“Nikki…Nick...it’s time to get up.” Jake nudged my shoulder lightly. I rubbed my eyes and opened them to see him smiling down at me.
“Why?” I groaned.
“Because we’re going to the beach, remember?” he poked me in the stomach and I cringed back with another groan.
“I’ll be down in a few minutes, okay?”
“Alright.” He shut my door behind himself and I stumbled over to the dresser. Without bothering to look I yanked a pair of shorts out, along with my swimsuit. Then I pulled a first out of the closet and put my entire ensemble on. Next I shoved an extra pair of clothes and a towel into my backpack and then ambled downstairs.
“Nice choice in clothing.” Jake grinned. I looked down and shook my head. I had on bright yellow shorts with a black and red Rancid shirt.
“Let’s go.”
“Here.” He handed me a burrito.
“Thanks.” I smiled and opened the front door for him.
“We have to pick Jen up, okay?”
“Like I’m going to say no.”
“You’re so hilarious.” He retorted sarcastically. I laughed and we took off. Minutes later we pulled in front a beautiful, red bricked house with a green lawn and a white picket fence. The sidewalk leading up to the door was lined with a variety of flowers.
Jake and Jen have been dating for almost two years. They met in a club called Odyssey of the Mind. He couldn’t have picked a better girl in my opinion. She’s funny, intelligent, and beautiful. Her grandparents came to America from Japan and I love being able to experience that culture with her and her family.
Jake hopped out of the car and jogged up to the front door. Seconds later Jen appeared looking spectacular, as always. I climbed into the backseat as they arrived at the car. Jake opened the door and Jen slid in gracefully.
“Hello Nicole.” She greeted me.
“Hi Jen.”
“How are you this morning?”
“Tired. Very tired. But excited!” she laughed softly and I smiled. Jake got into the car and leaned over to kiss Jen.
“I love you.” He said.
“I love you too.” She replied.
Next we drove to the Combs house to pick up Benji and Joel. This time I got out of the car and bounded up the door. Mrs. Combs answered the door and said, “Hello Nicole. How are you?”
“I’m great! How are you?” I asked.
“Just fine. The boys should be ready. Joel! Benj! Nicole is here!” she called out to them. Joel was the first one out of the hallway and he rushed over and picked me up.
“Joel, I will kill you.” He laughed loudly before setting me down. We had the same shirts on so I said, “Copy cat.”
“Great minds think alike.” He tapped me on the forehead.
“Ni-ni-Nico-o-ole.” Benji sang. I giggled and hugged him tightly. Standing behind him was a thin, petite girl with long, black hair. She smiled slightly at me as she waited patiently for Benji to take her hand and lead her out the door.
“Boys behave yourselves. Nicole, if they start to get out of line I give you permission to—“
“Mom! If we get out of line, Nicole’s probably going to be right by our sides.” Joel interrupted.
“That is too true.” She sighed and the three of us laughed. “Well have fun. I love you.”
“Nicole, you’ve met Samara before, haven’t you?” Benji asked.
“Yes. I’m the girl that stalked you because Ben—“ Benji elbowed me before I could finish.
“She is such a card.” Benji said. Jake honked the horn so we hurriedly piled into the backseat. I had to sit on Joel’s lap because there were only three seats in the back.
“This is going to be a long, painful, three hour drive.” He joked.
“Hardee har har.” I poked him in the chest and grinned before resting my head against his. It was only a forty five minute drive but it felt really long and my butt kept falling asleep. Eventually we made it and Josh stopped at a Taco Bell so we could grab some lunch. I was the first one out of the car and I jogged up to the glass doors and into the restaurant. Joel was right behind me, followed by the much slower couples. Joel and I found us a booth near the bathroom and a window while Josh and Jen ordered.
“I’m hungry.” Joel commented.
“You’re always hungry.”
“That is a false statement.” He countered. His stomach growled loudly and we both let out loud chuckles.
“What’s so funny?” Benji asked. He pulled Samara’s chair out for her and then took a seat.
“Nothing.” I replied.
“Food’s up!” Josh set a tray full of bean and cheese burritos down in front of us all.
“Thanks man.” Joel said. Everyone else chimed in with similar phrases. We ate quickly and were soon back in the car, heading for the beach.
The sun was high in the sky and not a cloud was visible for miles. I bounced up and down on Joel’s lap out of excitement.
“Calm down.” He grabbed my sides and pulled me tight to his chest. I tried to wiggle out but with no luck.
It didn’t matter because Josh pulled into a parking spot and I jumped out of the car and dashed down to the beach. It was only a quarter occupied today and mostly with couples and their tiny children.
“Wait for me!” Joel called. I was yanking off my shirt and shorts and tossing them carelessly into the sand. He ran past me and flopped into the water.
“Hey!” I yelled and followed suit. It was cold but it felt great. I pushed down on Joel’s shoulders sending him underneath the water. Moments later he pulled me under and I swallowed a mouthful of saltiness. When I came back up I was sputtering and coughing and flailing my arms, trying to knock him in the head. “Jerk!”
“You asked for it.” He grinned and dove under the water. I tried to follow him but I was still trying to catch my breath.
Jake and Jen were still at the car, talking and laughing. Benji and Samara were at the water’s edge hesitantly sticking their feet in. I swam over to the couple and pretended to wipe my eyes off but instead I pushed Benji into the water. He fell all the way under and came back up sputtering.
“Nicole, you are so dead!” he tried to get up but a tiny wave knocked him back over.
“Hey! We could do Bay Watch.” I started running in slow motion through the water.
“No, let me show you how it’s done.” Joel copied my motions and as soon as he hit the water he fell.
“Now that my friend is how it’s done.” Jake said. He and Jen had finally joined us by the water. “Let’s get in the water babe.”
She smiled and got a running start before cannon balling into the water. Jake tried to copy her but he hit the bottom and said, “Ow.”
“Aw poor baby. That’s what you get for jumping in shallow water.” Jen said. We all laughed except Jake, who jumped on Jen sending them both beneath the surface. When they came back up he kissed her quickly and headed for me.
“No Jake. Whatever you’re going to do, stop.” I held my arms out towards him. He sprinted and picked me up in one fluid motion. Then he took me out into the water as far as he could manage and let me go. I fell beneath the surface and then dog paddled back to the shore. We swam for about two hours before heading back to Waldorf.
“That was so much fun.” I said to Joel.
“I know.”
I rested my head against his and closed my eyes. The next thing I knew I was being woken up by Jake. We
were parked in the driveway and the car was empty.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“I took them home already. Come on sleepy head.” He helped me out of the car and walked up to the house with his arm around my shoulders.
“Thank you Jake. For everything.”
“You’re welcome Nikki.”
I slowly climbed the stairs and collapsed onto my bed without doing anything else.
