This choice: A few 18 year old guys are interested in ‘Debra” • Go Back...Chapter #55Chris vacations at the beach by: Kirafair   Debra wiped an old cloth across her brow to absorb the sweat beading up. Today’s high temps and humidity meant it was far from an ideal day to cut the lawn. Yet, it had to be done and Debra did so without complaint. She actually felt an upswell of pride that she was able to accomplish it fairly efficiently. She checked her phone and saw a bunch of messages had come in from classmates while she was working. Debra zeroed in on the single message important to her. It was from ‘Debra’ noting they had arrived at the beach.
‘Miss you. XOXO’ he added
Though Chris tried to downplay it, she could tell he was very excited. Naturally, he expressed regret taking her place on the family vacation. Typical Chris, always worried about others.
Believing that Chris had essentially saved her life, Debra felt his vacation was the first step in a long journey of repaying him.
*****
Chris and Tara excitedly left the house and headed toward the beach. In his mind, Chris reviewed everything Debra had tutored him to expect. Their home for the next week was a large old house off a sandy road less than a 100 meters from the ocean. He tried to act nonchalant but his senses reveled in all the new sensations. The sound of waves slapping onto the beach, the smell of the water, not to mention all the sights. The color of the ocean was an amazing azure blue. He couldn't stop smiling at how wonderful this all was.
The two dipped their toes in the ocean and began to walk along the beachfront. Chris politely asked how things were with Tara. He learned she was working as a camp counselor for town children this summer. Then she dropped a bombshell that she had broken up with her latest boyfriend.
“Oh no! What happened?” he asked while placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“I told him if he wanted to spend most of his time with his buddies, then I didn’t want to get in the way,” she said bitterly.
It turned out this guy wanted the status of having a girlfriend without putting any effort into the relationship. This made Chris think about Debra. She called almost every night and texted him often during the day. A twenty-mile bike ride every weekend to see him was no big deal. Ironically enough, Debra would match the description of a great boyfriend. Which was a reminder of his own news to disclose.
“It might not be the best time to mention this then” he said warily
Tara picked up on her cousin’s reticence. “Go on Deb”
Chris gripped both elbows tightly across his chest “I have a boyfriend now” he said almost apologetically
She froze in her steps and with an outstretched hand spun Chris by the shoulder “What! Why didn’t you tell me right away?”
Before he could reply, she hugged Chris so fiercely that he was momentarily lifted off the sand. Not a small feat since Tara was several inches shorter. She quickly begged for more details. After Chris finished, she tapped her chin thoughtfully
“Wait a minute. Chris is the guy I sent the picture of you in my cheerleader uniform” she said as past events dawned on her. “I told you it would help!” she added proudly (all in Chap 36)
As Tara gushed over photos of him and Debra, something she said jogged his memory. Sensing that the changes he was making to Debra’s appearance were making positive inroads with the class, he signed her up for next year’s cheerleader tryouts. His nerdy friend Cheryl had agreed to participate as well. Chris’ reasoning was Debra might enjoy the last year at Wheaton if she was more involved with school activities. She was already doing quite well filling in for him. It really seemed like a good idea at the time.
But this occurred way before the confrontation with the cheer squad captain Sloane Underwood at the end of year party. Later, Debra confided how Sloane’s constant torment over the years was a major contributor to her near suicide. Maybe it was for the best that the Wheaton cheer coach never responded to his email about a novice trying out. His anger seethed just thinking about Sloane.
Chirs stifled his raging emotions and changed the subject to their plans for the week. Tara asked cryptically “What sorts of things are you up for?”
“Anything and everything” he said emphatically. He was here for a good time and thinking about Sloane was a mood killer.
*****
When Chris set no limits for the week, he never would have predicted it meant helping Tara create a TikTok video. Or that he would be a key part of it as a dancer. But Tara thought this was the perfect setting to do one with her cousin.
Chris was sort of intrigued by the idea. To Tara’s astonishment, he suggested the musical piece they could use for the background.
“Oh my gawd Deb. That’s a great idea! When did you become such a music aficionado?”
He sheepishly twirled a lock of hair “I’ve been trying some new things of late”
Tara nodded enthusiastically “Well keep at it. Forgot to say I love your hair by the way.”
