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| To Live is to Die | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: March 5, 2008, 12:49 am (59,959 Views) | |
| Metalicious | October 6, 2008, 3:32 pm Post #286 |
Blackened
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“Oh my God… I can’t possibly eat anything else.” I leaned back against the couch cushions, licking my fingertips. “That was amazing. Those tuna rolls are insane.” I watched as Lani popped another California roll her in mouth. “Where are you finding room for that?” She groaned, slumping in her chair. “I’m not. I’m totally stuffed. It’s just so good.” Pouring what was left of the wine into my glass, she padded into the kitchen and emerged with another bottle. “But there’s always room for a little more of this,” she winked at me. Popping the cork, she topped up my glass and filled her own. Her phone rang, and she held up a hand, motioning that she’d only be a minute. While she went into the kitchen, taking the empty bottle with her, I pulled out my phone and dialed Pepper’s number. “Baby girl!” He answered on the first ring. “I was just thinking about you. It’s been a while. Everything alright?” I snuggled down under the blanket Lani had tossed to me earlier. “Everything’s fine. I talked to James earlier. He suggested I might want to reassure you that I’m here of my own free will,” I chuckled. He laughed. “Glad to hear it. I know you went because he asked you, darlin’, I just wanted to make sure you were okay once you got there. Can’t be that big a hardship, hanging out on the beach and catching up on sleep. You’ve been sleeping, right? No nightmares?” “No nightmares. And lots of sleep. There’s plenty of room, if you guys wanted to come visit. I know Kirk and Lani wouldn’t mind.” They had expressly told me that any and all of my friends were welcome to come and stay with us while I was there. “Thanks, baby, but I think we’re stickin’ around here for the time being. Work’s crazy for T at the moment and I’m busy with some repairs and landscaping shit.” He paused. “Unless you need us there, in which case we’ll be on the next flight out.” I smiled, loving how thoughtful he was. “No, I’m okay. You stay where you are. I’ll be back soon and we can all have dinner or something.” Lani returned, off the phone, and I told Pepper I’d call again later in the week and talk to Trish then. “Love you, Keenan.” “You too, pretty girl. Talk to you soon.” Hanging up, I raised an eyebrow at Lani, who was holding a movie out to me. “Seriously? I am not watching that. Two of my girlfriends watched that when it came out in the theatre and they’re still crying,” I told her, taking the DVD for P.S. I Love You from her and tossing it on the sofa. “Please can we watch something with graphic violence instead? Or something scary? Doesn’t Kirk have a massive collection of scary movies?” He did. And to his credit, he didn’t burst out laughing when he got home at midnight to find both of us huddled on the couch under the same blanket, peeking out at the screen where the final minutes of “The Last House on the Left” were playing out. “Hi,” he said softly, prompting Lani and I to scream bloody murder. “You couldn’t have announced your arrival in some way that wouldn’t have taken a good ten years off my life?” I snarled at him. “Sorry,” he grinned, slipping in between us on the couch. “Ooh, this is the part where-” “Shh!” I hushed him and huddled up to his side, covering my face with my hands and peeking out between my fingers. We watched the rest of the movie in silence, with Kirk trying not to crack up at how freaked out Lani and I were. Once the credits started rolling, he switched off the DVD player and left the television on CNN, with the volume off. I watched the ticker at the bottom scroll by while Kirk recounted to Lani what he’d been up to all evening. “We’re off to bed, Charlie,” he said a short time later, tilting my head up. “You okay? You’re looking kinda spacey.” “I’m good. I’m heading to bed soon, too. See you in the morning,” I smiled, folding the blanket over the couch. The air was warm and humid when I went outside, and I tossed my flip-flops by the door, heading through the house down to the beach. Other than a quick dip the second day I’d been there, I hadn’t actually been in swimming. The ocean was calm, and when I dipped my toe in, felt warmer than the air. Looking around the beach, I saw that it was deserted in both directions. Peeling off my tank top, bra and shorts, I waded in, grateful for the half moon illuminating the water. Putting any thoughts of sharks, jellyfish, or other predators that I would normally