It was already time to go back to the book club.  I stared at my old worn down lunch box sitting on the passenger seat. I had left it in the car in the heat all day and since my dumbself had forgotten it, my food was probably spoiled.

The food itself was enough to make me mad but also the fact that I just had to deal with him made me even angrier.

Three hours ago...

I originally had planned to go to the park and walk down the walking trail that was beside it then eat my food later. My walk was about an hour long and the food would have been fine to eat then, but right across from the park is a highway that separates the park from a beach. The beach isn't the prettiest and the water stinks terribly. 

It is not at all like the picture you would envision when you think of a  white sandy beach with crystal clear water, white foamy waves that grow tall then shrink as they reach the shore, and palm trees with skinny bikini babes sipping drinks out of coconuts.

No my beach smells of straight up oil and dead fish. The water is almost black. You cant even see your feet when you are ankle deep. The sand itself, is lined up with trash. Its so heart wrenching to visit sometimes, but I know of a certain spot that's usually vacant and has no trash, so I decided to go there. I wish I had a prettier beach. I would do anything to have one, my love for beaches is so strong.

I reach my favorite spot where the sand is clean and the water seems strangely cooler than the water over by the harbor. I sit down in the sand and let my hands fall loosely beside me to watch the small ripple like waves splash over in my direction. The sound of moving water is enough to relax me and raise my spirits.
I regretted not even considering bringing my towel to lay down on.

"Do I know you?"

That voice.  It sounded so vaguely familiar.

I tilt back and inwardly groan. There standing right behind me was Grayson, shirtless in American flag shorts. He looked sweaty and his face was red, I could tell he had been running. 

In the sand? What a lunatic.

"Maybe? Do I know you?" I played off like I had the worst memory and didn't remember anyone I see. It may have sounded rude but it was better than awkwardly describing about us seeing each other in book club and him not remembering my face.

His eyes widened as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh, Gracie, hey." He forced out a cough. "What are you doing here?"

I looked around the horizon, taking my sweet time to answer. The air still smelled like murky water, but it was a familiar nostalgic smell. I still somewhat, though I wont admit it, enjoy the smell. "I'm just wasting time." I finally decided to answer with. I had not given him eye contact at all, instead choosing to focus my attention on a flying seagull.

"Oh." He answered shortly. I was wishing him away in my mind, this was already long and awkward and I just wanted peace. I felt his presence still lingering by then watched as his shadow dropped next to mine to match its posture. He was sitting next to me.

Great

"Are you usually running on the beach?" I asked to start small talk. He shrugged and leaned back to prop his weight on his hands. His stomach was now in plain view and I couldnt avoid looking at it when I turned to talk to him. He wasn't muscular, about average but he wasnt skinny or overweight either. He had somewhat visible abs but it was not like an irresistible six pack. His arms weren't as muscular either but he did have some visible muscling. His eyes were a light hazel color, reminding me of autumn. Thats the only thing that really caught my attention were his eyes.

He caught me studying him and cleared his throat. "Are you going this evening?"
I nodded my head in response. "Yeah I-." I cut myself off from saying. 'Yeah I have to my mom is making me'

He hummed quietly and stared out across the water just like I was doing. "Are you even into this book? I think its stupid." He commented. "Well you don't really seem like the teen romance fic type anyways." I joked. He raised his brows "What type of book do I seem to read then?"

I hummed and studied him for a while in deep thought. "Maybe the type that would read nothing unless forced. Unless every now and then you read some kind of action/adventure book." He bit his lip and a small blush appeared on his cheeks. " I actually do read romance novels." He murmured but it was just loud enough for me to hear it and make it out. My jaw dropped.  Sitting up straighter, I pushed the hair out of my right eye so i could focus more on him. "Shut up," I gasped. That was shocking and hard to comprehend.

He likes romance?

His blush deepened, making him actually look cute for once. "Yeah I know."

