Set It On Fire

[kezlea ann missal]

Wet brown tendrils of dark brown fell just below her shoulders as she stepped from the water and plunged the tip of her board into the White-ish sand. The waves were not being very good to her today. She couldn't catch one to save her life, so she decided it was time to lay out.

Kezlea was new in town, and though not shy at all, still had not met any of the locals; guys or girls. Her hazel eyes danced upon the shoreline and as she spread a lavender and maroon towel out. She lathered herself with oil and laid down. She excitedly looked at children and their parents pass by, kicking sand in her direction. The beach was extremely crowded today, so she thought maybe she would meet someone on the water, but still no luck. As the small family passed, pictures of her own parents danced in her mind. Though she was emancipated a year ago, at the age of sixteen, she thought about them frequently. It wasn't that they didn't get along, because they did, very well in fact, but they were just so different that they couldn't live in the same house. Her parents were extremely religious people, and believed she ought to be as well, but, like many teenagers, she wanted to have the ability to make her own decisions, which wasn't possible in their house. They allowed her to emancipate and signed the papers without argument. She was tired of living Mormon. She was ready to live life, ready to meet boys without them having to covert first, and she wanted to escape.

She found herself in a world all her own, and emerged to the sound of a football flying past her head. She rose and threw it back to the group of guys it came from, 'pretty nice spiral' she thought to herself. She lay back down and watched them throw the ball back and forth, wondering if she would ever meet a friend.

[carlos david dunn]

Carlos was walking along the beach, stopping every once to watch the scenery around him. He noticed a young girl, around his age lay on her towel. He stopped and stared at her for a while before noticing that she surfed. 'That's pretty darn amazing' he thought to himself. He smiled and made move to go over and introduce himself, but suddenly stopped as a ball was thrown mere inches away from his feet. He noticed the girl rise and throw it back, before laying back down. He smiled as he saw her face knot somewhat together as she went into deep thought. 'She musn't of noticed me, when she reached for the ball' he thought.

He walked over and blocked her sunlight, waiting until she turned her head towards. He smiled as she looked over. "Pretty nice swing you got there" he complimented, trying not to look nor sound like a freakish stalker. "Hey there, I'm Carlos" he introduced himself, his thick Welsh accent roaming the wind. He offered his hand and smiled, awaiting her reply.

[kezlea ann missal]

She felt a cool breeze as the area surrounding her went into shadow. She looked up, seeing a man looking down at her. She sat up. Actually, I think they call that a spiral..But thanks! She pushed brown hair behind her left ear before grabbing his hand and giving it a slight shake. Kezlea, though everyone calls me Kez. Nice to meet you

She did think it a bit strange that a complete stranger had come up to her and offered his hand. She was, after all wishing to meet someone today, anyone, and now she had. She noticed a slight accent show through his lips as he spoke. Hazel eyes met his as she blurted out the first thing on her mind So you come here often? She realized after she said it that it sounded like a cheap pick-up line. But that was not her intention. She gave a half smile, before standing completely up and brushing herself off, even though there wasn't any sand on her.

[carlos david dunn]

Carlos chuckled at her question. He thought it might of been some pick up line at first, but then he took another look at her and noticed that she didn't look that type, then again, looks can be deceiving.

He didn't reply at first, he didn't know how to. When he saw her standing up, he thought she was going to leave or come up with an excuse to leave, so he said the first thing that came into his mind, "Oh, no I don't. I'm from South Wales.. i-in the United Kingdom" he didn't know why he stuttered, he wasn't nervous at all. "But I just moved here, hoping to meet friends" he half smiled, gesturing a simple nod.

[kezlea ann missal]

She knew she heard an accent, that explains it. Wales. Her facial expression would have held a question mark if that was at all possible. Still, he seemed interesting. She didn't think he would stick around to talk, but he must have wanted to, otherwise what was he still doing here? She heard him stutter, and though it made him seem nervous, his accent made it terribly cute. So, if you don't mind me asking, you came all the way to Laguna Beach to make friends? That is a pretty incredible distance. Are you just here for vacation or plannin on staying? She gave a full smile, pearly white showing through. The wind had picked up and began to blow her hair around her face, she grabbed it and threw it into a messy bun atop her head. It probably didn't look very attractive, but she was at the beach, so she didn't really care. Kez patiently awaited an answer. He seemed very nice. Dark eyes, dark hair. Overall, he was very good looking. She noticed she was studying him pretty hard, and even noticed herself leaning towards him a little. She took a step back and started to bite her lip.

[carlos david dunn]

Carlos smiled at her response. He somehow knew she wouldn't have left him there like a lost sheep. He smiled and looked behind her at the guys playing on the beach, snapping his eyes back to Kezlea as she parted her lips began to talk. He chuckled and moved his hand to behind his neck, somewhat scratching and somewhat smiling. "No, I'm pretty much here to stay. My uh, father moved us out here a few years ago and well.. I suppose my accent just kinda.. stuck with me" he grinned.

