It’d been about 18 years since Liza heard this song and it took her right back to that day:
I think there’s something you should know
I think it’s time I told you so
There’s something deep inside of me
There’s someone else I’ve got to be
Liza was bored.
That wasn’t a new or uncommon thing in her world, but the heat and stifling humidity of the afternoon was making her cranky too.
An unfortunate combination.
Her boom box was pulsing with music, spilling it across the manicured lawn.
She shifted in her lounge chair, knowing for certain that the back of her legs were now striped and puckered by the plastic slits, but she had no intention of forcing herself up until much later.
Her tawny skin was slick and shiny with baby oil, a thermos full of lemonade and a spray bottle full of salt water within arm’s reach, perched on a small uneven table in the grass.
Tanning was her job this summer, at 12 there just wasn’t much else she was expected to do.
Her parents weren’t pushing her to work, her childhood still intact as far as they were concerned.
Liza untied the string that held her bikini together at the back of her neck picked up her Tiger Beat magazine and daydreamed about kissing a New Kid on the Block. She had tried practicing on Josh, their 13 yr old gardener, but his lips were stiff and dry no matter how much Chap Stick he used.
She closed her eyes as her mixed tape moved on to Janet Jackson:
Our friends think we’re opposites
Falling in and out of love
They all said we’d never last
Still we manage to stay together
She was wondering what falling in love would feel like, when she felt the sudden chill of someone blocking her sun.
“Hey, Josh, move it”
A familiar giggle made her eye fly open “Try again. It’s me!”
Liza squealed, “Kimber! I thought you were going to be away all week with your parents”
“Yeah well, I told them I’d rather stay here. I mean camping? Really Dad? It’s ok if I stay here a few days?”
“Are you kidding? I thought I would die of boredom”
“So should I get a chair and make myself comfortable?” Kimmy was already walking to the other side of the lawn.
“Nope, let’s go to the pool”
“Ummm, ok” Kimmy started “but I don’t have any money with me”
Liza brushed her off, “we don’t need money Kimber, c’mon”
And because that’s what she did, Kimmy followed Liza down the street to the entrance of the community pool.
Ted was working today, his 16 year old face tanned and handsome, his smooth chest shirtless, and the rescue whistle curled around his fingers.
“Oh to be that whistle” Kimmy sighed.
Liza laughed, deep and hearty and called to him through the fence. “Ted, Hey over here, its Liza”
She tossed her shoulder length hair behind her shoulder, bringing attention to her fuchsia bikini top and tiny waist. Her natural curls kissed with gold from the Sun In she had used were a color their mothers paid their stylist a lot of money to replicate.
Liza grinned, big and bright, knowing that their admission was guaranteed as long as she kept flashing that smile.
Ted made his way over, lumbering between brightly covered beach towels, slipping his fingers through the mesh, he eyes took both of them in.
“Hey Lize” and then turned his full attention to Kimmy, “Hey Kimmy” his voice squeaked.
“Hi”
“What’s up?” the squeak again, like he had a dog toy in his throat.
Liza cut in, disoriented by this recent turn of events, sure she was mistaken.
“We forgot our wallets, Teddy, but you’ll let us in right? Liza radiated a thousand watts of perfect teeth and thought about how her cheeks were aching with the exertion.
“AH C’mon girls, you know I’m not supposed to” a tease in his tone
“Pleeeease?” Liza was not deterred.
“Oh Liza, don’t bother Ted” Kimmy flushed “we’ll go back to your house”
Ted started to stammer, “oh I was just kidding, of course I’ll let you in” eyes glued to Kimmy’s big blue eyes and the small buds of breasts straining at last year’s one piece.
In one fluid motion, he unlocked the gate and ushered them inside.
**************************************************************************
Liza popped back to the present.
Realizing it was the first, but certainly not the last time that Kimmy didn’t realize how pretty she really was. She would never grow into the stunner Liza was, but it was something about those eyes, like you could see right into her big mushy heart.
One look from those pools of blue and every door opened.
*****************************************************************************
Happy Friday!!!! Time for the TRDC prompt
This week’s prompt was all about Physical Beauty:
This week we asked you to show us how physical beauty can open doors – or close them. How does it make an impact?
Haven’t been keeping up with Kimmy and David, you can read all about them here:
Sweet Surprise
David’s Side
Stolen Moments
Last Call
Kimmy’s Songs
Even Best Friends Fight
Nothing Good Happens After 2AM
Take Me..To Lunch
A Hot Mess
Birthdays & Beginnings
Reflections
Prolouge: The Wedding
So, this is my favorite:Liza radiated a thousand watts of perfect teeth and thought about how her cheeks were aching with the exertion. I think it shows us so much about her character. If she is already learning at 12 that it's hard work, exertion, to be beautiful…
Oh to be young again…. I have some distant memories of times similar to this. Friends, summer, boys… You did a great job capturing the moment!
Ah the power of innocent eyes
The flash back does a good job of helping to build up the relationship of these characters.
I love how Liza becomes aware of kimmy's beauty in that moment. Well played!
I love this and how Kimmy beauty shines through.
I was wrong. You don't have a book here. You have a whole freaking series.
Wow! LOVE. Especially since that whole backyard tanning, Sun-In, Tiger Beat thing was exactly my childhood (minus the gorgeous part, of course.) I loved the interaction between the two girls and the love that Liza feels looking back on that moment. Now going back to catch up on what I've been missing!
Love this! And that backyard tanning scene, complete with Tiger Beat, NKOTB and sun in? Yeah, that was me!
Oh I so remember Tiger Beat, NKOTB, & Sun In! Wait- did I just admit that?! Love the flashback!
I love how you brought us back to Kimmy's youth. Love this series!
Very intriguing and entertaining! Well done!
Ooo…is there some jealousy going on here? Loved this flashback to a more "innocent" time. Great job!
I don't know where it's going either LOL>
But I thought I would try to flesh out their friendship and the characters, did it work?
ah thanks Mandy, glad YOU liked it!
thank you!!!! love when I get "new friends" stopping by
ahhhh, thank you so much! Fleshing out these characters is half the fun!!!! SO glad you enjoyed it my friend
Really??? SO glad, thanks so much for reading. It means a lot to me.
You SURE DID, but don't worry that part was "almost autobiographical" LOL
Glad you liked it!
so glad you enjoyed it. Really!!!!
so glad you liked it Jenny!!!! and um, you are GORGEOUS girlfriend
HI SWEETIE,sooooooo glad you are enjoying this. I write for YOU my dear.
wow, thank you sweetie. That was a nice comment. I am so glad you saw it like that .
YEA!!!!!! you liked it.
so glad you liked it, and saw me developing them, what a great compliment.
I'm so glad you liked it!!!