SUMMER YEAR 1

"W-why do we have to go to the beach?" I muttered from the backseat with my arms wrapped around myself. I'm telling myself to stop shaking but I can't.

"I think it's great that you get to see the ocean," beamed mom from the front seat. She turns around and looks at me. "I know you don't like being outside often but it's just for the week." I sigh to myself as I wanted to spend my whole summer building my Kinect and Logos, those plans were quickly ruined. My parents didn't even tell me about this trip to the beach. If they had I would have run away for sure. I shake harder as I begin to think of all the living things in the ocean, the sand, oh god…sun burn.

"Don't worry son," said dad. "Everything will be just fine. You got your fidget toy with you?"

"Yes," I hiss. I hate the fact that I need that stupid thing. One of them doesn't even help most of the time, I need to usually have 6 of them going at once. At the age of 15, I would like to think I didn't need them anymore. We pull up to the beach timeshare that my parents have invested in. God the thought of coming here every summer even for just a week is a terrifying thought. We gather our items out of the car and get on the evaluator that takes us up to the 8th floor. I follow my parents not sure what else to do. My mom opens the door since my dad and I are carrying more items. I see a long hall wall. I look to the left and there are two rooms and one room to the left. A little further to the left is a big open kitchen with sit down bar at the countertop. Ahead is a large dining table we don't really need followed by the living room. There is a door in the living room that leads to the master bedroom as my dad walks in there sitting their stuff down.

"Tweek, why don't you pick a room," smiles my mom. "Don't be so nervous." I open one door that has two twin beds in it. I go into the room directly across the hall and this room has a full-size bed. I'm use to sleeping in a bigger bed and decide to take this room. I sigh as I take out my laptop and unpack my clothes. I head into the kitchen and I see my parents are on the balcony. I don't trust stepping out there so I get close to the door.

"Tweek," said mom happily. "It's beautiful out here, come to see."

"No thanks," I muttered.

"We're about to head to the store to get some food for the week," said my dad. "Did you want to come?"

"No way!" I exclaimed imaging all the people that would be flooded in the store.

"Alright I want you to get outside and get some fresh air," he states before walking into the room to grab his keys. "Here is your key to get back inside okay? I want you outside for at least 20 minutes." God 20 minutes is forever. Mom hugs me before guiding me to the front door.

"Why don't you hang out by the pool," she suggests. "You could also walk the beach as well." Yeah…..I'm not doing that. I ride down the elevator with them walking to the pool. I'm surprised that it is unattended but on the inside, I am super glad. I go and sit in one of the chairs under an umbrella with a table. The pool is located on the back on the condos before you head out to the beach. I can see and smell the ocean from here. I don't know why mom and dad want to force me to go out into the sun. Not going outside has never hurt anyone. I look around at all the fearless people on the beach having fun. I could go back inside; mom and dad would never know. Before I could think further I feel cold pool water being splashed in my face.

"Argghh!" I cry out jumping from my chair to wipe my face with my hands as quickly as I can. I look around frantic as to what happened. I strain my eyes and I see a volleyball floating in the pool.

"A little help," I look towards the voice to see this cool looking guy. His hair is in his eyes, I don't see how he is not hot let alone see what is going on around him. He is wearing a tee shirt but that is all I can see because the fence is blocking the rest.

"W-what?" I stammer.

"Our ball?" he questions. I continue to stare at him and he sighs jumping over the fence. "Sorry, you got all wet or whatever." He removes his shirt to reveal a very ripped body. Jesus Christ, does he work out 24-7? He gets in the water grabbing the ball from the center of the pool. He climbs out walking over to me. I shrink away from a little.

"Are you okay?" he asked raising one eyebrow.

"No!" I shrieked. "I hate being outside and…and…..you got me wet!"

"Jesus," he chuckles. "It's just water."

"It's not just water!" I scream losing it. "People get in the pool dirty and they piss it, it's disgusting!"

"Whoa, take it down a notch," said the guy. "Would something to drink or eat make you feel better."

"Maybe…." I muttered as my tummy growled.

"I will take that as a yes," he states grabbing his shirt up from the ground. "Follow me." I'm not sure if I should be following him. I don't know this guy from a can of paint. "We're going right there," he says pointing to an area with a small group of people. I slowly walk out of the gate while he hopes back over the fence. I'm glad to be wearing sneakers as I follow him over the to the area he pointed out. "So you just ditched the game?"

"You were gone too long," says a red-headed girl shoving a hot dog in her mouth. "Who's blondie?"

"Uh…what's your name?" he asked me.

"My name is Tweek," I say lowly.

"Tweek?" she questions. "That's kind of cute." I turn away blushing at the compliment. None of the girls back home think I'm cute. They think I am some weirdo loser. My blonde hair is always a mess, I need coffee like most people need water, I'm scared of everything, I mean I don't know what else to say but none of that sounds attractive even to me.

"This is my retarded sister Tricia and I'm Craig." He looks back at his sister. "I didn't even want to play this stupid game and you ran off at the first sign of trouble."

"Whatever," she said rolling her eyes.

"So what do you want to eat?" asked Craig. "It's payment for the water splash."

"Um hamburger," I say after much thought.

"Good choice," says Craig. I stare at him wondering what kind of person is he. He seems super friendly so far but looks can be deceiving. I watch as he fixes my hamburger putting it on a plate. "Never seen you here before?"

"The beach is big," I say. "Do you remember everyone?" He chuckles.

"Actually yes," he replies. "My aunt lives out here during the summer months. We stay here every summer."

"Beautiful whole 3 months," beams Tricia. "Provides me a great tan."

"And skin cancer," states Craig. He looks back at me and the sun hits his eyes just right. I have never seen such a beautiful shade of blue. "You look kind of young, how are you?"

"I'm 15" I squeak out. Tricia and Craig laugh. I decide now is a good time to eat my burger.

"I'm 15 too," says Craig. "Tricia is still just a kid."

"I'm a teenager!" she exclaims. "Always trying to treat me like a kid."

"Because you are!" he exclaims. I finish my burger watching him and his sister talk. I would say something here and there but I didn't have much input to provide. Once I finish my burger I stand up.

"Um thanks for the burger," I say softly. "I-I'm going to go now."

"No problem Tweekers," says Craig. I don't bother correcting him as I walk away. I head back into the condo deciding I was outside long enough. I immediately get undressed and hop in the shower. When I come out my parents are in the kitchen putting up the food.

"You went swimming?" asked my mother.

"No," I replied.

"You were taking a shower so I assumed you did," she smiled.

"Yeah," I replied. "I got wet a little and wanted to get clean."

"How did that happen?" asked dad.

"A ball fell in the pool," I explained. "The guy was really nice, gave me a burger."

"Oh!" exclaimed Mom. "You made a friend!"

"If you want to call it that," I mutter. "I'm going to my room." Today was too much for me. I head back to my so-called room and open my laptop to work puzzles.