nobody else can relate

Pearl exhaled happily as she stretched out on her towel, laying on her stomach as she undid her bikini tie, wanting to catch an even tan. It was early afternoon in Sydney, and the weather had been too gorgeous to not take advantage of. "Honestly, Viv." She smiled, watching as their fathers argued jokingly over how to start the barbecue, their mothers drinking a glass of wine. "This is the life."

Ashton flicked his hair back over dramatically. "Calum, look." He grinned. "I'm Baywatch." His grin broadened at his own stupid joke, but he couldn't stop himself. After working on Youngblood continuously for the past year and a half, Ashton had been craving a day at the beach, and the weather was beautiful enough for the boys to go surfing. Ashton loved the water, he loved the sun, and he loved Australia, and dammit, he was determined to make the most of it.

Vivian leaned back on her elbows on her towel, toying with her sunglasses as she listened to Pearl, peering over. “Tell me about it,” she hummed out happily, nodding slightly. “It’s nice to just have a day like this to relax.” And, the fact that their families could do things like this was amazing. “I’m half expecting sand to go flying into our moms’ wine glasses, though.” She laughed with the thought.

Calum looked over to Ashton, blinking as he listened to his friend, though he laughed. “I hope you’re not comparing yourself to Zac Efron, Ash,” he told his friend, rolling his eyes, stretching his arms out above his head, enjoying the weather and how nice everything felt, appreciating the small break they were getting. “I can picture that becoming a meme already.” He laughed, unable to help it.

Pearl looked over to Vivian with a grin, nodding to her words. “It really is.” She sighed happily, stretching out, listening intently to their fathers talk about the best way to cook a burger. Still, as she heard Vivian’s words, Pearl chuckled. “Ahh, yes. The fine delicacy of sandy wine.” She snorted with laughter, shaking her head.

Ashton grinned at Calum. “And so what if I am?” His grin broadened with his own words, throwing his surfboard to the sand as he reached their beer cooler and towels. “I’m starving.” Ashton complained, sitting himself down, Ashton scanned over the other people at the beach, perking up when a pretty young lady caught his eye. “Pretty girl incoming.” He grinned.

Vivian grinned with amusement, shaking her head slightly. "It'd probably be a smarter idea to drink straight from the bottle," she joked lightly, letting herself relax, though she peered over when she heard their fathers, her amusement growing. "What do you wanna bet that they're gonna burn the burgers because they're too busy debating which way to cook the burgers?"

"Lame, you know Zac Efron's way out of your league," Calum teased with a laugh, grinning broadly as he set his own surfboard down and moved to sit down, stretching out, enjoying their day of peace. "Well, somebody forgot to pack the food, so we'll have to get some food later." He huffed playfully, rolling his eyes, though he blinked with Ashton's observation and peered around, his gaze falling on a beauty who was lying on her stomach on her beach towel. "The girl lying on her stomach with her top undone?" He did his best not to stare at her bare back, but looked to his friend. "Because, if so, I'm calling dibs right now."

Pearl grinned with Vivian's suggestion. "We should just share a bottle." She suggested - it wouldn't be the first time. Holding her bikini over her chest, Pearl reached to grab a bottle of wine, knowing their parents trusted them to be responsible with alcohol. Lying back down, Pearl opened the bottle and offered it to Vivian. "Down the hatch, sugar." But hearing Vivian's question about their Dads cooking, Pearl's grin broadened. "The burgers are gonna be inedible." She smirked. "We're gonna have to order pizza."

"Oi!" Vivian's father debated as he heard the girls. "We're not that bad, surely."

Ashton posed with an over exaggerated pout. "Cal, it's more like Zac Efron is way out of my league." Ashton chimed proudly, not even bothering to hide his confidence as he soaked up the heat of the Australian sun. "We can order Chinese, shut up with your complaining." Ashton flicked sand at Calum annoyingly, but his gaze followed Ashton's to the girls once more. "Nope, not her." Ashton shook his head. "You're more than welcome to her - I'm talking about that cutie next to her." Ashton grinned broadly. "Big doe eyes, beautiful smile..."

