I didn't even bother joining the party. I sat at the shore of the beach, the sun about ready to set, and looked at the ocean. I wished I had my sketchbook so I could add color to my sketch of the beach while I waited on Kendall, but I didn't bring my backpack.

If I was going to miss anything about California, it would be the beautiful ocean.

"Logan?" I heard my name over the music in the background and looked up, finding someone familiar sitting beside me. It was James, looking and smelling like a god in plaid shorts and a rollup shirt. His hair was dry and pushed back with some sort of product. "Hey, man!"

I couldn't help but smile, my reservations about him temporarily gone because frankly I didn't think I'd ever see him again.

"What're you doing here?" I asked with a smile.

"It's my day off," he shrugged. "What about you?"

"I'm here with my buddy."

"The drunk one?"

"Yeah," I laughed, rolling my eyes. "He's fine, though."

"Good. What're you doing out here?" he asked, gesturing to the ocean. "Why aren't you dancing?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Well I saw you out here and I wanted to see what's up," James smiled, shouldering me playfully.

"I don't like to dance."

"I figured. Have you ever danced, though?"

"I don't know how."

"Don't know how? Don't know h-" James trailed off in disbelief. "C'mon, buddy. I'm gonna teach you. You're gonna love it."

James got up, taking my hand and easily tugging me up. Maybe I helped a little- the idea of James teaching me to dance sort of intrigued me.

To my disappointment, James let go of my hand to lead me back to the party. It was a fast, danceable song playing, people in party dresses having the time of their lives dancing.

"Is Carlos here?" I called over the music as James stopped at the edge of the dancing area, nearest the ocean, and turned to me.

"Of course he's here! Somewhere. We do everything together," James called back.

Suddenly he was dancing, his body moving like the ocean itself, his eyes closing to feel the beat and allow me to just watch him. His body was so beautiful, even with clothes on.

His hazel eyes opened and he smiled.

"C'mon! Just feel the music!" he called. "Do whatever you want!"

I stood there stiffly and James grinned and touched my hips, forcing them to sway. Suddenly his hips were on them, swaying with them. My breath caught, looking up at him, feeling him against me and almost drooling over how much enjoyment was on his face.

"Do it like you're having sex!" James smiled. I blushed, not wanting to say that I had never had sex, and glad that he didn't ask.

After a second, I sort of got into the groove, his casual excitement rubbing off on me. His hands were gentle on my hips, his eyes closing and his face turning up to the sky. He sure looked like he was having sex, and I was afraid that with this close contact, the friction, and his face I would get too excited and he would feel that.

But I wasn't about to fight out of his grasp. This was too amazing.

The beat ran through me, shaking my joints loose and sending happiness through my veins as we danced together. I felt myself actually smile and close my eyes, enjoying the feeling.

Five songs passed and James' hands disappeared, but it felt like we had only been dancing for a few minutes.

"How about that beer?" he asked, face close to my ear. I opened my mouth to say no, but then his hand came up to rest on my shoulder and I would do anything to impress him.

"Sure," I said. He smiled and led me to the unattended cooler of alcohol where he got out two brown bottles, popping the caps off of both. He handed one to me before taking a sip of his own.

I looked at mine, knowing it was wrong for me to drink it, not to mention illegal. But now James' arm was across my back, his hand on my shoulder, and he was leading me to a fire nearby with people sitting on logs around it.

He sat on a log and patted the seat beside him. I smiled and sat, taking a swig of my drink and trying not to cringe. Somehow I got through high school without even sipping an alcoholic beverage. I have to say, I was disgusted by the taste.

"It's crazy that you're here," James said.

"My buddy likes to party," I shrugged. "Do you go to a lot of these?"

"Yeah. Anything to keep from being at home," James shrugged. There it is again- mention of a bad home life.

"Do you mind me asking what's at home?"

James seemed to stiffen up, thinking hard on what to say.

"Nevermind. I'm sorry," I said quickly.

"It's fine," he said, shaking his head. "I have this roommate, and she's just awful. That's why I don't like to go home."

