Can you keep a secret? (Ashley's Perspective)
I opened my eyes, and smiled when I realized where I was. Nick's arms were still wrapped around me, so I was careful not to move too much. I gingerly turned over to face him. He looked so peaceful while he was sleeping. I laid there watching him sleep for awhile, until he started to wake up.
"Morning!" I whispered to him.
"Morning! I'm so glad you could finally fall asleep." He said as he removed his arms from around me, and sat up in bed.
"Yeah, me too." I said, smiling. I got out of bed, and headed toward my room to shower. "I'm gonna go shower, but thanks for letting me stay here last night."
"No problem, what are friends for?" He answered, as he also crawled out of bed.
I wandered sleepily back into my room. While I cleaned up, I thought about how lucky I was that I wasn't stuck on the island alone. Nick was a really great guy. He was sweet, caring, considerate, smart…and not to mention really, really cute! I thought to myself. Ashley, you can't like him, he's with Linds, and you're with Brian remember?
***An hour later***
Nick and I walked out of our rooms at the same time, both wearing the same clothes we had been the day and night before. After all, we didn't have anything to change into.
"Today we should really think about what to do next." I said to him as we walked down the stairs to pay the woman.
"About what?" Nick replied.
"Duhh, about the fact that we're stranded on this island, and have no way of getting off!" I said. I couldn't help but laugh at Nick's early morning stupidity.
"Oh, right. I knew that…" He said, also smiling.
"Did I hear you say that you were stranded?" The old woman said, suddenly appearing behind us. She must really like to freak people out I thought as I clutched Nick's arm.
"No, we didn't say stranded…We said…ummm…" Nick answered, noticing my nervousness. I really didn't want to stay there another night. He looked at me, searching for something to tell her that we said.
"We said…landed…We said, we hope the boat landed…yeah, that's what we said…"
"Right." I answered, nodding my head. "So we should get going…" I signaled to Nick to pay her so that we could get out of there. He handed her $40 and we left.
***15 minutes later***
We were both out of breath. We had started running as soon as we left the hotel. Once we reached the beach, we dropped down into the sand and started laughing, realizing how stupid and childish we were acting.
"You should've seen your face when she came out from behind us!" Nick said teasingly.
"Yeah, well you should've seen yourself covering up!" I dropped the tone of my voice down to imitate him. "'Umm, we said, umm, landed…' Since when do boats land?" I teased back.
"Oh! You're gonna get it now!" He said as he pinned me down and started tickling me.
"Ahh! Stop!" I yelled, laughing as I struggled underneath him to free my arms.
Suddenly, he stopped. We made eye contact, and he let up his grip on my arms. He slowly leaned in and I closed my eyes in preparation for his kiss. His lips were soft and gentle. I was really enjoying the feel of his lips on mine…until I realized…
We both abruptly pulled back and sat up.
"Nick what about-"
"Ash, we forgot about-"
"…Brian and Lindsay!"
"…Lindsay and Brian!"
We sat silently, thinking about our friends and what they would do if they found out. I looked at him, only to meet his eyes again.
"We can tell them later…" Nick said.
I nodded my agreement as our lips connected again in a passionate kiss. I guess that hotel really does bring about paradise…I thought.
***Later that day***
"So you're saying that if we took a speed boat, as opposed to a sail boat, it would cost $200 more?" Nick asked skeptically.
"Well, yes. The additional $200 is for the gas." George, the boat-lender said. He owned 5 boats that were docked on the island, and he was willing to lend us one of them so that we could sail to Summerset Island, in time to meet up with the cruise ship in four days.
"That's ridiculous! With all due respect, sir, I happen to be an expert sailor and I know that fuel does NOT coast that much!" Nick answered.
George laughed. "Well you sure have spunk boy! And I like that about you. I'll make a deal with you…You can take that boat over there," he gestured to the boat Surfer Girl, "and as long as you get her to Summerset safe and sound, you and your girlfriend can borrow it for free!"
"Really? Wow! Thank you so much George!" I squealed. I was elated to finally be able to have the chance to get back on the cruise with all my friends. Although I don't really mind this 'damsel in distress/ we're stranded on an island' stuff. Especially when I have Nick to keep me company…
"Yeah, thank you! We owe you one!" Nick said as he took the keys from George and pulled me towards the boat.
"Good luck you two! I hope you catch the ship!" George said as he watched Nick expertly pull away from the dock.
Nick and I waved our good-byes as we sailed away toward our destination.
After our heart-stopping kisses on the beach, we were both in good spirits and so decided to figure a way out of our 'stranded' predicament. We had wandered along the beach, talking to many sailors, asking if someone would be willing to lend a boat for us to sail in, to Summerset Island where we remembered that the cruise ship would be docking in a few days. We finally met a very friendly man, George, who had graciously offered his sailboat. Thank God Nick knows what he's doing. I've never sailed before in my life! I thought.
"So Ash, have you ever sailed before?" Nick asked, as if he was reading my mind.
"No, and it's so weird you asked because I was just thinking about that…"
"Well I guess I know you better then you think I do!" He answered, putting his arm around me and pulling me closer.
I contentedly gazed out on the horizon. The sun was setting. Pink and orange hues lit the sky.
"It's so beautiful!" I remarked.
"You know what else is beautiful?"
"What?"
"You." He responded, following the statement up with a sweet kiss. I wrapped my arms around his waist, laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.