3. Day at the Beach

Chapter Three: Raven

 

 

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The next day JJ, Bessie, Mike, and I all decide to go to the beach for the first time in years. It was a beautifully sunny day and we set up beach towels and umbrellas then went into the changing rooms. I was the only one who kept my shirt on with my swim shorts. I didn't want anyone seeing my scars... It was to embarrassing. Bessie and Mike ran down into the waves while JJ and I continued to sit on the beach. We had four umbrellas. One covering us from the sun and one was behind us and the other two at our sides to block out the other people around. I watched the waves and the surfers. I loved the beach. Even if didn't swim. There was a light breeze that ruffled my hair and shirt. I smiled as I watched Bessie and Mike playing like little kids in the water.

   JJ kept glancing over at me. " Raven, why are you embarrassed?" He asks

   I stiffen. " W-What are you talking about? I'm fine." I reply with a stifled laugh.

   He turns to me with a stone face. " You don't want people to judge your scars on your chest and arms. That's why you won't take the shirt off."

    " So what if I am? It's not normal. People will stare." I mumble as I rest my head on my arms

  JJ narrows his eyes then the next thing I know he's a top me.

  " You think cutting is un-normal? I think more people would will think a guy having a BOYFRIEND is the un-normal thing, not cutting. Many people do it Raven." JJ says

  I turn my head away from him and don't say anything because I know he's right. But that wasn't the point... Was it?

   JJ sighs and begins to pull my shirt up. " JJ!? S-Stop it! Someone will see!?"

   He doesn't listen and he slithers his hands onto me and pulls the shirt off completely. JJ looks down at me with an intense gaze. He runs his hand a long the scar on my chest then up my arm to touch the many scars on my wrist's that had never faded.

 " The only one you should try to look good for is me. You should only care about my opinion. Not some strangers." He tells me.

     I don't look at him. Why is he still right.... I slowly nod and he grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet. He holds my hand in his and we begin to walk down to the water, to join Bessie and Mike. People glance at us but then look away without a care.

" See? I told you." JJ nudges me and I smile.

    Once we're down at the ocean we jump right in with Bessie and Mike, splashing water at each other and passing a beach ball around. After awhile I lay on my back and just float. The sky was clear blue with a few scattered white clouds. I closed my eyes for a moment before feeling something tickle my back. I jerk up and see JJ laughing as he pops up from the water.

  " JJ! SO not funny!" I retort

  " Awe c'mon Rave!" He laughs and pulls me into his arms.

 "I would never actually let something hurt you." JJ says softly and I blush.

  " JJ.... Stop it..." I tell him with the best glare I can conjure up like this.

  He lets me go and looks at me with a stupid smile. " Your so cute!" He comments before swimming away.

  I tread there for a few minutes before going back onto the beach with the others. We played beach volleyball, drank smoothies, and just had fun all day. JJ was tanned nicely but I was still pale. I was standing there waiting for JJ who was buying a late after noon snack for us when I heard people whispering behind me.

   " Look at him...",

   " He's a cutter!",

   " Look at all those scars...",

   "What an emo..."

  I put my hands over my wrists. I turn away from them and try to hold back the tears. I used to be use to those kinds of comments... But things were going great for since we got back from the 13th Century... This was the first time hearing those words since then... JJ walked over to me and looked at me worriedly. He put the snacks on the table next to us and put his hands on my shoulders.

   " Raven? What's wrong?" He asks

  I bit my lip. " Those people behind us...-" I stop talking when I hear them making more comments.

  " Are they gay?"

   " Two cutters equals disgust."

  " Gay emo couple..."

  JJ's expression showed pure anger. He looked up at the people making the comment and gave them dagger eyes. They all took a step back in surprise.

" C'mon... Lets go..." One of them says and the rest follow.

 

" Emo scum..." Another mutters

   JJ looks at me again. " Don't think twice about them Rave. It doesn't matter. Lets go back to Bess and Mike."

 

   The sun begins to set and the four of us are sitting on the beach. No one else is around. JJ turns to me.

  " Let's take a walk on the beach." He says

  " Like those clique couples in the movies?" I reply with a smile and he nods.

   " Just like the movies." JJ tells me

  Bessie and Mike smile to each other when I get up. JJ takes my hand in his as we make our way down the beach. Once we're completely out of sight from Bessie and Mike, JJ snatches my sweater I was carrying and runs down the beach a little. ' Yeah, just like the movies. Running along the beach.' I think to myself.

   I run after JJ, yelling playfully at him to give me my sweater back. He slows down but I don't. I end up tripping on a rock, crashing into him and we both land in the sand with the water lapping at our feet. We're both laughing and when I open my eyes JJ is staring at me. He puts his hand on the back of my end and kisses me romantically. Just a simple, romantic movie-like kiss. He sits up and I'm on his lap as he continues to hold the kiss.

   " Today's been fun. I'm glad we got to do this." JJ says in a whisper in my ear.

 

   " I-I'm glad too." I reply

   He pulls my head back and reconnects his lips to mine. Today has been great. But I can't stop thinking about those people who mocked me and JJ. I just want to go home. My mother probably needs us. In a few days, I think JJ and I should go back. But right now, I'm just enjoying this moment.