When We Were Young Ch 02 1

A loud truck rumbling up the street woke me up from a light sleep, its engine clearly at the end of its life as it pulled into the driveway next door. I stood up, stretched my arms above my head, and walked over to my bedroom window, which looked out over our next door neighbor's house. I pulled the flowy lavender curtain aside and pulled open the window since it was a beautiful California June morning.

I watched as Mr. Joyner -- the elderly man who lived alone next door and always sent me and my sisters birthday cards -- climbed out of the passenger seat of a beaten up red pickup that was a far cry from the sleek vintage cars he usually drove. From the driver's side, a guy around my age, maybe a little older, hopped out and started unloading the bed of the truck, which housed a handful of taped-up large boxes and a few suitcases.

As the guy started to unload boxes, bringing them inside carefully but quickly, I got a good look at him. He had broad shoulders and sun-highlighted hair in waves around his face. From that far, I could tell he was swoon-worthy handsome, but I wanted to get a closer look as soon as I could. This was an older neighborhood for the most part and the idea of having any peers here besides my sisters -- especially a cute one -- already had a smile on my face.

My sisters Sienna and Bianca must've noticed the commotion, too, because they stepped out onto the porch below my window and called out to them. Always the brash one of the three of us, Sienna called out, "Who's the hunk?"

Mr. Joyner put his arm around the guy and proudly explained, "This is my nephew Beckett. Beck. He's staying here this summer to help me with some of the repairs around the place -- I mean, you've seen the state of my gutters." He chuckled in the way only old men did when they made a non-joke. Mr. Joyner introduced both my sisters (he always said bee-yank-uh because he was from somewhere in Europe) and then finally pointed to me up above them, practically hanging out of my window. "And that one's Mariana; she's the one who just graduated last weekend."

I called back with a grin, "Call me Mari! Why don't you stop by once you're settled in? We've got some cheesecake leftover from my grad party last night"

He -- Beck -- smiled and the light went from his dimples to his eyes. "That sounds great."

His uncle looked between the two of us with a mischievous smile. "Good, get to know each other." Then, to all of us, he added, "Anyway, he's back from his first year at UMass back east and he's a good kid, so I expect you all to be welcoming!"

Both my sisters echoed a variety of "No problem, Mr. Joyner" before scampering back into the kitchen, all giggles and excitement. They were both older than me, with Bianca already finished college and engaged to be married in the fall and Sienna about to start her senior year at UCLA. They still liked to stay here at home for at least a few weeks during the summer, though. Who wouldn't? Southbridge, California, was basically a little slice of heaven, with its own lesser known coastline on a crescent-moon sandy bay and surrounding vineyards to run through and blue skies. I had to admit it was idyllic, even if most of us teenagers wanted to leave once we were adults. Perfect place to vacation, not so perfect to figure out adulthood.

Mr. Joyner and Beck disappeared inside the house and I decided not to be weird and keep watching as Beck unpacked for the next hour or so. Instead, I actually got ready for the day, which I wouldn't have done until later in the evening since it was a summer Saturday. There were all kinds of parties and get-togethers pretty much every evening between graduations and goodbyes, which meant mornings were reserved for sleeping in and scrounging for carbs guilt-free. I took a quick shower, spritzed with strawberry vanilla body mist, and did my light skincare routine, finally swiping on just a bit of mascara to make my eyes pop. I pulled on a loose white tank top, red bikini top instead of a bra, and a pair of jean cutoffs that showed off my butt. That was sort of my go-to beachy summer uniform.

A knock at the door set off our family dog. I dashed down the stairs, hoping to beat Mom to the door, but she somehow harnessed an otherworldly maternal speed whenever someone was visiting, especially if that someone might be attractive to her single daughters. When I made it to the kitchen, she was already chatting Beck up with a big smile on her face, futzing at the fridge for snacks and drinks.

I leaned against the archway that led into the kitchen, trying to appear casual. "Hey. You getting all sorted over there?"