be wary of, out of my mind, I turned onto my back and floated, staring up at the star-filled sky. Cradled by the salt water, I let my body go limp, relaxing into the gentle swell of the ocean. The only sound was that of the waves lapping the shore, and when I dropped my head below the water, it was completely silent. I was alone, but not lonely, just entirely content to be adrift. When I lifted my head again to check the shoreline, I saw I was a couple hundred yards down from where I’d waded in, but not really any further out. Turning so my head was towards the beach, I kicked lazily, in no hurry to get back. I eventually felt the bottom beneath my feet and stood, wiping my hair off my face. “Charlie?” I stood perfectly still for about two seconds, and then hauled ass back into the water where I dropped to my knees, covering my exposed upper half. “Yeah?” I called back cautiously. Kirk’s laugh carried down the beach. “Don’t run away. I just came out to see if you were okay since you weren’t inside.” “I’m fine. I was just, um, swimming.” “I figured,” he replied. “I brought you a towel. C’mon out.” Covering myself with my arms, I exited the water again. Kirk wrapped the towel around me, rubbing my arms. “I’m gonna sound like your mom or something, but I don’t know how safe it is to swim alone in the dark, without telling anybody where you are. What if something had happened?” “Such as?” I squeezed the water from my hair and tucked the towel around my chest as Kirk sat in a cross-legged position on the sand. He shrugged. “Sharks?” Laughing, I gathered up my clothes and sat beside him. “Then my tombstone could say ‘I told you I wasn’t paranoid’. I wasn’t out deep. I was careful. But it’s nice that you were concerned.” He gazed out at the water. “I go night swimming sometimes. It’s so peaceful.” “You probably wear a swimsuit,” I suggested, very aware that I was still scantily clad under the towel. “Not always,” he laughed. “Although I probably should. I’ve scared a couple people walking along the beach before.” He shrugged. “My neighbours think I’m weird anyway. Nudity shouldn’t surprise them.” “I don’t normally, um… skinny dipping is rare for me, so…” I trailed off. “I just couldn’t be bothered to go get a bikini. I figured I’d lose my nerve about the whole swimming in the dark thing if I went back for a suit. And I didn’t think I’d run into anyone.” He nodded, still looking out at the sea. “You’re pretty self-conscious, hmm?” I considered his question for a moment before answering. “Well, I don’t know if I’d ever be comfortable just running around willy-nilly in the buff, but especially now, it’s weird. I’m all soft and pudgy. And I have nothing to show for it,” I added softly. He turned to face me. “Oh, Charlie,” he murmured, gathering me in a hug. “Is that what you think? That it’s not okay for you to look different post-pregnancy because you’re not carting around an infant on your hip?” Holding me against him, he squeezed his arms around me. “God, I’m so glad I’m not a girl. I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “That wasn’t particularly supportive.” Shifting so he was facing me, he took my face in his hands. “Do me a favour, okay? Look in the mirror before you go to bed. Like, really look. Cause I don’t think you’ve done that since you lost Caitlin. At least, I can’t imagine you have, or you’d know as well as I do that you’re beautiful, and have a body that tons of women would envy. And sweetie, it hasn’t been that long. Things will go back to normal. Just keep taking care of yourself, and things will fall into place.” He grinned. “Not fall. Things will go be just as perky as they were before. Still are. You know what I mean!” I burst out laughing. “You’re terrible at this!” “I know!” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I just mean that it’s too soon to expect your body to be the same as it was before. You’re still hot,” he said seriously, the twinkle in his eye visible despite the darkness. “Don’t worry.” Hugging him, I stood up, ready to call it a night. “Thanks for the talk.” “That’s what I’m here for.” Escorting me back to the guest house, he rumpled my hair and bid me goodnight for the second time that evening. |
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| Broken, Beat & Scarred | October 6, 2008, 3:45 pm Post #287 |
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Lovely update, again. The movie part was hilarious. (And I really wanna see PS, I Love You! Or read the book, at least, I loved Thanks for the Memories) And the talk with Kirk... So lovely. James should be there to tell her those things, I think... More soon?
