"Just Friends?"

Chapter 2

As soon as we get off the plane, we all gather around the luggage carousel to collect our belongings. Between all of us we have six suitcases and ten carry on bags. The whole back of the shiny black Escalade is taken up by our cases. As we pull into the driveway of our summer home, my jaw drops to the floor. It's a beautiful two story white beach house with a porch that wraps around the whole building. This looks like a house straight of a Nicholas Sparks novel, turned into a movie.

My room is the first door on the left as you walk up the stairs and down the hall. Dylan's is on the right, straight across the hall. The parents found comfort in the rooms on the first floor.

As you walk into my bedroom all you notice is a set of double doors across the room with white curtains draped over the windows. There's a queen size bed in the middle of the room facing a 32" TV mounted on the wall. Very nice. On the other side of the room is a bathroom with a shower, sink, and a toilet. Oh yeah, this summer is going to be great.

I walk across the hall to see if Dylan wants to take a walk on the beach with me. His room is a replica of my room, only not as shabby chic. He is sprawled out on the bed and his eyes are closed. I am debating wether or not I should wake him. My arm reaches across and shakes his shoulders before I can stop myself. He slowly opens his eyes and looks around to see who woke him.

"Hey," he says in a sleepy voice and rubs his hands over his eyes. "Man I didn't mean to pass out."

"Do you want to take a walk on the beach with me?" I ask.

"Yeah, let's go. Let me just change." He says getting up and walking over to his suitcase.

I walk down the stairs and wait for Dylan to come join me. I pass through the hall to the kitchen and stop to look in the full length mirror. I can't believe how much weight I lost over the year. I wasn't exactly overweight, I just wasn't it shape. I wasn't comfortable in a bikini until my friend Taylor forced me to try one on, it was only then that I realized my progress.

I'm interrupted from my thoughts when I hear Dylan coming down the stairs, lightly thudding on each step. As soon as we step outside, I feel myself in awe as I take in the beautiful view of the blue water and the setting sun in the distance. Dylan and I walk and talk for a couple miles before deciding on checking out a smoothie shop. We order one large papaya smoothie and chicken wrap to split.

After we finish eating we decide to walk back home. As the house comes into view I can't help but let out a happy cry. My feet are killing me and I'm exhausted, all I can think about is falling asleep in that bed. Just a few more feet now. We walk into the kitchen and are surprised to see our parents still up.

"How was the walk?" They ask in unison all showing their bright smiles. What's up with all the smiles? Do they know something I don't?

"It was fun, we passed a bunch of bonfires and surf shops. I'm super tired though so I think I'm gonna turn in for the night." I say kissing each of my parents on the forehead.

"Night sweetie," they reply before turning back to whatever they were doing before we walked in.