"So, where are you from?" JC asked, striking up the first real conversation they had since they'd met. After playing around in the water for a while, he and Karis had returned to their previous spots.
"I'm originally from a small town in Massachusetts near Boston, where my father works, and now I live in the city," Karis said as she put on more sunscreen.
"Really? I love Boston. I've visited there a few times," JC commented, squinting against the bright sun. "What do you do in Boston?"
"I'm attending school at the local college, majoring in photography. I work as a waitress part time, though, to help pay tuition," Karis explained.
"A photographer, really? That's cool. I've always loved looking at pictures. There is so much you can tell by looking at one, yet so much that's always a mystery ya, know?" JC said thoughtfully.
"Yes, that's what I think also! Nobody really gets that when I try to explain it." Karis smiled turning her head to look at him. "What about you? Where are you from?"
"I live in Orlando right now, but my family all lives in Maryland, which is where I'm from," he replied.
"Florida, huh? I've never been there before. I've heard nice things about it, but we just never got around to visiting, I guess," she said.
"I love it down there, but decided a vacation was what I needed. Besides, these summer months get pretty hot down there," JC laughed.
"That's understandable. So what kind of job do you have that will give you the entire summer off?" Karis inquired.
"Umm, I work for a record company," JC said. At least he wasn't lying entirely. "I mostly write songs and stuff, so they agreed to give me the summer off if I could produce at least 5 songs for them, which shouldn't be too much trouble since this place is pretty inspiring," JC said, looking out towards the water.
"It's getting really hot out here," Karis said after a few minutes of silence. "Would you like to come up to the house for some lemonade?"
"Sure, that would be great," JC smiled. Karis grinned back and stood up. They picked up all their things and walked lazily back toward her house.
"Sorry, it's a little messy. I figured if I just placed things around sporadically it would feel more like home," Karis laughed as they walked into the cottage. As JC looked around he realized he had been correct in thinking the houses were identical inside and out.
"I'll go get some glasses. Make yourself at home." She smiled, disappearing into the kitchen. JC sat on the couch and looked at the coffee table. It was covered in dozens of photographs of the ocean and beach and people on the beach and in the ocean.
"These are amazing," JC said as Karis re-entered the room.
"Oh, thank you I took those yesterday and had to get them developed soon to see how they turned out. This one's actually my favorite. I'm not sure why." She smiled, picking up a picture of an older couple walking hand in hand down the beach with a breath-taking sunset behind them.
"It is a very beautiful picture; they're all amazing, but why do you like this one so much?" JC asked, taking the glass of lemonade she held out for him.
Karis smiled dreamily. "I don't know. Maybe it's because that's what I want someday. You know, to fall in love and stay in love until I grow old, and be able to do things like walk along the beach hand in hand. Kinda silly, isn't it?"
"No, I think it's what a lot of people want." JC smiled, resting his hand on top of hers lightly.
"Yeah, I suppose...so now that you've seen my pictures, I should get to read one of your songs," Karis grinned.
The two sat inside talking about anything they could think of. Amusing childhood stories, Karis told about college life, and JC told her about some of the traveling he had done.
"Wow, it's already 5:00," Karis said, glancing at the clock on the wall.
"Hey, how would you like to come over for dinner? I bought hamburgers and I have enough for two," JC asked, suddenly taking himself by surprise.
"Well, I didn't have anything planned, so sure, I'd love to," she smiled.
"Great. I'll go home and get cleaned up and stuff. So, wanna come over around seven?" JC asked.
"Sounds good to me. See you there," Karis smiled, walking with him to the door.
"Cool, right next door," JC said pointing in the direction.
"Yeah, I know," Karis laughed lightly. JC turned slightly red and ran toward his house, waving back at Karis.