A/N: I'm back:) This is super-short… I'm sorry about that. I've been struggling with a bit of writer's block, not really being able to finish what I've started or start anything new. But then I saw 'Vineyard Valentine' and about four different story ideas popped into my head. And lucky for me, I've got two weeks to get 'em out before the next episode airs.
Disclaimer: They're not mine. And I think I like it that way: Who wants that much responsibility?
Summary: Luke thinks back to his days on the beach…
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Summer of 1983Sixteen-year-old Luke Danes sat on a rock about twenty feet from where his father and Liz were enjoying their lunch on the beach. Why did he even have to come? He hated the beach. It didn't help his mood that his father hadn't let him drive. He was sixteen, for crying out loud! He had his license. What was his dad worried about?
Luke shifted on his makeshift seat. The rock really was quite uncomfortable.
He preferred pools. The water was less salty, and at least you knew it was clean. Who knew what was in the ocean? Luke grimaced at the thought. And don't even get him started on the land aspect, either. Disease-carrying birds everywhere, garbage strewn across the sand… It was disgusting.
The sun came out from behind a cloud. Luke turned to his left to shield his eyes from the bright light.
It was then that he spotted her.
She was lying on a beach towel on her stomach, her brown hair pulled up into a ponytail. Next to her was a blonde, in the same position. He watched as the two girls leaned in close and whispered to each other. Every so often one of them would sneak a glance to their left at the snack stand.
After more words were quietly exchanged, they both stood, laughing, and make their way just a bit closer to the stand.
Luke gazed intently as the two began doing cartwheels in a vain attempt to gain the attention of the snack stand cashier. He had difficulty hiding his laughter as the brunette collided with someone in line and offered embarrassedly to pay for whatever they had planned to buy.
They stopped cartwheeling after that and returned to their towels, laughing hysterically.
Luke continued watching them until a woman who was obviously the blonde's mother told them that it was time to leave.
And as they rose to leave, the brunette turned and met his gaze. Seeing him staring, she gave an awkward wave before bounding off to catch up with her friend.
It was only after they'd left that he realized that he was smiling.
Maybe the beach wasn't so bad after all.
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FinReview please!
(And again, I'm sorry about the shortness!)