Lake Party Water Post

[the_woodpecker]

The water is warm, almost too warm to be refreshing, and sparkles in the early afternoon sun as the squid frolics in the distance.

It's the perfect temperature for swimming, and the sun is the perfect temperature to make one need to swim.

So come on in. The water's fine.

Comments

[notjustnarrator]

Almost too warm.

Alllllmost.

Nick Carraway is floating atop the water in a very tacky pair of swim trunks provided to him by Bar.

He's almost asleep.

[mallory_grace]

"If you're going to fall asleep here, I hope you're wearing sunblock."

This is said by a young woman who has noticed the tacky trunks, and then the very very relaxed owner beginning to doze.

[notjustnarrator]

Nick starts for a moment, splashing as he snaps out of his faaaaar too relaxed state.

"Huh? Wh -- oh. Yes. I am."

Pause.

"I think."

[mallory_grace]

She has the grace to look sheepish for having startled him.

"Sorry - I'd just feel bad if you woke up looking like a lobster later, because no one had been paying attention."

[notjustnarrator]

"No, no, completely understandable --"

Nick treads water to the shoreline so he can inspect his skin for patches of red. "Oh I hope I'm not burnt."

That would be slightly embarassing for him. Slightly.

[mallory_grace]

"You don't look too pink," she assures him, gliding along in the water with minimal effort. "But you can burn faster in the water, if you're not careful."

[notjustnarrator]

Nick frowns.

"I uh," he sounds sheepish, "don't suppose you've got any sunblock to spare?"

[mallory_grace]

She chuckles and heads up to the shore, where her towel is set up just far enough away not to get splashed. She rummages through a small pile of things, and returns with a large tube of Bullfrog sunscreen.

"Here you go. This stuff won't come off in the water."

[notjustnarrator]

Within the span of a minute Nick's face and shoulders are covered in white.

"... heh. Thanks."

[mallory_grace]

Mallory bites her lip to keep from laughing.

"Do you, uh, burn easily?"

[notjustnarrator]

"Sort of."

Nick smirks and tilts his head at her, nose covered in a big glob of sunblock.

"What's so funny?"

[mallory_grace]

"You're um...you've got enough on for two people. You're supposed to rub it in until it disappears."

Her hands itch to wipe at his nose, but she settles for pointing at her own and saying, "You've got a, uh...right here."

[notjustnarrator]

Nick blinks and pokes at his nose.

"... oh."

He's blushing, but you'd never be able to tell!

"Can't have too much of a good thing, eh?"

[mallory_grace]

Not through all the sunblock you cant.

"That'll work. You won't have to worry about reapplying it, anyway. I'm Mallory, by the way."

[notjustnarrator]

"Nick Carraway," he says brightly, offering his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"

And it is! Anyone who looks out for Nick's poor skin is a friend in his mind.

[mallory_grace]

She takes his hand, and doesn't even grimace and the slight squish of sunblock between their hands.

"Where are you from, Nick?"