BEACH PARTY

6 days to the wedding.....

The sun was blazing hot, the music was loud and the beach on Nick Mason's property was filled with people. Some were dancing, swimming, surfing, and playing volleyball, some ladies sat under parasols on their beach beds shielding themselves from the sun and enjoying the cool breeze, while they watched the others have fun. Amongst them laid Lucy, she was adorned in a red bikini, a sunglass covering her eyes which were closed in satisfaction. Nancy, Nicole, and Martha walked to her, each adorned in their own bikini.

"Hey, girl." Nicole said as she sat on a bed beside Lucy, "Didn't you sleep at home? How are you here so early." she asked as Lucy eyed her.

"You're the one who's late, the party started like two hours ago," Lucy replied as Nancy walked to her other side and Martha to Nancy's side to also seat on another bed. "Hey Martha, did you have a good night sleep?" Lucy asked Martha smiling as she sat up on her bed.

"Yes I did, thank you." Martha said politely as she sat down and allowed her eyes to travel around the all too familiar beach.

She, Nancy and all other children who grew up in Hillwood had at one time or another been to this beach, it was one of the popular party spots growing up, that was before the land was bought by Nick. A guy she doesn't even know.

"How about you bride-to-be? Did you choose a gown yet?" Lucy asked, giving Nancy who was pulling sunscreen out of her bag a questioning look. Nancy looked up and smiled.

"Yes, I did."

"You did?!" Lucy and Nicole asked excitedly catching Martha's attention.

"Yes! We can go for the fitting tomorrow." Nancy said proudly as she squeezed the cream into her palm and rubbed it with the other then began to massage it into her back.

"Ah finally. Can I say we are ready for this wedding then?" Nicole asked as she laid down on her own bench.

"Definitely." Lucy said as she copied Nicole's actions. "How did you guys come together by the way? Did you go to pick them up at the house?" Lucy asked Nicole giving her a look that reminded her of their previous discussion about Martha.

"No, we met at the parking lot." Nancy said while Nicole only rolled her eyes at Lucy. "By the way have you seen Richie? He's not been picking my calls." Nancy said oblivious of the fact that Martha's ears perked up at the sound of Richmond's name.

"Yeah, he arrived an hour ago, his probably around here somewhere. Have you been to the house? The music there is loud as hell, no one can hear their phones ring there." Lucy said as she pulled out her phone and began to scroll through.

"Oh, okay. Maybe I should just send him a text of our location." Nancy said as she dropped the sunscreen, picked up her phone, and got busy typing.

"Anyone thirsty?" Nicole suddenly said as she sat up. "I am going to see the ruckus in the house, and get a drink."

"You mean you are going to see what Nick is up to." Lucy said giving her a knowing look and Nancy smiled.

"No silly, what is wrong with you people, I am just going to get us a drink." she said again as she stood up and began to walk away.

"There is a bar not far from here! If you really want a drink, just go there!" Lucy called after her but didn't get a response.

"Oh and if you find Richie tell him where we are!" Nancy called after her too and got a hand wave in reply. She and Lucy shared a glance then giggled as she laid down on the bed.

"She's dating the Nick guy?" Martha asked her eyes still on the figure of the retreating Nicole.

"If she wasn't too scared to admit she had feelings for him, yes she would." Lucy said and Nancy laughed.

"She doesn't seem like a scared person to me." Martha said.

"Of the effect of love, yes she is." Nancy said calmly as she closed her eyes mimicking Lucy's early position. "The air feels really nice here today."

"I know right? Nick sure knows the best time to throw a party." Lucy said smiling satisfactorily her eyes closed too.

"Do you care for some sunscreen?" Nancy asked glancing at Martha who was still seated staring at them.

"No. I think I would go for a walk around the beach. I haven't been here in so long." Martha said her eyes drifting to the bustling beach.

"You want company?" Nancy asked with her eyes still closed.

"No. I'll be fine." Martha said and got a nod from both of the ladies as she stood.

"Don't take too long." Nancy said again with her eyes still closed as Martha walked away to explore and relieve again the memories she had there.

"This party is a perfect stress reliever, I think I might as well sleep here." Nancy said softly.

"Yeah, me too."

....................................................................

True to Lucy's words, not only did Nicole find the mansion filled up and blasting with music, she also found Richmond amidst a group of friends discussing God knows what. She wasted no time in pushing through the crowd towards him. He was wearing nothing but a polo shirt and a pair of knee-length shorts.

"Hey Richie!" she called amidst the blaring music getting his attention immediately, leaving his friends he walked to her.

"Nicole! Where is Nancy? I can't find her anywhere?!" Richmond shouted as he looked around to see if Nancy was with Nicole.

"Have you checked your phone?" Nicole asked almost irritated that Richmond was asking her about his fiancee instead of calling her.

Richmond immediately pulled out his phone and his eyes widened at the number of missed calls, seeing his surprised reaction, Nancy took it as her cue and walked away towards the heart of the party where the music was loudest. By the time Richmond turned to look at her, she was gone. He immediately walked towards the exit to leave the house.

Nicole walked around, the filled-up living room, looking for the one person she never seem to find. She walked to one of the bars and grabbed a red disposable cup, then slowly began to sip its content which she guessed was champagne.

She allowed herself to be drawn to the noise and laughter from the pool behind the living room, as she walked there, cup in her hand her eyes zeroed in on a guy with reddish brown hair, Nick. He was wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and was laughing heartily at whatever story the group of girls around him were telling. His tanned muscles gleamed in the afternoon sun.

Nicole frowned as she watched one of the girls, who seem to be the actual storyteller, walk close to him and kiss his cheek while he all but let her, grinning stupidly. Nicole felt her hands tighten around the cup in her hands, only noticing she had crushed it when its content spilled on the foot of a girl passing by.

"What's your problem? Watch where you're going!" the angry girl shouted at her before walking away.

Nicole looked at the champagne which had also poured on her leg and her frown deepened, her eyes drifted back to Nick and she saw he had seen her too because now the smile had disappeared and he was staring at her while saying something to the group of girls.

Seeing he was excusing himself from the girls to come to her, she turned around and bolted angrily.