1
Raelynn
I breathed in the salted air as I rollerbladed down the boardwalk. Despite our small patch of town being attached to one of the biggest cities in the nation, it still felt like this quaint little place. We had our own stretch of beach. Our own boardwalk. No world-renowned restaurants that drew a crowd or nationwide festivals for people to purchase tickets to. The warmth of the sun on my skin felt wonderful as I swerved around people. Couples eating ice cream cones and people walking their dogs. Children aching to get to the sandy shorelines and college kids coming out of the beach stores with bags full of cheaply-made merchandise.
This place would always be home to me.
“Rae!”
Allison’s voice rose above the crowd and I skated across the boardwalk. The wooden planks rumbled underneath me as I headed for the opening of the small shop. She held out her arms for me and I skated right into them, spinning around as the summer sun beat down against my back.
Holy shit, we were officially graduated.
“You’re really getting the hang of those things,” Allison said.
“I’m just glad Mom bought them for me. No offense, but your bike seat practically rides up my crack.”
“Why do you think I never rode it myself?”
I hugged her tighter. “I hate you so much.”
“Me too, Rae.”
The two of us laughed as I took her hand. I skated alongside her as she jogged, and we found the last table with an umbrella to shield us from the scalding rays. I’d never known the California sun to be this hot. I usually never ventured out much in the sun during the summer. I stayed in my bedroom, went to work, and occasionally crashed at Allison’s.
But Clint had gotten me out more during these hot summer days.
“The boys here yet?” I asked.
Allison and I sat down before she sighed.
“I haven’t seen Michael yet, no.”
I nodded. “And I’m assuming Clint’s coming with him?”
“Do you ever know the two of them to go anywhere without each other anymore?”
I paused. “Actually, now that you mention it?”
She giggled. “I mean, it’s sweet, but… do you ever wonder what in the world they’re doing all the time?”
I furrowed my brow. “Have you been tanning?”
“You like it? I’ve been out on the beach a lot with Michael.”
“It looks really nice on you.”
“I mean, it’s not like you don’t have one.”
I rolled my eyes. “I have a nice farmer’s tan going on. I’m not sunbathing in my itty bitty bikinis like you are.”
She gasped. “I don’t wear itty bitty bikinis!”
“Says the girl who wears string bikinis.”
“They aren’t thong bikinis, no. And mine are strapless so I don’t get those lines on my shoulders.”
“Face it, Allison. You're dangling your body in front of poor Michael and you love it.”
She grinned. “Maybe just a tad.”
I laughed. “So do we want to order our ice cream? Or wait for the boys?”
“You know they’re going to pitch a fit if we don’t let them pay.”
“What is that, anyway? We’ve got our own money.”
She snickered. “I think it makes them feel important.”
“Figured Clint might feel that way when I’m riding his dick.”
“Rae!”
I laughed. “Oh, come on. You don’t say so now, but give it a few more weeks with Michael. When we’re all off at college soon. You'll finally give it up and then you’ll be insatiable.”