"Thank you for the way you've been, each and every night, thank you for most everything." -Mott The Hoople
You Are One Of Us
Rosalie called Cindy an hour before the sun set after leaving David in the woods the previous day - she wanted to get her mind off the subject as well as spend time with her closest friend. To her luck, Cindy didn't have to work that day, and they had already planned to go night-swimming. Cindy agreed to meet her on the boardwalk in an hour, and Rosalie packed a quick bag before heading down the stairs.
"Going out?" Amy called from the kitchen without turning from the sink full of dishes. Rosalie stopped, remembering what David had told her.
"I'm meeting Cindy on the boardwalk. Is that alright?" Rosalie asked, unable to keep the tight tone from her voice. Amy turned around with a smile.
"Of course. Be careful, sweetie." The tone of her voice made Rosalie shudder internally as she left the house. She couldn't remember Amy ever sounding like that, like she knew something she wasn't supposed to.
When Rosalie arrived at the entrance to the boardwalk, Cindy was leaning against one of the pillars as she held a cigarette to her lips.
"Shit, sorry," Cindy mumbled, quickly stomping it out. "I don't know if you like smoking."
Rosalie almost laughed aloud.
"Can you bum me one?" Cindy did a double-take, smiled, and pulled out the carton from her back pocket.
"That's surprising to me," she said, holding one out to Rosalie, "You don't strike me as the smoking type."
"I quit for a little while, then started back up." She lit the cigarette and watched tourists enter the boardwalk.
"Oh. Well, are you excited to swim tonight? It's so much fun!"
"I actually am. I'm looking forward to today!" Rosalie smiled, and then took a puff from her cigarette.
"I am, too. We'll have to get some ice cream down on the beach." Rosalie nodded and took one final puff before stomping out her cigarette under her shoe. Cindy waited patiently and the pair walked into the boardwalk, making their way down to the beach. Night had fallen and they watched other laughing kids make their way to the beach.
They found a secluded spot and set their things down, and Rosalie shyly tugged at the swimsuit under her top. It had been a long time since she wore a two-piece swimsuit, and the first time she was setting foot in the ocean. Cindy removed her outfit to reveal a one-piece swimsuit that hugged her curves in all the right places and showed off her tan complexion. She laughed when she noticed Rosalie slowly removing her top.
"What? Nervous?"
"It's just been a while since I've worn a swimsuit." She finally pulled off the top and Cindy let out a wolf-whistle.
"I don't see what you're worried about." Rosalie shrugged, and Cindy darted into the ocean with a laugh. She ran until the water was up to her knees and fell over, disappearing below the waves for a few seconds before her head popped up again.
"Come on! The water's just fine!" Rosalie smiled brightly before running after her friend. She trudged through the water until she was waist-deep with Cindy, who was splashing around and jumping at the waves. The water was somewhat cold, but Rosalie didn't mind - she mostly enjoyed looking at the moonlit sky lingering above.
"Swimming is one of my favorite things," Cindy said with a sigh, moving to float on her back. Rosalie lazily brought her fingertips over the water, lost in her own thoughts.
Well damn, looks like I got here at just the right time. Rosalie moved from her floating position to look at the beach, and once she did she noticed the boys watching from where they had placed their things.
Paul, you're such a perv. You better watch out, though - you'll have two vampires after you. She hummed to herself and turned back to Cindy.
"Have you heard of Mott The Hoople?" Rosalie asked, and felt Dwayne's gaze burning into her.
"Of course!" Cindy moved until she was standing back on her feet, and smiled once she noticed Marko standing on the beach. "Damn, we haven't even been here ten minutes."
"Eh, I'm used to them barging in." Rosalie jumped up when she felt Cindy pinch her leg. She smirked as Cindy swan away, following after as the war ensued. They laughed like school girls as she chased each other back and forth through the water until Cindy caught Rosalie's leg and kept her from swimming away. It didn't last however, because Cindy threw her arms up and fell back.
"A fucking fish just touched me!" she yelled, and Rosalie couldn't let the peel of giggles stop from escaping. Cindy balanced herself again and started to leave the water. "I'm out!"
"Hey, wait!" Rosalie followed after, trudging through the water after her until they were both on the beach again.
"That was an interesting sight," David said with a smirk, and Rosalie looked at him uncomfortably.
"Sorry, I was having fun," she replied, and Cindy slipped on her shirt before Marko slung an arm over her shoulders. She giggled when he kissed her nose.
"I'll see you later, Rose." Cindy picked up her things and Marko helped her onto the back of his bike, and they were gone sooner than she thought. Rosalie suddenly felt exposed in her swimsuit in front of the three boys.
"Don't think I haven't forgotten about the other night," Rosalie said, and pulled her tank top over her head.
"I never thought you would. Red's a nice color on you, by the way." Rosalie rolled her eyes, watching as David hopped on his bike. Paul winked at her as if knowing something she didn't before following suit.
"Just think about what I've told you." He started his bike and rode off into the night, attracting the stares of several people. Rosalie was left alone with Dwayne.
"He's right." Rosalie brought her eyes up to him. "Red is one hell of a color on you."
"You think so?" She pulled on her long skirt, then slipped on her converse. Her hair was still damp but she didn't mind. She sighed and sat down on the beach, and Dwayne sat next to her. "What do you think I should do? About David?"
"He's your family, Rose. He wouldn't lie to you about your parents." She sighed, interlacing her fingers with his.
"But I can't just leave Laddie. I know that my parents would hurt him if I left."
"Who said he couldn't come with?" She paused, thinking over the question.
"Won't they notice if he's gone?"
"We're excellent at hiding and covering our tracks." She bit her lip in thought and shook her head.
"I'll think about it, alright? Really think about it." He nodded and looked at the moon. She leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Understandable. I have something to give you." She lifted her head to look at him curiously, and he had a small smile on his lips. He broke their hands apart and Rosalie noticed something on his pinky finger - a gold ring with a ruby red stone in the middle. He removed it from his finger and Rosalie's eyes went wide. "Trust me, I'm not asking you to marry me."
"Oh, thank god," she replied with a hand over her heart. "You scared me."
"No, marriage is overrated." He grabbed Rosalie's hand and slid the ring onto her finger. She brought her hand up to examine the ring with a smile. "I found it the other night, and it reminded me of something you'd like."
"I love it. Thank you!" She met his gaze and kissed him softly, then pulled back to look at the ring again. "It's incredibly beautiful."
"Not nearly as much as you." Rosalie playfully shoved his shoulder with her own.
"Cheesy. But thank you." He slung one arm over her shoulder and she moved closer to his chest, staring at the moon with content.