We didn't say anything else for the rest of the thirty minutes that we had left until the book club started. When the time clicked closer and my phone boomed out an alarm that achieved a questioning expression from Grayson I knew it was time to go.

My legs were cramped up after sitting down for so long and sand had made its way inside my shirt and other places that i did not want it to be. Groaning, I dusted off the best i could then returned my attention to Grayson who was observing every move I made. "Do you have a lot of friends?" He asked out of the blue. I froze on the spot thinking of a good answer.

Sure I knew people who I could consider friends but no I didn't have actual friend, friends. I went out with some familiar faces here and there for homeschool groups but never have I made that certain connection other people explain they have made when finding friends. No one ever clicked with me.

"Im guessing no." He assumes then stands up and holds his hand out for me to shake. I hadn't said anything at this point. The way he just quickly assumed I didn't have friends and probably never will because I'm homeschooled made me want to defend myself, but I was too frozen on the spot to say anything or think of anything witty to retaliate with.

I would probably come up with something later.

I tentatively take his hand and shake it awkwardly for a good long minute it felt like. Both of us making eye contact and not breaking it. His hand grip was firm and thankfully not sweaty. He had large hands and mine looked like a midget compared to his. I felt self conscious of my hand size and finally broke the long handshake.

"Congratulations you just made your first true friend." He says making his voice lower than it actually was. Do I want him to be my friend?

No not really.

But then again I font know him well enough to say no. So I just smile and nod. "Pleasure doing business with you." I laugh and do a bow. He rolls his eyes. "Ive heard like five people in the past two days tell me that is it like a thing?"

I hadn't noticed it until then that we both had fallen into footstep and were walking towards my car together.

"Erm... I don't think so its just a funny little saying - yeah its a thing but its not like a trendy quote." I began to ramble on only to side eye and catch him smirking at me.

"You just like to overly explain stuff thats your problem."

I glared at him then ducked my head inside my purse to find my keys that were always so difficult to find in my landfill of  crinkled up receipts, empty hand sanitizer bottles and filled ones, lipsticks for emergencies, and then... as I was fumbling for my keys a flash of orange fell out of my purse and plummeted to the ground.

I stopped what I was doing, knowing immediately what it was. Out of gentlemanly habit, Grayson swooped down to pick it up and did just as I didn't want him to do.

When he fully realized what it was he froze with it in his hands staring down at the orange paper wrapping. He looked like he broke out into another sweat and quickly shoved the overnight pad back into my purse. Clearig his throat, he shuffled on his feet now uncomfortable.

Why did he have to react like that? It was only making me more humiliated. Its not like he doesnt know what girls go through already. I found my freaking keys and pressed the unlock button multiple times to ensure the doors were indeed unlocked. Grayson opens the door then gestures with his hand for me to step in. I do so willingly, ready to leave.

"See you around." He says grimly then shuts the door. I caught him speed walking in the parking lot and then he vanished.

Now here I am fuming in my car over my spoiled lunch and insanely mad over how he had acted like I was hiding certain toys in my purse instead of a pad. A simple pad that is for what alot of women deal with. Its common sense.

Infuriated, I backed out the parking lot and drove in silence to the library. Not even in the mood to blare my spotify playlist from my phone. 

He was being so nice too I don't know why he had to up and switch like that.

I reached the library parking lot and drove to the back. I usually liked to park away from the busiest parking spots and park in a more secluded area just so I never hit someone as I was backing out. I am not the world's best driver. Or maybe I am and just don't have the confidence.

Inside the library, I find Grayson sitting next to that loud obnoxious girl. He was so engrossed with their conversation and playing  with her hair that he didn't even hear the librarian tell everyone to be quiet and pay attention.

When it did reach the desired silence. I waved over at him when he looked my way but he didnt even acknowledge me. No smile, no small smirk not even holding eye contact.

Nothing.

What a jerk. And I thought we were friends now.