Sunset Love

Sunset Love: Chapter Three

Lauren~

Once we had fared over the bridge connecting New Jersey to Long Beach Island, I instantly smelled the salty sea air. I perked up in joy when we drove past a sign that read, "Welcome to L.B.I!"

"We have arrived!" Nicole announced joyously, a grin on her face that expanded from ear-to-ear.

Eric and I cheered. I aimlessly threw my hands up into the air, feeling the strong sun heat the palms of my hands. I was grateful that my grandma had allowed us to take the car down here; it was the perfect vehicle for the beach. The whole drive down, wind caressed our faces and blew our hair back like flags. Eric spent most of the drive gawking at the car, asking relentless questions about it.

"What year is the car? A 1980?" he had asked.

I gave him a puzzled look. "Does it look like I know?"

"What do you want to do when we get to the house?" I asked no one in particular, glancing at the monstrous surf shop that was displayed right where we entered the island, behind the towering sign. I mentally noted to check that out this summer.

Nicole shrugged. "Let's check out the house first and get settled."

I nodded and looked back out to our surroundings. We had stopped at a red light when I suddenly gasped in astonishment.

"What?" Eric queried from the backseat.

I turned my head and gave Nicole a huge smirk. "Look at that house. It's the white one on my side." Grinning, I gestured to the small building with my finger.

Amused, I witnessed Nicole's cheeks morph from her summer tan to a fluorescent red.

"Nick's house," she recalled, pursing her lips. She was going to hate me for bringing the subject up in front of Eric.

I laughed in reply, nodding.

"Whose Nick?" Eric asked, his voice blank and unreadable.

Nicole and I looked at each other. Her green eyes were tightened into a frosty glare, directed fully at me.

"He was a friend," Nicole replied, her voice a little too high. "He lived on the same street I rented a house on."

I shifted my body so I could see Eric's expression. His face was blank. His only reply was, "Oh."

Nick was most certainly not "a friend," but I did not mention that asset. He was Nicole's first boyfriend, and her first summer love. They parted ways at fifteen years old because the distance was agonizing for Nicole. I remembered the endless phone conversations we had when she'd sulk about "wanting to be in his arms" and "having a stupid texting relationship." When she broke up with him, he felt pretty betrayed and they never joined ways again. I was surprised that his familiar white truck was parked in the house's driveway.

The subject swiftly plummeted, resulting in a tense muteness. My brain suddenly enclosed on a topic and I recovered the atmosphere by saying, "Eric has to try Skipper Dipper for the first time."

Nicole's gaze flickered over to me, eyes sparkling gratefully. She mouthed a silent "thank you."

"What's Skipper Dipper?" Eric piped from the backseat.

"Only the best ice cream shop ever!" Nicole replied, smirking. "No big deal."

"Well then I may try it."

"Yes, you may."

"You sound like the teachers at school when ask to go to the bathroom," he accused, and quoted an uptight teacher in a high voice, "'Eric, you may excuse yourself from this classroom'."