Beck looked up at me. I swallowed hard. Up close, he was even more handsome, with a fray of innocent freckles that highlighted his fresh tan. His eyes were such a vibrant yet pale green they reminded me of a perfectly ripened avocado, grown in the nearby gardens, sliced open at the peak of flavor. Then, when his eyes roved over my body -- slowly but not disrespectfully -- I felt blush rising hot and fast in my thighs and chest and cheeks. He replied in a voice that made me shiver, "It'll be a few days before I'm settled. Couldn't get a storage unit back in Boston with everyone leaving for the summer, so there's lots to sort through."

"Gotcha. Well-" I sat down at the table across from him "-if you want any help, I've got pretty much nothing to do all summer -- during the day, at least. Happy to help a guy organize all his pictures of his many girlfriends."

Beck chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, environmental science majors are always such players."

A glass of lemonade and a slice of cheesecake appeared in front of each of us before my mom scurried out of the kitchen, thankfully picking up that I wanted to get to know him a bit on my own. Beck, eager to impress, called after her, "Thank you, Mrs. Pisano!"

"Environmental science?" I questioned, "You want to save the world from climate change and stuff? Impress girls by holding baby turtles?"

Beck grinned, taking a bite of the cheesecake. "You caught me. Juggling ecosystems and relationships, my two specialties."

I laughed, leaning back in my chair. "Well, lucky for you, I'm an expert in both. I want to go to school for biology, not sure what kind yet. Although, I think my expertise in relationships might be a bit rusty."

He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes as he searched my face. "Rusty, huh? I find that hard to believe."

I met his eyes, my lips pursed in a little smile. "What makes you say that?"

The corner of his lip twitched up into a smirk. "I mean, look at you. You're gorgeous. California babe. Literal girl-next-door, right?."

I blushed deeply, cheeks flaming, and was suddenly thankful for my Italian complexion and slight sunburn for hiding it. "You're sweet."

"I'm honest," he replied.

"You can be both." I took another bite of my cheesecake, unable to maintain eye contact with how cute he was when he looked at me. And I can totally come over tomorrow to help with all those boxes."

Beck smirked, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "Deal. And who knows, maybe we'll discover some hidden treasures in those boxes. Old love letters, embarrassing childhood photos -- the possibilities are endless."

As we chatted and enjoyed the cheesecake, the easy banter flowed between us. There was a natural chemistry, a rhythm to our conversation that made the room feel lighter. I caught glimpses of Beck's genuine smile and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement.

Our dialogue deepened and I discovered the layers beneath Beck's charming facade. He shared anecdotes from his time at UMass, painting vivid pictures with his words that transported me to the campus and the experiences that shaped him over his freshman year of college. In turn, I opened up about my own aspirations, dreams that I'd been nurturing since childhood, and the tales of growing up in Southbridge.

Amidst the laughter and the occasional teasing, there were those fleeting moments when our eyes locked, unspoken sentiments passing between us like a secret language only we understood. Beck's genuine smile, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window, held a warmth that resonated deep within me. It wasn't just the words we exchanged but the little connections, the shared glances and subtle gestures that forged a bridge between us.

After a while, we settled into a comfortable silence, neither wanting to end this but both knowing it would be weird to stay together much longer. I stood up and cleared our dishes. Beck stood up, too, stretching his arms over his head. I tried not to ogle his toned shoulders and arms as he said, "Thanks for the warm welcome, Mari. I think this summer is going to be an interesting one."

I joined him by the door, smiling. "I have a feeling you're right. Interesting and maybe a little unpredictable for once."

He winked, a teasing grin on his face. "I like unpredictable. Looking forward to it."

Then, as he put his hand on the doorknob to leave, lingering just a second, I swallowed and drummed up the courage to speak. "Hey, so, ah, there's this graduation party tonight, down on the beach. Big bonfire and s'mores and everything. All my friends will be there, so you can meet some people our age. You should come, if you want to."

"How about I drive you?"

I beamed. "Yeah, that would be great. We should leave around sunset."

"Perfect. I'll see you then."

"See you then."

*****

That evening, Beck honked the truck's loud horn just as the sun began to turn from bright blue to the pale orangey pinks of the start of sunset. With the front door closing behind me, I couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement as I made my way down the porch steps to where Beck was parked. The warm California evening embraced us, the air tinged with the scent of salt from the nearby ocean. Beck smiled when he saw me, the fading sunlight casting a golden glow on his features.

