The following days were all about avoiding Enea. Never ever ever were I to be left alone in a room with him again. It had all gone great, too great actually, until the very last day of school as we headed towards summer break.

"Eleon! Ellie! Over here!"

I was on my way home, happy to finally get rid of the hideous uniforms that they made us wear at school. A blue Cadillac with its roof pulled down, pulled up to the sidewalk just when I was about to cross the street. It had been Kai shouting from the passenger seat, shouting at the top of his lungs. In the driver's seat next to him Enea was seen slumped down against the black leather, his arm resting across the passenger seat. He wore sunglasses, hiding his eyes behind the tinted material.

"Didn't you hear me calling?" Kai said, irritated.

"It could have been anybody,'' I shrugged before jumping into the backseat. The Cadillacs tires ran smoothly beneath us as we drove on. Enea's grandad only let him borrow the car for special occasions. I guess Kai had requested to be picked up from his last day of school in style.

"Mom said that we're going to the beach. Dad is already down there setting up for the party."

"What party?" I said, forgetting about the annual one that the school insisted on throwing on the first day of summer and the days henceforth.

"Deniz is gonna be there." Kai said teasingly, knowing from my journal that I had a huge crush on this boy in my class, Deniz Öncü was his name. That is, until what had happened with Enea of course. I haven't thought about Deniz since. Any other boy for that matter. A part of me was left broken after that day, as if what had been experienced had changed me forever. I reckon that I must be more mature now. This must be the maturing feeling, right?

"Who's Deniz?" Enea asked, eyes still on the road.

"Just some guy Ellie likes. She even wrote about him in her diary."
"I did not!" I protested, quickly leaping forwards in order to strangle Kai.

"Sure you did, I remember exactly what it said. Oh dear diary, what must I do to get a guy like Deniz Öncu to like me? Must I wear a bigger sized bra or must I start straightening my hair like all the other girls in my class? Sara did say that Deniz only likes short girls. Do you think 5'5 is short enough? Oh diary, please answer my prayers...."

"Enea." I said, firmly. I hadn't addressed him directly since our little encounter in his room.

"Yes?" He said, our eyes meeting through the rearview mirror.

"Please stop the car so I can kill Kai."

"That I can't do." He said, sounding like the only responsible adult out of the three of us.

"Why not?" I questioned and he chuckled.

"Because if you kill Kai, I'm sure your mom would kill me for letting you kill him."

"Hmm." I sighed thoughtfully, leaning back against the leather seats. "Maybe she would?"

Once we were dropped off at home my mom awaited to take Kai and I to the beach.

"I'm not wearing a dress." I told her.

"Yes you will." She said, chasing me around the house with the fabric. It was a flowery dress with thin laces and a tight waist that made me feel like a vase.

"Don't you remember Easter, you looked so beautiful that day."

"Fine." I sighed. Unhanding her the fabric. "But I'm not wearing sandals."

"What else are you supposed to wear to the beach?" She sighed. Our little banter had caused a vein to throb in her forehead.

"Erm..., my bare feet?"

"Ellie, I beg of you. Do this for me. God forbid you look like a girl for once. That's why I birthed you, you know, to dress you up and look pretty."

"Don't you have Kai for that?" I chuckled, watching him struggle with the buttons on his shirt.

"I'm serious Ellie."

"Sneakers. I'll wear sneakers, that's the best I can give you." I said, crossing my arms.

"Sneakers." Mom nods approvingly. "I can work with that."

"Good, then we have a deal."

"Yes and you'll let me do your hair."

"No."

"Yes."

"No" I said, nevertheless she trailed my steps into the hallway, where once I got my sneakers on, she put me in front of the mirror and started braiding my hair.

I was a little embarrassed once we got to the beach. I don't usually wear dresses and I knew I'd spend the majority of time feeling anxious that the wind would get caught underneath it.

"Wow honey, you look stunning." Dad said, seeing me approach the BBQ where he stood tending the grill.

"Stop it dad. I know you have to say that because you're my dad."

"On the contrary. Here I'll prove it to you. Charlie!" He called upon one of the parents tending the dj booth.

"Yes George?"

"Tell Eloen how gorgeous she looks."

"Gorgeous? You mean fabulous!" Charlie exclaimed, sounding like one of the judges on Project Runway. It made me laugh and left me somewhat more confident in my skin.

The party stayed on shore although the ocean looked inviting. Out in the water you could spot the late night swimmers and somewhere up the beach some kids had made a bonfire. Two shirtless guys were seen kicking a ball between them whilst some girls were seated around the fire basking in its heat. I guess they were throwing a little party of their own.

"Ellie?" A small voice spoke from behind me. I had been standing remotely from the gathering, with my hands wrapped around myself as the wind from the ocean stirred the bottom of my dress. Someone had sent Kai to come and get me.

"Yes?" I said, turning around. Kai looked so handsome in his little shirt and tie. A game of tag with his friends had left him dirtying the knees of his shorts, nevertheless he looked pretty as mom would have put it.

"Dad told me to tell you to get something to eat. Most people have already had some and there won't be anything left for you if you don't hurry up."

"Well, what are they serving?"

