by C. L. Craven

Created on: September 01, 2009

Chelsey was free and flying as she road her ten-speed down Davie Boulevard, heading toward the beach. Finally, a day off to sunbathe where all the good looking guys would be, or so she thought. Maybe she would meet the boy of her dreams; tanned, muscular with sun-bleached hair and blues eyes that would make the sky jealous. Jennifer, her co-worker, room mate and good friend was close behind. They had been planning this day for weeks and nothing was going to ruin it.

As they approached the beach, they sighed to see no lifeguards perched above the sand. "Dang", Jennifer sighed. "What is going on?"

"Yah, what you said", Chelsey sighed as well. "Oh well, let's get some sun", Chelsey commanded as she prepared her beach blanket and towel.

After an hour or so, they took a dip in the cold salt water and ran back to their blanket and towels.

"Brrrrrrr!", shouted Chelsey, this isn't at all what I was expecting.

"Yah, what you said", Jennifer exclaimed as she wrapped her towel closer.

"I thought Florida was always warm in the winter months", shouted Chelsey, barely able to talk above the wind and the crashing waves.

As they lay there, disappointed and feeling out of place, they talked about their families and what they might be doing back in Pennsylvania right about now, roasting marsh mellows around a fire or stringing popcorn for the Christmas tree. Tears streamed down Chelsey's face and Jennifer looked away, holding back tears of her own.

"Do you want to go back to the apartment?", Jennifer asked compassionately.

"No", said Chelsey. "Not much to do there, but sit around and watch television or play cards".

Sand suddenly blew at their faces and both girls began to rub to get it out of their eyes. While Chelsey and Jennifer struggled to see to help each other, a strangers hand began to brush the sand from their faces.

Chelsey looked up and for a moment couldn't believe her eyes. A beautiful boy, about her own age, stood hovering over her with the most perfect tan, blond highlights and gorgeous blue eyes.

"I am so sorry", he explained, "I did not see you two lying there and quite frankly, I am surprised to see anyone on the beach today. You two must not be locals".

"Ah, no", said Chelsey, feeling more awkward.

"Well, my name is Nathan", "What's yours?"

After introducing themselves and explaining how their plans for the day had gone awry, Nathan explained that he lived in the beach house just around the bend and invited them to have lunch and also a party that evening.

"We have fires on the beach this time of year", Nathan smiled looking at Chelsey. "If we do take a dip, we have a nice warm fire to cuddle up to".

Chelsey couldn't take her eyes off Nathan as they walked toward the beach house. He was taller than she, about six feet two inches and carried himself with so much distinction. Later on during lunch Nathan explained that it was his grandparent's cottage and he was visiting over the Christmas holiday.

"Where are you from?", Chelsey asked hesitantly.

"I am originally from Pennsylvania, but I am planning on going to school down here".

As the two talked further they began to realize how much they had in common. Knowing when it was time to leave, Jennifer walked outside to take in the view. It wasn't long before Nathan's guests started to arrive in jeeps and beach buggies. Jennifer was soon talking and laughing with all of Nathan's friends and no longer felt excluded. Chelsey didn't know if it was the full moon, the warm fire or the way she felt next to Nathan, but she knew, after this night by the ocean that Christmas was certainly a time for dreams to come true.

Learn more about this author, C. L. Craven.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.