When Celia came out she was dressed in a cutesy pastel green sundress, to cover up her swimsuit. "I'm ready," She said, walking closer to Jill.
"You look much different without your bandanna," She teased.
Celia perked up and blushed. "You really think so?"
"Yeah!" She linked arms with Celia. "Sorry again for the noise Vesta!" Jill tried to smooth things over with the older woman.
Vesta threw a hand in the air, holding a bundle of weeds in the other. "Don't worry about it! Just keep it down next time!" She said gruffly but in a relaxed manner. As the two girls left, Marlin glanced at them through the window inside the store as they crossed the bridge. Vesta opened the door to the store strongly. "Ya know, if you keep up that rotten attitude you won't be able to no girl around. You hear?" She wiped her dirty hands on her apron.
Marlin didn't respond, turning away from the window and sat down in the old wooden chair by the front desk. "I know," He grumbled, rubbing his sore arms.
"Uh, sorry for fighting in front of you with Marlin," Jill glanced over at the other girl, feeling a bit awkward. "I don't want you to think we fight like that all the time-for the most part."
Celia's pleasant demeanor never seemed to leave her. "It's okay," She gave a shrug.
"Ever since Marlin has been spending more time with you, he has become calmer. His temper has cooled down quite a bit."
"Is that right? I think he feels less sheltered. So he feels more in control."
"Yeah, sometimes he'll ask me for advice because I'm another woman. He wants to make sure he's not being rough. I think it's very sweet. I'm glad he met you," Celia turned to give Jill her signature smile.
Jill grinned big, feeling satisfaction from this. "Alright, I will not lie. That is very sweet of him. Even though a lot of times doesn't take the advice. But, I don't blame him. I do give him a hard time," She gave a laugh.
Once the girls made it to the beach there was ska music playing from the concession stand of Kai's snack shack. There was an island bar you could sit at on stools and watch the cook prepare meals from the inside. Kai looked like he belonged on the beach. He was tall, tan, fit and wore a purple bandanna that covered his crew cut hairstyle. He popped his head out once he saw Jill and Celia walk past.
"Looks like the Forget-Me-Not girls are more lovely looking then I remembered," He smiled at them with charm, resting his arms on the counter of his stand.
"Thanks, Kai I see you've been maintaining your tan," Jill teased. Her arm was still linked with Celia's.
By the shore sat Rock and Lumina on a beach blanket. She motion to Celia and Jill to come near.
Celia waved to her. "Hello!"
Jill turned her attention to the couple, slipping her arm away from Celia. "See you in a few Kai," She said as she followed Celia.
Rock made it obvious that he was staring. "Wow! First, I see you with your hair down and now with your belly showing? Looking good there Jillian!" He gave Jill a wink and grinned at Celia. "You too babe!"
This made Celia blush. "Oh, thank you," She covered her mouth with her hand as she sat down on the towel with them.
Jill gave Rock a blank stare. "Keep it to yourself Rock! Your date is right next to you!" Jill sat across from Lumina and took her rucksack off her back.
"I'm not his date!" She blushed, with a pout. "I didn't even really want to come! But my Grandmother is out for today and I didn't feel like practicing my piano lessons," She crossed her arms, feeling jealous of Rock's constant horseplay with other women. Lumina was 18 but looked much younger than what she actually was. Her hair was short and light brown, along with her eyes and dressed modestly. It was odd that Rock had such a crush on her. I guess what they had in common was the fact they both came from wealthy families and both could be brats.
"Oh, how long have you been here?" Celia asked, resting her hands in her lap.
"Not too long. We were just about to go in the water. Wanna come? We can play chicken!" Rock grinned at Celia and Jill who were in front of him.
"Swimming sounds like fun. But what's chicken?" She asked innocently.
Jill rolled her eyes, taking pieces of Celia's hair and started to braid it. "It's a game. But you might not want to play it with him. He'll turn it into something naughty."
"Jill! I'm surprised at you! I'd respect you, ladies!" He fibbed.
"Yeah, maybe because Lumina is here," She scoffed.
This made Lumina sulk, she stood. "I'm going home!" She huffed, picking up her beach bag.
"Aw! Lumina don't be that way!" Rock frowned at the girl and stood as well. Lumina stomped away. Rock followed her. Celia watched in silence looking concerned for the two as Jill looked more unimpressed.
"Maybe you shouldn't have said anything," Celia said quietly after the couple left.
"I didn't say anything wrong. Rock shouldn't act that way if he truly likes her," Jill said, finishing her braid.
"I guess you're right," Celia looked down at the sand, touching the end of her braid.
"Hi, there!~" Muffy called from afar, she was sitting on one of the stools of the shack. After being spotted by the girls Muffy made her way over. Surprisingly she wasn't in a swimsuit. She was in her normal outfit but with her hair pulled back in a clip.
"Mind if I sit with you?" She asked.
"Of course not!" Jill scooted back as Muffy sat down.
"I saw you earlier but I didn't want Rock to notice me," She said with distaste.
"Yeah, I don't blame you," Jill held her rucksack in her lap.
"Are you heading to the bar after this Muffy?" Celia asked.
"Yes, I like to stop by the beach once in awhile. But I came to see Kai this time," Muffy smiled mischievously.
Jill slapped her arm playfully. "You came just to flirt with Kai!" She laughed.
"A little flirting didn't hurt anybody! Before you know it he'll be gone soon anyway," Muffy said, pulling the end of her dress down so it didn't ride up on her. "So where's Marlin?"
"Working on the crops," Celia answered softly.
"He made a fit about how work comes before play," Jill rolled her eyes.
Muffy nodded. "Oh, well I bet he'll stop by the Blue Bar tonight."