Vivian grinned broadly, shifting to sit up fully. "Well, how could I say no to that?" she asked in a hum, "We're gonna be wine drinking wives like our moms one day." She laughed with the thought but took a drink of the wine, enjoying the smoothness of it before she offered it back to Pearl. Hearing her dad, though, she grinned over at him. "We're gonna be able to throw them at somebody and knock them out, I just know it."

"What?" Pearl's father asked as he peered over, pouting. "Take that back, Pearl!"

"So confident, but we both know that's a lie," Calum said with a laugh, shaking his head, though he made a face when Ashton flicked sand at him. "Oi, it's not my fault you forgot the food! And I didn't bring my wallet or anything!" But, his gaze went back to the woman who'd captured his attention, and he chewed on his lip, grinning to himself. "Well, then, least we won't have to fight over a girl. Even though I'd clearly win." He winked teasingly, but didn't really tear his gaze away from the woman, almost afraid that, if he did, she'd disappear. "Damn, she's gorgeous."

"Take yourself back to cooking class, old man!" Pearl grinned, accepting the bottle back from Vivian and took a drink, putting the bottle between them to help themselves. Running a hand through her hair, Pearl ducked her head as she laughed with Vivian's words. "We could play frisbee with them, too. Go all out." She suggested with a grin. "Just be careful not to hit anyone, don't want any lawsuits." She teased.

Vivian's father rolled his eyes jokingly, scanning the area around them for a second opinion to stop his daughter from teasing him. "Oi, you two!" He called to a pair of boys. "Come here for a second, I need you to tell me something!"

Ashton grinned with Calum's words, shaking his head. "If we had to fight over a girl, Calum, you'd be overlooked. I'm older, more handsome, more mature." He teased, jokingly flicking his hair back. "You think she's gorgeous because she's got her top off, you spoon." Ashton grinned, although he couldn't deny that he'd been eyeing up the gorgeous girl with the smile that could light up the whole damn country, watching as she took a sip of wine. "God damn..." He bit his lip, although he was snapped out of his trance when he heard the men by the barbecue - right by the girl. "Yeah?" He called back, standing to his feet.

Vivian grinned, leaning to get another sip of the wine. "We could get the little ones involved, nobody can get mad enough to sue little kids," she joked, winking jokingly at her friend, though she paused when her father called out to a pair of guys. Her attention easily focused on the guy with the lighter hair and she shifted to sit up fully, surprised her father was getting somebody else involved, but not at all wanting to avoid this chance. Still, she couldn't help but to grin, calling in a joking voice, "Run while you can, it's a trap!"

"You wound me," Pearl's father complained, shaking his head, though his gaze went to the guys his friend had called out to. "It's important!"

Calum scoffed lowly in response, rolling his eyes to his friend's words. "More like more annoying," he complained but he laughed. "That's not it at all! I didn't even notice the top at first!" He pouted slightly, but got pulled out of his thoughts when somebody called out to them. Peering over, he saw the men watching them expectantly and his gaze went to the beauty, watching her run her hand through her hair, and he swore his heart stopped, but he cleared his throat as he stood up, nodding. "Uh, alright, sure," he decided, making his way over, though his stomach rumbled with hunger when they got close and could smell the burgers. "What do you need us to tell you, sirs?"

Vivian's father smiled at the boys. "Our daughters are making fun of our cooking, would you like to try a burger and give us an honest opinion?" He offered, giving the boys a burger in a bun, complete with cheese, onion and ketchup. Looking to Vivian and Pearl, he grinned. "You two get none, cause you complain so much."

Ashton laughed with Vivian's words, shaking his head. "Hey, the trap is tempting." He teased with a wink as he got closer, and although he knew his words had a double meaning, he was hoping she'd pick up on that. "Sure, thanks." He smiled at the men, accepting his burger. "I'm Ashton." He introduced himself politely, before taking a bite of the burgers, groaning. "These are amazing." He looked over to Vivian with a teasing smile. "Stop shit talking your Dad." He pointed an accusing finger at Vivian jokingly.