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| TheeUnforgiven96 | October 6, 2008, 10:25 pm Post #288 |
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Bad Seed
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I'm in love with this story, its amazing. |
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| neonguitarstrings | October 7, 2008, 1:26 am Post #289 |
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Bad Seed
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Aww,i loved that chapter.Kirk is such a sweetheart
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| Taimi | October 7, 2008, 2:01 am Post #290 |
Junior OSA Council member
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I can totally relate to Charlie about the body-thing, I'm still loosing baby-weight, 2, almost 2 1/2 years later(6 days till Kristal's 2 1/2. Lani seems pretty bad-ass in this, Kirk needs to NOT scare the living hell out of Charlie, not a nicething to do |
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| Mina | October 7, 2008, 12:56 pm Post #291 |
Morgenstern
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Ah, awesome updates, I enjoyed reading them very much. ![]() I'm falling in love with this fiction more and more, if that's possible, that is. Can't wait to read more, you genius
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| Metalicious | October 7, 2008, 3:15 pm Post #292 |
Blackened
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Thanks y'all! ***************************************** I didn’t look in the mirror before I went to bed. I showered, rinsing the salt water from my hair, and slipped under the sheets with my book, intent on reading for half an hour or so. Falling asleep with the light on, I didn’t wake up until Kirk knocked on my door the next morning at six. “Mmphh,” I greeted him, rubbing my eyes. “S’up?” “Get your suit on. Matt texted. Awesome waves. You’re not sleeping through this,” he winked, pushing me back inside and closing the door behind him. “Hurry up and get dressed. I’ll make you some coffee.” I stumbled back upstairs, getting out my bikini bottoms and a long sleeve neoprene top, muttering the whole time about crazy people and early mornings and guitarists with no respect for beauty sleep. “I can hear you!” Kirk called up, laughing. “Coffee!” I yelled back. Joining him in the kitchen when I was dressed, I watched him pour the coffee into a pink travel mug. “Gimme, gimme, gimme…” I took the mug from him and kissed his cheek. “I love you.” “You’re not mad I woke you up?” I shook my head. “Furious. But as long as there’s coffee, all is forgiven. Let’s go.” Taking his jeep, we drove about fifteen miles down the coast, and pulled up alongside a handful of other vehicles. Following Kirk down to the beach, I waved to Matt, who was standing several yards away with a few other guys. “Morning,” he ambled over, smiling at us. “Didn’t think I’d see you til this afternoon. Hey, Kirk.” “Hey, man. Thanks for the heads up this morning. Looks like excellent conditions.” Watching me sip my coffee, Kirk smiled. “Take your time, Charlie. I can come in and take you out when you’re ready, or you can go with Matt, okay?” I nodded, watching the first surfer paddle out and feeling nervous about going out myself. “M’kay.” Kirk waded out with his board and eased on to it gracefully, ducking under the waves to make his way further out. “I didn’t know you surfed,” Matt said, arms crossed over his chest, watching Kirk. Shooting me a sideways glance, he raised an eyebrow. “Been a while?” “Last summer, I guess.” I finished my coffee and placed the mug upright in the sand. “If you wanna go out, it’s fine, I’m happy to watch from here.” “Watching’s no good,” he said slyly, taking my hand. “C’mon. It’ll be fun. We’ll look after you. If you get scared, we can come back in.” Contemplating his offer, I finally nodded. Strapping the Velcro cuff to my ankle, I walked with him into the surf, hoisting my body onto the board when we were deep enough. I noticed Matt watching me, and smiled at him. “So far so-” I was cut off when a massive wave seemingly came out of nowhere and swamped us. Surfacing a few seconds later, I climbed back on the board, sputtering and gasping. “I’m okay.” Spitting out salt water, I looked straight ahead instead of at Matt, and turned my board over when the next wave came. “There you are,” he grinned when we’d surfaced again. We reached Kirk and a couple of the other guys, and I straddled my board, happy to be out past the huge waves and enjoying the beginnings of a gorgeous sunrise. Glancing down every few minutes to ensure that I wasn’t about to become breakfast for some monster of the deep, I looked up to see Kirk paddling over. “Hi!” “Hey. You ready? Get the first one over with, you’ll feel more comfortable,” he grinned. “Dude, it’s early. I don’t have any balance yet.” He looked at me quizzically and I could see him trying not to smile. “You don’t have any balance, ever. I’ve seen you fall over just standing in place. Seriously, no pressure. I just know how much fun you’ll have once you get going.” Flicking water at me, he stretched out on his board and headed a few yards in, catching the next wave and riding it beautifully until he was almost to shore. Sighing, because I knew he was right about just getting on with it, I moved away from Matt and the others. Turning my board to face the beach, I looked over my shoulder until I was ready, and