Page 73 of Playing with Fire

We moved our chairs to the left before we opened an umbrella. The sweltering heat sunk into my skin. I was relieved to have sunscreen on because without it I would have felt like I was burning.

"Glasses?" The final time Hazel reviewed her mental checklist.

"Yep." In perfect synchronization we put on our sunglasses before readjusting our chairs.

We remained silent for several minutes until

Kylie posed her final question. "So Hazel, what is your goal today?" As I mentioned yesterday my plan is to sunburn myself so Felix won't recognize my blushing.

We both laughed at her response. I anticipated you'd follow through with your plan I told her with a stare.

Before Kylie could pose her next inquiry my friend stuck her tongue out at me. "And what about you, Em?"

"You know me, Kylie. I'm here to get a nice tan. I let out a groan about how these straps will become a nightmare.

She said a nude beach would help you as laughter started to form.

I wouldn't want to ever look up and find a 60-year-old man's genitals while I'm sunbathing. I rolled my eyes, completely serious. I would be traumatized.

My honest answer made both burst out laughing. It took me a while to stop laughing because the sun was beating down on me. I heard their return from above only later but had instructed them to refrain from disturbing me unless he appeared.

He also made no effort to disturb me, which surprised me.

He surprised me a lot.

The time dragged on so much that I needed to cool down. "Kylie..."

"Water?" She asked her question as though she somehow knew what I was thinking.

"Mhm." I hummed. "Hazel?"

"Yes. Please. I'm dying." Hazel whined as I sat up.

I removed my glasses and tossed them into the shade before walking towards the water. The sight we encountered on our way through left me quite surprised.

These guys wear their hats backwards and carry backpacks. One of the guys might be playing spike ball yet they use skim boards and play with a football which represents typical beach activities for teenage boys.

Their presence made them the main attraction for any girls at the beach. The scene was noteworthy. Six or seven girls surrounded them while engaging in a conversation. I paid no attention to anything because Camden and JAMIE dominate the conversation with their talk.

Camden and JAMIE seemed inseparable just like two peas sharing a pod. They were packages. However, Camden and JAMIE dominate hookup culture. Jaxon isn't good but those two earn just one word from me. Dangerous.

I shook my head before I walked into the water.

The water rose past my shoulders as I submerged myself and closed my eyes to imagine Savannah days ahead.

The beach routine consisted of getting sand in my hair and Sunkissed cheeks before showering at home and then going out with friends before waking up to repeat it all the next day.

God, it sounded terrific.

My imagination suddenly halted when someone pushed my shoulders underwater. I released my breath as I stood back up while Kylie laughed.

"Dude, I was having a relaxing moment!" My laughter surfaced while I brushed my hair from my face.

Our laughter kept going until I saw Hazel standing there looking sad. My smile vanished when my laughter stopped. "Hey Hazel, you okay?" I ask genuinely.

"Yeah-it's just, uhm..." she paused while her fingers fidgeted nervously.

My mood dipped slightly because of her noticeable frown. I understood the situation better when I looked beyond her head. "Why don't you Call him over here?" I asked.

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