"Oh yeah...just try!" she played back.
He decided to get even, this was a water war! He told her to get ready, and then grabbed her around the waste pulling her down with him under the water. The pair went down together, holding their breathe and dodging the waves that now crashed above them. Once out of air, they swam back up, covered in salty water and bits of stringy seaweed. Michelle wiped the access salt water from her mouth, hating the way it stung around her face. Brian couldn't take it anymore. Everything inside of him wanted to kiss her, hold her. The simple act of her touching her lips, made him want her even more. He looked into Michelle's deep green eyes and saw only sincerity and trust. A smile grew across her face, revealing a giggling line of her white teeth. Her smile was contagious, he broke out into a grin too. This was his moment, their moment. He knew it, his heart screamed what his lips longed for. Michelle stood close to him, jumping up over a crashing wave. He stepped closer to her, bringing his hand to her wet face. He looked into her soul, and he knew then that she wanted to kiss him too. He touched her chin lightly, bringing her face to his. They stood intertwined in each other's arms, their lips meeting as a wave crashed upon their bodies.
Michelle closed her eyes, savoring every last second of their kiss, a kiss she had dreamed about. A kiss that described every aspect of a fairytale. This was that kiss, and she couldn't ask for a more loving partner. Brian could taste the salt from her sweet lips. He breathed in the faint smell of her coconut lotion, a scent which he discovered would drive him wild. Michelle no longer minded the taste of salt that lingered on her lips, because now it was mixed with a taste of a man she could easily fall in love with. They pulled apart from each other, silent, for fear that words would spoil their precious moment.
***At the NY GAZZETTE***
"Wait..get back here!" Mr. Thompson shouted to the over-eager intern.
"I told you before, that's not ready to hit the press yet! Just give me a week more to make this really good. Page turning good. I just have to speak with Karen (Bri's ex) one last time. She said she's got some new info on the kid. I promise, it'll be worth the wait!"
***Back on the Beach***
"So, this is your new girl, Nick. Melanie. That's who you love now? You know, I didn't believe it at first when BJ told me. I couldn't believe you had started a relationship that quickly. And I never would have believed it would be with Melanie. Only you Nick, Only you!"
(Note to the reader: Melanie and Liz never seemed to get along. they were always civil, but deep down they each knew their passion for Nick would keep them apart as friends.)
Before Nick could say a word, before he could defend himself, she stormed away, her bikini covered body getting further and further from the spot where Nick and Melanie stood. Selena looked over at Nick, she waited for him to storm after her. She waited for him to run after her best friend and tell her that he still loved her, that it was all a big misunderstanding. Nick didn't move, it was as if he was frozen in time. Selena closed her eyes, and knew what she had to do. She called out, "Liz...wait up! Don't leave without me!"
Before she could quickly jog away, Howie grabbed onto her arm. "Sel, what are you doing? Why are you leaving?"
"To go after my best friend who needs me right now. She needs me because YOUR friend broke her heart. Howie, if you can't understand that, then i don't know you anymore, not like I used to. Just let go of me, I gotta catch up with her."
The group, minus Michelle and Brian, who had no idea what was happening with their friends on the beach, stared blankly, unsure of how to respond to the past five minutes.
"Selena...wait! Don't go."
"I have to Howie. I can't stay anymore, not like this. It won't work. Just let me go!"
"But Sel, I love you."
Tears streaming down her face, she replied, "I know Howie. I love you too, but right now, that's just not enough." With that, she turned and ran after Liz, promising herself she wouldn't look back, for it would be too hard to look into his eyes, his eyes which were filled with hurt and confusion.
Nick stood there blindly, unsure of what had just happened. He looked over at Melanie, her lip quivering, but refusing to cry. She was too strong for that. No matter what he felt towards Liz, no matter how much it may have hurt Howie, he had to be with Mel. With one look, he took her in his arms and comforted her. No, perhaps they comforted each other.
Mel opened her eyes while still in NIck's embrace. She looked over at Kevin, (She had become very close to him over the past few months.They shared a big-brother, little sister connection, a close tie, in which they knew they could count on each other, always.) Kev's lips mouthed the words to her, "It'll be okay." and she believed him. She shut her eyes once again, hoping Nick's embrace could erase the past few minutes, and then allowed heself to surrender to the warmth of Nick's bare chest against her face.