Chapter 4 Beach

As the sun streamed through the window, Maya squinted against the bright light and rolled over, willing herself to escape the remnants of the hazy night before. The smell of stale alcohol mixed with the faint, lingering scent of her haphazard meal hung in the air, and she groaned, pulling the covers over her head. The space felt eerily quiet; the raucous sounds of last night seemed like a distant memory, one she couldn't quite grasp.

She heaved herself out of bed, her stomach protesting with each movement. The echo of laughter and music danced just beyond her awareness, teasing her with incomplete images of the night. Making her way to the kitchen, she scoured the fridge for something edible, but it seemed her culinary skills hadn't improved overnight. After rummaging through various condiments and leftovers that were better left untouched, she settled for a soggy slice of pizza that had long overstayed its welcome.

"Mmm, breakfast of champions," she muttered sarcastically, while forcing down the cold slice.

Just as she finished, the sound of the doorbell rang through the silence, loud and jarring. Maya wiped her greasy hands on her pajama pants and trudged to the door where Delbee stood, her vibrant energy practically radiating off her. Clad in a fashionable ensemble complete with a designer handbag, Delbee flashed a dazzling smile.

"Surprise! I brought the funds for our shopping spree!" she exclaimed dramatically, brandishing both their parents' credit cards like trophies. "And I brought coffee!"

Maya's spirit lifted slightly at the sight of her best friend, even as she recalled how she had left the night's events behind her. "I thought we agreed to keep it mellow tonight? Why do I have a feeling we didn't stick to that plan?"

Delbee waved her off, leading them both out of the house. "Who knows? But you know what what happened last night is behind us! We're going to make this shopping experience legendary! You need some new shoes, anyway. Let's find you something that doesn't look like you dug through a dumpster."

Maya chuckled, joining in on the excitement despite her hangover. "Okay, fair point."

They hopped into Delbee's sleek car, which reeked of the latest designer perfume. Maya leaned back, watching the scenery pass by, almost feeling like a shadow drifting along as Delbee narrated plans for their upcoming trip to the seaside. Delbee was bubbling with enthusiasm, detailing all the activities she had meticulously planned. "We're going to hit the beach, grab cocktails at that new rooftop bar, and, of course, dance the night away!" she declared, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Maya couldn't help but let her own excitement start to build. It had been a while since they had a real girls' trip. "You really think I'm ready for another night out after last night?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Delbee glanced over, her confident smile unwavering. "Trust me, Maya. This is just what you need. Plus, you'll have plenty of time to recover on the drive there!"

Maya chuckled softly, feeling the dark clouds of her hangover beginning to disperse under the radiant sunshine and her friend's infectious spirit. By the time they arrived at the mall, she felt almost ready to embrace the day.

As they walked through the vibrant entrance, the smells of fresh pretzels and coffee wafted through the air, igniting a deeper hunger in Maya than her cold pizza could quell. Delbee led the way to their favorite shoe store, a treasure trove of styles ranging from funky sneakers to elegant heels.

"Okay, let's find you something that will make you feel like a million bucks," Delbee insisted, eagerly pushing Maya towards a plush seating area with racks overflowing with shoes in every imaginable color.

Maya plopped down, a little overwhelmed by the sheer variety. She picked up a sparkly pair of flats, examining them with feigned interest. "What do you think? Chic enough for a beach trip?"

Delbee rolled her eyes, a grin tugging at her lips. "Cute, but let's aim for something that won't blend in with the sand. We need bold! How about those red wedges over there?"

Maya looked up to where Delbee was pointing and squealed slightly at the sight of the vibrant, strappy heels. "You think I could pull those off?" she pondered, biting her lip.

"Absolutely! With the right outfit, you'll have heads turning on the boardwalk." Delbee practically bounded over to grab the shoes, her excitement palpable. "Just try them on! Trust me; you'll feel fabulous. And if not, we'll find something else."

After a bit of back and forth and trying on endless pairs of shoes, Maya finally slipped into the red wedges. She teetered for a moment before finding her balance, then looked in the mirror and gasped. "Wow... I actually love these!" The height gave her legs a stunning silhouette, and the color was bold enough to match Delbee's enthusiasm.

"See! Just look at you!" Delbee cheered, clapping her hands. "You're ready to strut your stuff on that beach!"

Maya turned to the side, admiring how the wedges made her outfit pop. "I can't believe I'm really considering wearing these to the beach," she said, her confidence building. "What about practicality? Won't they sink in the sand?"

