I felt like a little kid again.
Licking ice cream that I got from the ice cream truck while I sat on a wall with Matt by the ocean. Our fingers are sticky but we don't care. I hold his hand and he holds mine contently. I start to swing my legs as they dangle from the wall; the ocean spraying water up at my feet. Little drops of vanilla ice cream dotted my jean shorts and Matt's as well. But we don't care. The ocean will just wash it off somehow, that's just what happens when you're near the beach. All of your problems are solved. Magic happens at the beach. Unexplainable feelings, memories, unforgettable moments, creativity, good vibes, love.
Life is just better by the ocean.
"What kind did you get again?" Matt asked.
"Vanilla with sprinkles," I smiled, "You?"
"Moose tracks, but I wish they had Stilton cheese ice cream."
"What?" I stopped licking the dripping vanilla that made a waterfall down my cone.
"Stilton cheese ice cream? Please tell me you've never heard of that," Matt dropped his jaw.
"Haha! Sorry babe, I haven't. Ummm....is it good? That sounds really gross."
"It's the best ice cream in the world. It's definitely my personal favorite and you've got to try it sometime. Maybe my mum will send some across the pond," Matt raised his eyebrows with a grin. Suddenly, the ocean roared up to our ankles, causing both of our shoes to be soaking wet. I jumped up and off the wall and accidentally dropped my ice cream; causing it to fly into the sea. Slowly, my world started to fall apart as I watched the delicious piece of heaven sail away and plunge into the water.
"No!" I cried and reached out towards it, but it was far out in the water before I could react. I heard Matt start to laugh beside me.
Oh my gosh, his laugh.
I couldn't help but smile as I turned towards him. He got up from the wall, still licking his ice cream with pleasure.
"That's just too bad," he teased. He came closer to my face and licked his ice cream with a smile. I was so tempted to just smash his ice cream right in his face but I couldn't do that. That's too mean.
"Oh this is so good! I can't believe it! You're missing out Jen, this ice cream is brilliant!" he exclaimed and waved it in my face. He was totally asking for it, I thought. The urge grew stronger and stronger as I eyed the dripping cone. I bit my lip to fight it back but it didn't help much. As I watched Matt lick his ice cream with such happiness, I just couldn't help it. Without warning, I pushed the cone right in his face just as Matt opened his mouth for another taste. It dripped down his chin and the sides of his mouth like a waterfall of ice cream. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically. He looked so cute. Matt looked at me with a straight face.
"Really?" he said. His eyes burned through me like fire. Then just like that, a pang of guilt struck me and I stopped laughing. I felt really bad for doing that. Now, Matt had a messy and sticky face with a sticky shirt and wet shoes from the ocean. Also, I would be pretty mad if Matt smashed my ice cream in my face.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I didn't even know what I was thinking! I'll go back to the ice cream truck to get some napkins if you want. Hopefully it's still there and..." Suddenly, Matt shut me up with a kiss. A kiss that tasted like moose track ice cream. Our lips moved together in sync and he pulled me closer to him. For a moment, we just stood like that and it felt nice. Really nice. Then suddenly, a voice from behind broke it all up.
"Matt Harvey! Is that your girlfriend?" Instantly, we broke apart and saw a man with a camera and recorder taking pictures of us.
Paparazzi.
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. Her name is Jenna Stone," Matt smiled and we turned away.
"Will there be paparazzi at the party tomorrow night?" he asked me quietly; his mouth covered in ice cream. I smiled, "No, there won't. The party will be small, don't worry."