"Let's go grab some ice cream!" I muttered and suggested as soon as I sighted a small flashy ice cream stand somewhere near on the beach. When I realized that Derek wasn't paying attention to me, I grabbed his arm and he turned to face me with raised brows.
"I had no idea you were talking to me.. What were you saying?" Derek asked me and without replying, I took him with me to the front of the ice cream stand.
"Hey! What's going on, Isabel?" He asked again, attempting to understand why I acted so sudden by pulling him here without his consent.
"I wanted us to get ice creams and most importantly, to avoid Mirabel.." I replied to him before flashing the ice cream vendor a warm smile.
"How many ice- creams?!" He asked nicely, peering at us from the squared window in his ice cream stand which had a roof and a counter. It had white and pink stripes and was located in the center of the beach, grabbing the attention of every passerby as well as tourists.
"Two ice creams please," I replied and he had his gaze flicked at me and Derek with his teeth showing through a warm smile. He proceeded with scooping out ice creams on a cone and I felt Derek's hands on my arm.
"Why're you making us avoid her? Don't you think she'll notice?!" Derek asked and I sighed before holding his hands. I looked over at my mom and Mr Walton who were now in a discussion with Mrs Briggs. I'm certain she won't let them have fun and enjoy themselves since she's known to be mouthy, gossipy and a weirdo like her daughter.
She keeps following my parents whenever they go and I'm certain she's trying to be close to them because she wants to learn one or two things about Mr Walton and Derek.
Before I could turn to face Derek and give him a reply, my eyes widened when I saw Mirabel smiling sheepishly in front of us.
"Hello, Isabel," She greeted as she adjusted her eyeglasses and chortled, snorting along. Derek's eyes widened slightly when he saw how horrible her laughter was. How on earth would anyone laugh and it looks like they're snorting? It's more like the sound made by a pig..
I pressed my lips together, trying hard to suppress the laughter that was about to explode from my mouth.
I'm sure Derek wasn't expecting to see her laugh that way.
"Here you go..." The ice cream vendor mumbled as he extended his hands, wanting to give me the ice creams he scooped. With a smile, I took it from him and gave one to Derek who proceeded with paying for both.
Derek turned to Mirabel and asked, "Urm.. want some ice-cream?"
She nodded happily like a kid, licking her lips along. I cringed my brows and let out a sigh of exhaustion. Being with someone like her was the least thing I wanted today.
I never thought I'd see her and her mom at the beach today. If I had known they would be here, I'd have made us change our plans of coming to the beach. We'd have gone to the restaurant or gone on a trip or probably found our way at a park.
Derek gave her the ice-cream and she squealed before entwining her arms around his.. She pointed in a particular direction and said to him,
"Let's sit over there. I have a lot of things to tell you.."
Derek turned to face me and I laughed silently, trying to tell him to get prepared to see more of her childish acts and craziness.
We all moved to a particular seat on the beach and I decided to use a recliner. I leaned and rested my back on it before wearing my glasses, watching several surfers enjoying themselves on the waves.
"So.. Derek. Do you have a girlfriend?" Miranda asked, licking her ice cream and giving Derek a wink. I sneered at her and rolled my eyes, thank goodness she had no idea since I was with my glasses at the moment.
"No.. I don't.." Derek replied with his head resting on his arms and to my surprise, I watched as Miranda scooched towards him before wrapping her arms around him.
A smirk formed at the side of my lips. Does she think Derek would be interested in someone like her?
"I've been crushing on you for a long time now, Derek.." She disclosed bluntly to Derek's surprise. I wasn't really surprised. I knew she was crushing on him which was why her silly mom had to meet Derek and ask him to go out with her. It's no surprise that Miranda's mom intervenes in her relationship with men and she goes around asking her crush to love her the same way she does.
"Since when?" Derek managed to ask, raising his brows as he stared at her.
"Since you relocated here to stay with Isabel.. You both are related.. like cousins or step siblings right?" Mirabel inquired, shifting her gaze from Derek to me. I pretended not to be interested in their conversation but deep down I couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"I had no idea you were crushing on me.. that's such a long time..." Derek mumbled with a smile before licking his ice cream. A smudge of his ice-cream formed at the side of his lips. I was about to help him clean it but then, I saw Mirabel stick out her tongue and wiped it off with it.
My heart broke seeing that and Derek wiped his lips with his handkerchief, feeling disgusted at what she did. I know Derek was someone cool and calm but there are times he needs to act strict and harsh on ladies like her because they'll take his kindness and gentleness for granted.
Why the heck would she lick some smudges of ice cream off his lips? That's insane! She could have just told him and he'd have cleaned himself.
Now this is going far.. this is going too far and I can't seem to take it anymore.
Mirabel cracked a joke and to my surprise, it made Derek laugh. I thought she wasn't funny. I thought he would see her as a weirdo.
Gosh! What is going on? Why are things not going the way I want them to? Why do Mirabel and her stupid mom have to show up on a day like this? Why do we have to meet them of all people here?
I glanced at my mom and Mr Walton and I caught them laughing and snickering at Mrs Briggs's joke. Seems like they were having a fun time together. I realized my mom had changed into her bikini and Mr Walton had his arms clutched around her as he sipped from his soda. They all looked happy and cheerful except me.
Even Derek is busy here laughing with Mirabel..
Gosh!
I got on my feet and dug my fingers into my hair, trying hard not to reveal the lingering discomfort I felt and my deep rooted fears of abandonment.
I glanced at Mirabel and Derek who were still engrossed in their conversation and I heaved a sigh of jealousy.
"Hi!" I heard a deep cool voice call at the right end, snatching me out of my reverie. I tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears before turning to face the person. It was a dude with long hair like Derek except he was brown. He had a broad shoulder and cool six-packs. He was in shorts and had a surfboard in his hand. I don't need to be told that he was among the surfers I saw surfing on the waves earlier.
"You look stunning in that outfit!" He complimented me, pointing at my kimono. I smiled and flashed him a warm smile, watching as he walked up to me with a drink in his hand.
"Mind if we get along? What's your name?" He asked, slipping his fingers into his hair, looking so cool with such a gesture.
"I'm Isabel," I replied before accepting his handshake.
He massaged my hands softly, his eyes trailing all over my skin, making me a little uncomfortable..
Whatever it was.. It's nice to meet new friends and probably make Derek jealous.. Maybe when he sees me with him, he'd leave Mirabel and come for me.
"I'm Daniel,"
"Mind if we sit over there? I can't wait to know more about you.."He added with a smile and I shrugged before following him..