Delbee waved her concerns away with a playful flick of her wrist. "Who cares about practicality when you look this good? Plus, it's a beach! If you end up taking them off to run through the sand, at least you've got some killer pics first!"

Maya couldn't help but giggle at Delbee's relentless optimism. "Alright, I'm sold! Let's do it." With that, she made her way over to the cashier, her heart fluttering with excitement.

With their new footwear in hand, the pair meandered through the mall, hopping in and out of various stores, trying on sundresses and fun accessories that would go perfectly with their beachy plans. Maya even found a gorgeous flowy maxi dress that made her feel like a goddess.

"I can already picture you twirling on the beach in that dress," Delbee said, practically bouncing on her toes. "Go on, try it on with the wedges!"

Once Maya emerged from the fitting room, the sight of her in the ensemble took Delbee's breath away. "Oh my gosh, you look stunning! You HAVE to buy that. It's too perfect."

After stumbling upon a few accessories a wide-brimmed hat and some beaded bracelets-the girls felt ready for their getaway. With a few bags in tow, they headed back to Delbee's car, already chatting about what other outfits they might want to bring.

"Okay, we officially need to make a playlist for the drive," Delbee said, biting her lip in thought as she started the engine. "And do you remember that cute little ice cream shop we visited last time?"

"How could I forget? I've dreamt about that salted caramel swirl ever since!" Maya laughed, sinking back into her seat, the anticipation growing in her chest. "We definitely have to stop there before we hit the beach. It would be the perfect way to kick off the trip!"

"Absolutely! Ice cream tastes better when you're on the road to adventure," Delbee grinned, her excitement radiating throughout the car. She fiddled with the radio, her fingers dancing over the buttons until she found the upbeat playlist they both loved.

As the first notes of their favorite song filled the car, Maya felt a sense of liberation wash over her. The world outside was buzzing with activity people shopping, laughing, and living their lives but inside the car, it was just them against the world.

Maya glanced at Delbee, who was singing along and bouncing slightly in her seat, her long hair swaying to the rhythm. "You know, I think we really needed this getaway, Delbee. It's nice to escape reality for a little while."

Delbee nodded, her focus still on the road. "Totally! Work has been so draining for both of us. This is a chance to recharge. And old memories to create!" She whipped her head toward Maya with a mischievous look. "Just think of all the fun we'll have and the stories we'll tell!"

They both erupted into laughter, sending each other exaggerated winks and playful nudges. The sun was high, and the excitement of the trip added a spring to their step, making the drive seem shorter than it actually was.

About an hour later, they pulled into the familiar parking lot of the ice cream shop. The quaint little building was painted in pastel colors, with a sign out front that read "Scoop Dreams." The mouthwatering aroma of waffle cones wafted through the air, instantly making both of their mouths water.

Delbee practically leaped out of the car. "Last one in has to pay for both!" she shouted before sprinting toward the entrance, laughing as Maya chased after her.

Once inside, they were greeted by all the delicious flavors they remembered and a few new ones. The choices were endless. "Should I be daring and try the lavender honey?" Maya pondered, staring at the chalkboard filled with handwritten flavors.

"Absolutely! I'll get the salted caramel swirl," Delbee said, planting her hands on her hips. "We can share a scoop!"

After making their selections and paying for their ever-delicious treats, they settled onto a sunny table outside, each of them clutching their ice cream cones with delight. Maya took a moment to appreciate the sight before her the vibrant colors of the ice cream paired with the sunny day and the sound of laughter from other customers around them.

"Okay, cheers to our first scoop of the trip!" Delbee declared, clinking her cone against Maya's.

"Cheers!" Maya grinned, taking a big bite of her lavender honey ice cream. The floral notes mixed perfectly with the sweetness, and it instantly transported her back to childhood summers.

"So good," she sighed, closing her eyes for a moment as she savored the flavor. "This is definitely a memory I want to keep."

Delbee was busy enjoying her own scoop, the caramel dripping ever so slightly down the cone. "I can't believe we've been working so hard and pushing ourselves. This is exactly what we needed." She took a moment to glance around, then added, "Next up, beach time! Just think of the waves!"

Maya nodded enthusiastically. "And the sandy beach! We can take so many pictures!"

