It's the last day of summer. The teens want to enjoy their last day, so what better way is there then to go to the beach. Alex, Aaron, and Mariah's new found freedom lets them enjoy the beach for the first time in awhile. In California it was common for their classmates to come home and change into bathing suits while the weather was still warm and run to the beach. They never got that luxury and plan to use it up as much as they can. Mariah had a bit of a disadvantage. Though she will never regret having Malaya, she does have trouble with the fact that she can finally be free but has a baby that is holding her back. It hit her that she is finally a normal teen but still can't be normal.
The beach weather is smoldering hot. The white sand feels good on your toes. The water is bright and there is pretty much a whole high school out there. Kids skateboard past, footballs are being thrown and tans are being caught. The group finds a spot where they can all sit and put their stuff down.
"Time to get a tan" Lauren sighs. She lays on her back and opens her magazine.
"I'm right with you" Nessa says and takes her spot.
"I am looking a little pale" Roni hesitates and tans. Mariah excitedly gets Malaya and takes her to the ocean for the first time. Luke records it. She's scared by it at first but slowly sticks her hands in the water and eats it.
"Y'all are such Debbie downers" Alex complains to the girls.
"Just because we don't wanna get up and have physical activity doesn't mean we're boring." Nessa says
"Ugh suit yourself" Kian says and picks up his football. Him and Alex start tosses it back and forth. Aaron watches and wonders if he should jump in or lay down. He lowkey wants wants to relax but he can do that later. He jumps in the game. Luke later joins in. Mariah covers Malaya up with shade and relaxes as she plays.
"Oh look at this outfit" Lauren says. All the girls lean in and look. They look and agree.
"I would love to wear that but I guarantee that I can't fit it. This baby weight has got to go." Mariah says
"Shut up Mariah. Your beautiful. I would love to be a mom and look like you." Roni says
"This year we're coming in with all the body positivity." Nessa says
"Period" Lauren exclaims. They're all chilling and conversing when Alex catches a football a little to close to them.
"ALEX" Lauren screeches. This starts a full out war. Roni, Nessa, and Lauren get up and get in the middle of the boys game. The boys throw the ball around trying their hardest not to let any of the girls catch it. Roni stands in front of Aaron just in time to catch it. She takes off running once she does. He runs behind her and swoops her up just as they hit the ocean water. He snatches the ball back and gives her a deep kiss. Then he throws it back to the rest of the boys.
Childish stuff goes on like this for the rest of the day. Throwing each other in the water, building sandcastles, and burying each other in sand. They just enjoy their last day until they have to return back to their regular lives that they haven't seen in months. The have fun until it starts to get dark. They head home to dinner. Sherry and Lear required them to have a family dinner. They don't mind it though because they really don't mind spending time with each other. It really has turned into one big family.
"Did you guys go to the beach?" Lear asks as Alex unlocks the door.
"Yeah, how could you tell?" Alex says sarcastically. He's gained a good sense of him out with Lear.
"You better not get sand all over my kitchen seats boy" Sherry looks up. It's that motherly death glare that is scary no matter how old you get. They all lay towels down on their seats and pray and have one big family dinner. They go through the excitement of going back to school and telling all the stories of beach. They watch a Malaya drinks her bottle likes she's eating with them . They all just talk and have fun until eventually everyone has to go home. Alex and Aaron rev up their car engines and take their girlfriends home. Nessa pulls out of the driveway and Luke goes home.
Aaron, Alex, and Lear arrive home. Aaron runs to the bathroom first so that he can take a shower first. Alex is going to take forever and he just wants to lay down and get some rest. Believe it or not, he is ready to go to school. He can't remember the last time he was excited about school. This year is different. It's a year of change, a stable home, and new beginning and he can't be more happy about it. He makes sure Roni is at home in bed and then he pops his headphones in. There's a knock on his door.
"Come in" he says. Lear walks in.
"Hey, I just want to let you know that I'm proud of you. I have no doubt that you're going to have the best day tomorrow. I'm so glad that you're doing so well and you are so strong. I could ask for better sons than you and your brother." He says. Aaron thanks him and gives him a hug. He sleeps peacefully knowing the everything is going well so far.
Everyone's in bed and ready for the next day. No worries are being held and for once in their lives everything seems as though it is going well. It's eerily but peacefully quiet. It's enjoyable but weird and may take some getting used to. It almost like the calm before the storm.
