A/N from Bethany (RiverDapple): Just a reminder that I am posting this on behalf of my friend, Josie, who doesn't have an account :) P.S - This is my favourite chapter so far. A/N from Josie: Thank you to everyone for having such a good response to this story, I can't tell you all how grateful I am - especially to those of you who have reviewed! I just wanted to clear up, for those of you who are unsure or didn't know, that this fanfic is most definitely NOT a self insert. It's purely fiction for my amusement and (hopefully) for the amusement of readers.
The sun shone red and orange and pink through my eyelids and I could feel the heat glazing over every inch of my skin. I could feel myself almost roasting even under my swimwear and I could feel millions of individual grains of sand in my hands. I hadn't opened my eyes in what felt like hours, and I found a satisfaction in that - knowing that I didn't have to get up or go inside anytime soon.
The headphones in my ears spat out the steady beat of a drum, before breaking way to a deep, smoky voice. The waves were barely audible over the voice and the horror inspiring tales that it told. The iPod on which it was being played though lay beside me and the cool metal touching my side caused a chill to run through me. I had listened to four of these podcasts today already, and I had fallen in love instantly.
Out of nowhere, loud music started playing, and it wasn't even the good kind of music. I sat up, shocked and ill prepared for the disturbance. My headphones had fallen out of my ears but I didn't think to pause my content as I looked around for the cause of the horrible noise.
My eyes landed on a couple who had chosen to sit right next to Dan, even though there was so much beach left to choose from. They had a large boombox which was spilling out the horrible beats and made me wrinkle my nose. They didn't seem to notice our distaste as they lay tanning in the hot summer's sun, but Phil, Dan and I had all sat up out of shock. I let a long breath of air out and turned off my iPod, not seeing any point now in trying to relax.
"Come on, let's go for a swim," Phil suggested, sitting up a little bit straighter and eyes brightening in the sunlight.
"But I don't wanna," I whined, though I smiled as I crossed my arms.
"If I have to sit here for a minute longer listening to this shit I will literally commit homicide," Dan said, standing up dramatically and nearly putting his hands on his hips. "We will take drastic action ,Phoebe."
"You know what, I think that's a good idea," Phil agreed.
I was going to ask what that meant but then he leaned over and wrapped his arms around my waist, picking me up and carrying me towards the water. I kicked my legs around and wriggled in his grip, managing to break free from his grasp before we got close enough to the water.
"Not happening, Lester," I yelled, kicking sand up as my feet tried desperately to grip at it. I laughed as I ran away from him and sidestepped around Dan, only just missing his outstretched hand. I danced around on the beach, taunting them both as I was out of both their reach.
Dan stopped by our towels and tossed his sunglasses down in the bag we had. I watched as he pulled his shirt off over his head. The shirt was messing his hair up as it got caught on the hemline - yet for once he didn't seem to care. He smirk as he watched me, assessing what move I was going to make next. Phil had also gone over to take his shirt off, though he seemed to have less issues than Dan, his chest pale in the sun compared to his dark hair.
Out of nowhere, they both started running at me, like they had shared a silent conversation without me noticing, and had made a plan of attack - Phil coming at me from the left and Dan from the right. I made a break for it, running right in between them and feeling fingertips on my bare sides.
I laughed, looking over my shoulder to see them running beside each other with up lifted expressions. It was clear they were best friends, even in the way they moved beside each other. Their strides were in time and they didn't appear to verbally communicate when planning. Turning forward I noticed an old couple only a few feet away, and I hastily changed my direction, only narrowly missing their bags and towels as I stumbled on the sand.
"I'm sorry," I said to the couple, as I tried to right myself and keep running. "FUCK!"
Strong arms had captured me once again, yet this time from behind as they lifted me off the ground. I had let out a yell of surprise and I now kicked my legs in the air as the arms held me firmly to a chest, having managed to get a good grip this time.
Laughing was heard, and Phil, who had grabbed me, turned around to see what was happening. Dan was standing on our left, breathing a little heavier than usual like both Phil and I were as well. Before us a white-hair lady and her husband laughed whole-heartedly, saying something in French that sounded like endearment.
Phil carried me off to the water, and Dan followed close behind, making sure that if I managed to get free, he'd be able to catch me again. The water was splashing up their legs and I felt a few drops splatter onto my skin.
Out of nowhere he threw me in, my scream being cut off by the water. For a moment I didn't know which way was up and which way was down, but that was alright, because I liked the way the water held me in a sweet embrace. When I opened my eyes I could see that the ground had cut off sharply, and that Phil and Dan were swimming just a little bit away from the said ledge.
