The Summer Of Us

Chapter 3- Strawberry daquiris.

We step off the plane and are greeted by a gentle breeze, it's warm and refreshing. Once we leave the airport and find our bus to transfer us to our resort i'm itching to get there. It's been such a long day of travel and i'm exhausted, it's around 1am and i plan on catching a nap on the bus, Mum said the transfer would be around 45 minutes to an hour. So i decide to sit next to Jayden since i know he'll want to sleep too.

"Jayden wake up, we're here" I gently nudge him awake when we arrive, he's spent the whole time asleep with his head on my arm, meaning i couldn't get a wink of sleep myself from the discomfort. It did cross my mind to shove him off but i didn't want to give Mum any reason to scold me.

"Already? Wow that sleep sure passed the time" he rubs his eyes and gets up to exit the bus. The hotel is huge, we enter the reception area to check in, the lady tells us we're in an appartment right by the beach with great views and hands over the keys, theres three, one for me Mum and Dad. She also attaches wristbands onto our wrists explaining that we should use them for any food or drink during our stay, Molly and Jaydens are a different colour obviously to show they are underage and can't be served alcohol. Not that jayden would ever pass for 18. He's small for his age and super thin, taking after my Mum. But Molly would have a chance if not for the wristband, she's tall like me and easily looks at least 18 or even my age.

The appartment is amazing, modern and spacious. There's a huge kitchen with a breakfast bar, a dining room, open windows and a seating area with a tv. I choose a room on the bottom floor which has patio doors looking out onto the beach, the view is breathtaking, it'll be even better when i wake and it's sunlight.

I head to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Wow even the bathrooms insane, a jacuzzi bath, walk in shower and a lit up mirror on the wall, perfect for doing my hair and makeup. I lay out my toiletries, since we'll be here for 3 weeks there's no point in unpacking it everyday.

I fall into a deep sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow and once again dream of blue ocean, golden sand and boats sailing far from the shore. When i wake the suns pouring through the patio doors, warming my face and pulling me from bliss. I leap from the bed when i remember where i am and step outside the patio doors, the heat hits me right in the face. Wow, it's so freaking hot. Palm trees glisten in the sun and sway softly from the summer breeze, i see people already out on morning strolls, couples holding hands, children running freely along the beach.

"Isn't it amazing?" Molly joins me, already dressed in a bathing suit and sun dress. She's petite but curvy, she's pulled her mousy brown hair into a plait and her face is fresh and free of makeup. If only i could look that good in a morning.
"It really is. I feel good today" i say breathing in the air, it's true i do feel good here. It's refreshing.
"Come on, were going for breakfast, did you know there is three different resturants in this resort? We can choose any we like!" Mollys always been a lover of food, we all have but unlike me she can eat whatever she wants and barely puts any weight on, i only have to look at a breakfast buffet and i gain 10 pounds.

The resort is just as amazing as our appartment, there's 4 pools, one adults only the rest for families and children, a big outdoor stage area for night time entertainment, cocktail bars, games areas and even a spa. Mum and Dad have really pulled this one out the bag, we've never been to a resort like this before, usually we go for small hotels, me and Molly having to share a room. But since Dad got a promotion in the bank he works in he seems to have been a lot more generous.

We eat breakfast and decide to lay by the pool and catch some sun, i brought my book to read to keep me occupied. I just love how reading takes me away from my worries, my mind switches off and i go elsewhere for a while, forgetting the stresses of everyday life and all the fears i have. I pull my sunglasses from my hair down onto my face, the sun is blinding. A few hours later and i begin to feel restless and bored.

"Strawberry daquiris?" Molly leans over and whispers in my ear, obviously sensing and sharing my boredom.
"You have an underage wristband on" i point at her wrist.
"I know, i went for a wander and there's a little cocktail bar on the beach, it's not part of this resort so we should be fine" she says with confidence.
"I'm not sure..." i reply, biting my lip.
"Oh come on, look Mum's asleep and Dad and Jayden are off somewhere playing table tennis. I told Dad we were going to go for a wander" she urges me.
"Fine. Only one okay" and with that she pulls me up from my sun lounger and guides us to the beach.

