The sun was warm, the sand was hot, the ocean was cool, and the company was to die for!

Unfortunately I had to sit under an umbrella like a bennie because I am not allowed to have too much sun exposure, but Dally sat along with me on a towel, stripped down to his swim trunks and me in my clothes still. I didn't like parading around in my bathing suit. It wasn't that comfortable.

Two-bit was flirting with the lifeguard who was shooting him dirty looks and it was amusing to watch. He kept trying to catch her attention and I am sure he will try to fake drowning pretty soon. It's quite a spectacle.

My gaze then fell on Soda who had scantily clad girls all over him and he was blushing terribly. It was funny to watch him try to avoid them by ducking under the water, then sending Pony in, then Johnny, but none of it worked. I almost felt bad for him.

Darry was over with Nick, learning how to surf, which was also quite a spectacle. He wasn't too good at it, and ended up smacking into the waves, but he got up and tried again and again. It was funny.

I looked over to Dally and found he was looking at me, not around the beach. I blushed slightly and smiled. "How'd you get here?" I asked.

"It took us forever to save up the money to get here. We took two cars, Darry and Soda driving."

"Soda driving?" I asked in mock humor.

"I know. I went with Darry," He said with a laugh.

There was an amiable silence and I laid back a bit. I felt Dally move closer and I laughed when I felt his hand on my swollen stomach. "Is it a girl or a boy?" He asked.

"I dunno. I have to wait to find out." I said with a smile, "But she is not an 'it'. She is a person." I replied firmly.

He laughed loudly and leaned over me, pressing his lips to mine in a gentle kiss, the passionate flames that had been fading ever so slightly since I left were rekindled at full force…that is, until we were rudely interrupted by snide cackling.

"Found yourself a man to take on the burden of your one night stand?" A female voice asked with humor. "Come with me buddy. She's a player."

I felt Dally stiffen as he pulled away from me. "Dally watch it. The cops around here don't put up with fights like they do back in Tulsa," I whispered.

He almost laughed when I said cops. Seems I've been here too long. "I mean the fuzz…" I mumbled

"Look missy, you have something snide to say about my girl, say it to my face," He said. "I have every right in the world to be with Laney and my soon to be child," He added with dry humor.

Her face dropped, but she soon regained her snide look, "So she has you convinced it's yours? I didn't know that this little whore could do that to any guy."

"Whore?" I asked with an amused grin, "Taisia, you are with a different guy every night. I have been with one guy one night. If I am a whore I don't even want to know what you are."

I saw Dally smile slightly but then was distracted by her response, "Everyone knows that only whores don't use protection."

That got Dally really pissed. I could practically feel the rage radiating out of him.

"You little bitch!" He cried rising from under the umbrella. "How dare you speak to her like that!" He yelled.

This got the attention of everyone else on the beach. It was common to see a guy calling Taisia a bitch, but never in that tone of voice. She is the local 'queen bee' and slut, though she will never admit it. All the guys love her figure and pretty grey eyes and perfect black curls. I rather think it makes her look like a destitute seal.

Soda was the first of the guys to arrive and he was panting. His hair was wet and tossed back. I could see why everyone liked him so much.

Soda looked from me to Dally to Taisia and smiled. "Damn, and I thought my rumbling days were over after that big one in the lot. Seems like Laney has this effect everywhere."

"Rumble?" Taisia asked, lifting her eyebrows, "You mean this slut was the cause of a gang fight back in the middle of nowhere?" She asked.

"Not only that, but she kicked ass…and other parts…fairly well!" Soda replied with a grin, shooting me a sly glance.

"I already apologized for that Soda. It's not my fault someone was an ass hole to me after I showed up. Seems like the cooler can do a lot to a person."

Dally laughed slightly, but kept his focus on the black headed terror. "Sorry babe, but prison isn't exactly where you expect to meet your life-mate." He said. I blushed.

"Wait, so you all met in prison?!" Taisia asked.

"Where else?" I asked innocently.

Darry and Nick came over next, Nick smiling and Darry laughing. I guess they had figured out what was going on and were cracking jokes already. They seemed to like each other a lot.

"Taisia, you talking to my sister again?" Nick asked with a smirk. Everyone knew she was after Nick.

"Just having a friendly chat," She replied sweetly.

"Yes, because 'friendly chats' can piss of Dallas like that…" Darry muttered, elbowing Nick.

"Well it's not my fault you sister has this poor guy convinced he's the father!" She whined.

"Uh…he is," Nick said. "Believe me he is. I-" he cleared his throat slightly, "-uhm, walked in on them the next morning…"

Me and Dally shared a smile and Taisia stalked away in a huff. "That isn't the last of her. You guys are the only guys who have ever blown her off…" I said with a laugh.

"Ah, we can handle her," they replied and Dally plopped back down on the towel with me.

"Now if you'll excuse us guys…" Dally prompted and they laughed, heading off again.

"Thanks Dal." I murmered. Truth be told Taisia was the worst of the group who annoyed me. I was about to kill her.

"I won't have anyone talking bad about you…" He said, kissing my forehead.

"Really? So I mean that much to you?" I asked coyly.

"Yes…" He said with a mischievous smile pulling at his lips, a secret dancing behind his eyes.

There we go for this chappie! Got some fun stuff planned, but it won't be up for a while…I'm supposed to be writing essays now…mumbles about how much she hated The Jungle, but like Angela's Ashes does anyone know why Frank McCourt called it Angela's Ashes? I'd really like to know…