Pearl looked over to the boys their fathers were calling to, pausing as she saw the darker haired of the two, naturally gravitating towards him. "Holy shit," she murmured to herself, but regained her composure as the two made their way over, grinning as the boy that had so easily captured her attention remained polite, finding him, his manners, the way he carried himself so incredibly attractive. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she watched the interaction, Pearl rolled her eyes. "Okay, you win, can I have a burger now?"

Vivian offered an amused look to her father. "You say that, but you wouldn't let us starve, would you?" she chimed easily in response, arching a brow before she shifted, leaning to sit up fully, sliding her arms around her knees as she watched Ashton, chewing on her lip when she saw his wink, swearing her heart skipped a beat with the sight. It was completely unfair how damn attractive he was. "Suck up." Rolling her eyes playfully, she grinned. "And it's not like I just shit talk my Dad. I could shit talk circles around you, too, if you want."

Calum grinned slightly to himself, unable to help it, trying his best not to stare at Pearl, almost dumbfounded by how absolutely gorgeous she was, starstruck, even. But, his gaze went to the men when the burgers were brought up. "I'm Calum and I'm sure they're delicious," he assured, though a part of him wondered if he would be too hungry to really notice a difference. Still, accepting the burger with a grin, he took a bite, groaning with the taste it offered. "Oh, man, these are wonderful." He looked to Pearl with slight shock, but still grinning jokingly. "How could you make fun of the cooking?" But, really, he just wanted to talk to her, amazed by her. "But, if they won't give you a burger, I'll share this one, no problem."

Pearl's father grinned to his daughter. "Admit our burgers are the best and I might consider it," he chimed easily in response, though his grin broadened with the guys' decision that the burgers were good. "Ha, see! You should have a little more faith."

Vivian's father rolled his eyes playfully. "If you apologise now, we'll make you one."

Ashton laughed with Vivian's words, biting his lip. "Please don't, I think that would really destroy my confidence, such a pretty girl like you." And god dammit, he meant every word. If this beauty had anything bad to say about it, Ashton knew it would knock him down a peg or two. But still, he offered her a smile as he ripped his burger in half, offering her the half he hadn't touched. "On the house." He winked. "I'd really like your name in return, though." He studied her for a long moment, wondering what name would be attached to a face as gorgeous as hers, her sense of humour already capturing Ashton in the best way - not that she didn't have his attention before.

Pearl shook her head at her father. "I am not apologising!" She grinned. "I'm your child, surely that gives me a free pass to food." She pointed an accusing finger at him, but when Calum spoke up, she watched him intently, curious about him, the sound of his voice already like music to her ears. Tying her bikini back up, Pearl leaned on her elbows as she watched Calum, biting her lip slightly. "You're just being kind." She told him with a smile, shaking her head. "Favouritism." She shook her head in amusement. "Oh, thank you." Pearl found her cheeks heating up with Calum's offer, ducking her head slightly.

Seeing how the girls were around the boys, and vice versa; Vivian's father nudged Pearl's father with a grin.

"I don't think those burgers are worth an apology, Dad, no matter how much these two hype them up," Vivian joked lightly, grinning, though, while she'd spoken to her dad, her gaze hadn't left Ashton, a part of her not quite believing that this man actually existed. "Oh? Now, that would be a real shame." But, when he offered the burger, she smiled, shifting to take the half he'd offered. "Thank you. Though, technically, it's not on the house if I have to give you my name." Her smile broadened back to a grin and she tilted her head as she watched him. "My name's Vivian, though."

"It doesn't work that way, sweetheart," Pearl's father teased lightly, grinning with amusement.

Calum couldn't help but to chuckle quietly as he listened to the two, amused with their interaction, but glad to see that the father and daughter seemed to have a really good relationship. "I'm just trying to earn brownie points here, can you blame me?" he joked lightly, grinning, though his grin broadened when she accepted his offer. Tearing his burger in half, he moved over closer to her to offer the half of his burger that he hadn't touched. "Here you go." His grin softened to a smile as he watched her, just truly admiring her for a moment. "Mind if I sit here?" He arched a brow. "Or mind sharing your name? Whichever floats your boat." He grinned again.

Pearl's father watched the pair with amusement, though he looked to his friend when he felt the nudge and he nodded, his grin mirroring his friend's because he could see how the girls were with the boys and how the boys were with the girls - and, more than anything, he loved seeing his little girl happy.

