It Started With You + Me

Chapter 10: first 'date'

-NINA'S POV-

Roses are red,
Violets are blue
I know this poem is shitty but..
Can I see you again?

I blushed and cringed at the same time. He had written a poem, that was really something different. Something surprisingly special. I flopped onto the bed and stretched out in a large starfish form. I picked up my phone again and scrolled down to the bottom to read it over again. I chuckled to myself as I took in a deep content sigh, despite my aggressive display with his cousin, he was still willing to pursue something with me. There was a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach as a smile lit up my face. I was happy... very happy.

_____

Lunch that afternoon was a haste affair. Everyone was munching on the sandwiches and had their mouths full, perhaps this was purposeful, so nothing was said regarding the mornings events. Only a hell of a lot of suspicious eye contact was exchanged between the parents and children, yet still nothing was said.

"I'm going back to the beach again this afternoon!" I broke the weird vow of silence awkwardly. When I recived a bunch of strange looks from around the table I sighed and continued, "does anyone want to come?" I finished in exasperation. Still nothing "Well no-one is answering, so is that a no? Excuse me from the table." Taking out my phone from the shorts pocket I scrolled down looking at my messages.

'The Irish hunk has sent you a message.' I smiled as my fingers flew across the screen opening the message, mentally noting that I should change his contact name.

'So do you want to meet up again later?

-S x'

Blushing slightly I wrote back " Sure would love too! I'm going down to the beach in a few minutes. See you there?"

His reply was instantaneous. Hurrying into my room, my head whirled shocked at my burst of confidence and assertion. Still reeling, I slipped into my bikini and wrapped myself into a large bathing towel. Messaging Nika to keep her up to date with my happenings, I walked downstairs, grabbing a sarong to cover myself, I let my hair down and ruffled changing the parting. With a deep breath I made my way down to the beach.

Shea was already there when I walked down, in his arms he cradled a bouquet of red and yellow tulips. I raised my eyebrow at his romantic gesture, presently surprised.  

He looked at them nervously and blushed slightly. "These are for you, mum made me bring them." He admitted sheepishly. He handed them over and carefully I took them in my arms and stood awkwardly before him, feeling dazzled.

"C'mon, the weather looks like its going to start a downpour. Well the suns gone, so lets go find shelter. I brought some things, you know, picnic essentials. I figured it was lunch time?" Turning around I watched as he led me to a prepared area. Under the heavily leafed-canopy of an old tree, a large picnic blanket was spread out on the sand and there were a few pillows scattered randomly while the centrepiece was a traditional woven basket. As I sat down, he started taking things out of the incredibly large basket: chocolate, blankets, freshly baked cookies and a thermos of hot coffee. I scooted closer to him as another cold gush of wind sped past. I shivered noticeably, goose bumps starting to prickle my skin. I dejectedly shook my head scolding myself for showing up only in a thin slip and my beach wear, not noticing the change in weather.

Luckily Shea must have been in tune with our surroundings as he carefully unwrapped a humongous blanket over the two of us, giving me an excuse to cuddle up closer. He wrapped his long arm around my waist giving me permission to carefully place my head on his surprisingly broad, muscular yet tensed shoulder. We stayed looking at the never-changing waves that were constantly barging into the sand, warm coffees in hand.  The time passed, unsure if it was seconds, minutes or hours. For once my brain didn't reprimand me for wasting time, it didn't matter. We were calm.