Nobody Like You

Chapter Three

"You guys wanna go explore around a little bit? We have like an hour before my dad's boss gets here." Katie says, taking a sip of her ice water.

We're sitting outside on the patio, which overlooks the beautiful ocean. The sun is setting in hues of pink, orange, and yellow, and it's a very scenic view. I could stay out here all day and gaze at the sunset if I wanted to. The light sound of the waves hitting in the ocean calms any paranoia in my being. I feel relaxed and it is a feeling that is long overdue. There is something so peaceful about watching the ocean; it is like finding a missing piece of a puzzle.

"I like how you ask us that now." Zack chuckles. "We've been out here for like thirty minutes. By the time we leave and come back, we'll run out of time. We don't even know where we're going."

"He makes a good point." I nod my head.

"So, what do you guys wanna do? Just sit here?" She raises her eyebrows.

"That's all we can do." I laugh. "We can't be late to dinner, your dad would be so mad."

"There's gotta be something we can do." Zack puts his hand to his chin. "Oh, I got it!"

"What?" She looks at him.

"I brought my football. We can throw it around." He shrugs his shoulders.

"Of course, you brought your football." I roll my eyes and laugh.

"Aye, the grind never stops." He points to me and winks. "I'll be right back."

"That's all yo mans do is talk about football." I say to Katie once Zack is out of earshot.

"Well, you know he got that scholarship." She says. "I guess he thinks he'll be off his game if he takes one week of vacation."

"You guys talked about what you're gonna do?" I ask her seriously.

They've been dating for two years now, and they are both dedicated athletes. Katie plays soccer while Zack plays football. They both committed to different universities in different states. I honestly don't know how they're going to keep dating. College is full of new people. Who is to say they won't find someone else? I'm rooting for them, though; I really want them to be together because I've never seen two people so in love before. For crying out loud, her parents allowed him to come on the trip with us because they know they need all the time they can get together. They have two months and a little bit of summer left before they go their separate ways.

"No." She says quietly, shaking her head.

"Sorry, Katie." I frown.

"No, it's okay." She pulls a piece of hair behind her ear. "I don't wanna talk about, though. I told him the same thing. I just want this break to be about all of us and only us. I want to spend time with you guys before we go off to college."

And that's when I decide that I won't be mad if she spends more time with Zack during this trip. She's my best friend, I'll always have her as a friend. However, if two people are dating and they lose a connection, there's no going back for them. The connection never comes back.

"Yeah." I nod my head and take a sip of my drink.

Zack comes back out with his football. It's probably not helping that he has that with him right now. Katie's probably trying not to think about it. I'll never bring up that topic again while we're on this trip; I don't want to upset either her or him. I want to try and make this trip something we can all look back on and reminisce. I hope this spring break is everything they hope for and more.

"You guys ready?" He jogs down the stairs of the patio and to the backyard—which is sand and the ocean.

"Fair warning, we're not that great at throwing footballs." I call, jogging after him.

"Speak for yourself, my man taught me well." Katie laughs.

We spend about thirty minutes outside passing the football to each other and running bad plays. I never knew how much fun being on spring break could be. If Katie hadn't invited me to come to Florida, I would have probably been in my room watching television and eating my head off. I'm glad my mom came around to her senses and let me enjoy this wonderful week with my best friend.

We go into the house and freshen up, waiting for the guests to arrive. Zack and I lounge around in the kitchen while we watch the Santons prepare dinner. Mrs. Santon is cutting up the vegetables for a salad she's making, Katie is seasoning the meat, and Mr. Santon is throwing it on the grill. Zack and I offer to help, but they dismiss us and tell us that we are their guests, so we don't have to cook. They laugh and say that it's a different ball game for cleaning.

I know they said that they didn't want any help, but I feel bad watching them prepare dinner while I just sit and do nothing. So, I walk outside and set the table for nine people.

"Oh thanks, Zakiyah, but you didn't have to do that." Mrs. Santon says as she puts the bowl of salad on the table.

"Yeah, I know but I wanted to. You guys did let me come out here with you and you're paying for everything. I just thought I should help." I smile.

"I wish all teenagers were like you." She smiles. "But seriously thank you and go chill out before our guests come. We got this."

"Okay." I chuckle and walk back into the house. This time I go to the living room where a comedy movie is playing on television.

Zack joins me on the couch. I sense that he is thinking about something because he fiddles with his fingers every two seconds and he has this confused look on his face. I can tell when something is wrong with him because he usually has this bubbly aura. He just looks really conflicted with something.

"You okay?" I ask him.

"No, not really." He shakes his head.

"Zack, you know you can tell me anything." I give him a look. I've been good friends with Zack ever since he started dating Katie.

"I'm just worried that me and Katie are gonna break up. Has she said anything to you about college?" He asks hopefully.

"No, sorry." I shake my head. "She doesn't wanna talk about it."

"Yeah, she told me the same thing." He says sadly. "If not now, then when?"

"That's a question for her." I shrug my shoulders.

"We're gonna have fun here, right?" He raises his eyebrows. "We're not all gonna be focused on graduating and going to college."

"I'm not." I shake my head. "I'm all about having fun for spring break."

"Good."

•••

How are you guys liking this story so far?