Page 127 of Mayhem
“Let’s take some group shots,” Chayse suggested after getting the tripod from Nik’s backpack. Nik helped her set it up while the rest positioned themselves in front of the tree. “The timer is ten seconds. It’ll say smile and then take three pictures,” Chayse explained before she and Nik quickly joined them.
They took two rounds of pictures and sat under the tree for half an hour, drinking their water and eating some fruit they had packed before starting their hike back.
Paetyn watched the glow from the nearby torches dance across Erin’s face as she sipped her drink and watched the waves roll in while sitting between him and Cruz. They’d met up with their friends to take in a comedy show that afternoon after their morning hike before spending the rest of the day together swimming behind their hut, which turned into a competition between her and Cruz to see who could swim the fastest.
Now, they were sitting on the beach after dinner, soft music playing from one of the cabana speakers a short distance away. The smell of salt drifted to them on the soft breeze. Paetyn was sure other people were around, possibly making noise ordancing to the music, but only one person held his attention. He often wondered how they’d gotten so lucky, but he wouldn’t question a gift.
When she tilted her head back and stared at the sky, Paetyn shifted towards her and propped his elbow on the back of the lounge couch they were sitting on.
“Tell us what you see, Angel?”
She lifted her hand, pointing to a constellation and outlining it with her finger. “That’s Aquarius,” she stated. She then pointed to another one, tracing it before turning to him. “What’s that one?”
Paetyn studied it for a moment, thinking back to their constellation lessons. “Pegasus,” he responded. She gave him that heart-stopping smile before grabbing his chin and kissing him.
“Your turn,” she said, turning her attention to Cruz. “What’s that one?” She pointed at another one, outlining it.
“If I get it wrong, will you still kiss me?” he teased.
“Nope,” she responded with a smile that belied what she said, and Cruz chuckled.
“Pisces,” Cruz responded. “Now, give me my kiss.”
“My, aren’t you confident,” Erin teased before leaning in and kissing him.
“Your turn,” Cruz stated. “Wygladasz dzis wieczorem tak pieknie, jak zawsze.”
“Thank you,” Erin responded with a smile.
“What are you thanking me for? What did I say?”
“That I look as pretty as always tonight.”
“Close,” he and Cruz responded simultaneously.
“Ladny. Pretty. Piekny. Beautiful,” Cruz stated.
Erin repeated the words a few times before nodding. “Come on,” she stated, standing and putting her cup on the table beside Paetyn. “Let’s go for a walk.”
The bottom of her turquoise maxi dress blew in the soft breeze as she held her hands out to them. They took them and allowed her to lead the way.
They walked in silence for several minutes, the shifting waves providing background music as the soft melody from the cabana faded.
“The beach at night is so serene,” Erin stated. “It’s been six months, and I still miss it sometimes.”
“There’s an island in the South Pacific with a beautiful beach,” Paetyn stated.
Cruz hummed in agreement before adding, “It’s almost as breathtaking as you.”
“Then it must be quite a sight,” Erin teased with a smile.
“We should go for your birthday next year,” Paetyn suggested. They could take her anytime, but taking her for her birthday would be the perfect time.
“That sounds like fun,” she replied. “Speaking of birthdays, both of yours are coming up, and there’s something I want to do for you.”
“Care to share, Maly.”
“If I did that, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
