Friday already and Debby was slightly nervous about the party this evening, the whole beach crew was super excited on the other hand, as it was the last day of working on waterway beach for the teens, time to think about getting that high school diploma and graduating, you know all that school business.

The waterway staff crew teamed up to clear out the office spaces now that they were temporarily vacating it. The crew was made up of mostly student seniors at St Ives so everyone chattered about what it would be like to meet again in school waltzing through the halls of their instructional facility. Most of the staff were excited for Debby to officially join the school and promised she'd have a swell time cause she was joining in senior year and that was usually the best time of high school for any human.

"I bet it would be an amazing school year for you Debby, the final lap of senior year is really the chillest session anybody could get at high school" Devin said while packing boxes to the storage unit, "not just any high school though, St. Ives" a girl replied and a chorus of agreements went round the room, Debby smiled at their reassurance and really hoped it was going to be a swell year, her goal for the year was breaking out of her shy, quiet self, nothing seemed as important to her and she had planned to start on the journey even before school started in two weeks.

"I bet it'll be fun if I have all of you there" she finally answered with extra enthusiasm to hide her nervousness but even she could tell her enthusiasm wasn't so genuine. She could feel eyes burn into her neck and she knew at once who it was. Lilian was on the beach packing up with the other student lifeguards, so of course it could only be her office mate and supposed date for tonight.

"Hey Deb" Ezra called after taking a keen moment to stare at the girl that had caught his attention, it was still unsure to Ezra what about her attracted him, he just seemed to like to be around her and to him it was weird, yes but he couldn't help it not even after realizing it must be awkward to be pinning after your Ex's sister, there must be a rule somewhere that declared it just not a cool move but that rule didn't seem to apply to his senses, especially not when he was right in front of Debby.

"Hey Ezra, what's good?" Debby turned around to face him, her cheeks burning red, a hint that she was nervous or peachy, she must have realized he had been staring at her. "All good, are you guys done here, my group and I have cleared out all the office spaces" he said giving her an update on his own part of the clearing labour, "oh that's pretty fast, we'll be done soon, give me some minutes" she replied seeming more comfortable now that they settled into regular conversation, "sure I'll be waiting" Ezra answered. A little self aware and more conscious of his presence, Debby and her team set to finish their own part of the clearing labour.

"Finally, everywhere is just tidy enough to let it be, thanks everyone" Debby announced, semi exhausted from all the clearing. The group chorused their thanks back and headed out for lunch, in a blink of an eye, it was just two of them. Trying not to show how nervous she was at being there alone with Ezra, she tucked her hair behind her ears and busied her hands with trying to pack her wild hair behind her.

"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" She queried taking a seat not far from where he stood gazing at her with hooded eyes that made her insides squirm; "actually nothing..." he replied, before Debby could protest at his response or rather lack of, he continued "I just wanted to see how work was moving on your end and also wanted to check if you were still down for tonight" he finished flushing the slightest. "Oh for a second I thought it was really nothing"

she joked and they chuckled lightly "you could have texted me though, didn't need to come out here and wait till I was done" she reasoned "it's nothing, I wasn't busy or anything" he shrugged "if you say so, anyhoo I'm hungry, I should grab lunch soon" at that moment Lilian came in with a couple of other lifeguards "gee, I'm tiredddd af, let's grab something to eat Debby, pleaseeee" Lilian begged ignoring Ezra's presence "I just said I was starving too" Debby said agreeing to eat.

"You said you were hungry" Ezra corrected, "oh hi Ezra, I didn't see you there plus what?" Lilian asked slightly confused but not offended at how Ezra butted in the conversation "Debby said she was hungry not starving" Ezra reiterated referring to Debby's earlier statement; Lilian just shrugged but Debby got it and smiled widely "it's the same thing" she retorted and stood up to leave with Lilian "oh and yes I'm down for tonight, text me this time" she called back to Ezra just before she left with Lilian.

"What was that about?" Lilian probed as the duo strolled to slushies for lunch, "oh nothing, he was just sort of repeating what I said before you came in" Debby replied "hmm", "what about the part where you said you were down for tonight?"  Lilian asked again, "yeah what about it L?" Debby asked back "why did you say you were down, duhh, I'm trying to get all the juicy details and you're frustrating my efforts" Lilian whined and Debby chuckled "juicy details indeed" she mused.

"He only asked if I was still down for the beach party this evening and I didn't reply cause you came in and interrupted so yeah that was my reply, what happened?" Lilian took some seconds to listen to Debby's response and then answered "nothing actually, you too just looked cozy and then spoke without really completing what you were saying but understood each other regardless, it was like you were having a conversation no one else could be a part of" Lilian explained and Debby laughed filled with amusement "of course it was a conversation no one else could be a part of cause when we started it, we were alone, nothing special honey, sorry to burst your bubble" Debby laughed again, Lilian was really the weirdest match maker she knew "don't be a kill joy" Lilian snarled as they stepped into slushies arm in arm.