I resurfaced, my hair sticking to me like I was a drowned cat. I pushed it away and kicked my legs to keep myself above water. We swam for what was probably around forty minutes, splashing each other and play fighting. It was already turning to late afternoon as I jumped onto Dan's back, wrapping my legs around his bare middle as we walked back to pack up our things.
"What time is it?" I asked, resting my chin on Dan's shoulder as I gave a little yawn.
"Ice cream time!" the guys chimed together, picking up the pace to get back.
"Last one there has to pay," Phil said, running away like a small child would.
"Hey, not fair!" Dan call out, running to try and catch up but struggling with me on his back.
"I can get off but that'd mean I have to pay," I said, my arms hanging loosely over his shoulders, which shook as he laughed. I reached up to brush some hair out of my face and in the act accidentally touching his neck.
"WHAT THE -" Dan tensed under my body, nearly dropping me as his shoulders raised in discomfort. "Are you trying to get yourself kicked out of my house woman?"
The sun was setting over the hills, and its bold colours bounced off the water in vibrant beauty. We had gone out to dinner, having decided to get ice cream after our meal. The French really did know how to cook up a good dinner, and I had to make sure to not eat too much to ensure I could enjoy some ice-creamy goodness. We'd gone to dinner later than usual, purely because we got sidetracked when the guys got recognised and by the luxury shops.
Phil had bought me a cocktail from the bar, as I wasn't quite able to buy one myself yet. They didn't see it as that big of a deal, and laughed at me as I stared for what was about ten minutes at the drinks menu trying to decide what I wanted. After food we had gone to a cute little ice cream place which had every flavour imaginable, and the three of us turned into little kids at the site of it all.
We were now walking down the beach, watching the water ripple silently in the summer night air. Today had probably been the best day I'd had in years, even with the flying, which I'd never really been a fan of, and the guys having to go meet some people to do with the festival. I waddled through the water, my flip-flops in my hand as I watched the sun shrink away, giving life to the night sky.
The sky was black for a minute, holding nothing but dark emptiness. Then, out of nowhere, small pinpricks of light shone in the heavens. Firstly dull, then brighter and brighter, as if they were torches being powered up to guide someone home. There were still gaps in the sky, as there always was; dark pools of wonder and mystery, showing nothing of what they may hold. But there was light and energy and life above us still, even with those small pockets of nothing, and it was nice knowing that there was something bigger than us out there.
I found myself staring for a long while, walking aimlessly while taking everything in. The water was luke warm, like a bath left too long, and the buzz of tourists floated to the beach on the slight breeze. There were couples walking hand in hand talking quietly to each other as they went, sneaking kisses every now and then. A flobby-bellied tom-cat prowled through a low wooden fence, flicking its gray tail lazily as it went. In the dim light outside a pub, the silhouettes of two moths dancing around each other was faintly seen, and beneath them, two people were leaning closely together, interlocked in an intimate exchange. The night was, impossible as it was, still with movement.
A tan hand rested on my arm, and I looked up a little shocked. Dan was standing beside me, smiling nonchalantly to cover the almost timid air around him. I looked around, trying to find Phil, but he wasn't to be seen.
"He went back to the hotel about twenty minutes ago," Dan said, when I asked where he was. "He has some stuff to sort out early tomorrow morning so he wanted to get organised tonight. We tried to tell you, but you were completely zoned out."
"Oh damn, sorry," I said, rubbing my palm over my face. "You should've gotten my attention before - why didn't you just touch me earlier?"
"A real gentleman always waits for permission from a lady," he said without a moments hesitation. His hair was curly from the water and he ran a hand through the side of it as he laughed.
I blushed, turning away from him as I covered my face. Yet when he turned me around we laughed together, having to hold onto each other as we realised what we both said. As I looked up again, I realised we were to be standing beneath the brightest star on the horizon.
"We should probably head back then, huh?" I said, looking up at him when the laughing had stopped.
"Yeah, I suppose we should," he said, looking back down at me with twinkling eyes.
I remembered the first time I saw him in that moment. I remembered how handsome I thought he was, with his messy hair and melt-worthy eyes. I remembered how tall I had found him, possibly even lanky. I remembered that I had felt my heart fluttered slightly in my chest - leaping in a nervous way; even if I wouldn't admit it to myself until weeks after.
"Come on," Dan said, holding out his hand to me.
I grabbed it with my own, momentarily surprised at how much bigger it was than mine. Feeling safe yet fragile at his touch, I walked a little bit closer to him as if the water would reach out and drag me out to sea - like his hold on me was the only thing that could keep me grounded.