As we drove towards the coast, the familiar sights of Southbridge blurring by the windows, I marveled at the easy conversation that continued between us. The soft hum of the engine provided a soundtrack to our chatter, and the anticipation for the beach bonfire only intensified with each passing mile. He had on the indie radio station I listened to and we had the same air freshener hanging from our mirrors. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape.

As we approached the coastline, we rolled down the windows. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore became a melodic prelude to the night ahead. The salty breeze swept through the open windows, carrying the promise of a perfect summer beach night. I stole glances at Beck as he navigated the winding roads with ease, his profile illuminated by the warm hues of the setting sun.

The distant sound of laughter and music grew louder as we neared the beach, and soon, we found ourselves amidst half of my graduating class. I spotted a few of my friends and waved them over, introducing them to Beck before they headed back into the crowd. I swear, there had to be more than a hundred people there. The huge bonfire crackled, shooting sparks into the sky and casting a warm glow on the sandy shore, and groups of friends danced and laughed under the starlit sky. The air was filled with the aroma of toasted marshmallows and the distant sound of acoustic guitars strumming.

I led Beck towards the heart of the festivities, the sand soft beneath our feet. The bonfire's flames danced in rhythm with the laughter around it, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as we joined the celebration. Friends greeted me with hugs and laughter, introducing themselves to Beck with genuine warmth. It was a mosaic of carefree spirits, the night alive with the energy of youth and the promise of endless summer possibilities.

Beck and I found a spot near the fire, the flames casting a warm glow on our faces as we settled into the rhythm of the evening. Conversations flowed seamlessly, and soon, we were engaged in the laughter and stories of my friends. The night unfolded with the kind of magic only a summer beach gathering could provide -- the sound of the waves, the crackling bonfire, and the camaraderie of kindred spirits coming together to celebrate the joy of newfound freedom.

As we both polished off our first beer, Beck stood up, extended his hand to me, and asked, "Care to dance?"

I giggled and took his hand in mine. Beck pulled me up to my feet and immediately wrapped his arms around me, resting his hands at the small of my back. Someone's boombox was blasting the summer's best singles; poppy drumlines and guitar riffs pierced the air. I linked my arms behind his neck and swayed with him.

Underneath the vast expanse of stars, Beck and I danced to the music, the sand beneath our feet becoming our makeshift dance floor. The night unfolded like a dream, a perfect blend of laughter, shared glances, and the comforting warmth of the bonfire's glow. With his hands on my hips and my waist and my ass, our bodies seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. I felt myself getting turned on just at the thought of him touching me.

Minutes and hours melted away and, soon, the music had shifted to lowkey, soft, and romantic. The air chilled. I nestled my forehead into the crook of his shoulder; he was the perfect height to melt into. As we danced, our proximity became electrifying, the heat from the bonfire adding to the warmth shared between us.

Beck's hands, confident and tender, explored the contours of my back, moving in harmony with the subtle movements of our dance. The sensation of his touch sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't deny the growing tension that simmered between us. His fingers, tracing delicate patterns on my skin, left a trail of tingling sensations in their wake. It was as if the night had cast a spell, enveloping us in a cocoon of desire beneath the starlit sky.

Lost in the music and the intoxicating closeness, I couldn't help but revel in the way Beck's hands found their place on me. The chemistry between us crackled in the air, creating a magnetic pull that drew us closer with each step on the soft sand. The playful giggles from nearby friends and the distant sound of the ocean seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of us caught in the rhythmic dance of desire.

As the final notes of the song faded away, we lingered in the afterglow of the dance, our breaths syncing in the quiet space between heartbeats. The air crackled with the energy of unspoken desires, and I lifted my head from Beck's shoulder, meeting his gaze with a mixture of anticipation and a newfound intimacy. My heartbeat was fast and it had nothing to do with the dancing. With my hand on his chest, I felt his pounding, too.

His fingers moved from my waist to my chin. His thumb stroked my cheek. The moment before we kissed for the first time burned itself like the fire's embers on the insides of my eyelids. His freckled cheeks covered in dappled orange light. My skin salty with sweat and my lower lip almost trembling with desire. Both our bare feet digging into the cool sand. The gentle breeze in our hair.

