Surfer Babe*

Saltwater is in the air.

A wide expanse of ocean lapped the shore. The beach was strewn with seashells and seaweed, driftwood log for seats, and scattered rocks and boulders. Pelicans dived into the water.

Music was heard from someone's music player and speaker system along with the waves crashing, birds cawing, people laughing and talking, and girls shrieking as they splashed in the ocean.

There were beach chairs and umbrellas nearby, people laid on blankets spread on the sand for their tans, and some played beach volleyball.

Raven played the guitar at the covered pavilion sitting on top of the picnic table filled with bowls of pretzels, sandwiches, nuts, fruits, roasted hot dogs, and potato salad while the audience surrounded him and sang along.

Good for everyone who was enjoying the chill atmosphere.

Me? I wanted to dig a hole and bury my head under the sand or... I'd rather bury my whole body except my head in regret for the rest of eternity. I shouldn't have let Lauren got the worst out of me.

The wind whipped my hair into my face and pulled at my transparent kimono as wet sand stuck to my skin and the hot sand burn the soles of my feet.

I felt a slight headache and tingles from the sunburn. This was the result of being in the sun for too long.

I slipped my sunglasses down my nose.

Greasy sunblock will never work as the girls said but I still applied sunscreen and suntan oil again just like Monique told me to. I gnawed my lip and glanced around the beach. Maybe if I go back to the hotel room no one would notice.

At that exact moment, Leif got out of the water, placed his surfboard on the crooked rows stuck on the wet sand, and walked towards me. Gloriously shirtless, he combed his fingers through his midnight black hair, got drinks from the cooler beside me, popped the beer cans to open them, and offered one.

I shook my head and said, "I don't drink."

Leif put one can he offered me down drank the other one. He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. His gaze remained fixed on me even though it was obvious what he was trying to convey.

Leif cleared his throat before speaking.

"You've been wearing that thin kimono for an hour while you sat there staring into space." He said in a deep and gravelly voice as if it has been a long time since he last spoke. "Aren't you going for a swim?"

Leif asking me questions? Now, this is a new world record. This is the first time he initiated a conversation with me.

A friendship milestone, indeed. Perhaps, it's the end of the world.

Well to answer his question, aside from not being comfortable enough to wear a black G-string as a swimsuit, did I forget to mention that I don't know how to swim too?

"Honestly, I don't know how to swim," I said in a hushed tone as I glanced away, avoiding his stares.

Leif would make fun of me I was sure of it.

"Would you like me to teach you?" His shoulder lifted in a half-shrug as if he didn't care I was such a loser for not knowing how to swim at my age.

He'd like to teach me? Did I hear that correctly?

"I wanted to learn how." My heart thumped in excitement as I searched his hazel eyes for any signs of jests. "Will you?"

I remember Lysander told me Leif used to work as a lifeguard or a surfing instructor whenever he took summer vacations on his parent's owned beach resorts. He'd be the perfect candidate to teach me.

I was bored out of my mind with no one to talk to. I've got nothing better to do aside from eating food and achieve the 'golden skin' tone, anyway? Why would I say no?

I rubbed my hands on my legs and tried to avoid looking at Gabriel which was hard since he sat straight a couple of meters across from me, very much preoccupied, while Lauren crawled on his lap.

I picture the two of them alone perhaps showering together. My stomach clenched painfully and my fists tightened, the sun's heat forgotten.

I think Gabriel would understand why I would be going with Leif. He didn't care about me at all. And at the very least, I would be able to overcome my fear of drowning if I learned how to swim.

Yep, time to go.

"Let's practice at the indoor pool. It's not that deep in there compared to the beach." He jerked his head towards the direction of the hotel where we were staying. He extended a hand and raised an eyebrow. "You in or not?"

I was about to touch his hand but I stopped halfway, choosing to stand up on my own without his help.

I remember that touching one of the Knights (which Gabriel referred to the four of them) could send thunder shocks to fry my brain cells which I wasn't even aware of the reason why I had that kind of allergic reaction to skin contact.

I brushed the sand out of my kimono and said, "Go ahead, I'll be right behind you."

Leif nodded and as he walked, I watched his bareback moving away from me.

If Leif was gay a lot of girls would probably do everything to have a sex change operation.

He would be so worth it.