Down the Shore Read Free Page B

to myself that I wouldn't let that bother me, or take advantage of the situation.
    I felt more sure of myself. My mom called me ‘naive,’ and boys and friends even mentioned the same thing. I've had people who'd taken advantage of me in the past, but I never let it bother me. I knew I had a certain appeal to people and that I drew them in, but I didn't know what to do with them once they were there. That's why I had a hard time with boys. I had no clue how to handle them. People always told me that I was beautiful, that I was ‘the girl next door’ pretty. “The face of an angel,” my father always said. Then again, don't all girls look like angels to their fathers? I wanted to be so much more that that.
    I didn't wear much makeup—never needed it. I dressed my age and appreciated that my slim figure curved nicely on top. At five feet, five inches and about one hundred pounds soaking wet, people called me ‘petite.’ I'd never felt ready before, but with my sudden, new confidence, I knew I could give more to a relationship. Call me ready—ready for a real boyfriend, and I just knew I'd find one this summer. I was finally ready for a boyfriend, a first love and I was sure that I would find one this summer.
    We laid on the beach for a while; the sun was hot, the cold water felt numbing on the skin. Since the ocean barely reached into the upper 60s, Makenna refused to go in, but I adored it. I loved to swim and I loved to float. I just laid on top of the water and let the ebb and flow of the waves envelop my body. Makenna didn't require getting wet, unless a boy was tossing her in over his shoulders. She had always been more the sunbathing type and preferred to stay on the towel she had so gracefully placed on top of the hot sand. It was comical watching her put it down, careful not to get any sand on her. Like that was possible. I just stood there, shaking my head, giggling.
    I figured I would ask anyway. “Do you want to go for a swim?"
    "Are you crazy? It's like sixty-five degrees out there.” She gave me the response I had expected.
    I started pulling myself off my towel to get up.
    "You don't know what you're missing,” I teased, kicking some sand gently in her direction.
    I glanced back at her and she had already laid back down, listening to her iPod. Her fingers strummed along with whatever she was listening to.
    I made my way down to the water through the sea of rainbow umbrellas and kids playing with Frisbees. The water was cold, but refreshing. It always felt wonderful to get the sand off your skin. I had been in the water for about fifteen minutes when I felt the stare from behind me. I carefully peeked through the wet hair dangling in my eyes to notice that it had been one of lifeguards. His skin had been nicely tanned already. He had sandy short blonde hair, and was ripped from shoulders down to his abs. As I glanced at him, I quickly turned, suddenly growing very uncomfortable, wanting to get back to my towel. I kept my eyes focused on the water, not once looking back in his direction.
    My knees felt somewhat frozen, What should I do ? I felt slightly embarrassed at myself. Jesus, Abby, stop being such a baby and just go back and lie down with Makenna.
    I turned and started to make my way back by to the spot we had so perfectly chosen—not too close to the water, but far enough back from all the commotion. I felt his eyes following me and I somehow remembered being half-naked in my bikini. I never really thought of bathing suits and how I looked in them, but today I was suddenly aware that at eighteen, I was no longer a little girl.
    "How was the water?” Makenna asked, sitting up.
    "Great, until I noticed that lifeguard staring at me. Guys are so rude, they make you feel totally uncomfortable."
    She glanced down to the water. “Wow, he's cute!” she remarked.
    "I know, I guess I was just surprised that he looked at me."
    "You really need to stop doubting yourself. Guys are attracted to you, Abby.