Breaking Down the Wall

Beach Play

Yo's POV

The ocean was crystal clear and peaceful, I loved watching it. Even with no opportunities to surf, it calmed my nerves after the long days of practice for this competition. All the Moons were supposed to put on swimsuits and t-shirts and go out to the beach to play football. It wasn't my favorite sport to play, but I could hold my own. Mostly because Ming loved to play and spent hours forcing me to play with him.

As we walked passed the swimming pool where the Stars were having their pictures taken, I waved at Nate. She smiled and waved back. I crouched by the pool, leaning over to talk to her.

"Did they make you put on makeup too?" I asked. It felt silly, since we were just going down to sweat it all off and the Stars were actually in the water.

"Yeah, ridiculous, right?" She responded, laughing with me. "I wish we could go down to the beach, why do the girls have to be in the pool?"

"They probably don't want to get sand in your hair or your suits yet," I said. "I hope they let you come down later. We don't get to go to the beach often, we should get some time to enjoy it. I've got to get down there or someone will yell at me."

I stood to go and Nate waved goodbye before turning her attention back to pictures they were taking. As I walked down the steps that led to the beach I saw Pha and a couple of girls taking selfies. Pha was wearing his swimsuit and a t-shirt while the girls hung on his arms, bikinis showing off their curves. Pha looked over at me, and I smiled and waved before continuing on my path. He didn't acknowledge me, as usual. I was still hurt by the fact that he didn't want me, but I was starting to accept it. Knowing that Forth wanted to spend time with me made me feel like maybe I could find someone who did love me. Maybe I wouldn't have to be alone.

Once at the beach, we divided up into teams and began to play. It wasn't really much of a game, because they kept asking us to look up or run a different direction. We couldn't get any momentum going for a real game. We were running in the heat, so we did sweat like we were really playing. My makeup started to run, stinging my eyes, and I ran over to the sidelines to grab a towel.

"Looking good out there, N'Yo," Forth said. I hadn't noticed he was there. "I didn't know you played football."

"Why don't you join us?" I asked. "We don't have even sides."

"Doesn't really look like you need it, since you aren't really playing," Forth responded, taking a seat on one of the beach chairs.

"Where were you when we arrived?" I asked, wondering when Forth had gotten off the bus.

"You were looking for me?" Forth asked, grinning at me.

"Of course I was," I replied. I could feel my cheeks getting hot. "You were on the bus when I left, but not on the bus when I came back."

"One of my friends got a flat tire on the way, so I took a taxi back and we brought my motorcycle back," Forth said.

"Wow, that was a long drive for just one person," I said. "You're a really good friend."

"I'm glad you missed me," Forth leaned closer to me, staring down at my lips. I held my breath for a moment, his eyes stayed focused on my lips and he was very close. I wondered if he would kiss me in front of all these people, but we were interrupted when Kit and Beam came down to the beach, arguing.

"All the Stars are in bikinis," Beam said, pointing the way they had come. "Why do we have to go work with the Moons?"

"Poor you," Kit said sarcastically. "They have a bunch of people up there to help them, they don't need us."

"I'm sure I could find something useful to do," Beam said.

"Stop whining, Beam," Pha said, following a moment behind them. They saw us and starting walking in our direction.

"Hey guys," Forth said, "Want to come to my room tonight for some drinks?"

"Depends," Kit said. "Are they free?"

"Yes, they're free," Forth answered, rolling his eyes. "Will you come, N'Yo?"

"He can't," Pha said before I could respond. "He was sick all day, he needs to rest."

"I'll come, I just won't stay long," I said to Forth, ignoring Pha. I can make my own decisions. "I do need a little extra rest tonight. Can Ai'Ming come too?"

"Of course," Forth said. "I bought the beer you said you liked, too. I'll save it for you."

"It would be better if he just had water," Pha said, interrupting us again. "He was throwing up all morning."

"I'm pretty sure he can make that choice all by himself, Ai'Pha," Forth said, his words mirroring my thoughts. "He's not a baby, you know."

Pha's eyes narrowed and he looked like he was getting ready to argue with Forth, when Ging saved us by calling me back to the football game.

"Take off your shirt, Yo!" Ming called to me. "We'll play shirts versus skins."

"You wish," I said, running over to give him a light shove. He grabbed both of my arms and pushed me to the water, trying to take me down. I pushed him back. Using his height to my advantage, I ducked under his arms and turned back to jump on him. He stepped further into the water and we both went down in a tangle of limbs. He tried pushing my head under, but I beat him to it. We were just getting started on a great water fight when Ging scolded us again for flirting and told us to return to the game. Giggling helplessly, we tried to pretend to play football.