When Beck kissed me, it lit a blaze strong as the bonfire inside of me. Everything sparked and made perfect sense. He moaned low in his throat and I stood on my tiptoes to get more of him. His hands grabbed my ass, steadying me, and he caught my lower lip in his teeth. A tiny, embarrassing moan gasped out of me at the sharp sensation.

He pulled back immediately, misinterpreting. "I'm so sorry; I thought-"

I grabbed him harder, knotting my fingers in his hair, and kissed him again. He chuckled against my lips but met my intensity. For a few perfect seconds, I didn't care at all that my classmates could see us and that this gossip would make it back to my sisters by morning. I'd never had a stranger walk into my life and so suddenly make an imprint on me. I'd never needed someone to touch me like this before. To touch them back.

"I've got a blanket in my truck; want to head further down the beach, spread it out. Somewhere a little more private, maybe, where we could...?" His voice trailed off into a sweet question as he pulled back from me, our faces only an inch apart. "I mean, no pressure or anything, that came out wrong. I just...I want to spend more time with you. We could just go sit somewhere or-"

"Yeah. Yeah, definitely." I pointed up a ways, past the end of the parking lot, to the pier where there was a Ferris Wheel and kiddie rides. "Over there, under Southbridge Pier. When the tide goes out, it's a nice private little spot. You can see all the lights from the pier on the ocean. We might run into other people making out, but-" I shrugged and laughed "-at least they'd be in good company."

He flashed me a crooked smile and we ran, hand-in-hand, back to his truck. When we reached it, we saw just how many of my classmates had pooled around the pier, the parking lot, and the beach, presumably out for the rest of the night. Beck put his hands on the truck by either side of my head, pinning me against the cab.

I stretched upward and kissed him, then said in a voice laced with innuendo, "Actually, I know this overlook a ways up the road. Might be a bit more secluded."

Beck leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead. "You sure I shouldn't take you home before you turn into a pumpkin at midnight, princess?"

I laughed. "I've been out past midnight every night since graduation. It's par for the course. And I'm pretty sure that's not how the story goes."

"Alright, you've convinced me."

"That didn't take much work."

"Yeah, I'm easy when it comes to pretty girls."

So we drove in a charged, ecstatic silence about a mile down the coast, where a little outcropping led down to the private lighthouse, fenced off above the cliff.

A text from Rachel pinged on my phone: losing it to a sexy stranger? proud of you!!

I texted back: we'll see

Rachel: can't wait for the details

Me: nosy bitch

Rachel: whore ;)

I rolled my eyes and turned my phone to silent. The trail to the lighthouse split off into a few scenic overlooks, though, and the last one was where Beck and I went. He spread out the blanket on the cliff, sat down, and motioned for me to come over.

Instead of sitting next to him on the blanket, I straddled him, sitting in his lap, and wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt bold and alive and young. Beck's fingers wound themselves in my hair. He tugged my head gently to the left and kissed my neck. I felt his teeth as he sucked and bit gently, not pushing me too far but not holding back with his desires. I gasped at the slight sting that lit up my nerves from my neck all the way down.

His hands trailed to my waist, feeling every inch, before traveling under the hem of my tank top. Then Beck paused and pulled back, his eyes full of desire but his expression hesitant, respectful. "Wait, I'm sorry, I should've asked: Have you done this before? Is all of this okay?"

I lied, "Yeah, of course I have." It wasn't entirely a lie, though; I'd had boyfriends I'd rounded most of the bases with, after all. It's not like I didn't understand the mechanics of it all, even if I'd never spent much time with the equipment in person. But then I told a complete and total truth: "Trust me, I want this. I want you. I don't know what it is, I just..."

He smiled bright as the full moon above us as my voice trailed away into nothingness, joining the sweet lapping of the sea. Our lips met again. His fingers found the hem of my shirt once more and lifted it up over my head. I reached behind my back and untied my bikini top. When he looked at my newly exposed breasts, Beck's expression went from light and flirtatious to unapologetically lustful. He leaned down and took one of my nipples between his lips. I'd never known how sensitive my nipples were until that moment. The chill from the night air puckered them while his mouth kept different parts of my chest warm, exploring as he went.