Ashton smiled with her words, biting his lip, finding her confidence so damn attractive. "A beautiful name to match a beautiful face." Ashton winked. "Well, Vivian, do you mind if I sit down? I'd certainly love to get to know you more, and if you're lucky, I might even share more burgers with you." He teased, but in all honesty, he would share everything with her, and Ashton knew he couldn't deny that. Still, hearing the banter between father and daughter, Ashton grinned. "Your Dad has his hands full with you, hm?" He teased.

Vivian's father's grin broadened. "That I do." He teased his daughter, happy to his baby girl happy, seeing how easily the conversation came for her and Ashton.

Pearl opted to ignore her father. laughing with Calum's words instead, shaking her head in amusement. "You're such a suck up!" She teased, accepting the offered burger with a softer smile, a calmer smile. "Thank you, Calum." She told him honestly, watching how he smiled, memorising the colour of his eyes, completely mesmorised by him. "Go ahead," she nodded when he asked to sit, offering him the bottle of wine, but when he asked for her name, Pearl bit her lip. "I'm Pearl." She introduced happily.

Vivian laughed with the mention of it. "Ooh, somebody's smooth," she teased lightly, though she could feel her heart racing a bit with Ashton's compliment. "I don't mind at all." Shifting, she scooted over a bit so that he could sit on the towel, though she was admittedly looking forward to the thought of being near him, already feeling such a strong connection with him that she wasn't used to. "I think my luck is in the highs today, so I'm betting you should prepare to share those burgers." Grinning, she took a bite of her burger, enjoying the taste, though she made a face at Ashton's and her father's teasing. "Oi, no double teaming, mean!"

Calum couldn't help but to laugh, grinning broadly with her words. "Maybe, but at least I'll admit to it," he teased, winking teasingly, feeling a confidence around this girl that he hadn't even known he could have. But, he went with it, enjoying the feeling she gave him. "You don't have to thank me, really." Grinning still, he watched her, admiring every little piece of her that he could, memorizing it all, afraid he'd never see her again once this day ended. Still, he nodded as he moved to sit down. "Thanks." Shifting, he took the wine with a grin to take a sip. "Do you drink a lot?" His tone was teasing and he nudged her gently, just wanting a chance to take her. "Your name really suits you, considering how gorgeous pearls are."

Pearl's father watched with amusement, arching a brow, because he could see how enraptured Calum was by his daughter, and he hoped that his daughter saw it, too, hopeful that his daughter would take an opportunity to let herself indulge in a chance at happiness. "And who says men these days don't know how to talk to a lady?" he joked from where he was, laughing.

“I’m always smooth, but for you, I’ll be Casanova.” Ashton winked, amused by his own lame joke. Hearing Vivian confirm he could sit beside her, Ashton’s heart lifted in his chest and he sat down. “Thank you.” He smiled, loving the feeling that Vivian gave him, this feel of content, although his heart was pounding rapidly in his chest at the thought of being near her at all. Laughing with Vivian’s debate, Ashton grinned. “I gotta make a good impression.” He winked, and it was true. Although there was a possibility that today could end and Ashton would never see Vivian again, he still was eager to show her father he was worthy of his daughter.

Vivian’s father grinned as he watched Ashton and Vivian’s interaction, noticing little things like how close the two were sitting, the way they looked at each other; and Vivian’s father couldn’t help but hope that his daughter took this opportunity, because Ashton seemed to already have an affect on her, and they had a visible connection.

Pearl grinned with Calum’s words. “I like an honest boy,” she teased, the sight of his wink enough to ignite something within her that wanted her to never leave Calum’s presence. The thought of leaving him after today already made her heart sink slightly. Trying not to think about it, Pearl focused her attention once more on Calum, biting her lip. “Not really, but if you’re willing to carry me home.” She winked with a grin. “No, I’m gonna be a wine wife like my Mom.” She hinted to her Mother, sat with Vivian’s mother and still talking, but looking back to Calum, Pearl smiled. “Your smile is gorgeous.” She replied honestly, ignoring her father.

