Trip to the beach

Beth•••

*still in flashback people*

When i stepped out of the house my heart was pounding loudly in my ribcage. I placed a shaky hand on my chest trying to calm myself.

I internally debated about walking to the beach or taking a cab there. Just when I had decided to take a cab, 'cause walking will leave sweat marks under my pits, Lincoln came out.

We blinked at each other for a while before I smiled a small one and went to find myself a ride. I gulped knowing he was watching me. I felt terribly self conscious, maybe I had said too much.

Berating myself internally, I opened the white fence's gate and slowly cane out. There was no car in sight.

I hated this part of life, when you don't need something it'll keep popping up in your face like a very annoying reminder.

But when you actually need it...noooo it chooses to evade you.

I stood awkwardly aware of the male specimen at my door. I shifted my weight from one leg to another.

I checked my phone to see that it was just 20:01.

Argh!! Can't time just fast forward already?

I decided to call Seth to let him know that he should go straight to the beach, but it wasn't going through. His line was busy.

Just what I needed.I decided to give him ten minutes then I'd call again. I was sure that by now there were black lines on my forehead.

It was still busy. Groaning I sent him a text.

[ Me: Hey. Change of plans just come to beach okay? I'm already heading there...there is a small issue. And I'd like to talk to someone about it. Pls be my ear ok? Thanks.❤]

And...send. I almost send an 'I love you' but opted for the heart emoji instead.

Now to find a cab. There wasn't even a soul on the streets. Its as if this was some kind of conspiracy to keep me at home.

"Need a ride?" I heard Lincoln ask from beside me.

When he got here...I don't even know. But I accepted his offer. Be as it may, I was thoroughly angry with him but I couldn't miss my date.

When I nodded his eyes brightened and a cute smile settled on his lips. "Thank—"

I cut him off. "Don't get creative. I only accepted this ride because I need it. I didn't say that I've forgiven you" I watched his crestfallen expression with a poker face. "Thank you though" I added more calmly with a smile.

I can't help it okay? I'm not one to hold a grudge against people. Especially the ones close to me. Lincoln actually made an effort to tell me and would've if not for Becca.

So I have forgiven him. But I won't tell him yet, after all there are new flavors of super expensive ice cream to be tasted in the next town. Hahaha...

He went to his Sudan that was parked beside the fence and opened the passenger door for me. I smiled inwardly but strode to him with a pout. When he offered me his hand to get in because the car was a little high, I didn't take it and managed to get in myself with a "hmph"

And by managed, I mean I literally climbed in. I used my hair to cover my falming cheeks under the guise of checking myself out with my phone's camera.

He got in beside me and started the car muttering that I should wear my seatbelt. After securing it in place, I resumed checking my face to see if my blush had faded, which thanks to God, had.

I pressed the exit button to leave the app, and wanted to try calling Seth again when my finger slipped and opened the message app instead. I immediately saw that he had left my message on SEEN.

Shrugging I put the phone inside my purse. At least he had seen the message. I turned my gaze to the nervous boy beside me who was holding the steering wheel so tight, his knuckles turned white.

My heart ached for the discomfort he was in, so I tried making small talk to reduce the tension. "So...co captain of the basketball team huh?"

With my peripheral vision I saw him look at me, "uh yeah"

"You never mentioned it"

"Beth I—"

"Its cool. I think its pretty cool" I said calmly, letting him know that I wasn't about to haunt his dreams.

I heard the sigh of relief that he released and I chuckled. "Calm down Linkie" I hadn't called him that name in years.

"Ewwww, gross don't call me that. People might hear you" he looked at me playfully, and I wondered what would follow "...Agnes"

*Gasp* "You did NOT just call me that"

"I did" he smirked.

I lightly punched his shoulder.

"Ow" he whined.

"Sorry, Arthur"

He faked a gasp. "What?! No, no, no. I can never be Arthur" he said as he rounded the corner to the sandy shore. "I thought I was magical" he said parking the car.

"Yeah right Harry Potter" I laughed and opened the door. He was already there stretching an arm. I took it and jumped on him.

"Whoa!" he steadied us and used his butt to close the door. "Here we are milady"

"Here we are" I repeated quietly.

We stayed in that position for a while. Staring at the waves that hit the shore. My hands around his neck, his hands around my—

"Er...Linkie?"

"Hm?"

"Your hands are on my butt"

"Oh" he put me down immediately "sorry" his cheeks had a faint pink glow.

"Thanks for the ride. I should probably go now" I waved at him and walked towards the shops in the distance.

"Beth?!"

I turned. "Yeah?"

He jogged to me. "Never say you're happy when your sad, never say your fine when you are not ok, never say you feel good when you feel bad, and never say your alone when I am there"

"Linc—"

"If you need a friend and there are a 100 steps between us, you can take the 1st step to get near me and I will take all 99 steps to be there for you"

"Linkie...thank you" I hugged him.

"Just say you forgive me"

A not-so-nice smile blossomed on my face. "Well I need a little cash to buy a drink or something before Seth gets here"

He opened his wallet that he fished out from his pocket. "How much do you need? You know what take my card" He pressed the card into my palms.

"Well if you insist I can't refuse" skipping to the shops I yelled over my shoulders "I hope you don't mind me milking you dry hahaha" on impulse I whipped out my phone and took a picture of a frozen Linc.

I snickered all the way to the shop. He did the same thing to me before.

We have been friends for so long I can't remember which one of us is the bad influence.

I told him that once and he said, "nobody is influencing nobody you were crazy when I got here" we had a good laugh back then.