Butterflies (A Before You Exit fanfiction)

Chapter 57

MARIA'S POV

Today, everyone woke up and decided to go to the beach. I'm not very comfortable in a bikini, since this is my first time wearing one because I can actually fit into it since I ran every day. I used to wear tankinis. Jenna and Kris were fine with wearing a bikini. They've always been fit, but me, on the other hand, just got fit this year.

Mine was a light blue crochet bandeau top, but with the strings attached, and a black and white tribal print bottom. Kris' was a black halter top with black and white striped bottoms. Jenna's was a flower(black background, white flowers with a yellow center) bandeau top without the strings and neon yellow bottoms. Jenna and Kris tied their hair into buns, while I put mine in a high ponytail. My hair doesn't cooperate with me when I try to put it in a bun... Then, the girls and I slid on a tank and cutoff shorts. I put on my tie-dye Minnie Mouse muscle tee with my medium blue shorts, Kris put on an gray tank with an Aztec thing in the middle with the sides slit with her dark shorts, and Jenna put on a see through off white crochet tank with her light shorts. We packed sunscreen, sunglasses, earbuds, and towels in our bags after we slipped on our flip flops.

Jenna, Kris, and I met the guys outside. They were dressed like every other teenage boy going to the pool or beach. The guys had on a t-shirt and their swim trunks with flip flops. They held their towels in their hands and most likely had their phones and sunglasses in the pockets of their trunks.

"Hey." The girls and I smiled.

"Sup." the guys smiled back.

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Leggo!" Connor said.

We walked down to the beach very loudly, and even got scolded by a few adults.

Once we finally found a spot on the beach, everyone shed off their clothes, well not their bathing suits obviously, except me. I still felt insecure about my body. Jenna and Kris were naturally petite, but me on the other hand, was always thicker in my stomach/abs and thighs. So, I just sort of sat on my towel while Riley, Connor, Jenna, and Kris ran towards the ocean.

At the last second, Toby noticed me still sitting and came back.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I didn't reply, I looked down at my lap and at the clothes around me from everyone.

Toby followed my eye sight and put the pieces together.

"You're insecure aren't you?" he asked quietly.

I didn't answer again, and didn't meet his eyes. My shorts became really interesting at that moment.

"Why? Tell me." Toby gently prodded, taking my silent answer as a 'yes'.

I looked up at him. "They've always been skinny. But, me, I haven't. They're so much prettier than me and I don't think I can go out wearing a bikini." I mumbled.

Toby stayed silent for a few moments and I wondered if I sound self-conceited.

"I honestly don't know how you could say that. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on." Toby said so quietly that I barely made out what he said.

I blushed. By that time, Jenna, Kris, Riley, and Connor noticed that Toby and I weren't in the water. They looked over at us but decided to leave us be.

"Seriously? I don't mean to sound self-conceited but their are thousands of girls out there begging at your feet." I said.

"But you're the only one that matters to me." he whispered.

I leaned over and hugged him. Then, I kissed him on the cheek.

I pulled away and we stared into each other's eyes, just like we were yesterday, but even more intense.