Vivian laughed. "Casanova, huh?" she asked with a small grin, mentally deciding that, if she ever saw this man again, she'd address him as that, always. "Oh? A good impression? What an interesting concept." Amused, she ate her burger, though she found herself watching him, enjoying his presence more than she thought possible. "So, is it just you and your friend here for a beach day?"

Calum grinned slightly. "Well, good, because this honest boy feels honored to hear that such a gorgeous girl likes honest boys," he chimed easily, though he chewed on his lip, hoping he hadn't overstepped any boundaries. Still, though, he couldn't help it. Already, she had such an amazing effect on him and she was gorgeous, he wanted to get to know her better, and to leave a lasting impression on her should they ever meet again. "Oh, I would jump at the chance to carry you home." He laughed, but his words were honest. "And I'm sure you'd make an amazing wine wife." And, already, he imagined a future like that with her, unable to help it. "Really? I think yours is far more impressive."

Pearl's father chuckled lowly from where he was, amused but encouraging of the bond the two were already forming. Seeing the way the two interacted, the way Calum was so clearly enthralled by Pearl, and the way Pearl was so clearly happy, he wanted things to progress, to allow his daughter that happiness, knowing she deserved it.

Ashton grinned, amused with Vivian's words. "It's not often I make a good impression," he told her, his grin broadening. "I'm too funny, but you seem to understand me." His grin softened with that, but he threw in a wink, because Vivian had already made such a lasting impression on him and he was eager to ensure that they kept contact after parting - but Ashton vowed he would make most of him time with Vivian, wanting her in his life, wanting her to be a big part of his future - he couldn't help but imagine it. "It is." Ashton nodded. "We've been pretty busy the past year or so, so surfing is definitely the way to relax." Ashton grinned. "You ever tried?"

Pearl bit her lip in amusement, clearly touched by Calum's words. "Smooth." She commented, watching him closely, just admiring how he looked in that moment, swearing that the sun almost made him seem ethereal. Laughing though, Pearl ducked her head. "Okay, good, because if I can't walk after drinking all this wine, you're gonna have to." She winked at him, just wanting to reach out, touch him in some way, just to know what it would feel like to touch him and be in his arms. "I already feel sorry for my future husband." She shook her head, hoping, even though she knew it was still too early, if Calum could be in her future.

Vivian grinned with the mention of it, unable to help it. "Funny guys are the best guys," she chimed easily, casually, shrugging slightly. "Everybody needs a little laughter in their lives. Or a lot." And, her grin broadened, because, for a moment, she could imagine her days filled with laughter if every day had Ashton in it. Humming to his question, though, she shook her head. "No, I can't say that I have, actually."

Calum could feel his heart swell with Pearl's comment, though he felt his breath hitching in his throat when he saw her biting her lip, swearing it was one of the most attractive things ever - not wanting to call it the most attractive thing, because he was sure Pearl would outdo herself easily. "Yeah? I'll have to keep being smooth, then," he teased, nudging her lightly, just wanting that moment to have some form of contact with her, his heart lifting with her laugh. "In that case, drink as much as you'd like. I'd gladly carry you home, no complaints." Unable to help it, he winked teasingly, thought he laughed. "Really? Because I'm already feeling jealous of your future husband."

Ashton grinned with Vivian's words, biting his lip happily. "I hope you think I'm the best guy." He winked. "Because you're easily the best girl on this beach." He told her, not caring if he was out there, just wanting to be honest with her about how he thought of her. Still, he nodded with her words. "Laughter is the best medicine." He nodded, smiling, just wanting to make Vivian laugh because he was sure that making her laugh would be his greatest accomplishment. Still, Ashton grinned. "Would you like to?" He offered.

Pearl laughed, shaking her head. "I'm sure you'll always be smooth." She teased, nudging him gently, grinning as she felt his skin against hers. "I get honest when I'm drunk, I'm not gonna risk that." She teased, although she couldn't help herself just be shifting that little bit closer to Calum, laying on her back to get a better view of him, completely enthralled by him. But when she saw his wink, Pearl smiled, laughing with his words. "I'm sure my future husband would be jealous knowing that you exist, have you seen yourself?"