Elysia was burning.

THIS was why she hated summer. At fifteen, most adults expected her to love it, because "no school". And while that was a big plus, the heat near cancelled it out.

"You do realize that if you take off your sweatshirt you might feel better?"

At least her best friend was here to pester her all the time! Elysia scowled, shrugging deeper into the depths of her sweatshirt. While yes, it was probably a better idea to take it off, she couldn't stand the look of her arms. (Pathetic.) Any of her body really. While Tamarind pulled off the Summer Style with perfection, the only season that Elysia looked decent in was fall. (Perfect sweatshirt weather!)

"Mmph."

"Oh don't be so grumpy," Tamarind teased. "Don't worry, the world won't end if you do."

"We don't have proof it won't," Elysia muttered, cause she's like that.

"Well if it does, then I'll protect you."

Elysia sighed, a thin smile appearing. "You're ridiculous."

"And you need to take off your sweatshirt before you die of a stroke."

And maybe it was because she was feeling a little faint, or she was just too tired to fight anymore, Elysia gave in. With a dramatic sigh, to let Tamarind know that she really, really didn't want to be doing this, Elysia finally pulled her sweat shirt over her head and felt...nothing different. Oh wait, now she can actually feel the sun's beams. And now she can convince herself she's either going to burn or get cancer. Fabulous.

"Happy now?" Elysia grumbled, setting her hands on her upper arms to prevent the sun from hitting them. Aaaah, I hate this.

"Uh...yeah." Hearing how weird and...choked, Tamarind sounded, Elysia looked over with concern.

"You okay?" With slight confusion, Elysia noted that Tamarind was staring right at her, or something behind her. "What is it? Is there something behind me?" Elysia turned, but saw nothing of interest. "Tamarind?"

"Huh? Oh sorry, I spaced out," Tamarind said, blinking quickly. She turned her gaze to the sea in front of them. "The ocean's pretty."

"Yeah," Elysia agreed, digging her fingers into the warm sand. She wasn't the biggest fan of the beach, but Tamarind had suggested it, and Elysia be damned before she let her best friend down.

"You have any money?" Tamarind asked, leaning over to her purple backpack resting nearby.

"I don't think so. Why?"

"Well, ice cream is always an amazing treat..." Tamarind said, dragging her bag over to dig in the pockets.

"Aw man, I should've brought some," Elysia complained, huffing.

"It's cool. I got extra for this purpose!" With a triumphant grin, Tamarind pulled on a couple of dollars. (She's so awesome.)

"Aw-Tamarind I can't ask you to do that," Elysia protested, waving a hand. "I'm fine."

"You look like you're about to kneel over because of the heat," Tamarind deadpanned in reply. She set a sandy hand on Elysia's cheek. "Your skin is lobster red."

Elysia didn't bother to tell her off. This was of course, because Elysia is very gay, and Tamarind is very close. And kinda very pretty. "A-okay. Thanks."

They hurried down to the ice cream shop/stop set up down on the boardwalk nearby, dollars clutched in their sweaty hands. In which they ran into a new problem. Or more of, the problem ran into them.

"Tamy! How are you doing~?" Lyson said, getting obnoxiously close to Tamarind. Elysia clenched her fists. Lyson, also known as the biggest flirt/bully in school, had taken a liking to Tamarind (not unusual, most had had a crush at least once) and now pestered her at every opportunity (not the way to get Tamarind to like you, idiot). He never left her alone, and Tamarind had nearly broken his nose when he got too touchy (thankfully Elysia and other students had been able to hold her back).

"Scram before I punch you," Tamarind said immediately, raising a fist. Lyson stepped back slightly, eyeing it cautiously.

"Woah! Relax, I'm just trying to say hi!" He yelped.

"Don't give me that bull-"

"Tamarind..." Elysia said slowly, grabbing her friend's arm. Tamarind stiffened, then relaxed.

"Let's just go get the ice cream," Elysia said, keeping her gaze downward.

"Yeah," Tamarind said, shaking her head slightly. "Yeah, let's go do that." She stepped forward, then turned and got into Lyson's face. "Follow us, and I will sucker punch you over the railing."

Lyson, who had clearly been set in following, stepped back quickly. "Ah, no problem. Not in the least. Nope. Not happening here. I will not be doing that. Most def-"

"I thought so," Tamarind sneered, before going back to Elysia. "Shall we?"

"Sure," Elysia said, with a small smile. "Ice cream ho."

Moving quickly over the battered wood, they raced towards the small shop, giggling like little girls.

"I'm getting mint chocolate chip," Tamarind announced after scanning the menu. They were huddled together in the larger shade, warm skin brushing. "What do you want?"

"Plain chocolate's fine by me," Elysia shrugged. Simple tastes were such an advantage during things like this.

"If you want something else, it's fine. Just because I'm paying-"

"Nah," Elysia shrugged again. "I just like plain chocolate. In a bowl if possible."

"Okay," Tamarind said, sounding slightly distrustful. "One Mint Choco-Chip and a plain chocolate in a bowl please."

They ended up sitting at a table with a nice view of the sunset over the water, coloring the normally bright blue water pinks and oranges.

"Is it hot here or is it just me?" Elysia said after finishing her ice cream. She pressed her chilled fingers to her face, trying to combat the heat.

"It's you," Tamarind said.

"What?"

"What?"

"Tamarind?" Elysia said slightly nervous, but because of what she didn't know. Tamarind took a deep breath and went on.

"Elysia I've had a crush on you for a long, long time. I know you might not reciprocate those feelings, but I needed to get it off my chest. Sorry if this ruins our friendship."

"Uh, Tamarind?" Elysia said cautiously.

"Yes?" Tamarind said tentatively.

Deciding to be brave, Elysia leaned over and grabbed the collar of Tamarind's shirt. In one swift movement, she yanked Tamarind closer into a kiss.

Yes, there was chocolate smeared everywhere. Yes, Tamarind's lips kinda tasted like mint, which Elysia wasn't the biggest fan of. But Elysia was sure it was the best kiss ever. After a couple seconds, they leaned back, breathless. Then:

"So you're telling me that you took me on a date, paid for my food, and took me to a really romantic spot, and I didn't even know it was a date?"