The Beach By The Boardwalk, Monday Afternoon

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

It was the first day of break and Arden was going to spend it the way the goddess had intended it: out on the beach with the salt and the sea and the sun and the sand, sorry Anakin. She was sprawled out on a blanket with a towel or two next to her and a cooler of drinks and snacks. She had a book with her for later, but right now she was enjoying the warmth while sending out a text to all the usual suspects (and a few new ones for good measure) inviting them to come and spend the day out on the beach with her.

[Open to all! If you think you got a text, you did, or maybe you just happened to be wandering up the beach and decided to chill!]

Comments

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Clearly by writing Arden = genius over and over till you get it right," Arden agreed with a laugh. "Learning and performing your civic duty."

[slothbabyproductions]

"I promise I will practice daily," Kamala joked. "I'll have to come up for one for Cal as well. And BD. Oh! I almost forgot."

Kamala pulled out from her back some sealed red squishies. "Icy drinks are important while frying in the sun."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Truly best friend behavior," Arden said fervently, snagging the slushie and taking a long sip. "So, gimme the behind-the-scenes scoop. How was the party?"

[slothbabyproductions]

"Oh Jeremy was a problem but everything else turned out fine, I guess," Kamala said with a shrug. "I think only I and people who were doing the food knew there was a problem but no one at the party really did. So at least that was a good thing. Everyone had a good time. I think. Did you have a good time?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"I had a great time," Arden assured her. "I'm really glad you were working it, I don't know if I would have gone otherwise. Like, I always feel weird? Like they say everybody, but clearly they don't mean us students? But you being there...even if I wasn't supposed to be, I could play it off as hanging out with you, you know?"

[slothbabyproductions]

"Honestly, having you guys there made it easier for me too," Kamala said with a large sigh of relief. "I mean, Captain Rogers told me to have a good time but that's hard when everyone is 40 years older than you."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Right?" Arden said. "Like, I chatted some with Dr. Blake, but it's not like we're friends. Not like you, and Cal, and Lydia, and even Eleanor."

Was she watching to see how Kamala reacted to a certain namedrop? Maaayyyyybe.

[slothbabyproductions]

Did her smile get a little bit bigger at the mention of Eleanor? Yes.

“Yeah, it was fun doing the group skate,” Kamala said with a sigh. “I was sore for two days though.”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinteresting.

"I had a giant bruise, right on my ass," Arden sighed. And then belatedly realized she shouldn't have said that, probably, considering she didn't have any bruises to show for it today with her accelerated healing. "Or, at least it felt like that, you know?"

[slothbabyproductions]

“Well, it looks fine now,” Kamala said a shrug. “So it probably was t as bad as you thought it was. Hey, I was busy at one point but did I see you and Cal out on the rink during the couple skate?”

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"I think you maybe saw us flailing, trying to get off the floor for the couples' skate," Arden said. "Why? Are you thinking of couples skating with anyone?"

That's right, Khan. How do you like it?

[slothbabyproductions]

“Yes,” Kamala said frankly and nodded her head in Eleanor’s direction.

“She seems pretty cool. I’m working up to it.”

Clearly she’s not taking Kirstie-Finch approach to “dating”.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Look! It wasn't Arden's fault that Cal was probably ace, and maybe aro, and had a whole Code about not dating people anyway! But he (probably) was the first two and definitely had the latter, and Arden wasn't going to try to force what wasn't there.

Besides, it was safer if she didn't date anyone anyway. Hard to remember that on Stupidly Hot People Island, but true.

That didn't stop her from dropping her jaw a little at Kamala's willingness to just go for it, though. "Damn," she said, holding out her knuckles for a tap. "Respect. Get it, girl."

[slothbabyproductions]

The narrative of this comment prefers to ignore any obstacles in Arden and Cal's way because they are both hot and clearly need to get it on.

Kamala chuckled and returned the fist bump. "Thank you! So, yes. I like her and I think she likes me. However I don't want to overwhelm her so I'm taking my time with it. I'm thinking of inviting her to one of our movie nights. Kind of a group thing."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

The narrative had an excellent point.

"Hell yeah," Arden said. "I'm in for any help you need. Movie night? Scheduled. Need me to bail on movie night? Done. Casually talk about how great you are? Ha, already been on that one."

[slothbabyproductions]

"This is why I bring you Squishies," Kamala said leaning over to give Arden a hug. "Cuz my bestie has my back."