Disclaimer: Saban and Disney's, not mine
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It wasn't the first time Trip had been to the beach. It was, however, the first time he had come to relax… or at least, that's what Wes had told them they were going to do today.
The idea of going to the beach in the first place had been Wes's, and Wes's alone. He had spent the past two weeks tweaking the work schedule so they all had the same day off and somehow convincing Jen that they needed the break.
And it wasn't that Trip didn't appreciate what Wes had gone through for them, really, it was just… the ocean wasn't what he thought of when he wanted to relax. Xybria was for the most part a giant desert, and when he came to Earth he had stayed on the Time Force base. What he was currently dressed in didn't help matters any: Wes had loaned Lucas and himself some of his old summer wardrobe (the girls had made it very clear that they were going to buy new swimsuits instead, and as far as he knew, they were still doing that). Lucas looked fine, but Lucas looked fine in anything. But in his handed down floral print shirt and baggy shorts, Trip was feeling increasingly awkward with each passing moment.
He had been spending most of his time doing some maintenance work on Circuit, occasionally stealing a glance at Lucas (who was on a blanket sunbathing) and Wes (who was trying to get Lucas off of the blanket and moving). Maybe it wasn't too bad. After all, his friends were having fun, and he… he had his work and a cold beverage. He would make do.
"Got any room at your beach party for two more?" The familiar voice pulled Trip out of his thoughts. Jen and Katie were finally here. Katie was finally here. Despite everything, he felt himself smile as he waved them over. He had always felt relaxed around his friend, and now that she was joining them maybe he could finally…
"Hey, there." She placed her hands on her hips, making the yellow bikini top she was wearing impossible to ignore. "Why aren't you with the others? Trip, the whole point of this is to be with your friends."
Stop looking there! Her face is up there! "I-I thought, I thought I'd get some work done?"
Katie frowned slightly, stuffing her hands in the pockets of her cut off jeans. "At least try to have some fun for me, all right? It's not healthy to be so tense."
You have no idea how close you are to the truth, Katie. He was so busy fighting a losing battle with his hormones, he didn't notice she had started speaking again.
Look at the ocean, look at Jen dunking Wes under the water… "Hay, are you finished with your drink? 'Cause I'm awfully thirsty."
… Look at Lucas napping, looking at anything that isn't her. "I'm guessing I can take that as a 'yes'?"
Okay, look at her, but from the neck up only. "What?" But it was too late; she'd already stolen the cherry soda he'd brought with him and was off running.
"H-hey, I'm not done with that!" He ignored the stares from his friends as he chased after her.
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Lucas was the first to speak. "What do you know, Katie is a girl after all."
Wes shared a knowing glance with Jen. He would notice only that, wouldn't he? Oh, well. At least Trip was finally having some fun.