beach//reece bibby

12.3.16

okay so I felt bad for posting real long chapters so hopefully from now on they'll all be around this length, but don't quote me. Also if you don't like long chapters and preferred my short ones, let me know and I'll change it. Thanks for all the support on this story tho xo

4.31pm

The free lessons I had this afternoon were occupied by my driving test. I had picked a good time as the bustling lunch-time traffic had now simmered, and empty roads and roundabouts loomed ahead of me. The nerves that were festering inside me, were unnecessary, and even the examiner had congratulated me on manoeuvres and great avoidance of pot-holes. When I pulled up into the centre, I let out a deep sigh, knowing not to be too cocky, but I was pretty happy with how well I tackled that.

She handed me the certificate and I was filled with merriment, finally having the freedom to drive wherever and whenever I wanted! Also not having to listen to River's playlist was another thing that filled me with pure ecstasy; his range of indie music and chart-topping pop singles, was certainly not my cup-of-tea.

Today was serene, the cloudless sky was plastered blue with the sun glowing on the horizon. Fishers had lined up by the shoreline, rods prepped up next to them and hooks that had been thrown into the sea, waiting for the perfect catch. Patiently they waited, most of them comfortably sat in deck chairs intently reading the newspaper, others getting angry as they reeled in their empty hook, before slinging it back into the sea. The crunch of stones grew louder as they approached me, and the boy perched beside me, engulfed in his denim jacket and striped t-shirt.

"Hi." he breathed and smiled, looking over in my direction, 

"hi," I smiled back at him, "I passed my driving test today!" I exclaimed, he was the first person I'd told so far and I wasn't sure if I could hold it in until I got home later this evening. I'd write it over text, but I'd much perfect to live everyone's reaction first hand.

"Wow! Well done. What are you doing to celebrate?" he asked me, but I hadn't even thought about celebrating, I didn't think it was special enough to celebrate.

"I-I'm not," I stammered, and he gave me a puzzling look.

"Why?" he asked, and I shook my head, my parents were at work and River was usually at his boyfriends. I quite frankly had no-one to celebrate with.

"I didn't think it was a big deal!" I laughed nervously, but he struck me another look showing he didn't understand.

"you only pass your driving test once," he stated, which was true.

"you don't have to celebrate after doing something for the first time," I announced and he laughed.

"Sure you can! That's the fun in it," he beamed. "Let me take you out for a celebratory drink," he offered, and I instantly felt tense. He smiled reassuringly, and his offer seemed genuine, as did he, but the beach was my safety bubble. Anywhere that was full of alcohol-sodden OAPs and loud rock music was not within my comfort. I stayed mute, staring back out towards the sea, watching as one of the fishers had reeled in a pretty small looking fish, but it was still pretty fascinating. I couldn't find it in me to turn this offer down and push the boy away from me, he was just being friendly, and all of the excuses I could think of seemed too harsh to say to him.

"They've taken my ID away from me, to upgrade it to a proper driving licence," I spoke truthfully. The times I had been out with my old friends, I had been ID'd a lot, and even asked what my star sign was. It was a fake ID and I was stupid enough to try it out a couple of times, even though it stated my birthday was February 31st. I lied and told them I was born in a gap year, which seemed plausible even though February 31st has never existed.