A Summer I Never Expected

More To Add To The Plate

Every morning was getting better. Slowly, we were getting more information on my locket's whereabouts. And I had no doubt soon, I'd get it back. Slowly, me and Jack were becoming more friendly. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm pretty sure that we were becoming... friends. Strange! It's all so unexpected, you know? This morning I got a text from Alex saying he wanted to talk to me by the lounge at 4. I tried to decline but he kept asking me questions like why. So I had no choice but to except, even though me and Jack were meant to meet up at 4. I texted Jack saying 'Have to cancel today. Alex wants to talk. I tried to decline but he kept asking questions.' He said 'That's ok. I'll spend time with Jess.' I was glad he understood. Sometimes he'd have to cancel because of Jess, too. So we understood, whenever it happened. For the 29th of July it was quite a lovely morning.

I got changed at 3:30 for me and Alex's talk. I decide to go simple and wear a beige cardigan, white tank top, denim shorts, and flip flops. I got there on time to see him waiting for me, smiling when he saw me. I smiled back at him, suddenly getting butterflies. He still made me nervous sometimes. "Let's go walk by the beach." He said. And so we did, we interlocked our fingers and walked by the beach, laughing and talking. Until he just suddenly stopped and said
"Charlie, I think I love you..."

I stayed silent. I really didn't know what to say.

"I'm guessing, by the silence.. You don't.." He began.

"It's just.." I began.

"Wait. Where's your locket?" He asked, a very good question. "So, I guess you really don't like me, then." My phone dinged and I pulled it out from my pocket. It was Jack. Alex saw and immediately tensed. He took my phone from me and opened up the message 'Wanna meet up at 6?' It said. "I guess you love him now, huh?" He tossed me back my phone and let go of my hand. I didn't know what to say. I fought with myself on what to say in my head when he said "I guess so.. Bye Charlie." I was in the middle of walking away when I said
"No. We've been doing something. But I can't tell you. Or you'd probably get really angry and do something stupid.." I finally say.

"You guys having sex!?" He asks looking disgusted.

"No, of course not!" I say.

"Then what are you guys doing?" He asks, looking very pissed off now.

"I can't tell you, yet."

"Charlie... I can't have a dishonest relationship." He says.

"You have to trust me.. Please?" I plead.

"I'm sorry, I can't." He says. He starts to walk away now. And I just stand there watching him disappear in the distance. 'I guess it's over' I thought, sadly. I text Jack to meet me now, at the beach. It's urgent. He says ok and is there 10 minutes later. "Hey. What's up?" He says, in his normal cheery voice. I just start crying, sobbing as I do so. He sits down next to me and offers me his shoulder. I take it and cry on it. I had a weird sense of déjà vu. "Hey, it's ok. I'm here. What happened?" He asks.

"Charlie.. B-broke up with m-me. Because I wouldn't tell him what was going on between u-us." I sob, stuttering here and there.

"It's ok. I'm here. We've got to seriously get your locket. All was fun and games, until someone gets hurt. Can you not put together the clues of what you remember from that day? That morning? You might of seen him put it somewhere. Hmm?" He asks, thinking hard.

I sniff and wipe my tears. "Well, Jess told me the next morning that I took too long on the beach. But Alberto said... that I was walking on the beach last night. But surely if I was, Jess would of been a little more worried, especially if I didn't text her. But... I did had quite a headache when I woke up. Almost as if I had a hangover.. but why would I go out in the night without Jess...and get drunk. What if what Alberto said was a lie? Maybe I took a walk on the beach the same morning..." I say finally seeing a picture of me on the beach the same morning. I close my eyes and try to see more.

"What do you see Charlie?" Jack asks.

"I see the waves.... I see Alberto with something in his hand..."

"What's in his hand?"

"I don't know. I can't see it. I see him moving his lips... I see me not looking happy... I see him hand me the thing.." I think hard to continue, but I just can't remember much more of it. "I can't see anything else." I say opening my eyes.

"We NEED to know what he handed you. It'll help us get closer to finding out what happened. Then get the locket." Jack said.

"You're right. Mission get the locket for real is now, on. Game on Alberto."

Authors Note: Thank you kirstt_doy for the idea of the I love you part. Go check out her amazing new book Summertime Madness. I hope you guys are enjoying it so far.