then paddled like a maniac. Getting into position as the wave crested, I stood in a crouch, finding my balance more easily than I would have predicted, and managed not to fall off until I’d been up for a good five or six seconds. Returning to where Matt and Kirk were chatting, I pulled myself up and received high fives and “I told you so’s” from both of them. We each took turns, and occasionally all went for the same wave until Kirk and I somehow collided on the last one, slamming into each other as we fell. I was somersaulted twice underwater by the waves, and surfaced right beside Kirk, who was howling with laughter. “That was spectacular! Are you alright?” Swiping my hair off my face, he took my chin in his hand. “Scared?” “A little,” I replied, ducking under another wave. “Wanna go in?” he asked when I came up for air. “Not exactly…” I motioned that I’d be right back, and headed for the beach. Swapping the surfboard for a boogie board, I strapped the Velcro around my wrist and went back out, laying with my legs off the end of the board. “Well, I guess that’s one way of getting around the balance thing,” Kirk shrugged, watching when I took off to ride one of the waves in. My stomach rolled when the wave crested and dropped, but I felt more in control than I had with the surfboard. Holding on tightly to the boogie board, I went out half a dozen more times and then took a rest on the beach. “Morning.” I looked up, shielding my eyes from the sun, taking in the built, tanned form in front of me. “Hi.” “I’m Kyle.” “Charlie.” I shook the hand that was offered. “I saw you out there. You’ve got some decent moves.” Was this guy on crack? I had no moves. “Um, thanks. Do you surf?” “Yeah.” He puffed out his chest. “I’m sponsored by Quiksilver. That’s my jeep over there.” I looked behind me at the bronze jeep with the logo in huge letters on the side. “It’s…very shiny.” He nodded, watching Kirk bail on a huge wave. “Ouch,” he murmured. “So, you’re not from here, are you? You’ve got visitor’s tan,” he grinned, when he saw my look of confusion. “Visitor’s tan?” I repeated. “Light and kind of pink. It’s pretty.” He cocked his head to one side and shot me another smile. “Oh. Yeah, I haven’t been here that long. I’m definitely a visitor.” “Cool. If you need somebody to show you around, I know lots of good beaches. Or bars,” he added. “We’re actually having a party tonight if you wanna swing by. It’s at my buddy’s place, kind of a bonfire pig roast thing. Interested? We’re friendly, I promise.” “Oh. That’s really sweet but I’m-” I stopped myself, unsure of what label to use. I wasn’t engaged or married, but I definitely wasn’t single, or looking. “Busy. I’m busy.” He nodded, kicking at the sand with his toes. “That’s cool. If you get, uh, unbusy, while you’re here, let me know. I’m here most mornings.” Hoisting his board under one arm, he stuck his hand out again. “It was really nice meeting you.” “You too,” I smiled, shaking his hand. “Enjoy your party tonight.” “Be more enjoyable if you were there,” he grinned over his shoulder at me and then jogged into the water. Kirk joined me on the beach a short time later. “Did you make another new friend? That guy looks familiar.” Stretching out on the sand, he peeled down the top half of his wetsuit and rested on his elbows. “He’s pro. And I wouldn’t call us friends. I think he was just flirting. Although we could hit a party tonight if you’re interested.” Kirk looked at me, his face carefully devoid of expression. “Are you interested?”’ I frowned and then burst out laughing. “In him? Jesus, no. But a party could be fun if we all go.” He nodded, satisfied with my response. “Flirting, hmm?” I grinned. “Yeah.” Keeping his eyes on the water, he said, “Feeling a little more secure about things?” I saw his cocky grin and rolled my eyes, smiling. “Maybe a little. Don’t get me wrong, you know I value your opinion, and Hetfield does tell me I’m a pretty, pretty princess all the time,” I laughed. “But it’s nice to have some impartial input.” “Then maybe we should hit that party. You know, there have been studies that show alcohol makes people think they’re prettier,” he said with a straight face. “Dork. Wanna grab some breakfast when Matt comes in?” “Yeah! I know this awesome place that makes soy pancakes.” “Lord, have mercy.” |
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| neonguitarstrings | October 7, 2008, 6:59 pm Post #293 |
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Bad Seed
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Great update ![]() More soon :o? |
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| Taimi | October 8, 2008, 1:07 am Post #294 |
Junior OSA Council member
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yuck, soy pancakes kick ass chapter :horns2 |
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| elena | October 8, 2008, 10:15 am Post #295 |
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Outlaw Torn
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Love your fiction! More please!
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| Broken, Beat & Scarred | October 8, 2008, 11:57 am Post #296 |
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I'm kind of... on edge with the flirting. Okay, it's alright and she's definitely not doing anything wrong (she's not really doing anything), but if she goes to the party and the guy does something. That won't be a good thing.But well, update again soon.
