Every Beginning

5

After the baseball game, my dad disappeared into his office to work on a chapter for his newest book and he remained there for the next three days. I didn't bother asking him what it was about and he didn't try to tell me. 

I spent most of my time on the beach behind our house. Since it was a private beach, there were few people there. I brought a cooler full of snacks and a good book and I was able to stay out there until Julie yelled out that it was dinner time.

On Saturday, I was sitting in the living room, my burnt legs tucked underneath me as I watched whatever reality TV show was playing on E!. Hearing heavy footsteps on the stairs, I turned to see Natalie. She was still in her pajamas, despite it being past noon and her dark hair was piled on top of her head in a bun. 

I had barely seen Natalie since getting to Surfer Point, so I was surprised when she collapsed onto the couch next to me. Looking back at the TV, I asked, "Shouldn't you be somewhere pissing my dad off?"

Natalie rolled her eyes at my comment. "Ha ha, very funny. I'm grounded," I raised my eyebrows at her, "You're lucky you didn't have dad around when you were in high school."

The comment stung a bit, but either Natalie didn't notice my pained expression or she didn't care, because she kept talking. "Seriously, it sucks. The worst part is my mom doesn't even care, it's just Mark."

I noticed, for the first time, that although Dylan called my dad 'dad', Natalie referred to him by his name. 

"I bet you got away with everything," Natalie whined, looking over at me with a pouting expression, "It must've been awesome living in the city."

"I don't live in the city," I reminded her, although she didn't seem to be listening, "I live outside of the city."

"Whatever," she brushed my comment aside, "This town is so boring."

Natalie kept rambling on about there only being "like 10 stores" and how every party got broken up instantly, but I turned my attention to the two double doors on the far wall. One of them was propped open, letting the sea breeze into the house. 

As I tuned Natalie out and focused on the sound of the waves in the distance, I couldn't help but feel like despite her complaints, she got the better end of the deal.

I was woken up to someone turning on the light above my bed. Squinting at the new brightness that had practically blinded me, I sat up in confusion. Dylan stood in my doorway, wearing a Duke sweatshirt and swim trunks.

Looking over at my alarm clock, I groaned at the time. 12:37. "What the hell Dylan?"

Not phased by my obvious annoyance, Dylan started rummaging through my drawers until he found what he was looking for. He tossed it onto my bed and I squinted, realizing it was a bathing suit. "Get dressed."

"What?" I sat still in bed, half of my body covered with pale blue sheets and the other by a ratty old t-shirt that I think was once my moms. 

Dylan snapped his fingers at me. "Hurry up and don't wake mom and dad."

He closed the door, but I could see his feet under the crack of the door, telling me he was still waiting there. I slowly got up, the sleepiness starting to fade as it was replaced by curiosity. I yanked on the bathing suit, a colorful, stripped bikini, before adding on a pair of loose denim shorts and a soccer sweatshirt. When I opened the door, Dylan was looking at his phone.

He gave me a look which clearly said 'took you long enough', before putting one finger up to his lips and motioning for me to follow him.

Dylan led us down the stairs and to the back door. He didn't speak until the door clicked shut. "Come on."