                                         * * *

"How do I look?" Debby turned to ask Lilian who already gushed over her face before Debby could even get the question out completely "oh my gosh, you look so stunning Debby, I have no idea why you'd look like this in real life and be intimidated or shy or scared cause girl you look like the prettiest creature on this damn planet and that's facts, I could eat you up..." Lilian was still gushing and blabbering about how beautiful Debby was "are you sure you're not saying all these because you did my makeup, cause I meannn, could be self hype" Debby jokingly inquired causing Lilian to give shape her eyes in slits and give her that smoldering look that said I'll kill you soon.

"Okay okay, I get it you mean it" Debby said as soon as the eye threat got to her "now make your eyes appear normal, you're quite intimidating when you do that" she said "I'm intimidating all the time" Lilian quipped as she started on her own face.

The look the two girls bodied was so sexy and alluring, it was almost like that night all over again, Debby felt powerful like she could take on anything or anyone and was really ready to start checking off her Lilian-made bucket list. The girls got ready clad in the new outfits they got the last time they went shopping with the gang. "Come, scoot over to my side, let's take pictures" Lilian called Debby in on her selfie, it was supposed to be a couple of selfies but the duo ended up taking tons of pictures, it turned out to be a full blown shoot and they sure did take pictures until they reached their max. "I'm so posting these on social media, you should too, do you have an Instagram account?" Lilian asked, "yup" Debby answered popping the P, "not a very active account but yeah sure an Instagram account regardless, the latter answered; "leave the active mess to me, we'll revive it, but tonight you're posting, open up your Instagram" Lilian instructed "yes sir" Debby saluted and got to business.

"Hey L, where you at?"
A text from one of Lilian's numerous friends popped on her phone screen.
"Over at Debby's house, what's up?"
She replied
"Aren't we going for the party anymore? We were supposed to leave together fam"
Came the former's reply.

"Oh shit, I think I skipped" Lilian said aloud "what?" Debby asked her as she grabbed her bag and filled it with the content she'd need. "I ditched Anna and I think she's over at my house or about to head there", "just tell her to meet you at the beach, tell her I came earlier and picked you up, that would mean we better leave" Debby proffered. "I'll do just that".
......
"Oh shit, sorry babe I forgot that we were going together, Debby came over and gave me a ride instead, just come straight up to the beach, hugs and kisses 😘"
She texted back
"I'll kill you" was Anna's curt text response
......

"We should definitely get going" Lilian said as she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs with Debby following behind her. "I'm not letting you drive" Debby warned as they got to the car and she took the passenger seat, "then this would be your first time beating the speed limits cause I need you to be super fast" Lilian ordered and although Debby grumbled, she was so thrilled at the prospect of driving super fast and beating the speed limit while looking like such a demon temptress in her body con sexy ankle length dress, "hold on tight" she warned as the engine revved to life.

"Girllll, when I said fast I didn't think you'd go that fast" Lilian wheezed for air as she dropped from Debby's car "were you trying to kill me bitch?" She admonished in between wheezing laughs, Debby came out of the car more composed to her own surprise, shaking her wild hair back in place, she ran her hands through her hair and stretched her body into position "that was amazing, who knew driving so fast was so liberating" she said excited "yeah hopefully you don't kill no one the next time you drive like that" Lilian added.

"We should do that again" Debby laughed as Lilian finally got a good grasp of herself and fixed her hair and poise, "I'm never getting in a car with you, I'm leaving with Anna tonight" Lilian warned "aww you don't really mean that" Debby chuckled and the duo linked their arms together to find their group of friends.

Somehow, the two girls preferred each other's company the most, Debby couldn't tell why Lilian was with her over her friends but she was glad for some genuine company that actually made her want to try things and feel like an upgraded version of herself.

"Look who the cat dragged in guys" Grace drawled as the two girls approached the group "hey guys" Lilian said giving her friends a hug one by one, "hey everyone" Debby greeted the group, no hugs for that one.

"Took you guys ages to get here, I thought you'd be the first one here" Jace said "sorry little situation came up" Lilian chuckled an apology hinting to their photoshoot "where's Anna? I thought y'all were coming together" Landon asked "she should be close, Debby picked me instead, "hello bitchesss" Anna made her dramatic entrance and joined the group not long after her name was mentioned "fuck you L" she quipped as soon as she settled with the gang, "sorry boo, I totally forgot and blame Debby" Lilian said leaving Debby to sink alone and the group laughed at the quick abandonment, even Debby laughed.

"You look stunning Deb" Anna complimented and the whole group suddenly noticed, giving compliments too "yeah for real, I was just saying that to Grace" Ronnie said "you look really beautiful, Ezra is in for a ride tonight" Grace said and the group laughed "you're going out with Ezra?" Pete asked "isn't he like your sister's ex boyfriend?" He followed "yeah I think so" Debby answered tucking her hair behind her ears like she always did when she got a little uncomfortable "shouldn't there be a universal rule against dating your sister's ex" Ed asked "y'all give a girl a break, it's not like she's gonna marry him, plus technically she didn't even know until people mentioned it and they hit it off before she even knew he dated her sister or before he knew she was her sister's sister so yeah what's a little fun gonna do to anyone" Lilian said coming to Debby's defense before everyone got too nosy. "I guess if it's all fun and games it's nothing then" Landon supported and the rest of the group silently concurred. "Let's go further out into the beach the party is just about to begin" Ronnie said and the group moved places.