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| Mina | October 8, 2008, 12:44 pm Post #297 |
Morgenstern
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I agree with Minna. Let's hope there won't happen anything bad on that party. Awesome chapter, though
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| Metalicious | October 9, 2008, 2:13 pm Post #298 |
Blackened
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“You’re not wearing that.” Yanking my jeans out of my hands, Lani tossed it them on the bed and held up what looked like a small scrap of fabric. “We’re going to a party. On the beach. Music, and good food, and pretty drinks with umbrellas in them. It’s okay to show off some leg, honey.” I pulled the pale blue dress over my head, frowning at myself in the mirror. “I don’t know…” “I do. It looks great. Hey, no!” She pulled the mascara tube out of my hand. “You’ve already applied three coats. You’re doing that thing you warned me you do. The clown thing?” I giggled. It was true. Anytime I was given more than twenty minutes to get ready, I went overboard with the eye make up. Like a nervous twitch, I’d keep applying mascara and liner until I looked like goth gone wrong. “Do you want another drink before we go?” She lifted my empty wine glass. “No, I’m fine. Are you sure we shouldn’t take a cab or something? You don’t have to be the DD. And we can always pick up the car tomorrow if you change your mind. I’m sure Kyle – wait, Kyle?” I thought for a moment. “Yeah. He won’t care if you leave the car there overnight.” Ushering me out the door of the guest house, she guided me across the patio stones to the jeep. “Get in.” Turning to face me when she’d climbed in the driver’s side, she took a deep breath. “Okay, this is your job tonight. Have fun. Relax. Enjoy yourself. And don’t worry. Kirk and I will take care of you if you get wasted. Kirk and Matt can cock block if that Kyle guy gets too friendly, and,” she looked at her watch. “James is gonna be in bed by now, so you won’t miss his call if you’re too busy dancing to hear your phone ring.” I nodded. “Okay. I’m good. Let’s go!” We drove along the coast, following the directions Matt had scrawled on the back of a napkin at breakfast. Pulling over when we saw a string of lanterns hanging from trees, Lani put the jeep in park and turned to me again. “What’s the magic word?” I made a face. “Is this really necessary?” She raised one perfectly shaped brow. “Charlie…” “Purple. The magic word is purple, okay?” Sticking my tongue out at her, I hopped out of the jeep. “I was always told the magic word was please,” Matt grinned at me, stepping out of the shadows. “Hey, what’s up? That’s kinda creepy, you hiding in the bushes like that.” I gave him a loose hug, wondering what he’d been doing in the trees. Laughing, he pushed aside some shrubbery and showed me a path that led down to the beach. “Just good timing. I wasn’t lurking, I promise. Right this way.” He popped back under the leaves and Lani and I ducked down to follow him. “So…purple?” he asked over his shoulder. I shook my head. “It’s just, it’s like a safe word. Or code word, I guess. I’m not entirely sure it’s necessary,” I glared at Lani. “But that’s the word for the evening if I wanna ditch the party.” He nodded in front of me. “So, like, if a guy is hitting on you, and you’re uncomfortable, you can turn around and say ‘purple’ to Kirk and he’ll rescue you?” “Something like that. Hey, do we get to meet your fiancé tonight? Oof!” I tripped over a tree root and stumbled into Matt. “Sorry. We should have brought a flashlight or something.” Righting myself, I brushed a hand over my hair and smoothed my dress. “Yeah. The fiancé? Is she here?” “She’s here. At least,” he stopped when we’d reached the tree line, emerging on the beach. “She was here.” “Baaaaaaaaaaby!” A short brunette launched herself at him, holding a lei of real flowers in one hand and a beer bottle in the other. “There you are,” she grinned at him when he picked her up. “Did you find your friends?” Turning around and letting her slide to the ground, he turned her to face Lani and I. “Maggie, I’d like you to meet Charlie and Lani. This is Maggie.” “Welcome!” She threw out her arms and hugged me, and then draped the lei over my head. “It’s tradition. You’re not allergic to orchids, are you? It’s so nice to meet you! Matty said you’re not staying on the island that long but his sisters adored you, so of course I got all excited to meet you,” she turned to Lani, “and I think Matt has a crush on your husband. He can’t stop talking about taking surf trips with him.” Shooting me a brilliant smile, she put her hands on her hips. “Drinks?” “Lead the way,” Lani instructed, and the two of them headed to the house. “Matt and