Getting Through It (mgc)

Two

"Going to the beach, hey! Going to the beach, ho!" I kept doing a little dance as I finished packing up my bag for the trip. It's been a week and a half since Michael brought up going to the beach, and we finally had an opportunity. It was kind of a celebration for the writing of the album being finished and a rest day before the digging down really begins. Now, I was determined for today to be perfect.

"Lu, the boys are here! You ready?" Luke popped my door open as I lifted my bag over my shoulder.

"Definitely ready." The two of us made our way downstairs to find the boys, Roxie, and Mali waiting for us. I rushed over to my two favorite girls and hugged them tight. Mali chuckled before standing up.

"Who's ready?" I threw my hand up in the air from my spot in Roxie's lap. Michael laced his fingers through mine and pulled me up, stealing a quick kiss in the process. We made our way out to the van that we borrowed from Cal's mum and I scurried to the back seat. The sun was bright making me pull my sunnies down over my eyes.

"Did we double check the sunscreen?" Mali was eyeing Michael specifically, and I had to try not to laugh.

"It's in my bag so we should all be fine."

"Okay then, let's get this show on the road." Mali pulled away from the curb and I settled down in between Luke and Michael. I sighed happily and listened to everyone chatter, content to just be among them.

When we reached the beach we were surprised to find it slightly empty, but luckily that meant we got to choose a prime spot. Picking a place near the water, we set up shop as quickly as possible. I was about to lay down on my towel when arms wrapped around my waist, hauling me over their shoulder.

"Woah! Put me down, Ash!" He giggled as he began moving for the water.

"Nope, you're going to come swim."

"Mikey, help me!" I tried to look around for my boyfriend, only to find him trying not to laugh as he put sunscreen on.

"I'm a bit tied up, babe!"

"Hmph!" I folded my arms together and made my body go limp.

"Your dead weight doesn't bother me, Lu. You're as light as feather." I grumbled, but still didn't move. When we got to the edge of the water Ashton didn't stop walking. He waded out as far as he could with me on his shoulder before he repositioned me.

"Are you ready?" There were chuckles behind us as the others came closer. I stuck my tongue out at him before he unceremoniously let me drop. Holding my breath, I just accepted my fate. The water engulfed me quickly and I sank to the shallow bottom. I swam about a foot away before I came up and splashed him.

"Ha!" When I looked over and saw a surprised, soaked Ashton I wanted to grin. However, he got this smirk on his face and then I was being tackled back into the water. I barely got enough breath before we went down and when we came up I was spluttering.

"Okay, I think that's enough dunking each other." It didn't take much longer for slender arms to wrap around me protectively, Michael pulling me close to his chest. He was chuckling, but I could sense an air of anxiety wavering off of him. I turned my head just enough to kiss his cheek in a way to let him know that I was okay. Ashton nodded and moved to join the others leaving the two of us alone.

Michael moved in front of me, his fingers trailing down my arm to grip my hand. We began to float a little farther away from the others and he had a smile on his face.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Not far, but far enough." We were about ten feet away before I was pulled to his chest again. I giggled, looking up at him.