That's MY spot (Lovino)

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Aah… this was the life. She’d been a good student and finished all of her homework but the reading – and she was doing the reading now, like she should. She was just… stretched out on a towel on the sand at the beach instead of holed up in her dorm.

She’d even put on her new bathing suit for the occasion, a cute pink one-piece suit she’d bought down in the village. And yes, she was wearing a sarong with it, though that sarong might be set aside later if the beach remained clear. There was no one to see her, after all, meaning it wasn’t bad that she was showing a little more skin… Māmā might not be too proud of her choice, but the sunshine felt great and the fresh air was a nice change of pace. And maybe she could get one of those tans everyone else was always on about.

She shifted, settling herself further into the sun-warmed sand, and flipped the page. Absently, she began to twirl that ever-present strand of hair around her finger as she read the assigned pages. At least it wasn’t much more reading, and then she could dive into her new book. That was what she was really looking forward to. Or she might take a nap. That worked as well; really, no one could call Xiao Mei picky.

As soon as Mei had finished the book, she tossed it (carefully) to the side and delved into her small beach bag. From there, she retrieved a plum (snuck from the kitchen) and a bottle of water, as well as her newest teen romance. And if she buried the book’s cover in the sand, no one (should anyone show) would know what she was reading. She could always pretend it was something much more scholarly… but she had needed a romantic novel to break up the monotony (well, not really monotony) of studying. This one had just caught her eye.

All she needed was for the rest of the world to leave her be so she could enjoy the next few hours… but if any of her friends showed up, she’d be perfectly okay with that too.

[LOVINO VARGAS]

As anyone could tell from the scowl on his face and the hasty, almost angry steps he took, Romano wasn’t particularly gleeful that afternoon. Not that he ever was, really. Today though, he was particularly frustrated. Not only had they had a completely random exam today for no other reason than that the teacher liked to see them fail, he had gotten detention for an hour and gotten picked to stand in front of the class to introduce a book he was supposed to read – which of course hadn’t, because he just wasn’t interested in politics and he could not read anything he wasn’t even remotely interested in. Basically, this day’d comprised of nothing but embarrassment, failure and time went to waste so far. He’d even missed his siesta. Thank god the bell had finally rung.

Sighing, Romano scratched his head and hastened his steps once more, attempting to pull something resembling a dry smile onto his face. Well, horrible as the day had been, now at least he was free to go as he pleased, and thankfully the sun hadn’t set yet either. Maybe a nap in his favorite spot under the sun would calm and soothe him some. He just really hoped there wouldn’t be any others on the beach to interrupt his solitude. This was not one of those days when he could handle any company. No, this was a day when he wanted to be absolutely, positively alone. He swore he’d probably even punch a bird if one dared to land on his towel today.

As Romano approached the beach, he felt his hopes flaring up. At least from afar, Romano didn’t see all that many people there. Sure, there was the occasional sunbather, but they were mostly on the other end of the beach, as were their annoying, annoying kids. Thank god. If they were far enough for him not to hear or see them, he figured he could tolerate their presence. He was pretty good at shutting people off when he wanted to, after all. Maybe this day could be saved? The skies looked clear enough for rain not to be likely either. He was starting to get a bit excited.

And then, as he approached his spot on the beach, his hopes and stomach fell. There, right in the middle of the part of the beach he’d designated as “his” was a girl lying down, reading something with no worry for tomorrow. Now, usually seeing a pretty girl in a swimsuit was enough to brighten up any day of his, but not this time around. Not when said pretty girl was on his spot. Tch. Would she leave if he told her to? She’d better. He didn’t want company today, no matter how pretty the company’s face was.

“Hey!” Romano called out angrily as he got closer, one hand in the air as if to signal his annoyance, one holding onto the towel hanging over his shoulder to make sure it didn't fall. “The hell you’re doing there? That’s my spot.” He walked up to the girl and stopped next to her. “Sorry but, you’re going to have to move. Lots of beach left in all directions. Go somewhere else.”

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The book was good. It caught her attention quickly, which was something any book that Mei read for pleasure had to do. Else, why would she continue to read it? If it wasn’t interesting… there wasn’t a point – unless it was for school. Then there was always a point (to further her education). The plum was long gone at this point… she was halfway considering eating the second she’d managed to sneak, but that just meant she wouldn’t have one for later this afternoon. Conundrums. Eat it now, and want more later, or eat it later and want more now. Aiyah, it was so much easier when she knew exactly what the rules were, and had access to the kitchen and the fruit in it at any time.

The sounds of the surf didn’t disguise the footsteps coming toward her, though she hoped it was just another patron looking for a relaxing day. Sometimes, she cursed her stronger hearing… other times, like now, she liked that it gave her a slight advantage. She shifted to look up at the boy almost as soon as he’d stopped next to her, expression not betraying any of the confusion and slight irritation she felt.

“The hell you’re doing there? That’s my spot. Sorry but, you’re going to have to move. Lots of beach left in all directions. Go somewhere else.”

Well, something had certainly thrown off his inner balance, hadn’t it. Aiyah. Her voice when she spoke was quiet. “I am sorry, but I did not see belongings here, else I would have gone a bit farther. But… as I am here, and you are standing, it would seem that this is my spot, and that maybe you should seek out some other place on the beach…” She didn’t want to argue with him. She really wouldn’t have minded moving if he’d asked her nicely, but the fact remained he hadn’t, and she was comfortable.

[LOVINO VARGAS]

The Italian was rather taken aback by the Asian girl’s reply and especially her tone of voice. To be honest, he wasn’t sure exactly what kind of an answer he’d expected or hoped, but he was nonetheless at a loss for words right now. Her reaction was so... so calm, yet firm, and so quiet he actually had to stretch his ears to even hear her. How did you reply to something like that? Had she started to shout back at him, he would have had the okay to continue the argument and insult her back, and had she quietly apologized and moved, he could have calmed down and possibly apologized for his outburst. But no. No, she wasn’t mad, but she wasn’t scared, either. She had decided she’d stay, but was still polite about it.

It pissed Romano off.

And to boot, she’d had the audacity to turn his accusations right around and claim it was her spot he was trying to occupy. Oh no, no way. It had been his spot ever since he got admitted to the academy, he wasn’t going to let some newcomer snatch it from him just because his damn teachers had let him out of class too late to claim it first.

“No damn way,” Romano finally spoke, swinging his arm to the left as he had grown accustomed to. It helped strengthen the words he didn’t feel held much power otherwise. “I’ve been coming here for years. Doesn’t matter if you’re lying down or not, it’s mine. Move.”

He was rathered flustered by now, as he was pretty certain his words would have no affect on her whatsoever. Ugh, if she’d just been a guy, he could have kicked him in the side and claimed the spot by force. But no. No, it was a pretty, delicate girl, and he would never forgive himself if he laid a finger on her. It’d be freaking cowardly and pathetic of him. But he wanted his spot.

And then an idea crossed his mind. An idea that would possibly get him back his spot without having to admit defeat or resort to begging, but which wouldn’t agitate her further and might make her agree. Probably.

“O-or, at least,” he attempted, growling, bending downwards slightly so he blocked the sun. “Move enough to make room for me.”

If you can’t beat them, join them. Especially if they’re a pretty girl you wouldn’t mind lying next to.