Fighting the Disquiet

14

"I wanted to punch him and understand him at the same time."
― Shannon A. Thompson

I unbuckle my seatbelt and examine the clothing items that she gave me. The bathing suit was a dark maroon color and the white dress thing looked like it belonged on a Greek goddess or something. I knew that it would definitely be dragging on the floor with my short stature. I looked around one last time before slipping my top off and putting the bikini on over my bra before removing that as well. I felt really awkward taking my pants and underwear off in Decker's car, so I hurried up to finish getting changed. Once I was done I realized that I didn't have sandals or anything appropriate to be walking in the sand on but I slipped my Converse back on anyways. I folded up my clothes, making sure to keep my bra and underwear hidden in the pile before hopping down from Decker's truck.

I could see them standing near a parking meter on the other side of the lot so I strolled over to them nervously playing with my earring.

Decker could see me right away and I felt a blush creeping over my neck and face. I quickly looked away and Taylor gasped.

"Oh, it looks perfect," she says with a smile across her face, "exactly what I was envisioning," she adds as she tugs my hand, pulling me out of the parking garage.

I noticed that Decker was walking back to the car and I thanked myself that I had made sure to conceal my undergarments. He quickly returned with a smile and motioned for Taylor to lead the way. As soon as we stepped out into the sunlight I could see the sparkling water below us. We were up pretty high as we walked along a path that was dotted with gorgeous flowers and benches to enjoy the sea view. I started to fidget with my hair because I knew it was getting wavy from the humidity and salty air. After walking what seemed a very long time we arrived at a grassy area that had gazebos and picnic tables. I was jerked to the left and towards a very steep wooden staircase that was built into the cliffside.

When we reached the bottom and I stepped to the side to remove my shoes and socks. I noticed that Decker did the same and rolled up his pant legs. Taylor was wearing sandals and just kept them on. She grabbed a towel from one of the bags that Decker was holding and spread it on the sand. We were, to my surprise and relief, alone. The small stretch of sand was completely empty and I was happy that our photoshoot wouldn't be gawked at by strangers.

Decker set the bags down and plopped onto the towel but Taylor gave him a pointed look. I dropped my shoes with my socks tucked inside next to the towel and shivered in the cool shady spot we were standing in.

"What do you think you're doing?" She asks with a hand on her hip.

"Uh, sitting down," Decker says adjusting his sunglasses on his face.

"Well, get up. You're helping," she says rather bossily.

"Sir, yes sir," Decker salutes before standing up at attention.

I stifle a giggle and wait for instructions from Taylor. She grabs a large camera from a bag and slings it around her neck. She then shoves two bags at Decker to hold and unzips something that springs apart. It looks like a car shade but it's a big circle, one side is shimmery gold the other shimmery silver. She hands this to him too before turning to me with a serious face.

"Okay, come here," she says and I follow her from the shade we are standing in into the sun. I am grateful as it starts to warm me up.

She instructs me to get down on the sand and lean back on my palms.

"Okay, close your eyes and think about something happy," she says in that same bossy tone.

I roll my eyes, but she can't see because I've already shut them and I rack my brain for something happy to think about. I decide to just plaster a smile on my face and she groans.