Chasing Stars

B e a c h P r e p

        "Michelle do you have your swim suit on?"

     "Its stuck!" Michelle wailed.

  "Mom, where is my sunscreen?"

       "Michelle did you touch my phone again?"

     "I can't put on my swim suit!"

          The doorbell rang and the house descended into silence for a few minutes as I rushed to open the door.

   I swung it open, and gave Austin a breathless smile.

    "Hi" he said, amused at my slightly flustered expression.

    "Hey" I said, trying to be nonchalant.

         "Happy Birthday"

With a dramatic flair of his hands, he produced a small parcel from behind his back.

    "For you"

  After a pause, I took it from his hands, and sat down on the bench in our front porch.

   He plopped down next to me, and watched me open his gift.

   I gently teased off the wrapping paper, trying not to ruin it.

    With a frustrated groan, Austin plucked the package off my hands and started to rip through it.

    "Hey" I complained.

   "Sorry. Can't handle the anticipation"

       I stared as he ripped the last of the wrapping off, and leaned forward to see what it was.

    "Its a box" I said, a little deflated.

  He looked at me. "Well open it!"

      "Right" I muttered.

    I opened the lid and lifted the object inside.

     It had a large crystal dome, and a silver base, with a twinkling snowflake inside. Flakes of white glitter fell gently around it, as the snowflake rotated.

     "A snowglobe" I whispered.

        "Do you like it?" Austin asked anxiously. "I wasn't sure but it was the best one I found and-"

      I reached out and wrapped my arms around him in a hug.

   After a pause he hugged me back.

      "So you do like it" he grinned after I pulled away.

      "Yeah. I do" I smiled.

    He breathed a sigh of relief.

       I straightened up. "Let's go inside."

    As we stepped inside, my mom quickly ambushed us.

     "Hi! I'm Tessa's mother. It's wonderful to meet you! I have heard so much about you!" she gushed.

      Austin smiled and shook her hand warmly. "All good things, I hope" he joked.

      I gave him a look, but he just smirked back at me.

      "You two wait here, I'll just get my bag and Michelle."

     She quickly walked up the stairs, yelling at Michelle to hurry up.

    "Your mom seems great" Austin said, and anyone could trace the tone of longing in his voice.

   I smiled. "She loves you. I can tell"

      "Everyone usually does."

   I rolled my eyes at his self assurance.

    A minute later Michelle bounced down the wooden stairs.

    She walked up to Austin and placed her hands on her hips.

     "Are you Austin?"

   Austin crouched down. "In the flesh"

      "Are you my sister's friend?"

     He looked at me, soft humour in his eyes.

    "Why yes, I am"

  I put my hands on my face in embarrassment.

     Michelle looked at Austin with an air of importance.

    "If you're mean to her, that will be very bad for you. I'm a very good fighter"

      "Michelle-" I started but Austin silenced me.

      "I promise Ill never hurt her"

   Michelle smiled toothily.

      "Good"

   She ran up to me and looked up at my burning face.

     "I like him" she whispered loudly.

   Nearby, Austin chuckled quietly.

       I was saved from answering as my mother hustled over and rushed us all into the car.

    "Next stop, the beach" she announced, and turned on the engine.