CHAPTER SEVEN - Sand Phobia
Bright streams of sunlight were pouring through the windows as I opened my eyes and yawned. Even though I was well energized from a full-night's sleep, I lay in bed for a few more moments, just listening to the rolling waves of the nearby ocean.
I sat up and couldn't stay in bed any longer. The thought of a full day at the beach added to my excitement as I tiptoed around, getting ready for the day, trying not to wake the sleeping Vanessa and Becca. In capris and a red graphic t-shirt that said 'You Lookin' At Me?", I pulled on my black Stoneybrook High School hoodie and made my way downstairs. It looked like everyone was still in bed, so I decided to head outside and take an early walk on the beach.
Barefooted, I let my toes sink into the still-cool sand as I approached the shore. I stood as close as I could to the water without getting my feet wet and just stared out into the ocean, feeling the cool morning breeze. After a few minutes, I turned around and headed back towards the house. As I got closer, I saw Byron sitting on the porch steps.
"'Morning," I greeted with a smile, taking a seat next to him. "How long have you been sitting here for?" He looked like he had just literally rolled out of bed, still in his plaid pajama pants, his hair messy and all over the place. I had the weirdest urge to run my fingers through it.
"Not long. You?" he asked as he half-hazardly ran his hand through his brown locks.
"A couple of minutes," I replied, leaning backwards on my arms. "I wanted to catch seeing the beach before it got too crowded."
"I know what you mean. This place'll be really packed in a few hours, being a long weekend and all." I nodded as I watched an old couple stroll by hand in hand.
"There's actually a neat little place I go to when I'm here and just want to escape from everything," Byron added, looking over at me.
"Oh yeah?"
"I can show you sometime while we're out here," he offered, holding my gaze in his.
"... I'd like that," I replied with a smile.
We heard the front door open, so we both turned around and saw Becca step outside.
"Hey, early birds," she greeted, leaning on the porch railing. "What're you two chatting about?"
"About how nice it was when things were quiet," Byron replied pointedly at Becca, grinning. He got up and added, "I should get dressed. See you guys at breakfast."
"Yeah. And do something about that hair while you're at it, will you?" Becca teased as he walked into the house. She sat down in his place and turned to face me. "So what was that all about?" she asked, her eyes wide. I looked at her blankly.
"C'mon! There's no fooling me, missy," Becca said. "I stole a quick look through the window before coming out here. You guys were looking at each other like you were all into each other." Then she gasped, "You like him!"
"How 'bout we go see if Mrs. Pike needs any help with breakfast," I said, blushing, changing the subject as I started to get up.
"How 'bout you sit your ass back down and tell me what's going on between you two!," Becca replied, pulling me back down. I groaned.
"Becca, you know you'd be the first to know if anything was going on. And that's just it – there's nothing's going on. Honestly, I don't even know if I really do like him or not. Maybe I just want to get to know him more. Maybe he feels the same way. Maybe he just wants to get to know me better."
"Okay, okay! Sorry! I won't force anything!" I raised an eyebrow, not believing her, thinking back to our junior high days when she'd somehow find a way to meddle after I'd revealed my Crush of the Month to her in secrecy. "Promise!" she cried. "But wait, wouldn't that be fabulous though? A double wedding – you and Byron, me and Jordan!" she squealed. "That would be soo romantic!!" I rolled my eyes in response.
"Here we go again..." I muttered as Becca, in her own little world, went on to describe n detail, this 'double wedding' she had formed in her crazy little head.
---
A huge glob of sunscreen from the bottle plopped into my palm and I started rubbing it on my arms.
"Need a help there?" Craig teased in a creepy little voice, rubbing his hands together. He was sitting on a beach chair next to me. I stuck my tongue out at him.brbr
"No, thank you. But I'm sure the triplets need help with that cooler they're dragging like mules over the sand," I pointed out, nodding my head towards their direction.
"But you're suuuuure I can't help you in any way possible? Maybe get some of that sunscreen on your back?" he continued on in his eerie voice.
"Ew. Creepoid. Go away." I said, laughing. He jogged over to the rest of the guys as Becca stood behind me and leaned her head close to mine.
"Boy, looks like you have your hands full of guys this weekend, huh Char?" she teased. I shot her a dirty look and she shrieked and jumped back, as I tried to wipe the rest of the sunscreen in my hand on her arm.
The beach was crowded and understandably so, with the sun shining brightly in the cloudless sky and the heat rising off the hot sand. All the girls had stripped down to our bikinis. Mine a cute blue and white A-lined floral string bikini I had just bought a week before. I proceeded to tie my long brown hair up in a bun.
The guys reached our spot on the beach, struggling with the coolers filled with iced drinks and snacks. They plopped down under the umbrellas, wiped the sweat off their brows and took off their shirts. I couldn't help but admire their fit upper bodies which weren't too bulky, unlike those of guys who spent every waking hour working out in the gym.
We all sat around and chatted for a bit, debating whether or not to go in the water yet. Becca and I started to volley the volleyball between the two of us.
"Hey Jordan," Adam suddenly piped up. "Remember when we were like ten and we had this issue with Byron being a huge wuss?" Adam recalled, laughing. Byron punched him in the arm. Guys can be so cruel to each other.
"Shut up, dumb-ass," Byron retorted.
"Yeah! The 'fraidy cat wouldn't go on the stupid Haunted House ride," Jordan chuckled. "Or even go in the water even though he knew how to swim." Adam and Craig hooted with laughter.
"Hmm.. Looks like today's pick on Byron day," Becca noted with a smile, sitting down in Jordan's lap. I tossed the volleyball in my hand.
"I bet you were terrified of the sand too, huh Byron?" I added, grinning, and playfully kicking sand into his lap.
"Oh. That's low," Byron replied with a grin. "You're gonna get it now, Charlotte."
Before I knew it, he rushed me and grabbed me by my legs, draping me over his shoulder. I shrieked with laughter as he ran towards the shore and straight into the water. I knew he was going to throw me in, so when we got in fairly deep, I wrapped my arms around his neck in an attempt to drag him down with me. There was a huge splash as we both hit the water. Thankfully enough, I didn't lose my bikini top.
"Uh, that wasn't supposed to happen that way," Byron said, laughing, slicking his wet hair back as I reached the surface.
"That'll teach you not to mess with me," I joked, splashing him.
"Oh yeah?" He swam towards me and took me by the waist, pulling me closer to him, our bodies touching and our faces less than an inch apart. My heart started racing as I stared into his smiling eyes.
"For payback," he whispered, grinning, then quickly lifted me up and threw me back in the water with a splash. I spluttered underwater and got back up to the surface, just in time to see the rest of the gang swimming towards us, Becca getting there first and dunking Byron. My heart was still racing as I waded through the water, making my way back to our spot on the sand.
"Hey Charlotte! Are you okay?" Byron called out, running through the waves to catch up to me. I cringed as my heart jumped and started beating ten times faster. He was the last person I wanted to speak to at that moment. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked, standing in front of me, drenched and dripping with water which, weird enough, made him even more attractive. I avoided his gaze.
"Uh, N-No. I'm fine. Thanks. I just – I needed to use to bathroom," I lied, walking around him and heading for the house.
"Oh -- Okay." He said something else, but I was too caught up in the thoughts racing through my mind to hear what he said.
I was definitely dazed and confused. There was no denying anymore.
I was falling for Byron Pike -- big time.