Maggie?” I giggled at Matt. “Could you guys be any cuter?” He nodded, watching Maggie haul Lani across the sand. “She’s pretty awesome.” He turned and gestured to the lei. “You don’t have to wear that all night. She just wanted you to have it. C’mon, we should find Kirk. And maybe say hi to Kyle, since he’s the one who invited us.” We found Kirk chatting with a group of local guys, looking stylishly chilled out. His short sleeve white shirt was open to the waist, over low-slung linen pants, and he’d also been welcomed by Maggie, it seemed, with a similar lei. “Hey! You made it!” He pulled me into a hug when I approached, and introduced me around. “Now, did you bring my wife with you or did you push her out of the jeep somewhere along the way? I haven’t seen her yet.” “We just got here. And Matt’s fiancé commandeered Lani for drink duty. Thanks,” I accepted a cold beer that one of the guys offered me. “I see you got lei’d,” I grinned at Kirk. “Very pretty.” He started to respond and then got serious. “Ohhh. Incoming. Eleven o’clock. Nine. Nine o’clock. No, wait, more like, wow… dude’s really drunk.” Kyle broke into the little circle of people, raising his arms over his head victoriously. “I finished the keg! Hi! You came! That’s awesome! Whassup, rock star!” He slapped Kirk’s chest. “Good to see ya. Come inside,” he told me, pulling on my arm. “We can open the second keg!” “Thanks, but I think I’m gonna stay out here for a bit. You go ahead though.” I gently pried my arm out of his hand and patted his shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you later.” He looked disappointed for about two seconds and then brightened. “Maybe we can go for a swim?” “Unlikely!” I grinned back at him. “I’ll see you inside in a bit.” “Okay!” He stumbled off, bumping into other people as he went. Kirk shot me a look, shaking his head. I shrugged. “He’s harmless. And I have no intention of going swimming. Turn that frown upside down!” I pinched his lips, trying to get him to smile. “Did you start drinking back at the house?” “Maybe a little,” I giggled. “Mojitos!” Lani appeared beside us, and handed me a tall frosted glass jammed with mint and crushed ice. “The bartender is very nice, and very slow. I had to take matters into my own hands,” she advised me. I took a sip, wincing when the liquid burned my throat. “Is that why this tastes so strong?” She nodded. “Hi, lovah,” she slid an arm around Kirk, leaning in to kiss him. “You look very handsome this evening.” Whispering something in his ear, she kissed his cheek and then the two of them looked at me. I looked back, warily. “I don’t know what you just said but we have discussed this and I am not having a threesome with you guys,” I said, trying not to laugh when Kirk’s mouth fell open. Lani leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled. “I was getting him up to speed,” she assured me. He looked at me and mouthed, “Purple?” I nodded, rolling my eyes. Downing the rest of my drink, I took the one Lani had given Kirk, and drank that too. Maggie returned with a couple of beers and we all wandered over to the bonfire. Standing between the two couples, I felt a little awkward, wishing I weren’t the odd one out. I peeked at my phone, wondering if James had called, although it was well after midnight where he was. Sighing when I saw there were no missed calls, I slipped the phone back in my bag and took a glass of champagne from a guy in surf shorts who was handing them out. “Stop it,” Kirk said quietly. “Mmm?” I turned towards him. “What’s that?” “You keep looking out at the ocean like you’re contemplating taking a dip. No drunk swimming,” he chided me, nodding at the champagne glass. “I’m not going to,” I patted his hand. “No plans of swimming, I promise. I might find a place to sit down, though. I’m a little woozy already.” Putting the empty glass on another tray that floated by, I reapplied my lip gloss and tried to spot a clear path to the house through all the people on the beach. Maggie took my arm. “I’ll go with you.” Leading the way, she weaved through the crowd, holding on to my hand so I wouldn’t fall behind. “There,” she sighed happily when we’d reached the patio area by the pool. “Wanna sit out here? I don’t know if we’d be able to find a seat inside. Oooh, thanks!” She took two pink drinks from another surfer/waiter, and handed me one. “I have no idea what’s in it. Not sure how you feel about that but the chances of us being roofie’d at a party where Matt knows everyone are slim to none.” I sank into one of the deck chairs, admiring the view. The house was gorgeous, and even with a huge crowd of people, the atmosphere was cosy and welcoming. Leaning back against the cushions, I asked Maggie how she’d met Matt, and listened contentedly