Chapter 15- Sun
1072 Words
"Okay, you have to tell me now," I sip the slushy Lusso got me from the Sonic we stopped at, "Where are we going?"
"To the beach," he adjust his one hand resting on the wheel.
"Are you serious?" I ask, holding myself back from a happy dance.
"Of course, Bella. You said you wanted sun, yes?" I watch his accented lips lift in a smile, and I want to fling myself across the seat and kiss them.
"Yes!" I gasp. "I'm so happy I could kiss you right now!"
He reaches for my hand with his unoccupied one. My hand is dwarfed by his, and I'm thankful its not sweaty. Tingles vibrate by body at his touch, settling into my cheeks as a bright blush.
We arrive at the beach in about an hour, talking about irrelevant topics and playing childish games. I step out into the salty air, sandy earth, and noisy skies. Sea Gulls squawk about, and as annoying as they maybe, I relish in the sound. I missed birds. There's no birds underground.
Lusso unloads beach chairs and towels out of the back, tucking them under his arms to carry.
"When did you have time to pack all this?" I collect a few things from him.
"I had a little help," he wiggles his eyebrows.
"Cidney?" I already know.
He knows he doesn't even need to answer, so he substitutes his words for his classical wink.
We tread across the hot sand, our feet sinking with each step. Groups of other people flock about, beach towels and snacks in hand. A collection of boys and girls probably around my age bump around a purple volleyball, and I find myself longing to join them. What it would be like to be normal.
We find an uncrowded spot to roll out our towels, and Lusso even brings out a few snacks. I pull a cheese stick from the cold pack.
"You need to go change into your swim suit, yes?" Lusso asks.
"I'll just put it on here," he gives me a funny look, so I continue. "My father used to force me to remove my underwear and training bra for his friends. He never said I had to actually take my cloths off, so I got smart and figured out how to remove it from underneath." I shrug, picking at my cheese.
"It was pretty smart for an eight year old, I guess," I add as an after thought.
I throw cheese in my mouth, but pause mid chew when I see Lusso. His jaw is tight, so tight I think I might hear his teeth grinding together. His eyes are pools of obsidian, and there's a slight shake in his hand.
"Hey," I set my hand on his, "It's fine, it was a long time ago."
"It is absolutely not fine," he growls.
"It doesn't matter anymore. There's nothing you or anyone else can do about it. Now lets enjoy our day," I give my best smile, then pull him to his feet with me. We tuck behind some bushes and awkwardly change, giggling as trip myself and fall over.
Lusso helps me up, and doesn't let go of my hand as we walk to the water. I caught him staring at me, and I try not to squirm self-consciously under his gaze. I think he notices my face heat up, because he smirks at the effect he knows he has at me.
I drift in the waves, peacefully fulfilled with the arms of the world carrying me. The ocean reaches every continent, every depth and height. It's seen more of the raw earth than I ever will, and I bask in the knowledge of it's nature.
My soaking hair slinks down my back as I stand from the water, Lusso wading with a shell in his hand. The black swimming trunks he wears clings to him everywhere, and after a moment of starring I shamefully drag my eyes away.
"I found something for you," he reaches out the shell, and I take it.
It's a sand dollar, but it's not purely white. It's peachy pink at the edges, and entirely intact. Not a single chip craters the surface of the porcelain dollar, the fragile shell light in my palm.
"It's really beautiful," I awe.
"Just like-"
"No! Don't start with the cheesy s**t," I press my hand out in a stop motion.
"I was going to say 'just like the sky'," he rolls his shoulders nonchalantly.
"You ass."
"I'm kidding," he pulls me to him by my waist, and I cradle the shell in my hand, "You know I was going to say your beautiful." He nuzzles my neck with his face.
"It really is a beautiful day thought. We got perfect weather for today," I agree.
"It's very hot though. We need gelato."
I look up, and eagerly nod in agreement. "Yes!"
We gather our stuff and throw it in the truck bed, headed along the side walk. I stop to place the shell gingerly into the front seat, while Lusso pops a shirt over my head, explaining he's less than willing to watch other men check me out.
We make it to a small food shack, and we order. Lusso pays and I thank him, then we head to a nearby bench with our treat.
"Gelato is so much better than ice cream," I fill my mouth with another spoonful.
"That it is, Bella." He wraps an arm around my waist.
"I want to try yours." Lusso got Strawberry and lime, an interesting twist I want to enjoy.
"Absolutely, but only if I can try yours." The mischief in his dark eyes warns me, but I'm more interested in the gelato than anything else.
I steal a little on my spoon, then nod in approval as the tart flavors dance on my tongue. "I like yours better."
"You can get this one next time," he says, but it sounds more like a promise. "My turn."
I wait for him to pick up his spoon, but instead he leans down and kisses me. Its brief, being we are in public, but its gentle and sweet. I can taste the Strawberry Lime on his plush lips, and if I wasn't visible to other people I would pull him back for more.
Next to Lusso, a cup of gelato in my hand, and the summer sun beating down, I'm unbelievably happy. Happier than I was even before I was take. I'm not even certain when I felt like this, how I even recognize this sheer joy, but I know it well. I've missed it, and I wish I had never forgotten it.
- Writer
