Nick and Carlie decided to go to the beach since it was pretty hot out. Carlie locked the door and got into the car, putting the bag between her feet. Nick looked over at her "Why are you so covered up?"
She clicked on her seatbelt. "The sun." He shook his head and smiled. He started the car and pulled away. The drive took forty five minutes. He found a space and pulled in. They walked towards the beach barefoot. Finding a space, Carlie spread the blanket out. She and Nick sat and looked at the people. Nick lay back with his head in her lap. She pulled out her favorite book. While she read, she ran her fingers through his hair while he played with the sand.
"HEY CARLIE!" she heard. She looked up and so did Nick. "Hey Edwin!" she waved as he jogged over to them. She put her book down and stood up to hug him. "What are you doing here?" He pulled away and smiled at her. "Taking advantage of the nice day. Hey Nick." Nick got up and walked towards the water. Carlie and Edwin sat and started chatting. She was asking about his mom when she noticed that he wasn't listening. "Yoohoo, base to Edwin, what's got you so distracted?" She looked in the same direction and saw that he was looking at a girl. He stood up, "I'll talk to you later." He jogged away. Carlie shook her head. Nick walked up. "Hey, I got you a drink." he held out her favorite drink and sat next to her. She opened it and took a sip. "Thank you." They sat for a bit just chatting then eventually headed to the water. Carlie walked in just enough to let the water reach her knees. Despite holding her skirt up, the waves hit making her skirt cling to her legs. Nick was out a bit farther and she smiled at him. Carlie was lost in thought as she watched the waves. Nick had gotten out and went to change. Carlie walked back to their spot on the beach and dried her legs. As she stood up, she saw Edwin and the girl walking towards her. "Carlie. Hey this is Kaleigh." Carlie smiled. "Hi."
This girl was gorgeous. She was fair skinned, probably mixed race with big chocolate brown eyes and long wavy hair that reached the middle of her back. Carlie suddenly felt insecure. Nick walked up. "Hey everything ok?" he could sense Carlie's discomfort and grabbed her hand. "You ok?" she nodded. Edwin introduced the girl. "This is Kaleigh. She's here with her mom for awhile. Kaleigh this is Carlie my best friend and her boyfriend Nick." Kaleigh smiled showing perfectly white teeth. "Nice to meet you."
Carlie smiled back.
Kaleigh looked up at Edwin. "I better get back so my mom doesn't get worried."
Edwin smiled at her. "I promised your mom I would make sure you're ok." he grabbed her hand and looked at Carlie. "I'll text you later?"
Carlie nodded.
Edwin and Kaleigh turned and walked away.
Carlie gathered their things and shook the sand from the blanket. As she and Nick walked back to the car he noticed she was quiet. He knew she was thinking of Kaleigh and comparing herself to her. "Stop. I know what you're doing. Don't do that. You're beautiful."
They reached the car and she put the blanket and bag in the back seat. She got in and clicked on her seatbelt. Nick started the car and looked at her. "Do you want to get something to eat?"
"Sure, we can get whatever you want."
"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Nick commented.
"What?" Carlie said distractedly.
"He has a girlfriend but he's chatting up girls on the beach."
Carlie looked at him. "No I think He broke up with that girl Melissa."
"He's with someone new like every six months it seems."
Carlie changed the subject. "So, did you decide where you want to go?"
He laughed. "Yeah home to shower and change."
She rolled her eyes and smiled.
They walked to a nearby place that was a bit busy. They ordered and found a place to sit. The early evening air was nice. They chatted while waiting. Soon they picked up their food and sat and ate. A couple guys came up to the table. "Yo Nick, what's up?"
He stood up to hug them and sat back down. "Nothing much. What are you doing here? You live here now?"
The taller of the two turned to Carlie and spoke. "Hey." he turned to Nick, "This yo girl? Nah I'm visiting one of my boys."
Nick smirked, "Yeah she's mine."
The other guy laughed. "Damn Nick always get them fine ass girls."
Carlie laughed. "Yep that's Nick. Can't keep them away."
The guys laughed. Carlie stood up and looked at Nick. "I'm gonna toss mine, are you finished?"
Nick nodded and she grabbed all the trash and walked to the trash bin. She threw it out and opened her bag to get hand sanitizer. She rubbed it in and headed back to the table. Nick was saying something that made them laugh. He grabbed Carlie's hand and they walked back towards downtown. While they talked, Carlie returned a few messages. They ended up declining an invite to a party and spending the night at home.