He noticed her lean forward a bit, he smiled and placed his hand on her cheek just as she took a step back and bit her lip. He placed a strand of her hair behind her ear with his other hand. Like he said, looks can be deceiving. He took a step closer and leaned his head down to her level, looking her in the eyes before turning his attention to her lips. He placed his head forward, pecking at the corner of her lips before taking a step back and staring at her for her response. He knew she couldn't object, she lean forward first.

[kezlea ann missal]

Kezlea, felt a warm hand on her cheek. She didn't know what that was about. He must have noticed her leaning in. Dang it. Me and my need to study people She thought to herself. Just then, she had the familiar feeling of her hair going behind her ear only she wasn't the one doing it. She was totally caught by surprise when she felt his lips gently touch her. She got butterflies. This was definitely an unfamiliar feeling to her, she had only ever been kissed a few times and nothing more, the whole religion thing. Her eyes went wide and she tilted her head, kind of like a dog would do when he is being teased or talked to. Uh.. Well.. She didn't know what to say, it was so unexpected, hazel eyes darted in every different direction, before falling back into his. She gave a crooked smirk, before giving a closed mouth sigh and furrowing her brow. Sorry, that was unexpected. Totally not a bad thing, I just don't really know how to react She was well known for her honesty, and quite frankly, she did like the kiss, but it had been so sudden, that she didn't know if he did it to be nice, or because he was interested in her. Had she been raised as a normal teenager most of her life, she probably would know the signs, but being raised mormon, she was totally clueless, and honesty was her way of cluing herself in. Stop, just stop thinking so much She thought to herself as she realized she had fallen into her deep train of thought yet again. She looked at him again, wondering what was going to happen next.

[carlos david dunn]

He kept studying her. Watching as she went into deep thought again, closely studying her. His eyebrows knotched together, until he noticed her eyes fall back on his. He lost himself completely, it was like everything had just collapsed around them and disappeared, like they were the only ones there. He mentally slapped himself. You just met the girl, moron. Quit acting like this he argued with himself.

He suddenly became shy, something that was unusual to him. Like his body had just been taken over by an outside force, someone playing a joke on him. He watched her for a while, his stomach erupting in butterflies. "Uh, sorry. I shouldn't of done it in the first place.. I just.. really think you're cute.. and uh.. yeah.." he scratched the back of his neck, unsure what to do. What should I do now?! God damn it, Carlos. Way to go yer god darn idiot! he scolded himself. UGH! Why was I put in your body? IS THIS PUNISHMENT GOD?! he screamed at himself. He stopped thinking, before he started arguing with himself out loud. He didn't want to seem crazy, he just gets like this when he's frustrated.

[kezlea ann missal]

Well, it was unexpected, that's for sure, but it was nice, I liked it. And you are pretty handsome yourself! A giggle erupted from her mouth. She slapped her hand over her mouth, but you could still see her large smile. She wasn't being rude, though she knew he might take it that way. She was all giddy, for reasons she didn't understand, she was confused for those same reasons. She knew they had just met, but she already liked him. Why, She didn't know, there was just something about him. Something that drew her to him. She felt a connection. Is this even possible? We just met, how...I mean...Why...What am I thinking. He probably thinks I do this all the time. Way to go idiot. He probably thinks your some kind of harlett. The thoughts kept exploding into her mind, and like word vomit, one even escaped her mouth I'm mormon. Her eyes got wide and huge, she was totally embarassed, that is not the kind of thing you say on a first date. Wait this isn't even a date, we just met, I am getting WAY ahead of myself The thoughts kept erupting. Finally she sighed, he probably thought she was crazy. Sorry, I didn't mean to just blurt that out, but...well..I didn't want you to think I am some kind of harlett or something. This NEVER happens to me. I mean I am...in no way like that. I am so so sorry if I have embarrassed you. More word vomit, she just kept nervously talking on, and she never got nervous around anyone! She closed her eyes and shook her head. Sorry. She sat on her towel, disappointed in herself for assuming he made judgements of her, and mainly for freaking out how she did. She just put her head in her hands and her hands on her knees for a few moments. Brown hair was beginning to get frizzy from the humidity. She looked up at him, expecting the worst, but hoping for the best.

[carlos david dunn]

Carlos looked utterly surprised when she mentioned she was a Mormon. Mormon's are other types of Christians.. I think. he thought to himself, trying to rack out which was which and who was who. His eyes still locked on hers as he searched, hoping his mind would erupt to Google and he could just search for the answer. where's a computer when you need one? he asked himself, silently sighing. He stared at her, watching as she sighed and sat down.

He noticed her begin to ramble on and on about being innocent. Carlos smiled, she was definitely nervous. He chuckled, taking a seat next to her. "It's fine, I was literally just stopping myself from having an outloud conversation with myself in hopes you wouldn't find me crazy. I guess we have that in common." he said, smiling at her lightly. "You know" he started, stopping the sentence midway, and looking infront of himself, licking his lips. "This may come as a surprise, and kinda weird.. but I'm a Christian" he stated, bowing his head lightly, looking at his feet and picking at them, waiting for her to say something.