while she told me a story about him crashing his kite surfer into her dad’s sailboat. Kirk found us an hour later, dancing by the pool, at which point I announced that I was cutting myself off, since I could see two of him. “And you’re both very, very handsome,” I grinned, falling into his arms. “Where’s yer beautiful wife? Ohhh, no,” I buried my face in Kirk’s shoulder, just peeking out to see Kyle stalking towards us. “Purple. Purple, purple, purple,” I mumbled into his neck. “Kirk!” “What?” He whirled around too quickly and I slipped into the pool. “Purple!” I yelled at him when I caught my breath, swiping my hair off my face. Glaring at him, I hauled myself out of the pool, just in time for Maggie to gleefully tackle me around the neck and take me back into the water. “Whee!” She took a big breath and sunk under the water, her dress swirling around her. Blowing water out her mouth like a whale when she surfaced, she grinned at me. “I did synchronized swimming in high school. Wanna see?” “I do!” Kirk laughed from a deck chair. “You okay in there, Charlie?” I treaded water, watching Maggie contort into various positions. “Oh yeah. Just fine. Much more sober than I was about sixty seconds ago.” “Cannonball!” Matt landed squarely in the middle of Maggie and I. A beach ball followed him in, and before I knew it, we were in the middle of a pool volleyball game. Fully clothed. “I thought drunk swimming was a no-no,” I teased Kirk when we finally climbed out. He shook his head, flinging water everywhere. “Not if I’m there to supervise,” he chuckled. “Should we call it a night? I didn’t bring any spare clothes.” Taking a towel that Matt held out to me, I shrugged. “We could dry off by the bonfire.” Lani appeared behind Kirk. “Do you guys wanna stay? Cause I’m game for heading back, but I could do either.” Matt slung an arm around my shoulders. “You guys can go. Drunky McPukes-a-Lot and I will make sure she gets home alright,” he nodded to where Maggie was staggering back from the bathroom. “Hi baby!” he called to her. “Feel better?” She gave him a thumbs up, grinning, before flopping down in a deck chair. “Charlie? What do you think, sweetie? Do you want to come with us? I could come back and get you later.” Lani moved so she was right beside you. “Honestly. Do you wanna stay? Or go.” I contemplated her offer. “You guys should go. I’ll catch a lift with these guys, don’t worry. I’ll call you if anything changes so you don’t worry. Okay?” “If you’re sure. Don’t worry about calling later if you need to.” Hugging me goodbye, she and Kirk disappeared into the tree lined path. “I’m gonna go attempt to freshen up,” I told Matt. “And then maybe we can carry Mags to the bonfire so we can all dry out?” “Sounds good. I’ll catch you back here in a few.” He made his way over to where Maggie was dozing off in the chair, and I slipped into the house, looking for the bathroom. Making my way to the second floor, I rounded a corner and ran smack into Kyle. “Awesome,” I muttered. “Hi,” I said in a normal voice. “Were you looking for me earlier?” “Yeah,” he smiled. “I wondered if you wanted to go for a walk. Like, on the beach or something.” He held up his hands. “Just a walk.” I pondered the best way to turn him down without sounding like a presumptuous mean girl. “Thanks, Kyle, but I think I’m gonna stick around here. I’m sorry,” I touched his hand when he looked down. “I just, um, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m sure you’d be a perfect gentleman,” I added. “I just wouldn’t feel right about it.” “Okay.” He sighed heavily. “Do you have any hot friends?” I assured him I would tell all my single girlfriends about him, and in return, he showed me where the bathroom was. He was still standing outside when I emerged two minutes later, crying and panicked. “Charlie? Are you okay?” Sniffling, I shook my head. “I have to go. I can’t… I need to leave.” I pushed past him and ran down the stairs. “Whoa, whoa, easy.” Matt was at the bottom of the stairs, holding Maggie up with one arm and using the other to keep me from running. “Hey, it’s okay. What’s up? Are you hurt? Charlie? Answer me, please,” he said firmly. “I need to leave,” I whispered. “Now.” |
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| Broken, Beat & Scarred | October 9, 2008, 2:39 pm Post #299 |
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What, what, what, what, what, what?! I hate cliffhangers! (Unless I'm writing. )What happened? Tell me! |
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| Metalicious | October 9, 2008, 2:52 pm Post #300 |
Blackened
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Mwaaahahahahahaha... |
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That won't be a good thing.

8:39 PM Jul 10