"I dunno." He shrugged. There's chicken and whatever else that you serve at a BBQ. I had a burger."

"Mhmm...than no thanks. I told you I was turning vegan this summer."

Kai looked at me with a furrowed expression. "Weird." He said, before turning around and running back to the party.

"What's this about you turning vegan?" My mom said with haste, almost as if she was checking me for a fever. It didn't take long for her to come sprinting my way. Kai must have told everyone about the wonderful news.

"I am vegan." I said, ushering her hand away from my temple.

"B...but we're Italians, we have to eat meat."

"Mom." I glared. "That's a ridiculous thing to say. Veganism has nothing to do with ethnicism."

"Look at you using your big words." She taunted. "Is that what they're teaching you kids at school now, to stop eating meat?"

"Actually, we do have frequent lessons about how we as humans can save the planet by living more sustainable, that includes the idea of a plant based diet."

"I have failed as a mother." She sighed, throwing her hands up in defeat. "At least come and enjoy your fathers Insalata, or are you telling me that you're also starving yourself to death?"

"Alright, alright." I chuckled.

I'm not really fond of leaves but as I approached the food table it was the only dish that didn't contain any animal products. Feeling how my stomach stirred at the sight of the rest of the spread, I contemplated becoming one of those vegans that ate fish. Perhaps I could add dairy to that, I do love mozzarella cheese.

"Find anything you like?" A boy said as he joined me around the table.

"Oh, Deniz, hi." For a few days I had forgotten about Deniz Öncu. I had thought about him constantly ever since he asked me to dance at Guendalin's sweet sixteen last year. But after what had happened with Enea I've learned to tell the difference between a man and a boy. Deniz Öncu was a boy and Enea Bastianini was a man. However as he stood in front of me under the decorated lights. The way his usually combed hair flew wildly in the summer breeze, I couldn't help but to be brought back to my old roots. Perhaps a girl should be with a boy. God forbid I'm not a whole woman just yet. Once I get my drivers license then I'll be a woman.

"The chicken is a bit dry, but the steak is pretty good." Said Deniz, grabbing himself a plate and stocking up on steaks.

"Sorry about that." I said, feeling the urge to apologize for my dad's poor BBQ skills. He is usually better in the kitchen, around a stove and a plethora of grandmas' old cookbooks.

"What are you sorry for, you're not the one who burnt the chicken?" Deniz chuckled. A chuckle I would cherish once I was surrounded by the darkness of my bedroom and the comfort of my bed. I'd lay there replaying in my head how I made Deniz Öncu chuckle.

"No, but my dad is probably the one who did." I said embarrassed.

I grabbed my plate of Insalata and bread, whilst Deniz brought his plate of steaks. There may or may not have been a slice of mozzarella cheese on my plate, however Deniz doesn't know I'm a vegan yet. Something I'm not planning on telling him until I had at least finished eating.

There are folding chairs for us to sit in. I am surprised to find Deniz buckle down in the seat right next to me. Looking over my shoulder I see Kai making funny gestures my way. I am quick to flip him off before Deniz notices.

"So, are you planning on traveling anywhere this summer?" He asks, carving into his steak with his plastic knife and fork.

"No, not really. My parents are planning on renovating the house again, so they'll want Kai and me out of the way for the majority of time. Perhaps we'll go visit my grandmother who lives in the city, but it won't get more exciting than that." I shrugged. This made Deniz chuckle, again. I made Deniz Öncu chuckle at me twice. God I hope that's a good thing.

"How about you?" I asked timidly.

"We're leaving for Ahtens in a week." He said, giving his head a flip to the side to clear the hair covering his eyes. I held my breath not to swoon.

"We've rented a house there. We'll be staying all summer."

"All summer?" I said, not hiding my disappointment.

"Yeah, a real bummer."

"You're not happy to go?" The way his gaze had fallen to the ground had brought a bit of light within me. Not to be the one to draw light from others' pain, of course.

"A little bumped." His eyes left the ground and were brought up to meet mine. They shimmered in the night, I hope mine did so too.

"Why a little bummed?" I asked, feeling how my heart had begun beating violently in my chest.

"Well I was hoping that maybe we could hang out sometime?"

"You and I?" I frowned. I hadn't meant to frown. Nevertheless Deniz' head gave away a slight nod.

"If you want to?"

"I want to." I said, a little bit too eagerly. However a smile brauden his lips. Deniz Öncü, first chuckling and now smiling at me

"We won't leave for Athens until the end of the week. Perhaps we can get together before then.

"Get together." I said almost dreamingly. It was very important for me to recall his every word in order to recite them in my journal later.

"How about tomorrow? There is a surfing competition going on here tomorrow, perhaps we can come and watch together?"

"Together?" I repeat equally as dreamilgly.

"Yes, together." Deniz frowned, He had begun to notice how I had been drifting away.

"But I have to bring Kai." I said, the words bringing me back to reality. "My parents are buying timber for the patio they're building. I am supposed to watch my brother all day. Would it be okay if I brought him with us?"

Deniz' lips twitched into an assuring smile. "Sure, bring him. Does he like surfing?"

