The drive isn't long. Nora tells us about how her father is an "ignorant faschist" and is mean to her. I don't doubt it. Her dad comes home mostly every night drunk, her mother a temp. Her mother's really kind, patient, loving, caring. I like her. More than once have I offered to let them both move into my apartment. Though it's kind of small, it is better than an environment where her father is. Ususally he's either drunk or hungover.
We finally get to Venice Beach. When we get out, we have to walk a little ways to find a spot ont the beach. James is sporting a new haircut- both his sides trimmed, with hair sticking up in a beautiful blonde quiff. Me and Nora set down our towels and things on the beach, Camille and the boys immediately setting their things down and racind into the water. James is extraordinarily buff, with muscly arms and a chest. I'd so have a crush on him was he not gay. He's playing around with Lucas, who is skinny but muscular. They are so cute together. Camille is splashing around with the both of them. It's so unfair- they look so good, so natural on the beach. Me and Nora stay out of the water- her because she's entirely too pale and forgot sunscreen, me because I'm too nervous to take off my t-shirt. I'm glad for her company, though. She's the only one who really understands my internet addiction and all my nerdy ways. She also likes Supernatural, Sherlock, Tumblr, Doctor Who, and all the other fangirly things. She's also the biggest book nerd I've ever met- more so than me. You'll never find her without a book.
"Come ON Cora! Come ON Nora! The water is fantastic!" Lucas shouts to me.
"Maybe in a few minutes. I'm gonna tan first." I shout in reply.
"Did you by chance happen to bring ANY sunscreen at all? You know this Cali sun is too much for my pale-ass Irish skin." asks Nora.
"Sure thing." I say, getting my sunscreen our of my bag and throwing it to her. It's a Neutrogena one, my mom buys it for me in the case that I burn my ALREADY FUCKING tan Latina skin.
Nora too goes out into the water once she's put on the sunscreen, sporrting a pink two-piece that fits her body perfectly. I am alone on the shore, reading TFIOS on my stomach. I'm still in my clothes.
"Come ON, Cora!!! We don't even fucking KNOW anyone here!" Lucas shouts to me.
"Alright, alright," I reply.
I put on some sunscreen. I nervously take off my clothes, revealing many of my cuts. They're on my shoulders and my legs. I sprint into the water, amongst many stares. I play around with my friends.
We splash around for a bit, then I go back and wrap myself in my towel. We tan and relax, chatting ever so casually. I put on my tee shirt and shorts and grab my wallet.
"Anyone want anyhing? I'm going to go get pizza and some fries." I tell my friends.
"Get me some skittles. Also, here's 5 bucks. Should be enough." Nora says, handing me a fiver.
I refuse the money and run off. I stop and buy Nora some skittles at a small store. I find a pizzeria that looks onely and go inside. There's only one guy inside, wearing a tight-fitting gray tee shirt and jeans. The guy is sitting on the counter beside the cash register, playing his guitar and singing. He's bent over his guitar, revealing his muscly back. He has a lovely singing voice, definitely tenor, but he has a massive range. He's singing Paranoia in B Flat by the Avett Brothers. It's a great song. When he finishes, I start clapping and he turns around and falls off the counter.
He stands up, putting his guitar over his back and says "Uh, hi."
"That was great. You're really talented." I tell him.
"Uh thanks. So did you come to hear me sing, or did ya want something?" he had a sort of Southern accent.
"Actually, uh, I wanted some pizza. " I replied.
"Oh yeah? What kind?" he asked.
"I'll take a slice of pepperoni. Also, a Diet Coke." I told him.
He went in the back and came back a few second later with a small, pizza slice shaped box with the place's name on it.
"Soda pop's in the fridge right next to you." he said, pointing at the refrigerator.
I grabbed my drink from the fridge and paid for my food.
"Thanks!" I shouted over my shoulder.
I got some fries from some packed shop and walked back to my group. I sat down on my towel and opened my pizza. The inside flap read:
JOHN 982-4365
"Holy shit," said Lucas and Camille in unison behind me.
"Damn girl!" said James from behind me.
Nora was too absorbed in her book to pay attention.
"Hey Nora, here are your skittles." I said, avoiding my friends' stares. I threw her the skittles.
"So Cora, care to tell us about who this John is?" Lucas said playfully.
"I can only guess he was the cute boy behind the counter." I said, grinning.
"Tell me more, tell me more!" they sang in unison. Ugh, Grease. They KNOW I hate that movie.
"There was this cute boy at this pizza place. Brawny, musically talented, hella smooth, adorable." I said shyly.
"Call him back. Like NOW." said Camille.
"Camille, you do NOT know men. Be too desperate, they'll shy away, hold them away from you, they'll come running. I'll call him sometime tomorrow." I said, winking.