Chris blushed at the compliment. The locks on the side of his head were just about touching his shoulders and well past it in the back. It was a matter of debate among the family the last time ‘Debra’ had let her hair grow this long.
The video was planned to be maybe 30 seconds long so there was no need for extensive choreography. Again, Tara shook her head in amazement when ‘Debra’ offered up some ideas on specific dance moves. Just one day in and this vacation was already promising to be the best ever.
It was getting close to dinner time when both agreed they were ready to go. Tara set up her phone to record and took her place next to Chris. The background was nearly perfect with the setting sun turning the ocean a golden hue,
“Ready Deb?”
Chris felt surprisingly calm when he answered “Let’s do it”
It started with a few synchronous arm movements. Then a turn to the right as both shimmied their bodies seductively. Followed by a turn back toward the camera with each pointing first at their eyes and then at the camera. A few more moves before they sashayed closer to the phone as the ending for their dance routine. Chris wasn’t entirely happy with his moves on the first two attempts but jumped for joy after the 3rd try.
“We did it!” he screamed, hugging Tara.
“Girl, I can't notice but to
Notice you, noticin' me
From across the room, I can see it
And can't stop myself from lookin'
And noticin' you, noticin' me
Watch out, I've seen her type before
That girl is so dangerous
That girl is so dangerous
That girl is a bad girl
I've seen her type before
She's so dangerous
That girl is so dangerous
That girl is a bad girl, yeah”
(Kira: Music in question)
https://www.tiktok.com/@xoxocqmi/video/7...
As they reviewed the rough cut on Tara’s phone, Chris noticed a group of four guys fooling around nearby. They appeared to be about the same age as him. All were wearing long swim trunks and the uneven tans on their bare chests suggested they too had recently arrived for a vacation.
“I think we’ve got an audience” he whispered to Tara.
She smirked without looking up from her phone “You’re just noticing now? They watched us the entire time we taped”
He kept furtively looking in the guys direction “Us? I’m sure they were just eyeing you”
His comment elicited a frown from her. “Stop that Deb. You’re always too hard on yourself. I’m sure those guys think you’re very cute. In fact, I wish I had legs like yours”
Chris grew flustered by her compliment. His male ego refused to consider it a possibility. But his psyche was constantly evolving. Each day living as ‘Debra Burns’ was having an effect.
“Oh please” he whined. “I wish my boobs were more like yours.” Tara was truly blessed with an ample bosom. He instantly mentally berated himself
‘Why the hell did I say that?’
His pensive mood was interrupted as Tara nudged an elbow into his side. “Enough mutual admiration. “They’re coming over.” she mumbled.
All the guys were around 6’ tall and seemed to be in good physical shape. During introductions, Chris learned Adam and Mike were cousins. The other two guys, Sam and TJ were friends of the family. They were staying at two adjacent houses not far up the beach.
To his great surprise, Chris found himself receiving the same amount of attention as Tara. The guys mentioned this was their last summer before heading off to college and their banter indicated a strong familiarity with this vacation spot
They talked for a while when simultaneous texts on his and Tara’s phone alerted them it was dinner time. Before bidding goodbye, the guys extended an invite to a bonfire this evening in front of their house. Tara glanced at Chris with a hopeful expression and asked:
“What do you say Deb?”
Chris’ brain performed a rapid series of calculations. Tara would undoubtedly enjoy hanging around with these guys. It could even be good for her self-confidence considering her recent breakup. Add in his hope for new experiences this week. Sitting around a campfire on the beach certainly would qualify.
“Sounds like fun. We’ll see you later”
*****
Debra was busy doing odd jobs around the Jackson house and didn't get a chance to check her phone until after dinner. She chuckled seeing the TikTok video that Chris forwarded.
“It's amazing how confident he is as me. I’d have been too self-conscious to film a video dancing on the beach’ she mused
Rather absentmindedly, she checked the other text messages that had come in. Many were in group chats that she quickly read and moved on. But one message intended for only ‘Chris’ grabbed her full attention
It was from Shannon Miller. The second girl Debra had ever kissed (in Chap 39). Long before she realized her true feelings for Chris.
They hadn’t really communicated since the school year ended. Shannon was a very competitive swimmer and had missed the big party white attending some prestigious meets in the US and Europe. With a sense of dread, Debra tapped the screen to open the text.
‘Hey there. Surprised I haven't heard from you. Let’s catch up’
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