The Bonfire

6/27/16

Me and Kelsey showed up the beach holding hands, our step in harmony along with our breathing.

I looked around observing everyone, but then I saw beer in a cooler next to the Dj booth. So I let go of Kelsey and went a beer.

I turned around to ask if Kelsey wanted one too, but she was already walking into the water. I sighed smiling, I should’ve known she would go to the ocean right away, she picked this location for the even just so she could swim in the water. She always told me it relieved her stress, and gave her hope, whatever that means.

“Kelsey!”

She turned back to me pulling her hair into a bun. She smiled sweetly as I walked closer, soon I was also in the water.

“You know Carlos, I might not always be here, you need to learn to take care of yourself, and wake up before 5:00 pm,” Kelsey said the last party humorously.

I wasn’t laughing.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She opened her eyes and held out her hands. I stared at her, she promised she’d always be there for me, was this a goodbye?

“Is this goodbye?” I asked nervously.

She frowned, “Of course not, I made a promise didn't I?”

I looked down at her hands and held them hesitantly. She smiled up at me before swinging her body to the right. I followed her like when we were children playing ‘ring-around-the-rosie’.

“What would you do without me Carlos?” Kelsey laughed, “Anyways, isn’t it about time you find a girl and get married? You’re already twenty-six.”

I looked back at the event on the beach ignoring her question, “Let’s go get you a beer Kelse.”

She held my arm preventing me from moving, “I’m serious Carlos, you know how your mum is..you should find someone to get married soon. I’m sure it won’t be hard, you’re really good looking and I know a lot of girls like you.”

“It’s not about that Kelsey, if I marry someone, I want it to be someone I love, not some stranger I met two days beforwe our wedding.”

She squeezed my hand changing the topic to a way better one, “Beer sounds good.”

I smiled, that’s what I’ve been waiting to hear all day.

Ever since the bonfire lit me and Kelse have been drinking alcohol non-stop, well maybe not Kelsey but I have.

“No,” Kelsye laughed, “I'm not kidding, you’re really handsome, go find yourself a girl man,” she punched my arm harder than intended.

“Shut up,” I said finishing up my beer, “I’m gonna get more.”

“Me too please,” Kelsey smiling stretching.

I stood and wobbled over to the cooler, almost tripping over a few things. I reached my hand in searching for my favorite drink, but then my hand brushed against someone else's.

I grinned rubbing the soft skin, “So smooth…”

“Umm, you’re from that hotel right? I knew you were a pervert!”

I opened my eyes widely, I couldn’t believe I said that aloud, I swung my hand over my face, but in doing so, I slapped my cheek.

The woman giggled, “You’re drunk aren’t you?”

“What’s it to you?” I said pulling out a beer and swinging it in front of her.

She rolled her eyes, “Who did you come with?”

“My best friend, she’s really nice, you guys would be great friends!”

She crossed her arms not pleased, “Where is she?”

I entwined my arm in hers and tugged her back over by the ocean.

“Hey! Let me go! I don’t want to-”

I let the girl go right before the waves crashed into my ankles. Kelsey turned to me and insulted me, I frowned back, then started stripping.

I ran into the water with nothing on me but my swim trunks. Kelse tried to run deeper into the ocean, but I got to her first. I tackled her wrapping my arms around her waist biting her arms. She shrieked back and the woman I brought to the water ran in after us.

I get the girl thought I was seriously hurting Kelsey, but this was the closest I’ve been to her since middle school. I didn’t want her to ruin my chance, so I splashed her with water once she was standing in front of me.

She crossed her arms pissed, I grinned mischievously. Kelsey busted out laughing in my arms, she held onto she shoulder trying to keep herself above the sand.

“God! You’re such an asshole!” She yelled.

I glanced down at her chest, and noticed her shirt was totally see through. I stared at it not knowing what I was doing, she picked up her sandal and whipped it across my face instantly.

“PERVERT!”

“Hey! Don’t hit my bestfriend!” Kelsey stood, she steadied herself before taking away the sandal in the womans’ hand. Kelse turned to the ocean and chucked the shoe as far as she could. Then she turned back to the girl crossing her arms.

“You owe me a new pair of sandals you bitch.”

I stood up, towering over the two girls frowning, “Don’t call Kelse a bitch.”

The girl scoffed at my order, “Who the hell do you think you are??”

“Who do you think you are? I’m Carlos Martinez, I suggest you don’t make me mad.”

She stared at me, thinking, then held out her hand, “I am so sorry for any misunderstanding there was! She doesn’t have to buy me any new shoes, it’s okay. I hope you guys can forgive me!!”

I held her hand and shook it as she introduced herself, “I’m Maria Valquez. I’m staying at your most famous hotel, I hope you don’t hold any grudges and don’t kick me out of my room!”

I shrugged at her letting go of her hand, “Whatever, just make sure to stay extra long at my hotel.”

Maria smiled, “Of course..I should get going now, my sister is waiting for me.”

She looked at me and Kelsey up and down before waving and walking away.

I smiled at her figure, the alcohol obviously getting to me.

“I don’t like her Carlos, stay away from her,” Kelsey ordered.

“You were just telling me to find someone to marry, maybe this is her,” I said trying to make her jealous.

She crossed her arms looking away, “Not her, I meant someone else. She would use you, didn’t you see how she looked at you and treated us once she found out who you were??”

“Well yeah, but she was just showing respect. I bet she’s a good person.”

Kelsey turned to me and gripped my arms staring into my eyes seriously, “Please, just not her, anyone else but her Carlos.”

I sighed before nodding, not like I was going to try anything, I already like someone, I was just waiting until they noticed.

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