Edge of the Waterfront

Chapter 1

The beach of Peneden Key was packed for summer break, many people stopping by Al's to buy surfboards, sunscreen, and a bite to eat before their week at the waters of Peneden beach.

Al's was close to the beach, so if you decided that you wanted to eat at the cafe, you could have a beautiful view of the ocean below.

As everyone down at the beach, is laughing and many listening to their kids play in the waves, two teenagers had to work during their summer break, since Mr. Al was gone for the summer break to New York for a family business trip.

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The shop was very quiet, as rush hour finally ended, and the only people who were in Al's was Eric, Bruce, and an elderly couple who were having a nice seaside dinner date together.

"I swear, that couple is legit perfect." Said Bruce, who was sitting on a bar stool, his head facing the couple as he had one arm propped on the bar table.

"Awe man..it's okay..you'll die alone..don't worry." laughed Eric, as he wiped down the tables, looking up for a split second to wink at Bruce, who passed as bird as quick as possible.

"Haha..funny dude." Bruce snapped, rolling his eyes at Eric quickly turning around to lay his head down on the table as Eric continued to wipe down tables.

"Thanks again Eric, food was delicious sweetheart." Mrs. Lee spoke, her frail voice sweet and calm, as she helped her husband out of the booth.

"No problem Mrs. Lee, come back soon." Eric replied, lifting his head up to wave at Mrs. Lee who was helping her husband walk to the door.

"Don't get yourself down Bruce, Love will come when you least expect it." Mrs. Lee whispered to him as she patted his back, catching his attention he smiled and nodded as he watched her and her husband leave Al's.

"Dude...don't listen to that..Love doesn't exist anymore." Eric scoffed, grabbing the rag as he finished the last table, making his way over to the bar table.

"Shut up...I really don't want to listen to you about love." Bruce said, his voice filled with annoyance, touching his beard slightly.

"Don't you have that dinner thing with your mom and her new boyfriend?" Eric asked, throwing the rag over his shoulder, placing his elbows on the counter as he looked at his friends face when he suddenly remembered he was going to be late.

"Shit! I gotta bounce..See yah later? At the Cove?" Bruce yelled quietly, hitting the counter with his hand as he grabbed his stuff quickly, his keys dangling down from his pointer finger.

"Yeah dude..see yah then." Eric replied, laughing at his friend as he stumbled out the door, hopping into his car, and pulling off.

"Jeez..He's got his head full of it." Eric muttered to himself, as a small grin appeared on his face.

Finishing up last minute things at the diner, Eric pulled out his phone to check the time, he sighed softly, as he grabbed his keys from the counter, slowly making his way to the door, as he looked around to make sure everything was in tact.

"Wait! Wait!" A small but soft voice screamed from the rocky parking lot, catching Eric's attention as he opened the door, seeing a girl running towards him, her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, swaying lightly behind her.

"You just left me!" She screamed again, as Eric lifted and eyebrow at her as she got closer.

"What are you talking about, Do I kno-." Eric yelled back slightly before the girl ran straight pass him, running up to a girl who had her black hair pulled back into a small bun, as she was laughing slightly.

"I'm sorry...I'm just ready to get to the Cove." The girl laughed as the brown haired girl shoved her playfully.

Eric watched in confusion, listening quietly in on their conversation as he began to lock up Al's. The two girls exchanged a couple more laughs and giggles, before they began talking some more, following the sandy path down to Eric and Bruce's "secret cove."

"Why the hell are they going to our Cove? Did Bruce tell someone about it?" Eric asked himself, pulling his phone out to send Bruce a quick text, telling him to come to the Cove.

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"Man it couldn't have waited until later tonight?" Bruce mumbled, stepping out of his car, meeting Eric who looked really pissed at the moment.

"What is it dude? What happened, why do you look pissed?" Bruce added, as he looked down at Eric's hand who was clutching his phone really tightly.

"Who did you tell?!" Eric yelled his voice musky but straight forward.

"What do you mean Eric? Tell who what?" Bruce replied, keeping his voice low, but standing his ground as he felt the tension started to build in the air.

"Who..did you tell about the Cove?" Eric replied, his voice getting deeper, his eyes furrowing at him.

"Dude..I haven't told anyone about our Cove..I would never do that." Bruce spoke, crossing his arms as he looked at Eric very confused.

"Then why did I just see two girls go down to the Cove?" Eric asked, as Bruce looked over to the sandy path, then back to Eric.

"Dude they were probably just going to the beach." Bruce sided, as Eric got closer to him.

"They said they were going to the Cove...and so are we."Eric muttered, throwing his stuff in the back of Bruce's red topless Camaro.

"What? Why?" Bruce asked, as Eric slammed the car door, making his way angrily to the sandy path.

"Stop asking questions and follow me." Eric paused, not turning around to look at Bruce, before continuing to walk the sandy path, Bruce following behind him quietly.