I just wanted to let you know that this story is meant to be read in journal format, so you can see the RP journal (which includes pictures) at xanga with the username mellycat.

Two of
That Summer

It took me a few days to get over what had happened. The process included a lot of ranting and a couple new dresses. Shopping fixed all of my problems; I am a shopping addict. To my wardrobe, I added a new pink bathing suit, a pair of jeans with rhinestones on the bottom, and another mini skirt. At the same time, my parents spent a lot of time complaining about my recent shopping sprees. I knew I'd spent a lot in my first two weeks, but I knew I'd chill out over the next week, because the town will have been searched and done with.

Chrissie fully enjoyed my new wardrobe, and she made sure that my clothes got the mileage they deserved. She looked stunning 75 of the time, while I looked merely mediocre more often than not. My clothes looked great, but I bought them because I was angry with Cole, and I wanted nothing to do with him.

On July 10th, six days after I met Cole, Chrissie and I decided that it was now time to spend our days lounging in the sun down at the beach. So that morning, we packed up a bag with towels, warm clothes, some money, and a deck of cards. Chrissie had grabbed my cell phone and a watch just to be safe.

We laid on our towels on the beach, sun tan lotion layered on our skin. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of sun on my body, the feeling of total warmth. You never feel that kind of warmth any other time of the year, and I wanted to take advantage.

"How would you feel if I went on a date tonight?", Chrissie asked.
"Eh... What else is new?"
"How would your parents feel?"
"What momma doesn't know can't hurt her. Or us."
"Are you suggesting I just go?"
"Well, we're on separate floors; you might as well take advantage of it. Just take the cell phone and wait for them to check in before you leave, please. Other then that... Have fun."

Don't get me wrong; I am not a bad girl. Chrissie, however, was the rebel child, and I had learned a lot from her. She snuck out of her room most weekends, and many nights I was her aliby. I myself had never done something quite like that, but it was natural for Chrissie. She was the oldest of four and was opten desperate for attention. Chrissie always got the attention she wanted, from her family, from girls at school and from the guys she wanted.

"Why don't you invite that Cole kid over for you date you promised him?"

"I did not promise him a date, he tricked me. And I want nothing to do with him," I snapped at her.

"I'm sorry."
"You should be."
"No, I'm sorry, 'cause he's standing right next to you."

I opened my eyes and turned to the right. Like she said, he was right there. I sat up, quickly standing. "What the heck do you want from me?"

I looked him up and down and realized he wasn't wearing a shirt, and that he was wearing a pair of lifeguard swimming shorts. He was a lifeguard. He knew how to swim very well. I shook my head in disgust, grabbed my wallet, and started walking. "I'm going to get something to eat." Cole followed me.

"Look, I'm sorry about last week, but you looked so beautiful, I just had to be near you." He turned around and walked backwards. He was staring at me, walking fast, his speech matching his pace. "And it was horrible, I know, and you're not from around here, so I might have ruined your vacation, and I'm sorry about that, but please would you just... give me a chance? I'm a great companion, I'll listen, I won't do anything you don't want. We'll go-"

And just like that, Cole was on the ground. He'd tripped over someone's sandals and fell backwards. He curled up in pain, grabbed at his head; I crouched next to him.

"Are you ok?"
"Will you give me a chance? One date, that's all I ask."

With my lips pursed, and my head shaking, I started laughing. He was so determined, it was adorable.

"Maybe. Now let's get you up and out of the sand..."

I pulled him up off the ground, and put my arm through his. He walked me to the food stand. I had to admit he made laugh.