"Good." I glared at him while sitting back in my chair and affirming "You should be."

Brennan was staring at the driver seat with a dropped jaw.

"Ella, I think you have broken Stone." Brennan shared with me "He has just laughed and apologised. He has never done either one of those things before. Let alone in the space of two minutes."

I looked back out the window to see where we were.

The beach was busy, and I was starting to doubt I could go out there and pretend I was okay.

I stared at my feet that were shaking like they might flee as soon as the car stopped moving.

The truck parked up on a grassy area before Lana and I parted ways with the two men and left to go and get changed in the public changing rooms

I said nothing because I was more focused on putting one step in front of the other as I made my way towards the changing rooms.

The changing cubicle smelt of sea salt and sunscreen. My slightly shaky hand bolted the door to the enclosed space as I started to remove my clothes. The walls seemed to be closing in on me, so I rushed to get on my bikini top and my shorts.

As I opened the cubicle door, Lana was ready waiting for me. She smiled at me while I picked up my school bag and towel.

"You look stunning. That bikini does wonders for your figure." She gushed before adding "Although, I am shocked you are not wearing black."

My matching two-piece bikini was silver and shone multiple colours when the light hit it.

I did like the bikini even though it made me look like a turkey in tinfoil ready to get cooked.

Lana started to fan herself as we walked along the beach back towards where we left the guys "It is so hot."

"Tell me about it." I mimicked her action at the sweltering heat "I feel like a snowman in a sauna."

The texture of the sand on my toes made it all too real. I heard the ringing in my ears and I felt my chest start to move as we continued walking on.

I clutched at my chest like it would magically make the pain stop.

Two hands touched my arms as Lana got me to look at her. She let out a gasp when she realised what was happening.

"How could I have been so ignorant, Ella?" Lana held onto me tighter as guilt flooded her words "I am so sorry."

"It is okay." I tried to wave off her concern.

"It is not okay." She argued with a sigh "You have not been here since your mom's passing."

"Lana, I am fine." I tried to convey to her "I live in Santa Monica so I could not avoid this place forever."