Suddenly I knew he had a girlfriend and I was stupid to want him and think he might want me back. A girl roommate? Of course she was his girlfriend, even if he didn't like her.

My eyes dropped to my drink and I swirled the liquid around in there.

"Your girlfriend?" I asked.

"No," he laughed. "No- she used to be. A little over a month ago she was. We dated for six months."

A month. That means he may not be over her, and even more, he was straight. Six months was plenty long enough to fall in love, and he was probably still getting over her.

I was silent, looking at the fire now before unconsciously taking a drink of my beer. Then I took another, longer one.

"Um… But she's just horrible," James said, noticing my new mood. "I hate her."

"How can you hate her? You used to love her," I said, looking over at him. His hazel eyes stopped on my brown ones and he blinked with a sigh.

"I never loved her."

I gave him a confused look and he shrugged, looking back to the fire.

"She was a cover-up mostly," he explained. "And my mom wanted me to date her."

"A cover-up?"

"Logan, I like men," James said flat out with a smirk.

Suddenly my heart leapt. He was gay? He was Carlos' gay friend, that Carlos mentioned the first time we met, wasn't he?

"I know it's not obvious, but I do," he added. "Don't be uncomfortable about that- some straight guys are. They think I'm always looking at their ass or something."

"I get it," I said.

James stared at me for a while, thinking.

"I know in Minnesota, if you're gay you keep it low-key," he finally said. "And I'm really sorry if I'm totally wrong about this and it pisses you off, but you don't really have to hide it here, Logan. You'll be accepted here."

I have to admit, if I was straight I would be so offended. My silence made him go into panic-mode.

"I'm so sorry," he said quickly. "It's just that you seemed to respond to my advances and-"

"No- it's okay. It's just something I prefer to keep private."

He paused, searching my eyes, and I willingly filled them with the answer he was looking for- I was gay, too.

"Who knows?" he asked.

"My buddy Kendall and my mom. That's about it," I said.

"Good. It's important that your mom knows," he said sternly. "And it's good that you have a friend that accepts you, too. Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

I laughed and shook my head.

"Me either."

"Really?" I asked, eyes wide.

"Really. Only Carlos knows about me," he said. "And you now."

I didn't want to ask why he was hiding it but telling me not to. He seemed a little reserved about some things that he didn't say straight out.

The sun was setting now and the lanterns were blinking on, making a beautiful scene.

Things between us were silent, but not awkward. James was busy dragging his hands through the soft sand at our feet, and I was watching the fire.

"Jay!" came a shout, and James looked up and smiled and waved. I followed his gaze to Carlos, Kendall walking behind him with a beer in his hand, like Carlos. "Jay, this kid's gonna party hop with me!"

"Isn't that-" James began to ask me.

"Yeah. Kendall," I said, confused as to why they were together. They had met when Kendall forced me to sign up for surfing lessons, but that was it.

"Yeah! Your buddy, right? The one who made you take lessons?" Carlos asked. "Is it okay if I steal him for the night? I'll bring him back safe, I swear."

"Oh, Carlos- Logan and I have plans," Kendall said in realization, obviously upset about it.

"Um… Yeah, we-" I began, but then James turned to me and locked eyes with me and I didn't want to go back to the hotel and pack and get plane tickets. I wanted to stay here with him forever. "Just go ahead, Kendall. Keep your phone on you and be back before too late."

"Okay, honey," Kendall said sarcastically with a smile.

"Don't be stupid," James said sternly to Carlos as Carlos put a set of keys in his palm. "And he's underage- take care of him."

"Okaaay," Carlos said impatiently. "We're going! Bye!"

Carlos started to hurry off, and Kendall leaned down to me.

"You're the best. I'll text you, okay?" he said softly before pressing a kiss to my temple. "Have fun with dreamboat over there, use a condom! Love you!"

"Kendall!" I laughed, but he was gone.

"Woah," James laughed to me. "You two are pretty serious. I thought you said you've never had a boyfriend?"

"I told you he's not my boyfriend."

"He kissed you and told you he loves you."

"He's my best friend," I laughed. "He just does that. He's straight as an arrow and I don't have feelings for him."