[kezlea ann missal]

She smiled when he sat down next to her, he was soo....sweet. She began to bite her nails, it was a longtime bad habit of hers. Really? Why would that surprise me? She had regained her composure and was all good again. She looked at the sky, it was somewhere around five or six p.m. she guessed judging on the position on the sun. The guys had ceased from playing football and were now down in the water surfing, or trying to anyway. I honestly don't know why I said that. I guess I kind of had a freak out moment. I don't even claim my mormanism She said, wondering if mormanism was even a word, if it wasn't it was now. That is one reason I got emancipated from my parents, because i didn't share their beliefs. She didn't care that he might not care, but there was something about him, something about the way he looked at her that made her want to get to know him and vice versa. She looked into his eyes, kissed his cheek gently before laying her head on his shoulder. She liked him and she didn't care if anyone knew it, she didn't care that they had met five minutes ago. Right now in this moment, she was completely happy and secure in her new home. She closed her eyes, and her body relaxed as she kept her head placed firmly on his shoulder.

[carlos david dunn]

Carlos nodded at everything that came out of her mouth. He definitely wasn't getting bored by this girl, he actually wanted to know more. Now that came as a huge surprise to him. Everything there was or is to know about this girl, made him more curious, like he wanted to pry more out of her. "That's an interesting background." he replied, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as she lay her head on his shoulder. "The reason my father moved us out here was under the Witness Protection Act, with the FBI" he nodded, licking his lips. He didn't know why, but he just wanted to share a secret, that he'd kept in for so long. But he only wanted to share it with her. He was just hoping she'd ask why, so he could tell her about his life, about how he is the way he is. He wanted to know everything about her, and wanted to tell her everything about him.

[kezlea ann missal]

Kez looked up at him as he spoke. She felt completely secure in his arms, for some reason. Isn't that like, something you shouldn't say? I though people in that program were supposed to be, all secretive. Can I ask why though? She wanted to know what had made his situation how it was. She wanted to know him, really know him. Something. Anything. Everything. She wanted to kiss him again, a real kiss, but she didn't wanna interrupt getting to know him to do so. Whatever the situation may have looked like from the outside, she was pretty sure he was as comfortable with her as she was with him. Ask me anything She said, she was open for questioning, which rarely ever happened with her, partially because she never really had any friends in the first place. Her hazel eyes danced upon the shore, as she waited for him to speak.

[carlos david dunn]

Carlos smiled at an old couple walking past, he looked at their hands clasped together and how they were smiling and clinging to each other, just like a young couple, perhaps newlyweds. Carlos longed for love like that. He snapped back to reality as Kezlea spoke, turning his head towards her he chuckled. "It is supposed to be a secret, but for some reason I trust you" he started, looking around to make sure nobody was listening in. "My mother murdered my cousin right infront of my eyes, when I was just a young boy. Police arrested her and took her away immediately, and I was chucked into a rehabilitation center because my dreams had turned into nightmares, and all I could think about was my cousin, just being.. slaughtered like that infront of me. Needless to say those dreams haven't really gone away, I still wake up half way through the night, sweating and looking around. The FBI moved us because my mother kept claiming she was going to kill me for turning her in, and because she had escaped several times."

He sighed after telling her, trying hard not to think of that night and not to cry. He gulped back tears, silently. He stared at her then smiled. "What about you? What's it like living with Mormon's for parents?" he asked, glancing over her facial features, noticing how perfect she was.

[kezlea ann missal]

She gasped as she told him the tragic tale. That is terrible! I am so sorry happened to you. I couldn't imagine it! She wanted to cry, not because she felt any emotional connection to his cousin, but because she felt an emotional tension with him and somehow knew just how much he was hurting. She didn't want to dwell on that subject if he didn't. She listened as he really did, ask her anything. The question was pretty predictable, however she didn't mind. She wanted to tell him her 'story' though it was no where near dramatic as his. well. It was the shit She laughed, a genuine, loud, goofy laugh. No I am totally kidding. It sucked. You see, Mormons, while they are christians, believe completely different. For example, they belief the Saint Paul is the only true book in their version of the bible. They try to convert everyone, and they don't believe in any type of physical relationship before marriage. What we are doing right now, would be referred to as a most horrible sin, and we would probably be stoned to death. Well, okay maybe not that dramatic, but it was just too strict for me. I got tired of wearing dresses, as mormons have a dress code, depending on how serious you follow, I got tired of having my schedule laid out for me everyday! I was just totally done with it. So I told my parents that I wanted out. I went to the courthouse, got emancipation papaers when I was sixteen, and somehow managed to talk them into signing them. So I have been my own boss for the last year, and it's been awesome! She just realized she was talking way to much, thinking he may have wanted to get a word in. He probably didn't even care about mormons, he probably was just being polite. But she felt the need to defend her parents beliefs, even if she didn't believe in them herself. She reached up and ruffled his hair...So cute. She sighed and smiled, and looked in his eyes again.

ooc: sry really long one..haha