C H A P T E R F O U R
persistence is key

set:
a group of large similar waves- usually good waves that are approaching the lineup.

It was four thirty in the afternoon when I finally gathered enough courage to text Dawson. Even though I have talked to him a couple of times here and there around the restaurant, I still got that anxious feeling when I was awaiting an answer to the text.

After I gathered my things and left the diner, I stopped at the local supermarket to grab some groceries for my mother before making my way back towards our beachside house. It was when I was in the super market looking for my wallet when I came across the little piece of paper that had his number written on it from that very first day I met him. I assume that when I was transferring all of my tips over from my belt, the slip of paper just have got caught in between two bills and ended inside my wallet.

The text that I had sent was simple. I was just a quick message apologizing for how I ran off so suddenly and letting him know that I was alright and that it is unnecessary to come in to the diner tomorrow. But from as far as I can tell, he will show up anyways.

It's not like I wanted to text him but I was embarrassed for running off. Not many people get what I've gone through and to him I probably appeared as though I was someone who was crazy and emotionally unstable.

Less then five minutes later I had received a text message.

I see that you had kept my number that I had left for you ;) I'm glad that you are alright I was worried about you after you ran off like that. -D

And this is the exact reason why I hadn't texted you. -A

Ouch. I'm offended. -D

That's okay :) I hope your ego didn't take to hard of a hit. -A

Don't worry love, it's still very much in tact ;) thanks for the concern though, it's cute. -D

Oh how wonderful! -A

I have to go but I'll see you tomorrow at the diner? -D

Yup i'll be there! Hopefully you won't be however, i've seen enough of you at my workplace for a while. -A

I sat there laughing at the phone screen in front of me. Little did Dawson know, I booked off work for tomorrow so that I can go wandering aimlessly around the city. Hopefully, he won't refuse to leave like last time.

—

It was mid afternoon when I met up with Miranda at the local outdoor mall. My mother had left for work earlier this morning but she had left some money on the countertop for me saying to go out and enjoy myself.

We had only been shopping for a couple of minutes and Miranda had managed to spend one hundred dollars on a new pair of shoes. "Ains, look at these." Miranda says holding up another pair of black heels. "I think that you could rock these. And look." Inspecting the price tag she says "they are on sale and are fifty dollars!"

"What am I going to do with those." I say pushing the shoes back towards Miranda. "I don't need them, it's just a waste of money at this point."

"Oh come on! We haven't gone to a club in a while and what's a better day then your birthday."

A black dress on the racks catches my eye as I make my way towards it. "My birthday is just another day Miranda, I don't need to celebrate."

"Oh my god Ainsley! Your starting to sound like my father."

"I am not." I say taking the dress off of the rack. "And just to prove it to you, we will go clubbing on my birthday, and I will buy these shoes." I say snatching the shoes from her hands. "And maybe." I say holding the dress against my body. "I'll even buy this dress."

"Ainsley." She says in a hushed tone. I turn on my heel not listening to what she has to say as I walk towards the dressing room, locking the door behind me. I strip out of my clothes before putting the tight black dress on my body.

Walking out of the dressing room, Miranda's jaw hits the floor. "Ainsley you look stunning." I turn around and look at myself in the mirror which is situated on the door. The dress hugs all of my curves showing off my hourglass figure. My legs look way longer then they ever had before. All in all, I'm in awe at how it seemed as though the dress was made for me.

"Well then. I guess I'll get the dress." I say looking at myself in the mirror again.

She runs up behind me and gives me a hug as she lets out a small scream. "Yay I'm so happy. It looks absolutely stunning on you and I know the guys will think so to." She says giving me a wink.

"Oh that is exactly the attention I want to attract, some drunk guy at the bar who is looking for his prey if the evening. I'd rather show up in my pyjamas if that's the case." I reply shutting the door in between us as an attempt to get myself out of this conversation.

I open the door to the change room and grab the dress and walk over towards the cashier as I fish through my purse for my wallet with Miranda hot on my heels.

"Mhmm. A little birdy told me that it seems as though a guy has taken special interest in you."

I take out my cash and hand it to the cashier who was putting my dress into a bag. "Bull shit. Let me guess, was this little birdy Jessa?" I ask accepting my change and bag before walking out of the small store thanking the clerk as we exit.

"Maybe. But you know, I've heard this guy is pretty hot." She replies fanning her face.

"Oh shut up Miranda." I say slapping her hand with a laugh. "I hardly know the guy, we've talked a couple times but that's it. It feels like I'm talking to Jessa again, she kept on saying the same things."

"Does he text you?" She asks dragging me into a quaint ice cream parlour.

"Why does it matter? He's a complete flirt and as I've said numerous time i'm not looking for a boyfriend."

"Oh my god he so does text you. When can I meet this guy?" She asks as we approach the front of the line.

