~Chapter 2~

When Katherine's shift at the bistro ended, she checked-out and went upstairs to take a break and get off of her feet. Skylar greeted her when she sat fiercely on the couch.

"How was work?" Skylar giggled.

"Tiring...very. Although it's always completely worth it because I get to work in a place I grew up and it's heart-warming seeing familiar faces everyday."

"Yeah, absolutely." The two young ladies sat and watched tv for a few minutes. They flipped around from news channels to sports channels to the Hallmark channel. It took her a second for Skylar to realize that every channel was in the Greek language, except for one, which was the political news that was talking about the United States' president. "Can you understand what the people are talking about in Greek?"

"Just a few words, I'm still learning the language."

"Dang. Well since I'm going to be here for a month, I might as well learn a bit too!" Both girls shrugged and gave out a short laugh before Katherine got up and began to look through the closet drawers in search of her swimsuit. "What are you looking for?"

"My swimsuit. Find yours." Skylar's eyes lit up in happiness.

"Are we going to the beach?"

"That was my intention." When she found it, she pulled it out and told Skylar that she was about to explore one of the many hallmarks of the town. The girls put a swimsuit coverup on over their swimsuits and made their way to Parga Beach down the street.

As Katherine and Skylar were approaching the entrance to the beach, they noticed Colton walking along the shoreline with his flip flops in one hand hanging by his side. Katherine started to get nervous and walked faster to find a spot on the sand to remove herself from Colton's view. Once she spotted a place they could sit down, she rushed over and pulled Skylar down so that he didn't notice her either.

"What on earth are you doing? Skylar hesitated.

"I don't want Colton to see me."

"And why is that?"

"Because I don't want him to see my body and I don't think it's the best idea to swim with him watching me." All of a sudden, Skylar took Katherine's face in her palms and gave her an inspirational short speech.

"You are beautiful just the way you are and if he thinks that your body is the flaw that is keeping you two from being with each other in the future, you need to begin searching for another guy because you deserve better than that. Do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am." Just then, Skylar stood up and reached for Katherine's hand. She pulled her up and the two of them removed their swimsuit coverup dress and walked toward the water. The water was such an incredible clear blue color and it's temperature was irresistible. A few feet away was a mix school of fish including Atherina, Gavros, and Melanouri. Katherine flashed back to the memories of swimming here at Parga Beach when she was a little girl and remembered the time that she chased that one Melanouri as it swam in the direction of the church just a short distance nearby. It had seemed to guide her to the little island while also allowing her to enjoy swimming over the schools of fish located near the seaweed. Besides following a friendly fish, she managed to accomplish swimming a distance she had never done before by herself at such a young age at the time. Katherine reached her hand down into the water and moved it around near the Melanouri. She sat down in the water gracefully, trying not to scare the fish away.

Skylar was swimming near the shore admiring the couple of fish underneath her. Katherine carefully glanced around the shore to find out where Colton had wandered. Just when she didn't want him to notice her, they made eye contact. She forced her eyes back down to the water below her and allowed the sand to fall through her fingers. Colton recognized Katherine as she sat with her feet sinking in the sand. He strutted over and dropped his flip flops before addressing himself.

"Is this spot taken?"

"Not at all." He continued to take a seat.

"Hey," Colton began.

"Hey."

"How was work?"

"It was wonderful, as always," Katherine admits.

"Nice. Hey could I ask you something?"

"Of course! What's up?"

"Is there a possibility that I could maybe catch up with you more over let's say dinner or something?" Katherine's heart fluttered with joy and she began to blush.

"Yeah, I think I could arrange something. When?"

"Does tomorrow night work?"

"Yes it does. Where would we be going?"

"I'm fine with going wherever you would like to go."

"I think I have a place in mind. Pick me up around 7-ish?"

"Yes ma'am. I will be at your apartment at 7 sharp."

"Sounds good, see you then!" As Colton turned around and walked away, Katherine was dancing in her chair because she was over the moon excited. She then stood up and walked out further in the water to meet with Skylar.

The two cousins swam around in the water admiring the fish they saw through their goggles. They raced around the enormous rock that stood above the water in the distance and of course Skylar won. Before they returned back to the sand, Katherine wanted to show Skylar the church on the island. She also just wanted to stand on the island and look at the cool rocks that washed ashore.

A little while later, they swam back to the beach and got out of the water. They dried off with the towels and made their way back to the apartment. Katherine spilled the whole situation that occurred with Colton as they walked.