"I'd have to agree with you," Jill said and looked over as Rock came back towards them.
He grinned at them. "Alright, ladies! Who's ready for the water?"
Both Jill and Muffy were the least impressed to see Rock as Celia looked on in innocence.
"Well, it's time for me to go," Muffy said swiftly and stood, smoothing her dress down. "See you later!" She tilted her head with a smile and walked off, heading back to the shack.
"Aw come on Muffy! I'll be fun!" Rock took a step forward as Muffy pretended not to hear him.
"What about Lumina?" Celia looked up at Rock.
"Huh?" Rock turned, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh, she locked herself in her room and told me to bug off," He said casually. "So you wanna play chicken?"
"We can't play chicken. We don't have enough people," Jill said as she started to braid her own hair.
"Hm, you're right about that," Rock scratched his chin. He thought quick and yelled out. "Hey, Kai! Wanna play chicken with us!"
Jill shot her head up and frantically waved her hands to Kai as a signal to pass. Not getting the message Kai gave Rock a thumbs up. "Sure man! I can use a break!" He obliged and jogged over to them.
"Celia doesn't know how to play. So you think you can help her out?" Rock asked.
"Who do you want as your partner?" He asked Celia sweetly.
"You mean, I can't pick Jill?" She asked a bit surprised.
"I don't think I have the strength to hold you on my shoulders or I would," Jill thought quick. "But I'll take Rock as my partner," She said, not trusting the blond with Celia.
Rock gleamed. "Aw, Jill! I knew you just like to play hard to get babe!"
Jill shot him a glare. "Shut up!" She grabbed onto his arm and pulled him towards the ocean.
Rock let out a giddy laugh as he let Jill drag him. Kai pulled off his shirt and offered his hand to Celia. "I won't let you fall okay?" He smiled at her.
Celia blushed as she watched Kai. "What do you mean fall?" She tilted her head, hesitate to take his hand.
"Oh," He set his arm to his side. "Chicken is where you hold a person over your shoulders and whoever pushes the other person into the water first wins," He explained to her. "Sound good?" He tried to reassure her.
Celia still was a bit hesitant but nodded in agreement. "Okay, but can you turn around first?" She asked him sweetly.
"Sure?" He did so. "How come?" He asked.
"Um, I feel strange taking off my dress with someone looking," Her face flushed at the thought, pulling the dress over her head.
From afar Rock tried to gawk at Celia only making Jill shove him into the water with a splash as she pounced on top of him. "Would you keep your eyes to yourself!" She started slapping his head. After Celia set her dress aside, she walked into the water with Kai.
"Ready to get beat!" He grinned, bending over for Celia to climb over his shoulders. Jill and Rock struggled in the water a bit longer as they fought. When Celia was was balanced and secure on top of Kai's shoulders. Jill pushed Rock away.
"Come on! Pick me up!" She panted, splashing at his face.
Rock grinned at her as he roughly picked her up. "Better be nice to me or I'll let you off on purpose~" he teased, securing her on top of his shoulders.
"Pft, I don't care," She sneered, gently placing her hands on Celia's shoulders. "You have to push me as hard as you can okay?" She told the other girl.
Celia nodded as she placed her hands on Jill's shoulders.
"And if you push me off you have to scream chicken!" Jill started to push against Celia gently.
Celia started to fidget, letting a small squeal as she pushed against Jill hard. Kai started to wobble as the two girls wiggle back and forth.
Rock kept a firm grip on Jill as he also started to sway. "Come on girl! Get her!~"
With little effort put into the struggle, Jill let her grip slip on purpose as she lost balance and fell into the water with a yelp. Rock went tumbling down with her as they created a large splash, getting the other two wet. Celia paused, blinking in confusion having her victory not sink it right away.
"Oh! Chicken!" She yelled out, gleefully.
Kai started to laugh, bending down to let Celia down. "Told ya you were gonna get beat!" He said as Rock was shoved against him by Jill who was clearly frustrated.
"Watch where you put your hands bub!" She bumped Rock's side hard with her knee as she grabbed onto Celia's hand and walked out of the water with her.
"Hi Marlin," Celia said suddenly, catching the view of his tall figure.
He stood by the shore with his hands in his jeans pockets, staring at them with irritation. His clothes were dampened, most likely from their splashing. "I came to pick up Celia," He said dryly.
"Pick up Celia?" Jill flustered her brows. "Why? I was going to walk home with her."
"It's okay Marlin! I don't mind walking home with Jill," She frowned.
"Yoooo Marlin!~" Rock made his way over and set his arms on both Celia and Jill's shoulders. "Gonna join us, buddy?"
"No," Marlin scoffed, running his fingers through his wet hair.
Kai appeared behind the girls as well. "Jill, next time I call you as my partner. I got you covered with these guns!" He started to chuckle as he flexed his arm playfully to her.
"Well," Celia slipping away from them and stood in front of them. "Thanks, guys I had a really good time!" She waved at them with a smile.
"Bye guys," Jill said as she walked over to Marlin and Celia.
"Don't you want to stay with your friends?" Marlin said to Jill coldly as Celia put her dress back over her swimsuit.
"It was nice spending the day with you guys! I'm going back to the stand! Come on Rock I'll teach you how to make fried rice real good!" Kai tried to make himself scarce, seeing that the conversion was getting heated.
"Yeah? Do I have to pay for it afterwards, though?" Rock joined him as they walked off together.
Jill put her hand on her hip. "Excuse me? What's the matter with you?"
Marlin shrugged. "Nothing. I'm glad you had fun," He glanced over Celia to see she was all settled. "See you tomorrow," He told her and walked off with Celia.
Celia turned to look back at Jill with concern as she turned to say something to Marlin that was unclear to hear.