A First Time for Everything by Ludwig Kristina

Author:Ludwig, Kristina [Ludwig, Kristina]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-05-01T21:00:00+00:00

Essie’s Mexican place is a casual indoor-outdoor taco restaurant by the beach. I have to admit, it looks like a fun place to eat; festive plates are heaped high with colorful foods. And it’s packed with ocean lovers of all ages; I’ve never seen so many heads full of beachy waves in one place. I touch my own straight hair and decide it’s time to invest in some new products.

When the hostess asks us whether we want to sit inside or outside, Essie says, “Inside,” just as I say, “Outside.”

Naturally, we end up inside, which is a crime. If I’m going to be forced to live across the country from all my friends, I should at least be able to sit in the sun and enjoy the weather. But no bitterness here.

The taqueria reeks of unfamiliar spices, and I decide I’m just not going to eat today. So, when our menus come, I ignore them, and my growling stomach.

“Olivia,” my dad says in his I-mean-business tone. “You will eat something. Anything. You know you’re hungry.”

“Yeah, come on O, you’re so skinny already. You’re going to waste away!” Essie says.

I’m debating whether the taco place is an appropriate location to wage a full-on war with my dad and Essie when I hear a familiar voice call, “Hey Livi!”

OMG. I look toward the doorway of the restaurant, and there’s Justin in bright blue swim trunks, standing outside with a group of guys and girls, all of whom look like PacSun models. My hand flies up reflexively to smooth my hair. I feel disgusting from the hike. Why does Justin always have to see me when I’m all sweaty and grimy?

“Hey Justin!” I yell back.

Justin tells the hostess he’s coming inside for just a minute, and pretty soon he’s standing right next to my table, all sun-streaked hair and bronzed skin, introducing himself to my dad and Essie.

Justin gives me a quick once-over, taking in my tank top, gym shorts, and sneakers. He smiles and says, “Were you jogging without me?”

“Jog without you? Never,” I say, laughing. “I was hiking, actually.”

“You hike too?” Justin asks. “Wow, Livi. You’re an adventurer.”

“I guess,” I say, shrugging as I feel all the blood rush to my cheeks. An adventurer? I’ve never thought of myself that way. I’ve always been a play-it-safe kind of girl; I just happen to be outdoorsy.

“We’re going to grab some food,” Justin says. “Want to join us?”

I glance toward my dad and Essie. My dad is looking at Justin and me with a dazed, deer-in-headlights expression, but Essie is smiling, as if she’s watching a rom-com.

“Go ahead, O,” Essie says, winking. “And try to eat something.”

My dad nods his assent, his eyes still a little glazed over.

Justin and I head outside to the table his friends have already snagged. I sit right next to him, soaking in the golden late-afternoon sun. Somehow, it feels even brighter and warmer than it did only five minutes ago.

After Justin introduces me around, he says, “So was your step-mom on her non-ridiculous behavior today? She didn’t seem too bad.

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