The Cupcake Theory

6)The Beach can't be that Bad..Can it?

6) The Beach Can't Be That Bad, Can it?

The Beach. 

It is a place of serenity, sunshine shimmering in the water, memories of fun days and the piles of sand that ends up everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the beach if you don't count the hot grains of evil and those stupid birds.

Living close to the water means that even if you loathed or loved the beach you can never escape it. You will always take something home from it. Like shells, sunburn and who can forget sand. The one thing you can never seem to get rid of and somehow ends up in the most unexpected places.

Packing for the afternoon wasn't rocket science. The usual items went into my oversized beach bag; a towel, sp50+ sunscreen (I'm very good at burning and not so good at tanning), sunnies, floppy hat and the very important snacks.

I can't leave the house without food. My theory is that you never know when you'll be stranded and when the hunger pains will start.

"Mace," fingers snap me out of my daydream "Are you even listening to me? You know what; don't answer the question," Zoe drums her fingers on the steering wheel "I think we need some music to get us hyped."

Zoe adjusts the old radio dial trying to find a radio station with semi-decent music. Suddenly a piercing static screech interrupts our pleasant journey. Hitting the radio with a thump, Zoe tries to fix the terrible noise and then kicks the speakers in another attempt.

I try to save my poor ears by whacking the radio multiple times until it finally stops.

Glaring at Zoe and I shake my head, "I don't understand why you still have this car. It's an ancient rust bucket that is clearly falling apart. Why can't you be like a normal teenage girl that owns a Suzuki Swift or one of the small cute cars like that?"

Zoe had a bright yellow jeep that she bought off a guy for $600 which she thought was a bargain.

This was until she realised that the car was a little more run-down than the guy lead on. She likes to call it her bumblebee. I called it the yellow bucket with wheels.

Zoe gasps at me "It's okay baby," she strokes the dashboard "Aunty Mackenzie didn't mean that she's just upset she doesn't have a loyal car like you and she's also a bit on edge today as it's her first date. She probably going to emb-"

I cut her off by blasting music through the scratchy speaker.

I threw a wish in a well
Don't ask me I'll never tell you
I looked at you as it fell
And now you're in my way

I slightly cringe inside at the sound of my best friend's voice trying to sing along. She cranks the windows down with the plastic winder as the air-con doesn't work.

"I was going to say embellish memories but you've distracted me with my jam. Come on Mace," she pokes me "I know you can't resist the urge to sing," her laugh is contagious just like her overly joyful personality. She happily sings out of tune as her long chocolate brown hair flies in her face.

Shaking my head I join in singing with her.

Hey I just met you
And this is crazy
But I want your food
Plus some gravy

She hits me on the shoulder "Is all you think about is food?"

"What can I say," I pull out a packet of Maltesers that I'm about to devour "it's my one true love that will never fail me."

***

We pull up in front of a park on top of a hill that overlooks the ocean. It's kind of peaceful to watch the wave's crash onto the shore. Maybe I can convince them to let me stay in the car and look at the view while they swim.