Surfing Freestyle

Sliders or Ice Cream? Both?

Hi. If you know my amazing friend _justanotherwriter_ well you're lucky. This chapter is for you my friend. Well go on and read!!

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UNCONDITIONALLL. UNCONDITIONALLYY. I WILL LOVE -

I slam my alarm clock and groan, sitting up in my bed. Rubbing my eyes I look at the time. 11:30. Great. I stumble out of bed and walk over to my closet. Figuring I'd want to be comfortable, I pick out a light blue t-shirt and some jean shorts. I pick up my converse and head downstairs into the kitchen where my aunt was making breakfast.

"Want some Braycee?" she asked in a gentle tone. I shook my head and grabbed a slice of toast. I take the butter from the table and begin to spread it onto the toast.

"I'll just have some toast. Do you mind if I walk around town, see what's there?" My aunt looked at me sternly. She nodded and started to laugh waving me off with her hand.

"No I don't mind. Go on" she responded. "There's a bunch of good places I would recommend checking out. Surf Turf would probably be your favorite," she says with a wink. I force a smile, even though the pit in my stomach grows at the mention of a surf shop. Did Mom not tell Aunt Kate about my surfing?

"I think I'll probably just walk around and then grab something to eat," I say. My aunt looks at me with an accusing look. "No offense!" I add hurriedly, catching my mistake. "Your food is amazing as always Aunt Kate, but I want to see what the locals have to offer in case I ever want to eat there." Aunt Kate laughs, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm only teasing, if I were you, I'd want to do the same," she chuckles.

 I quickly said goodbye to her and exited through the back door, making my way to the boardwalk that was conveniently placed near my aunt's backyard. I walked along the sand next to the boardwalk, with my shoes in one hand and my toast in another, and I let the warm sand tickle my toes. It was nice to be back on a beach. I began to walk a little slower as I saw many stores approaching. I finished my last bite of toast and wiped the sand off of my feet, putting my converse back on. There were so many places I wanted to go: Sam's Ice Cream Parlor, Groovy Things Galore, Surf Turf, and Banana Beachside Restaurant and Grill. Pondering my options, I set myself in the direction of Banana Beachside Restaurant and Grill, figuring I could grab a burger or something. I was greeted by a girl who looked my age and was certainly unhappy.

"Welcome to Banana Beachside Restaurant and Grill, would you like a seat inside or outside?" she droned.

"Inside please." I answered. She led me in the direction of a booth in the corner of the room and handed me a menu. She turned and swiftly walked away not even saying another word to me. I looked at the menu and order myself a platter of cheeseburger sliders with mayo, steak sauce, barbecue sauce, and mustard. 

I turn my attention to the large glass window pane to my right, and my mind begins to wander as I stare at the waves slowly and softly hitting the shore. I see a girl about my age surfing along the water, and I smile slightly to myself as I remember the times when I was like that girl. My smile drops when I remember that I'm not that girl anymore. Things have changed.

My gaze was fixed on the television screen that was in perfect alignment with my booth when I heard a plop. Turning my head, the first thing I saw was bright blue eyes, crystal clear like the Florida water I was so used to. His eyes were covered by his tousled, yet gorgeous blond hair. Some boy my age had decided to sit with me. Lovely.

"Hi. Are you from Tennessee cause you're the only ten I see". The boy smirks and winks. I cock my head and look back at him.

"Is this some lame pick-up line contest? Because I'm sure those girls over there would love to hear what you have to offer" I reply, inclining my head to the girls at the hostess table.

"Very funny", the boy said, leaning back into the seat beside me. He rests his arm atop the booth and smirks. "I don't believe we've had a proper introduction. I'm Zach Blake, but you can call me perfection". The last word comes out a whisper. Huh. The nerve of some people.

"I'm Braycee Parks. I would say it was a pleasure meeting you, but quite honestly, it wasn't." I roll my eyes glancing over to the waiter who was making his way over to the table.

"Is this some lame comeback contest? Because I'm pretty sure no one would like to hear them" he mock. As the waiter puts the plate down, Zach takes a slider and stuffs it in his mouth.

"This is good" he mumbles in between chews. I glare at him. Not. My. Slider. I quickly grab the tray before he could grab another.

"I think you're missing some ketchup, Blake," I state. I pick up the ketchup bottle and pour some onto a fry before shoving it onto his face, smearing the ketchup everywhere.

"If you want food, buy your own, Blake," I state. I pick up my tray and head over to a different booth, leaving Zach staring at me dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what just happened.

"I see you've met my brother" an amused voice says. I jump and turn immediately to find a girl who surprisingly looks a lot like Zach. She sits down across from me in the booth.

"You're related to that doofus?" I question. When she nods, I scoff. "How do you put up with him?"

"It's a secret. But what you just pulled was a pretty good way to shut him up," she chuckles. "I'm Riley Blake. And I'm assuming you're new?" She raises an eyebrow, and I nod.

"Yea, I'm Braycee Parks, I'm staying with my aunt for the summer," I say.

"Where are you from originally?" Riley questions.

"Florida," I reply, "but not gonna lie, I prefer California." Riley laughs.

"I've never been but it seems like it'd be really similar," she replies. I nod, letting a chuckle escape from my lips.

"Hey sis," I hear a voice drawl from behind me. I turn to see Zach glaring at me and Riley, though I'm upset to see the ketchup has been wiped off of his face.

"Hey bro, what do you want?" Riley snaps. Zach slides into the seat next to me, and I shift over to the side, shielding my tray from the slider stealer.

"Just wanted to say hi to my sis and my new friend, Braycee," Zach replies, serving me a signature smile, earning him a scowl from both Riley and I. "No need to be hostile."

"Not being hostile, I just assumed you were going to be snarky and annoying," Riley says, turning her attention to the dog sitting beside her.

"Well, Braycee, if you ever want to hang out with a cool kid, you know where to find me," he says sliding a piece of paper across the table. He winks, and then walks out of the booth.

"What a jerk," Riley says and I agree with her. We both laugh. "He can be a pain but he's not so bad. He's actually a really good guy, he just acts like a jerk sometimes," she explains. I nod and continue to eat my slider. The dog sitting beside Riley props himself onto the table and sniffs near the tray of food.

"Pugsley NO!" Riley screams, before setting Pugsley onto the ground. "That's my dog, Pugsley, by the way. Let him anywhere near food and he'll go crazy," she jokes.

"Aww. He's adorable!" I squeal. I let Riley continue to talk while I ate, and boy did she have endless things to talk about. I finished my meal, then paid the check. Riley and I walk out of the restaurant together, but she explains she needs to bring Pugsley home. She bids me goodbye and I head over to Sam's Ice Cream Parlor, eager for a cool, vanilla ice cream.

I make my way to the counter and ring the bell conveniently placed by me. I scan the shop, looking at the pictures of surfers, and my eye catches a certain picture that I am sure I have seen somewhere before.

"I'll be there in a minute," a deep husky voice calls out, just as I step forward to examine the photo. That voice sounds oddly familiar.. The back door opens and a tall, muscular teen about my age comes through holding boxes with different scoopers. It wasn't until he put the boxes down that I noticed who he was.

"Luke?" I can barely speak.

"Braycee?" Luke's eyes furrow and then relax as he smiles. "Long time no see."

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Kind of a cliffhanger. Not really. Sorry its short. Hope you enjoyed!! Ice cream is good. I really appreciate your feedback!