at her, puzzled, then got it. She was a cheater, and a liar. I thought she actually liked me that day. Well, I didn't even want her. That lie was false. She was gorgeous and didn't know it, funny and amiable and charismatic but didn't show that she knew she was all that. She wasn't skimpy or rude or mean; she was just perfect.

"Hi, Marney," I said with no emotion. I saw a glimmer of hurt flash through her eyes, and her hugging partner glared at me while drawing Marney to him protectively. Why, may I ask! I would never hurt Marney, I thought. Rage builded within me, as I stared at Marney. She looked absolutely clueless and innocent. Somebody hand me an Oscar award.

"So, are you two together now?" I asked Marney boldly, and saw realization and amusement cross her face.

"Yeah, totally," she snorted, while the guy beside her let out a bark of laughter.

"As if!" he said. Seeing my confusion Marney smiled. "We're cousins," she told me.

Great. Now I feel incredibly stupid.

"This is Philly, Cole. Cole, meet Philly, Philly meet Cole," Marney said with a straight face. The guy frowned and pushed Marney playfully. "I told you not to call me that!" he whined to her, then turned to me. "Hey, I'm Phillip," he said, smirking.

"Hi, Philliip. Cole," I said back, feeling slightly relieved that he didn't call me an idiot. Sue me, I liked a girl. Then I admitted it silently in my head. I am officially falling in love with Marney.

{A/N: ha, that was my surprise! Cole's POV! Do you like it? I do! Anywhoo, I said "I" when I was using his POV becuase he did a lot of thinking in that chapter and my hands would've fallen off if I had written "Cole" every time. Well, PLEASE comment, vote, like, and fan. One click means a lot! Love, ridingrl :) }