Set It On Fire-Open

[kezlea ann missal]

It had been a few days since Kez had seen or spoken to Carlos. She was wondering what had happened to him. She hoped he was okay. They were nothing more than friends, thought they could have been more, but they went to dinner and hadn't spoke since. Something must not have gone well.

She needed some retail therapy. Hazel eyes danced upon the popular laguna beach boardwalk. She had been here many times, but was never allowed in the shops. Her mormon parents liked to tell her what she could and couldn't wear. Now that the seventeen year old was emancipated from her parents, she didn't have to worry about it. They still supported her financially of course, but she could make her own rules.

She glanced on, wondering where to enter first. She was a surfer, but her style was classic. She loved sundresses and sandals. She loved big sunglasses. She was everything a true boho beach girl was, but at the same time, she had an edgy side. She had been known to dress a little vapidly in her day.

She chose to go into a small boho boutique first. She walked through the store, not really seeing anything that suited her fancy. She looked at some shoes, deciding she didn't need anymore, at least not of this type. She left the store, before entering a pac-sun. She found a few mini skirts she liked and some tops. She especially liked their swim suits. She found a few pieces she loved, and went to the register. The total came to an astounding two hundred dollars. She didn't care, her parents were not hurting for money in any way. She paid with their credit card and left the store, happy. She wandered around the other stores, wondering when she would meet an actual friend.

[stephanie ivory english]

It was just another typical, sunny day in Laguna Beach. While most people were enjoying the beach by swimming, surfing, tanning, or enjoying a simple ice cream cone, Stephanie was working. It wasn’t like she minded her job at all; in fact she loved it. She worked as a marine biologist; and normally she would be at the aquarium, or helping sea animals survive if they were injured, but today was different. Her boss decided they could get the word out about their company and try to get endorsements by the nice people of Laguna. Steph didn’t want it to be just another tourist attraction, but she had to choice. He was her boss after all. She did stand up for her opinion of the idea, yet it was shot down, and a questioning if she was right in the head or if she was hung over. A few of her co-workers chuckled, but she left her with favorite penguin and turtle to the pier to show why they needed help.

Pirro the Penguin was taken with Stephanie to the pier where a co-worker had set up a booth. Steph worked mainly with turtles and penguins, so she brought her favorite penguin out of the ones she worked with. She loved the turtles as well, but she couldn’t bring one, as it needed water to survive. A few people looked at the booth, and Stephanie explained why they needed money. Basically, like most organizations, it needed money because the lab, which was behind the aquarium, needed better equipment and things to help research the sea animals. A few people chipped in twenty dollars, but she soon realized that Pirro would be needed; stat. She turned around and pulled out her penguin friend, opened the cage, and placed him on the table. Kids oohed and awed over him, as she explained his story about how he was injured and taken in and how he had a nice home at the aquarium but was going through therapy. People nodded, and this time more people put in money. Stephanie said her thank-yous and was relived that her shift was almost over so she could shop.

[kezlea ann missal]

Kez had handfuls of bags. She was still walking along the boardwalk. She loved the feeling of the soft wind, twirling through her hair. She was wearing a pair of white shorts, and a maroon tanktop. She had a pair of sandals on. Quite comfortable day for her indeed. Her thoughts lingered on many things. Carlos, surfing, her parents, her estranged sister.

She slowly floated back to reality. She saw a group of people, kids, adults, and teens gathering around a small table. It gathered her interest. She waltzed over, bags still in hand. Seeing a little penguin on the table, she smiled. Listening to the woman at the table explain his story. She seemed nice. Seemed her age. When the crowd had cleared, she tossed a fifty in the bucket. It's a great thing your doing. I love the aquarium. She smiled. She extended her hand. My name is Kezlea. She waited to see if her intro would be returned.