Beachside

Chapter One

Inventory had to be my least favorite job in this place, and everyone here knew it. I really didn't mind much else- I worked the checkout counter, the small candy counter in the corner, replaced and restocked books, you name it. I wasn't much of a complainer. Except for inventory. Something about sitting in the back, counting books and constantly losing count, really served as torture for me.

As soon as I finished the last box of books for the day, I stood up and dusted off my shorts. I walked to the counter, taking off my name tag and handing my time card to Casey, my manager. "Look at you, staying 10 minutes past your shift to finish the books. Man, you must really love that job," He said, smirking.

"Oh, shut it Casey. I hate that job, and you know it. And believe me, I know the time, I just know better than to leave before the job is done. I do want to keep my job here, you know," I replied, rolling my eyes. Casey and I had been friends since we were kids, and the fact that he had eventually become my boss didn't change the dynamic of our friendship. I only finished the job because I knew that if I didn't, Casey would have to finish it, and then he'd be in a pissy mood the next day.

"Don't worry. We have a few new employees coming in on Monday, so you won't be doing inventory alone forever."

"You're finally hiring more people? It's about time. The 5 of us can't run this place without help for long."

"Hey, I think we're doing just fine," he replied. "See you tomorrow kiddo. Bright and early."

"Don't call me kiddo. I'm 17 for Christ's sake."

"Yeah, and I'm 22, so shut it, kiddo," He replied and I rolled my eyes, walking out with a wave. I viewed him like older brother, and he sure as hell acted like it too.

As I walked out into the warm air, I was greeted by the smell of salt water and the sound of seagulls. Spending my summers down the beach truly never got old. I rode my bike the 7 blocks that it was to my house, changing out of my t-shirt that read Beachside Books, changing into my bathing suit. We were lucky in the case that the beach was only a block from the beach, and our street had our own private entrance between the dunes of the sand. The board walk ended a few block away, so not many people continued to this part of the beach. This area was usually pretty exclusive to the people in our neighborhood.

I slipped on a sundress over my bathing suit, and grabbed the leash hanging by the door, whistling.

"Come on, Peaches! Wanna go out?" I yelled, and surely enough the sloppy paws of our labrador retriever ran around the corner. Westmont beach wasn't technically a dog beach, but since all the tourists didn't come to this part of the beach, no one enforced it. Peaches loved the water, and loved swimming with me. As soon as her paws hit the sand she sprinted towards the water, and into the waves. I laughed as I laid out my towel, sitting down on it and grabbing a new book that I had bought from the store. This was my happy place, and I was untouchable here.

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Apparently, untouchable is a strong word. My nice, relaxing sunset reading was interrupted by 2 furry blurs, who sprinted throughout the water. I sat up, watching as they interacted with Peach, who didn't seem to mind her visitors. I smiled to myself. Peaches always loved playing with other dogs.

Who was the owner? I looked around, and didn't see anyone. I came here every day after work to read until the sun set, and I had never seen anyone here. Suddenly, the dogs' eyes locked on me, they froze, and then sprinted towards me, one after the other. They tackled me to the ground, placing wet, sloppy kisses on my face.

"Oh G-" I was cut off by hyena like laughter of a guy walking over to me.

"Max! Lacey! Come!" He said, and the two dogs rushed over to him, sitting down by his feet. He then continued laughing, bending over, putting his hands on his knees. "Oh my God- your face- they just..." and he burst into laughter again.