"Okay," James said in surrender, taking a swig of his beer and reminding me to follow suit. "What kind of plans did you have?"

"Nothing important." I didn't want to tell James that I was leaving. I was afraid that he would beg me to stay and I wouldn't be able to resist. Then again, why would he care that much if I stayed?

"Were you gonna fuck?"

"No!"

"Then what?"

"We were just gonna watch some movies and eat pizza," I insisted, which wasn't a lie.

"What kinda movies? Porn?"

"Shut up!" I laughed, shouldering him and making him giggle. His laugh, I noted, was the same in reality as it was in my dream. High and childlike- it made you want to laugh along.

"I'm glad Carlos found someone to party with," James said. "Normally I like to party, but tonight I'm feeling more mellow."

"I can relate."

"Guess it's just you and me. Unless you wanna go back to your hotel."

"I think I'll stay out for a while."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

"Well I know this awesome fish taco place, if you're game," he proposed. "After we dance a little more."

"Are you okay to drive?" I asked as I climbed into the tall black jeep, which I guessed was Carlos'.

"I'm fine. I only had one beer, I swear," James laughed, starting the car and putting on his seatbelt. "I'm a big guy, Logan. It'll take more than that to even get me buzzed."

I knew that James would never put me in danger. He had that protective air about him- very sincere and chivalrous. He would make sure I was safe.

"Carlos is responsible enough with Kendall's life, right?" I asked as we pulled out of the parking lot. "Because Kendall sure as hell isn't."

"Oh yeah," James waved. "It doesn't seem like it, but Los always has a plan."

"Good."

"So tell me about yourself, Logan," James said. "You're from Minnesota and you're gay. Two things we have in common."

"Well my dad passed away when I was little- he had a stroke. He was like ten years older that my mom. So it's just me and my mom, and my mom's great. I'm planning on medical school this year- I want to be either a surgeon or an ER doctor."

"Wow," James smiled. "That's awesome."

"I've always wanted to be a doctor- since I can remember," I explained. "Mom and I don't have a lot of money, but I have some saved up and I got a lot of scholarships in high school."

"Big dreams. Where are you gonna go?"

"Either a school in Minnesota, Iowa, or California," I said. "I've been accepted into all of them, it's just a matter of choosing. Actually, I was accepted into a lot of them. But Minnesota and Iowa are gonna be closer to home, and the school here is amazing. It's just so far, you know?"

"Right," James nodded. "That's so… I wish I had a bright future like you."

"It's never too late to start trying to have one," I pointed out. "You're still young."

"I didn't get such great grades in high school- it'll be hard to get into a good school," he shrugged. "Besides- I love surfing. Doesn't get great money, but I never get bored with it. I'm happy with it."

"As long as you're happy."

Soon we pulled into a gravel way and parked, and I realized this "fish taco place" was a food truck parked with picnic tables in front of it.

"It looks kind of sketchy, but it's good, I swear," James laughed, waiting on me to come around the truck for him to join me. "I'll order, you pick a seat."

"Oh, let me give you some money," I said, going for my wallet.

"It's cool. They're like two bucks, plus a drink," he said with a wave. "You can get it next time."

Next time.

"Okay. Thanks," I smiled, and he left me to pick a picnic table. There were only a few other people there beneath the streetlamp eating, so I had good selection.

I finally sat at a table in the middle of the others and soon enough James sat before me, giving me a Coke and cracking his own.

"It'll be a sec," he said, glancing to the food truck. "Worth it, though."

"This isn't gonna make me sick, right?" I asked wearily.

"No way," James assured. "Me and Carlos come here like every day and it's fine."

The fish tacos were pretty good, though I didn't like the overall idea of fish in a taco. After that, James suggested we go look for hermit crabs on the beach, since it was dark now and they would all be scavenging on the shore for food.

"Unless you want me to take you back to the hotel," he said timidly, then he quickly correct himself. "I mean drop you off there! No I mean- not to bang or anything."

I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Let's go to the beach," I said. His eyes lit up like a kid's and he nodded excitedly. I liked that he was showing me what California had to offer before I had to go home.