The two friends continued to enjoy their ice cream and chat about everything under the sun dream vacations, favorite memories, and their hopes for the future. Hours seemed to slip by unnoticed, filled with laughter, storytelling, and a sprinkle of nostalgia.

Once they finished their cones, they made their way back to the car, their spirits high and anticipation bubbling as they spotted the exit sign leading toward the beach.

As they drove along the scenic route, with the ocean stretching out before them, the golden rays of the sun danced on the water. Maya rolled down the window, letting the salty breeze fill the car, and took a deep breath. "This is what happiness feels like," she said, grinning at Delbee.

Delbee laughed, nodding in agreement. "Adventures and ice cream! What could be better?"

When they finally parked at the beach, they jumped out of the car, excitement surging through them. They raced toward the shoreline, squealing with delight as the cool waves lapped at their feet. Maya paused for a moment to take in the sight before her seagulls flying overhead, families playing in the sand, the sun shining brightly and felt consumed with gratitude for moments like these.

"Let's set up our spot!" Delbee called, already rummaging through their beach bags for towels and sunscreen.

As they laid out their towels on the warm sand, Maya couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore felt like a soothing melody, perfectly harmonizing with the laughter and chatter around them.

"Okay, first things first! Sunscreen!" Delbee said, holding up a bottle triumphantly. She squeezed a generous amount onto her palm and began slathering it on her arms, then handed the bottle to Maya. "Can't get sunburned on the first day of our adventure!"

Maya laughed and nodded, applying sunscreen diligently. "We need all the protection we can get, especially with how long we plan to be out here!"

Once they were sufficiently coated in sunscreen, they both stood up and made their way to the water's edge. Delbee squealed as a wave washed over her feet, the coolness refreshing against the heat of the sun. "Oh, wow! This feels amazing!"

Maya joined her, splashing around in the shallows. "I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun!" she said, reveling in the liberating feeling of splashing in the ocean. The water was chilly at first, but it quickly became invigorating as they both laughed and shouted, letting their worries wash away.

After a while of playing in the water, they decided to take a break and plop down on their towels. Delbee pulled out her phone, excitedly scrolling through the pictures she had taken earlier. "We need to capture more moments! Selfie time?" she suggested, flashing a cheeky grin.

"Absolutely!" Maya replied, adjusting her hair and striking a silly pose as Delbee clicked away, each photo filled with laughter and spontaneity. They dutifully took turns taking selfies and photographs of each other, capturing the essence of their day the sun, the sea, and the radiant joy on their faces.

Feeling inspired, Maya suggested, "Let's create a small video montage of our beach day! We can play around with it tonight over dinner. It'll be like our own little movie!"

"Yes! That sounds perfect!" Delbee exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air. "We'll be stars of our own summer blockbuster!"

After some impromptu beach games, collecting seashells along the shore, and even a little beach yoga thanks to a few quirky poses they attempted under the sun it was time for a break once again. They settled back on their towels, feeling pleasantly exhausted from all the fun. The sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon with vibrant hues of orange and pink.

"Look at that sunset!" Maya sighed, her heart full. "This is what life is all about just being here, right now."

Delbee nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I know, right? We should definitely do this more often. Beach days are where it's at!" She pulled out her water bottle to hydrate. "We've got to stay energized for our beach bonfire later too!"

Maya smiled at the thought. "Oh, I can't wait! S'mores, music, and us. Just perfect. Do you think we'll be able to find some firewood?"

"I saw some driftwood further down the beach!" Delbee replied, her face lighting up with ideas. "We can go on a little adventure to gather it. A beach scavenger hunt!"

"Great idea! Let's make it a game, like who can find the biggest piece?" Maya suggested, bouncing to her feet, feeling adventurous.

"Challenge accepted!" Delbee exclaimed, and they both started to rummage through the sand, excitedly searching for the perfect pieces of wood. Each time one of them found something worthwhile, they would cheer, making it a fun competition.

After a while, they ended up with a small pile of driftwood and shells, proudly showcasing their finds. "I think we'll have enough for a bonfire now," Maya said, feeling accomplished. "And we can also use those seashells for decoration!"

As they headed back to their towels, the sun began to set even more, casting a golden glow around them. They decided to take a moment to just sit and watch the waves while munching on some snacks they had brought along.

"This is the life," Delbee sighed contentedly. "I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything."

"Me neither," Maya replied, gazing at the horizon. "This day has been perfect. It's moments like these that I cherish the most."