Another sunny day dawned as Lauren calmly ate her breakfast. Seagulls flew across the immense blue sky and families began to set up their parasols and tents on the beach.

—Good morning, flower of the day!

—Good morning, Mom- the blonde smiles tightly, without taking her eyes off the bowl of cereal.

—Hey, what happened?- Rachel asks, touching her daughter's cheeks affectionately.

—Nothing.

—Matt's asleep on the sofa, Lauren. Did you have a fight? I heard a buzz last night and... seriously, I'm your mother. I know when my little girl is sad.

—You know what he's like. And yesterday he crossed the line, so I kicked him out of the room.

Rachel laughed, hugging her daughter from the side.

—Your father and I were like that when we were younger...- she said suggestively, holding back her laughter when Lauren tried to protest.— You'll get through this phase and go back to the way things were before!

Suddenly, they were interrupted by the doorbell.

—Are you expecting anyone?- Lauren asked.

—No, what about you?

—Not either...- the youngest answered, getting up.

When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Cole, the boy from the night before, standing there with a smile on his face.

—Lauren, hi!- he said, scratching the back of his neck.— I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me today. You seem like a much more interesting guide than my cousins...

—Hey, Cole. Yeah... sure, I guess we could do that.- She smiled.

She didn't feel like going out at all that day. Not that there was anything wrong with the boy, of course. But the problems with Matt managed to sap her of all her energy and it was eating her up.

—I'll get my bag, okay?

—Of course!- the boy smiled.

—Who was that?- Mrs. Harrison asked.

—A colleague. His name is Cole.- the blonde said, picking up her cloth bag from the rack by the stairs.

—Cole, hm...-Rachel laughed.— Come to your senses, you two! I've got eyes all over the city!

—That was kind of psycho of you...- the younger girl laughed, putting on her sunglasses.

As the day went on, while walking with Cole, Lauren began to realize that there was a certain incompatibility between them. Their conversations revealed that their dreams and desires for the future were very different.

Lauren wanted a family, while Cole wanted to live in a trailer. Not that she was thinking of a serious relationship with him, after all, they had met the night before. But things weren't moving forward and the kisses were getting repetitive.

When they were both sitting on a towel by the beach, the boy tried to kiss her once more. He was about to crash his lips into hers, but, contrary to what he expected, all he got was a gentle push on the chest.

—Cole, I've been thinking... Our goals in life are quite different, aren't they? I think... this thing between us, even if it's just a few dates... it's not going to work. The subjects don't match up, you know?- Harrison sighed, biting his cheek.

—Oh, I understand.- the brunette replied sullenly.

Lauren felt a knot forming in her stomach. She realized that, although she'd had fun with Cole, he didn't share her tastes.

—I'm sorry...

—It's okay, Lauren, really. I've enjoyed spending time with you, and if you prefer, we can just be friends.

—I think that would be best.- she smiled sincerely.— It's getting late, I promised my best friend we'd watch a movie tonight...

—Oh, of course! Would you like some company all the way home?

—That would be nice.

When they got home, Lauren said goodbye to Cole with a kiss on the cheek as a thank you for the afternoon.

—You've been the best guide I've ever had, blonde.

—Get ready!- she laughed, closing the door.

After greeting her parents and the Sturniolo couple, the girl went upstairs to find Nick in his room, waiting for her with a bucket of popcorn and various types of chocolate.

—Nico, I need to tell you about the meeting with Cole! I have so many things, God!

—You can tell me now! So, did you kiss again? Was there a request for another date? Is he a good kisser? For God's sake, I've just realized that I don't know anything about this kid!- the older man said, flustered.

—Yes, we kissed a lot, he's very good at it. And there wasn't another request because I broke it off.- She smiled, holding back her laughter when she saw the incredulous look on Nicolas' face.

—What do you mean you broke up?- he shouted.— I swore your summer romance was finally going to happen!

—We met yesterday, crazy!

—Who cares? The guy kissed you a few times yesterday and today he showed up at our door asking you out! At nine in the morning!

—The subjects didn't match. He wants to live in a trailer, Nick! He likes hiking and Kanye West. I'm a fucking Swiftie!

The boy laughed, throwing a pillow at her.

—Ah, in that case, you've been fucked, girl! Then again, it happens, right?

—All right, let's not focus on my tragic love life... We didn't have time to talk about your romance!

Nick almost immediately lay down on his stomach, swinging his feet like a child.

—Oh, it was so magical! You have no idea...

—What's his name again?- she asked.

—Dylan! And his kiss is as good as his looks.- Nicolas sighed.— That boy's grip, my friend, you can't imagine...

—Are you going to meet again?

—Saturday he'll be off... I'm thinking of showing up on his doorstep just like your ex-boy!

Lauren laughed, slapping her friend on the forehead.

—I bet he'll fall in love with you, Don Juan!

—No one can resist my charm, pretty girl!- he smiled, giving her a little wink.

As the night fell, Lauren and Nick talked more and more euphorically, completely ignoring the time. Harrison loved this kind of moment, where she could be herself and completely forget about the problems attributed to her inconsequential roommate, and she couldn't help but thank God for another night without his snoring in her ear. Sharing Nico's single bed was definitely better than that.

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