"He does." I said, jumping with excitement. "He's been taking lessons from..." I didn't get to finish my sentence before a football came flying our way. It bounced right past me but knocked Deniz' plate of steak right out of his hands.

"Whata hell!" I stood up to shout. Looking in the direction where the ball had come from the silhouette of a man sprinting was seen. I grabbed the ball ready to throw it right back at him, preferably hitting his face.

"I'm sorry. My friend didn't mean to kick it that hard...Ellie?"

I stiffened at the sight of Enea, his hair sweaty. He stood dressed only in a pair of ripped shorts. Seeing him up close like this and not through the gap in a closet, made me further take notice of the fact that he had little dark hairs sprung out of his chest. Something that I didn't know I'd find so appealing on a man.

Enea's gaze wandered from me to somewhere over my shoulder. Turning around to see what had caught his attention, I saw Deniz, struggling to wipe off the steak grease that had stained his shirt once the ball had knocked over his plate.

"What were you doing?" I found myself saying. However Enea ignored me and took a few steps towards Deniz who had just now taken notice of him.

"Sorry man. My friend is a terrible striker." He said, stretching out a fist for Deniz to pound, a truce between two strangers who happen to be the last two people on earth that I'd want to encounter each other.

"I hope a quick wash will get that stain out." Enea said, putting a sentimental palm to his chest.

"Don't worry about it." Deniz waved with his hand. "I'll have my mom help me get it out."

"Good Idea." Enea laughed. A laughter I couldn't help but to question the sincerity of it.

"Or perhaps you could ask Ellie to do it, I know she's good at stuff like that."

"Stuff like what?" I couldn't help but to frown.

"You know." Enea shrugged. "Washing stuff."

"And when have you ever witnessed me wash stuff?"

"I dunno Ellie, perhaps that time you threw up riding the ferris wheel at the carnival? How did you manage to get that stain off your skirt, you must have washed it with something? Or did you have your mom do it?"

"I..." Looking at Deniz I could tell the whole banter between me and Enaa had left him puzzled. "You guys know each other?"

"Hmmm? You could say that." Enea said, bringing me in for a hug by hooking his arm around my throat.

"No we don't." I said, struggling to twist my way out of his grip. By the way that his breath reeked, I could tell that Enea had been drinking, probably with his buddies, the once who had set up the bonfire not too far from here.

"He's just a friend of the family." I said, once Enea generously decided to release me from his grip.

"Ouch." He said, smirking. "Enea Bastianini, a friend of the family at your service." He said once again, stretching out a hand for Deniz to greet. This time he did so enthusiastically. Hearing the name had actually lit up his eyes.

"You're...you're surfing tomorrow, in the competition, right?" He said, almost out of himself with excitement.

"Depends on who's asking." Enea said, suspicious, letting go of their vigorous handshake.

Deniz' cheeks flashed a bit of red. He collected himself by saying..."I'm rooting for you."

I closed my eyes wishing to disappear.

"What?" Enea frowned. Looking at me, his eyes saying who's this guy?

"I mean we're rooting for you. Me and Ellie. We're coming to the beach to watch you surf, hopefully win."

"You're taking Ellie?" He frowned, eyes still darting at me. "To watch me surf?"

"And her brother Kai." Deniz said, unsure who his words were directed at since Enea's gaze refused to leave mine and mine his. Eventually he turned back to Deniz, his eyes having finished penetrating my soul.

"Well I don't know how you managed to do that? Ellie never comes to watch my competitions."

"I'm taking Kai." I said, in an haste defense. Enea nods surely, turning back to Deniz.

"What's your name bro?

I felt how a bundle of gravel suddenly poured into my stomach. Watching the two engage in a brotherly handshake for the third time made me want to hurle.

"Deniz, Deniz Öncü."

"Deniz Öncü, really?" Enea said, raising a curious brow. "I've heard much about you Deniz."

"You have?" Deniz said, clearly delighted about the fact.

"Yeah, Ellie speaks highly of you."

"She does?" Deniz said, turning to me. His cheeks gave away a bright shade of pink, so did mine.

"Enea." I pleaded. begging for him to just take his ball and go, leave us alone. But he stayed at least for a few more minutes, before his friend showed up, looking for his ball and his Enea.

"There you are bro. What's taking you so long?" The man said, slurring his words. Compared to Enea his drunkenness could be spotted without having to smell the liquor on his breath. The man had been walking on a tightrope coming here, really struggling with his balance. Enea had to hook an arm around his friend just to support him.

"Whatcha got here?" The man said, his drowsy gaze shifting between me and Deniz. "You've found some more people? Tell them to come join the party.

I could tell that Deniz had been open to the idea. Who wouldn't want to party with their favorite surfer. However the look Enea was giving me told me that the party was over, at least for us.

"Come on Boogie, let's get you back to the girls." He said, giving us a nod with his head before supporting his friend on their way back to the bonfire.

"What about your ball!" Deniz shouted back, the ball in his hand.

"Keep it." Enea said, turning around. "I'll sign when you bring it to the competition tomorrow." He winked.

"Did you hear that?" Deniz said, completely out of it. "He said he'll sign it."

"Splendid." I sighed.