CHAPTER 36: ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

The next day, Calem and Serena decided to hang out at the beach again. Calem put on his light blue speedo, and Serena put on her pink bikini.

The two walked down to the beach. It was not too crowded, and it was very hot.

"It's a scorcher," said Serena. "I think I'll go work on my tan. Care to join me, Calem?"

"Sure," said Calem.

Calem and Serena found a spot to place their stuff. Serena laid out the beach towels. Serena lay on her beach towel and Calem lay on his. The two then put sunglasses over their faces.

"I feel a little sleepy," said Calem.

"I know," said Serena. She looked at Calem. "You're really pale. I think you'll need some sunscreen."

Serena got out the suntan lotion and started to put it on Calem. The way she rubbed him made him giggle. Then Serena put some suntan lotion on herself.

"Now we're protected from the sun," said Serena.

Calem and Serena lay at the beach. Serena looked around, gazing at the Tower of Mastery and how magnificent it looked. She also gazed at the other beachgoers. When Serena went to look at Calem, she saw that he was fast asleep.

Then, suddenly, a Frisbee landed on Serena.

"Hey, watch it!" said Serena.

Serena saw a man coming. The man was tall, with short blond hair and grey eyes. He was wearing a red speedo. He had a red swim cap on his head.

"Well, hello there!" said the man in a rather fruity voice. "Oh, sorry. My fabulous Machoke threw the Frisbee too hard."

The man's Machoke came running up to them. In the meantime, Calem had woken up.

"Who are you?" asked Serena.

"I am Lucas-Gerard Grandjean," said the man, "but I'm known as Lucard to my friends."

"Lucard Grandjean?" asked Serena. "I've heard of you! Olivier was talking about you days ago."

"That boy is such a darling," said Lucard. "He's always at the beach, playing with that Dragalge of his. He's like, one of my dearest fans."

"I'm friends with Olivier," said Calem.

"Mmm-hmmmm," said Lucard.

"No, really!" said Calem. "We know each other very well."

"Oh!" said Lucard, looking at Calem's eyes. "You look like one of those anime dolls!"

Calem blushed.

"Okay," said Calem, "you're creeping me out."

"How old are you?" Lucard asked Calem.

"Fourteen," said Calem.

"I've got a brother who's around your age," said Lucard. "Maybe you two could like, hang out together."

"Sure," said Calem.

"My brother's name is Yann," said Lucard. "He lives in my hometown of Coumarine City. He's like, best friends with Ramos' grandson."

"Ramos?" asked Serena. "The Gym Leader of Coumarine City?"

"The same," said Lucard. "He doesn't get why I spend so much time on my face. He's always like 'stop preening in the mirror 24/7, you whippersnapper'. I can't help it that I need to spend an hour on my face. It's like, how I look."

"You shouldn't be looking at yourself in the mirror constantly," said Calem.

"You children just don't appreciate beauty!" said Lucard. "I've won all my medals in swimming through showing the grace of my swan-like body. Right, Machoke?" Machoke smiled and lifted Lucard up for a bit.

"Well," said Calem, "it is."

"It doesn't matter, Calem!" said Lucard. "Swimming is a grand, fabulous art. I do all kinds of water sports, but swimming is my favorite. It's absolutely fabulous!"

"Yeah," said Serena. "Fabulous."

"Has Olivier contacted you recently?" asked Calem.

Lucard smiled.

"Yeah, baby!" said Lucard in an Austin Powers voice. "He's in my fan club. My fans like, love me!"

"I guess so," said Calem.

"Well," said Lucard, "I better get going. I have to go to Coumarine City soon. Ta-ta!" Lucard and his Machoke left.

"That guy's a walking stereotype," said Calem. "He'd be perfect for something like Gravitation."

"I know," said Serena. "It's very weird."

"Want to go for a swim?" asked Calem.

"You bet!" said Serena.

Calem and Serena got up from their towels and went into the water to play.