17 The Sunrise

When we look up to the sky we all hurry to the beach to see the sunrise. We plop down in the sand, and Will and I each have a dog in our laps. The pinks and oranges that paint the sky leave me in awe. It's as if someone took a paintbrush to the sky. I haven't felt this happy in a long time. Taking in the moment, I decide I want to have a memento of this night. After getting the courage, I decide to ask.

"Alright boys I've decided we should take a picture."

"Why?"

"Because I want a memento to remember this night by?"

"You'll have plenty with all the pictures that will be released."

"That's different though. I had fun being in that beautiful dress and dancing the night away but that's not what I meant. When I remember this night, I want to remember playing truth or dare, teaching you how to roast marshmallows, and sitting together watching the sunrise. Please?"

"Pretty please?" Dillon chimes in.

Both of us stare at him with puppy dog eyes. He sighs in defeat.

"Fine, but if I see any of these pictures leaked into the tabloids I'll slap you with that nda faster than the speed of light. Understand?"

"It's a deal!"

Since I'm sitting in the middle and don't want to make Donner move, I hand Dillon the phone and let him take the pictures. We take a few normal ones and a few silly ones. After he's done taking them, we look at the pictures and we realize Will hasn't smiled in a single photo.

"Hey why aren't you smiling? It's a beautiful day and you have a beautiful dog with you."

"I don't smile."

"C'mon. Just one smiling picture."

"Fine. But Dillon has to take it with the front camera."

"Hey, I want to be in it too!" Dillon whines.

"Exactly. You get your hands on that picture and you'd flaunt it to anyone and everyone. Me and Astra or no picture at all."

"Come on Dillon this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The Ice King is going to smile for us! Just witnessing it is an honor in itself!"

"Okay fine. Get closer to each other."

We scoot over to each other.

"Closer."

We move until we're almost touching each other."

"Now put your arm around her. Perfect!"

Feeling Will's arm around me I blush. It's so strong and warm. I've always liked strong arms and his are just. Wait, why am I thinking about him like this again. He. Is. My. Boss. That's it. That's all he ever will be. Stop thinking of him like this! When I look up I see a warm-dazzling smile. Oh no. I've always been a sucker for a beautiful smile.

"Astra, you have to smile for the camera too."

Right, focus Astra. I smile and can tell it's a genuine one, but why I'm smiling—I don't know. Did I just have a good night or is it Will?

"Okay, say cheese!"

After taking a few pictures Dillon switches with Will and we take a few pictures. I try to get the boys to take a couple pictures together but they put their foot down and refuse. A girl can try. Going through the pictures we laugh at some of them. I try to delete a few cause I look ugly next to them but they wont let me. I send all the ones to Dillon that he wants except for the one's with Will smiling of course. Will then grabs my phone and selects a few.

"Mind sending these to me? I need more pictures with my dogs."

"You know I'd love to but, I don't have your number."

"Hand me your phone again."

He types into it for a little bit and then hands it back. When I look, he added his contact and sent himself the pictures.

"You're going to need my personal number anyways. I need to be able to get in contact with you no matter what time of the day it is."

"Of course. It's in the contract. I would've gotten it on monday."

While saying this my phone starts to vibrate. It's my mother calling.

"Give me a second guys, my mother is calling."

They nod and start talking about the 49'ers.

"Hey, mom how are you?"

"Good morning, sunshine. I noticed that it's morning and you're not here. Where are you?"

"I'm with my boss and my friend in laguna we're watching the sunrise."

"You know if you want to stay out with your boyfriend and lie to me then maybe you need to find somewhere else to live."

"But mom I really don't have a boyfriend. I'm telling you the truth!"

"We will discuss this when you get home."

"Mom, wait!"

Hearing her hang up, I want to cry but the tears don't come to my eyes. Why can't she just listen to me! I head back where the boys are and sit down. Blitzen comes and rests on my lap. I give him a hug and start to pet his head. He's very comforting. Looking up, Dillon and Will both look concerned.

"What's going on?"

"Everything ok with your mom?" Dillon asks.

"Not really. It's nothing out of the ordinary."

"Anything we can do to help?"

"Unless Will shows up to the door and explains to my mother who he is, she'll keep doing this. It's fine I'm used to it."

"I can if you want."

"Oh no Will, I can't put you out like that. You're a very important person and it's a long drive."

"It's no problem. We can do it after breakfast."

"Sounds like a plan. Since the sun has risen, why don't we go back and I'll get started on that."

When we get back, we head to the kitchen and I fall in love. It's a wide open space with marble counters and a big island in the middle for prepwork. You can tell the appliances are top grade and he even has two ovens!

"Can I use anything?"

"Sure, you have free reign over the kitchen."

Oh say less.