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Ty and I snag a few chocolates from a candy booth as we approach the festival, the beach crowded with people despite the ever-darkening sky. A small stage is set up on the side and a jazz band is playing, couples dancing and swaying together, their flip-flops and sandals filling with sand.
Ty takes my hand and pulls me to his chest. We dance for a few minutes, ignoring the occasional stare or even disapproving look shot our way. Tonight, those people don’t matter. I’m enjoying this date with my new boyfriend.
I shiver a little at the thought, unable to hold back a smile. Ty looks down at my lips and asks what I’m thinking about.
“I’m just really excited to finally have somebody like you in my life.” I blush and Ty pulls me closer.
“Me too, Ethan.”
The band stops playing and is soon replaced by speakers blaring country music. I wrinkle my nose and Ty chuckles, leading me away from the still-dancing couples to a set-up of plastic chairs and tables off to the side.
“Would you rather have burgers or pizza for dinner?” Ty asks. “They’re grilling burgers just down the beach and there’s a pizza place up the street, so I’m thinking those would be our best options. Unless you object, of course.”
“Are there cheeseburgers?”
“I think so-“
“Hey!” Ty is cut off by a shout from behind me and I see him grimace.
I lean in. “Who is it?” I whisper, suddenly nervous.
The sound of flip-flops hurrying our way makes my heart speed up and my breathing erratic. I close my eyes and try to stop the panic attack before it can even start. It doesn’t help, however, that Ty has plastered on a very obviously fake smile and has his hands curled into tight fists under the table.
We’re approached by a tall, tanned, blonde girl about our age, the late afternoon wind whipping her locks around her face and catching on her plump, hot pink-painted lips. She shoots Ty a bold smile and crosses her arms. “Hey, Ty.”
“Belinda.” He nods.
Belinda turns her gaze on me. “Who is this?” I can feel her jealousy through her stare, and it becomes obvious to me that she must be one of Ty’s ex-girlfriends.
It doesn’t seem that they’ve remained friendly.
“I’m, E-Ethan.” I stutter, trying my hardest to make my smile seem authentic.
“He’s my new boyfriend.” Ty finishes introducing me. He tries to appear nonchalant, leaning his hand on his fist in that way he always does. But his fists are still clenched tightly, the skin snow-white, stretched across his knuckles.
“Yeah, whatever.” Belinda snickers, pulling a chair from another table over to ours. “So Ty, I was thinking we could go to the movies next weekend? You know-“
“Belinda, I’m sorry.” Ty cuts her off, dropping his act. “I’ve tried being friendly with you after we broke up, but you just can’t seem to get it.”
She pouts. “I can’t get what, Ty?”
I know what game she’s playing. I groan internally, hoping that this doesn’t end too badly.
“We’re over, Belinda. I don’t want you back.” He motions over to me and I stiffen up a little. “This is my new boyfriend. You and I, we’re not a thing anymore.”
Belinda rolls her eyes, adjusting her flowy white dress. “Whatever. You’ll come back to me.” She answers flippantly, pulling a piece of paper out of her purse. She throws it onto the table in front of Ty. “Call me when you’re bored of him.” She nods my way and winks at Ty, pushing in her chair calmly, walking away with a hand on her hip.
Ty glares at her back, ripping the paper into a dozen little pieces and leaving it on the table. “Let’s go get some ice cream.”
I don’t argue with Ty. We walk silently, hand in hand, past the tent selling burgers, to a small ice cream shop up the road from the beach. We sit on a bench outside the shop, where Ty takes a deep breath and turns to me apologetically. “I’m really sorry about what happened back there, Ethan.”
“It’s alright.” I lick my strawberry ice cream cone. “I can see why you two broke up.”
Ty snorts. “It was a little more complicated than just her control-freak personality. She cheated on me too.”
Ty tries to seem like he doesn’t care, but I detect a hint of hurt in his voice. “That must’ve sucked a lot, Ty. I’m sorry.”
He shrugs. “Nah. I’m glad she did. If she hadn’t, I might still be stuck with her right now. And I wouldn’t have you.” He smiles softly. “I’m not going to get bored of you, Ethan. No matter what she says. Ok?”
“Ok.”
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