"Just Friends?"

Chapter 3

DYLAN'S POV

When I opened my eyes, I was instantly blinded from the bright sun shining through the thin white curtains. What's the point of curtains if they don't block out the sun? I get up and walk into the bathroom, I'm so glad I have my own bathroom. I can make a mess and leave it there until the end of the trip. Knowing my mom she would probably come and tidy it up.

As I walk out of my room into the hall I see Brandi making her way downstairs too.

"Morning." I say as I pull two bowls out of the cupboard, handing one to her.

"Morning." She replies in a half asleep tone.

After we finish our bowls of cereal and scrolling through Instagram, I decide I want to go swimming. "Come to the beach with me." I half demand half ask.

She smiles at me and simply replies, "okay, let me go get my suit."

She turns on her heel and jogs up the stairs with me following in her shadow. I turn into my room and change into my trunks. Woah, I'm hella pale. I didn't really notice it living in Oregon, where it constantly rains. Where I'm from I'm considered tan.

When I'm finally done complaining about my complexion, I meet Brandi down stairs. She's in one of those long towel cover up things her mom gets her every year. Her mom is a strong believer in modesty, she tried getting me one for my birthday. Thank god Brandi's constant protests changed her mind. Brandi seems embarrassed by the way I'm staring at her.

"Let's hit the waves?" She says to try and change the mood.

When we get out onto the balcony, she drops her towel wrap to her ankles and grabs a regular towel off the deck chair. She's wearing a hot pink and white bikini top with hot pink bottoms. It's just now that I truly realize how much weight my best friend has lost over the year. I knew she was slimming down but this is more than I realized.

She looks amazing. I must have been staring longer than I thought because she looks
uncomfortable and antsy.

"What?" She asks, cheeks flushed.

"Nothing," I smile "Let's go."

"You're weird." She nudges my arm and smirks.

"Oh you wanna start that?" I ask as a sarcastic grin grows on my face.

"Oh no no!" She gets a terrified look in her eyes and takes off running.

"Oh no you don't!" I yell and chase her down to the shore.

She drops her towel in the sand and kicks off her flip flops before running for the water. I follow her lead and take off for the water. She starts squealing and laughing and splashing me in an attempt to make me stop. I finally reach for her waist and tackle her underwater. She loses her footing and splashes into the water with flailing arms, leaving me cracking up.

When she comes comes up, she gives me a glare before charging after me. I let her catch me and laugh as she tries to take me down. She is leaning her body on me and pushing on the floor with all her might. I'm not budging. I let my guard down when she finally gives up. Before sticking her tongue out at me she pushes me like a little girl throwing a tantrum. I let my head fall back in laughter before I realize I'm falling backwards.

What?

Before I know it I'm completely submerged in the blue ocean water. I bring my head back above the surface and shake my hair out of my face.

"You little.." I stop myself when I see a victory smirk plaster itself on her face while she throws up her arms and flexes, showing me her tiny muscles. I start laughing and soon after she joins me tilting her head back, full on laughing.

Wow, she looks beautiful. Wait. What?

Did I just think about that? Do I think my best friend, who I've seen laugh until milk spills out of her nose is .. attractive?

I can't think that! Can I?

I don't care. She is beautiful.