Completely (Un)expected

Chapter Eight

"Go on, kiddo." I smiled to Mr. Ricket and thanked him for the afternoon off. Truthfully, I'd much rather be outside on the beach than stuck in my little office for one moment longer, so even though I had a ways to go with that box, one afternoon enjoying the sun wouldn't kill me.

Mikey and I stopped back at the house so we could change into more comfortable clothes which for him was a pair of black and red swim shorts and a band tee shirt. I went up to my room and pulled out my bathing suit from the bottom of one of the drawers in the dresser. I hadn't worn it in forever and I was surprised that I even bothered taking it with me during the move.

It was cute; a black bandeau covered with tiny skull and crossbones paired with boy-short bottoms. The straps were red and tied in the back to keep up the top; I'd be devastated if it fell with Mikey around. I tossed on a loose fitted, red V-neck and my white shorts before opting to leave my ratty old converse at home and slide on a pair of strappy sandals instead.

Knowing Mikey wouldn't think to, I packed a tote bag with two towels, sunscreen, and some water. Mikey came downstairs a moment later and shoved something into the bag. "What's that?"

"Mom left us money for dinner later." I nodded, finding it a little weird to hear Mikey call my aunt Donna 'mom.' He said it almost as if she were my mother too.

"Cool, then ready to go?"

Mikey nodded his head and picked up the car keys from the bowl on the kitchen counter. We'd both slipped on sunglasses over our eyes, and I wondered if Mikey could even see without his normal specs, but he seemed to be doing fine on the road. Another weird thing to have seen; Mikey driving.

The beach wasn't too far away, maybe half an hour, but Mikey and I passed the time listening to Anthrax and Joy Division while pointing out funny street signs and odd license plates. Once we got to the boardwalk, we got out of the car and I immediately noticed a boy leaning against a car.

He was about Mikey's height with a much stronger build. His blonde hair swept over his eyes that were covered by dark sunglasses. He puffed on a cigarette and I suddenly found myself craving one, especially since I'd quit when I made my move over to Jersey. I still had a few stashed away and, though I was certain he wouldn't care, I didn't want to smoke around Mikey and I was certain aunt Donna would kill me if I was caught.

We made our way over to the boy, Mikey obviously knowing him already. He put out his cigarette as we approached and I heard his other car door open then close. "Hey, Bob. This is my cousin, Henri."

"Cool, hey. Nice finally meeting you," Bob said as he held out one of his hands for me to take.

"Thanks, you too."

My eyes immediately locked on Frank. Maybe one afternoon in the sun wouldn't be so great after all.

He'd stepped out from around the other side of the car and stood there like a deer in headlights as he saw me. We both froze, neither one of us daring to make a move. "Hey," I cautiously let out, trying my best to sound casual and not give away the fact that I was completely horrified.

Again, seriously? Why did I have to move to Jersey?

I suddenly felt very self-conscious, as if I had some expectation to live up to around Frank, when in reality he didn't know me at all. Still though, I couldn't get over what happened that night and it was showing.

"Hey," Frank repeated, equally as wary. This was it. I couldn't avoid Frank as easily as I originally thought. He just happened to be the one guy I kiss at a random club that pops back into my life. I had to deal with this if I wanted my time in Jersey to be any kind of enjoyable.