"You aren't going to meet him, we aren't anything he is just a customer of mine and that's all he will ever be." I say as the conversation stops when the worker asks what flavour of ice cream we both would like.

I order a medium cake batter ice cream with pecans where as Miranda orders a medium double chocolate chip with sprinkles, gummy bears, and a few strawberries thrown into the mix.

With our ice creams in hand we make our way over to a small red booth seated beside the large glass windows of the parlour. Looking out onto the street filled with bright colourful shops, families wander aimlessly, laughing, smiling, and pointing at all of items in display windows.

"Ainsley, can you pretty please with a cherry on top tell me more about this mystery lover?" She says giving me her best attempt at puppy dog eyes.

She stares at me quivering her lip for around a minute. "Fine! I'll tell you." I say as a smile makes its way onto her face. "First of all he is not a mystery lover. His name is Dawson. I met him at the diner when he attempted to flirt with me. He showed up again yesterday and refused to leave without seeing me first."

Miranda interrupts me mid sentence by a loud "awh that's so cute!"

"Just wait it gets even better. I spilt iced tea on his shirt then managed to run into the back room crying cause I was having an mental breakdown." Laughter fills the air as Miranda is trying not to spit her ice cream all over the table. "So at this point he probably thinks I'm a freak."

"Ains." She says in between gasps of air. "That was the funniest story I've heard all week."

I grab Miranda's hand and lead her outfit the Parlour."Enough laughing at my pathetic ability to socialize, we have a lot more shopping to do."

—

By the time I had finally arrived home two hundred dollars poorer, the sun had long set over the horizon of crystal clear waters and the stars had come out, twinkling against the midnight sky. The moon was playing hide and seek behind the clouds as a quiet howl of the salty wind blew through the air tousling my hair.

I slipped inside my quiet house flicking on the lights as I removed my shoes. I could hear my mothers nails clicking on the keys of her laptop as her voice filled the air.

I walked into the living room and gave her a wave as she smiled at me and pointed towards the phone signalling she was on a call. I escorted myself out of the living room and made my way into the kitchen to grab an apple before heading up stairs.

I managed not to make much noise aside from the crinkling of the paper and plastic bags as I made my way into my bedroom. I threw the bags down onto the ground before jumping onto my bed.

Pulling my phone out of my purse I checked if I had reviewed any new text messages and I did, four from Dawson.

Good morning Ainsley, can't wait to see my favourite person in the world ;) -D

You know, I'm sitting here at the diner and for some strange reason your nowhere to be found. -D

Thats strange. I just asked Jessa where you are and she said that you don't work today... -D

Well played there love, well played. -D

I laugh reading the texts as I image what he was thinking when he realized that I was not going to show up.

I just decided that I didn't feel like working today, shopping sounded like a better option. -A

I sent a quick message before making my way into the bathroom. I untied my hair from the ponytail before making my way into the shower. Turning the water onto hot I washed my hair with my favourite Hawaiian hibiscus scented shampoo and conditioner before washing my body in my Japanese cherry blossom body wash from bath and body works.

Once I stepped out of the shower I got changed into a pair of sleep shorts and an oversized shirt. Tying my hair up with a towel I walked back towards my bed and began eating my apple.

Just as I took my first bite, my phone buzzed against the covers.

I get it. Your just trying to avoid me. Nice try love but I'm not that hard to get rid of. -D

My heart skips a beat as I skim over the message. He just called me love, despite him calling me that numerous times before it still made my heart race. Probably because the only other person to call me that was my ex-boyfriend Ashton.

Oh really, isn't there some kind of boy repellant I can use? :) -A

That wouldn't work on me. I'm a man not a boy. -D

Whatever you say, goodnight Dawson. -A

Your trying to get rid of me so soon?  -D

Yes I am. I'm tired from excessive shopping today and I have to work tomorrow. -A

Well then Ainsley, I'll see you tomorrow ;)  (I think?) -D

I smiled at the text before turning my phone off and placing it onto my bedside table. Walking over to where the bags were thrown on the floor I began unpacking them. The black dress that I bought was hung in my closet and the black pumps I bought to go along with it were placed below it. I had also bought a new floral bikini and a couple of pairs of shorts that I can wear around.

Once I had finished my unpacking I was exhausted and threw myself onto my fluffy bed. Wrapping the covers around me I allowed sleep to take over my body , and with it, came good dreams.

-----
Word Count: 2219

Authors Note:

Hey everyone. I would first of all like to say thank you for taking your time to read my book. I understand that their may be quite a few errors and things like that but this is an unedited rough copy of the novel. Please feel free to point any of them out, I appreciate it!

I am very grateful for all of the support it has gotten so far and I would love it if you guys would continue that support and maybe recommend this story to your friends.

Any help is very much so appreciated!

Comment, vote, and read,

Janelle