Il Giardino’s, and then I'll think about it. But on one condition."
"Let me guess," Dylan replied. "No beer, huh?"
"Wait, what?" Julio joked. "If you're planning to drink something else besides beer, then you're heading to the wrong place."
"Then I'll bring bottled water. Dylan remembers the last time I had beer."
"Oh yeah," Dylan laughs. "One became two, which became ten. Then you started running around Lesner Bridge wearing nothing but a paint bucket and a...."
"I refuse to comment on that matter," Jake interrupted.
"It was still funny."
"Maybe, but I would actually like to remember the crazy stuff I do."
Dylan agreed to not tempt Jake into getting drunk at the graduation party. Julio and Dylan rode away in the Mustang, as they were getting ready for the party at Chic's Beach. Jake drove back to his home. Cassandra was sitting on a couch in the living room, waiting to give Jake a hug and a kiss when he walked through the front door. She was in a black dress, matching her long, curly hair. She wore her glasses, which brought out her sapphire blue eyes.
"Jake, you better hurry up and get changed if we're still going to Il Giardino’s," Cassandra replied as she was putting on her earrings.
"Yeah... about that," Jake hesitated.
Cassandra stopped. "Change of plans?”
"You could say that," Jake replied.
"What for?"
"I forgot that Dylan's graduation party was tonight. He's been planning this ever since the fall semester, and he's been wanting me and you to come."
"Well, let's just go to the party," Cassandra answered.
"Are you sure?" Jake asked. "I don’t want it to sound like I want to call the restaurant off."
"No, not at all," Cassandra reassured. "I’m sure it won’t be a problem to go there some other time. This is our graduation party. Might as well celebrate it with Dylan. You two are practically brothers."
"Well, if that's what you wanna do, then it looks like we're going to Chic's Beach."
Chapter 3
When Jake and Cassandra arrived at the beach, they looked around and saw that it was packed with college students, particularly those graduating from Christopher Newport University. A trailer was used as the DJ's stage. Everyone was dancing to a party mix of T-Payne, Kanye, and a few other popular names. A tiki bar was set up between the stage and Chesapeake Bay, where all the beer kegs and other beverages went to. Dylan was partying with the crowd, while Julio was in the water making out with his girlfriend, Selena Ramirez.
When Dylan saw Jake and Cassandra, he walked over to them and greeted them.
"Jake! Glad you could make it!"
"The lady dragged me here," Jake joked.
"Thought you said you were going to Il Giardino’s."
“Well, plans always change.”
"Good point."
Selena and Julio ran up to Cassandra when they saw her. The three of them went dancing in the crowd, while Jake and Dylan stayed by a fire that was set up a few yards away from the party.
"Yo, Dylan," Jake started. "Can I show you something?"
"Sure
Jennifer Youngblood, Sandra Poole