                                          ***

"You look really beautiful" taking all of her physique in, Ezra blurted out as soon as he was up close with Debby, close enough that she could hear him, he had observed her from a distance as soon as he got to the beach, he was not as early as everyone else but he knew just where to look so he might see her as soon as he joined the party, it was a weird feeling but he just knew and his gut didn't fail him, she hadn't been alone when he spotted and went to her so he waited longer before he complimented her, this time he texted first as opposed to the last time. They easily fell into a party routine once they got comfortable, playing games and dancing with the crowd, it was fun until he suggested they go for a walk.

Blushing at his compliment, Debby smiled warmly "thanks, you do look really good too" she complimented back, "good enough to eat?" His question startled her and she almost choked on the Chapman she was sipping, "w-what?" She managed to ask assuming she's heard wrongly but the laughter in his eyes said she did hear right alright cause now he laughed at her reaction, it wasn't just in his eyes anymore, Ezra laughed and then said "I was joking Deb, don't choke...except you're choking on me" he added which had her whole face red hot, now he was just pleased toying with her. Being the sheltered girl didn't mean she didn't know anything, I mean she had read her fair share of erotic content and even watched them to know what he meant and it simply made her feel hot everywhere that he was actually talking to her like that, "again I'm joking" he laughed lightly and said "I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist" accepting his apology after he embarrassment faded a bit, she assumed her composure once more. Lilian's words drilled into her head.

Earlier:

"Today is the day Debs, we're kick starting that bucket list, we're gaining you a shit load of confidence you'll need for senior year, trust me it'll all be worth it; every regular person your age, our age has lived through these things and are very confident about themselves, you need to break out of that shell of yours and get lit girl...when you're with Ezra, flirt back, as much as he flirts with you, don't hold back nothing and just enjoy the experience, let yourself feel and break free, it's just all about feeling and experiencing, we're on the beach so bitch skinny dip, Ezra knows all the hidden gems of this beach, I can bet he'll want you guys to be away from everyone and take up a hidden spot, go skinny dipping, it's the first thing on the list"

Present Time:
Debby's mind pulsed with words from Lilian right before she left the group to meet up with Ezra, she knew she wanted to just let go and she was really looking forward to doing just that.

The duo, Debby and Ezra walked the paths of the beach getting farther and farther away from the party group, not before they were in on the party though, they had danced for a while and even did a couple of shots, a wonder how Debby was still standing, apparently she had a good alcohol tolerance cause she was fine, just flushed and sensitive all over. They even teamed up for a game of beer pong, it was all fun and games till this point and Debby loved every moment of it until now that they were walking hand in hand away from the party groupies, Debby's face was still red from Ezra's crass jokes that made her shy but the air from the breeze felt good and helped ease the tension from that kind of attention.

"Where are we walking to?" She asked Ezra letting curiosity get the better of her, "I know all the best spots on this beach, this one is my favorite" he replied with a piercing smile, it was just like Lilian said, she chuckled in her mind, of course she just wanted to be a more confident version of herself, she wasn't falling in love with Ezra, he just seemed too cliche for her but he was the right person to break through her shell with.

"That's cool, I can't wait to see it" she answered and almost immediately, most likely after ten more steps, Ezra said "we're here" she could see nothing that made the spot an extraordinary sight, except she noticed that they were quite far from the party and the grounds here were lower which sort of made the air around them feel warmer even though they were still next to water, looking around she realized they were on a cliff and right where Ezra pointed to be his spot she could see a blanket with throw pillows and a small basket, it was such a cute gesture "did you plan all this?" She asked feeling all too special.

"Yeah I did, do you like it?" He asked seeking to gain her approval, "yes I love it, it's so sweet" overwhelmed by the gesture, she gave him a quick hug he gladly returned.

Laughing lightly she couldn't help it as she said "God you're so cliche, this is like something from a novel or a good romcom, I can't believe you replicated something like this" she said in between laughs and Ezra just sent her cheeky grin obviously pleased that she liked it this much, "that's not the best part, take a sit on the blanket I'll show you what makes this my best spot" not hesitating, Debby lowered herself to the blanket and sat cross legged, "look" Ezra said once he sat next to her and pointing north towards the sky, she could see the moon just starting to light up from where the sun had set, it looked like pure art, it was such a beautiful clearing in the sky, "it's so beautiful" she mused "not just as beautiful as you are" he replied....

A/N:

That's a wrap for chapter 16, sorry for my tardiness but I guess it's sort of a bad routine now 😭

Thanks for reading Loving Me For Me, I hope you stick with us till the end regardless🫶

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Love Always,
Sushi 💕