The bar is a wooden circular hut, quite small to be considered a bar really. It has stools all around it with people sat enjoying cocktails. I give Molly a scrunchie to place over wristband, and approach the bartender.
"Two Strawberry Daquiris please" i smile up at him, hoping he doesn't ID us.
"Coming right up" he says and begins mixing our cocktails. We take a seat by the bar, it's a stunning location, right on the beach.
"That was easy" grins Molly reaching for her phone ready to snapchat a picture.

"Here you go ladies, enjoy" the bartender places the cocktails infront of us and we both take a sip. Wow, amazing.
"Mm that's so good" i say as i take another big gulp.
"So your glad i dragged you out here" Molly asks.
"I guess i am, now we know where you can get a drink without ID" i wink at her, we've always got along well, it's nice having a younger sister but not too young that you can't talk about things. We order another cocktail and laugh talking about our holiday last summer when Dad got too drunk and we had to all help carry him back to the hotel room.

"I wish you would loosen up like this abit more often" Molly asks, the alcohol has clearly gone to her head. And to mine too, i can feel the heat rising in my face and my heads lighter than before.
"Oh so your saying i'm no fun" i laugh.
"No i'm not saying that, you just worry too much. Look how much fun we're having doing this when you thought it was a bad idea at first" Mollys voice is louder now and she sways a little on her stool, definitly one too many Daquiris.
"We maybe better head back, it's starting to get dark and we need to get ready for Dinner" i think how annoyed Mum will be if we are late.
"Come on just one more" she moves her hand dramatically and accidently knocks the glass from the bar. Shit. She's defintily drunker than i thought.

"Oops" she slurs and stands up from the bar.
"Go wait over there on that bench, i'll pay and we'll go back" i instruct and point to a bench just past the bar, she agrees and wanders over.
"I'm so sorry about that, do you want me to clear it up? Here's the money for the cocktails, keep the change" i stutter, embarassed and suddenly not so drunk anymore.
"Don't worry happens all the time, i'll clear it. Have a nice evening" the bartender waves us off.

I take Molly by the arm and lead her back to the appartment. She rambles on the whole way about how much of an amazing sister i am and how much she loves me. God i hate soppy drunks. It dawns on me that my Mum is going to be so angry when she see's what we've been up too. I open the door to the appartment with dread, wondering what awaits me.

Mum's sure enough waiting cross armed in the kitchen when we enter.
"Where the hell have you two been all afternoon? A little walk? I don't think so it's almost -" she stops suddenly when she notices Molly limp beside me.
"What on earth? Is she drunk? Is your sister drunk?" She walks over and inspects Mollys face.
"We just had a few cocktails at a bar on the beach, she didn't mean to get drunk" i keep my eyes down focusing on the floor, i know this is going to erupt.

"A few cocktails? She's 16 Ella?! She's underage! This is so irresponsible of you" Mum flys into a fury of rage, directing it all on me. Molly lies on the sofa and falls fast asleep.
"I'm sorry okay i didn't realise how drunk she was getting, we we're having fun" i applogise.
"Well look where that has landed you. Don't think for a second that you will do this again, she is not to have anymore little trips to a bar with you again do you understand?" she points her finger near my face.
"It wasn't even my idea! It was Molly's and i just wanted her to have fun okay!" I shout back, no longer controlling my anger.
"Don't you raise your voice at me! You may be old enough to run off and do what you like Ella but your sister is still a child and you have no buisness leading her astray like that" her words only heighten my anger.

I turn for the door and slam it on my way out. I hear her shout after me asking where i think i'm going. The truth is i don't really care i just need to get the hell away from that appartment. I know too well that our argument could get much worse if i stay.