Two days were left until La Sirena came to town, and while the boys waited for their big date they enjoyed each other's company in their usual environments. Except things weren’t the typical for Stewart. Days seemed to be longer, as he found things to cram into them with Riggs. The park, ice cream, skating, movies, being chased by ducks. It had only been two days since their late-night, and instead, it felt like months had passed.

He read once that it took about a fifth of a second to fall in love. He didn’t think he was there. But if you add the hours they spent together, the amount of love chemicals his brain was producing during those days was definitely outweighing space and time. He shook his head, and his damp hair stuck to his cheeks slightly. He pulled the locks into a loose bun as he watched Riggs on the waves.

Stewart wasn’t the type to wake up early, five in the morning and he did not know each other. But there he was, watching as the rays of the sun split the sky open. Riggs, fluidly moving over the hills the water created. The waves weren’t that high, but Riggs still made things look impressive. Especially, when Stewart couldn’t even sit on the board without making his thighs red.

As the beach filled up with early surfers little by little, their earlier conversation popped into Stewart's head. Riggs didn’t like it when the beach was full with surfers. The curly-haired male found this fact intriguing, since the other has always been known to be a social butterfly. Always active, always tossing jokes at parties, loud, and playful.

He seemed to be different while surfing though. While he was still all of those things, Stewart noticed the boy was also lost somewhere else. He didn’t really know how to describe it. The way Riggs moved within the waves, it was almost as if having a conversation. Smiling when it’d go his way, laughing when falling off as if he had been teased or told a joke. But also, quiet, in love.

Stewart couldn’t remember if he had really seen Riggs surf before, or if it was the developing crush taking over. Stewart tended to develop feelings. Hard and fast feelings, and while he could differentiate between infatuation, liking, and loving, when it came to his own emotions, he couldn’t help but know how equally as strong he felt each.

So while yes, this was a crush, just a “like”...his heart thundered just as strongly as the waves moved softly. And the drumming became stronger as Riggs walked towards him with his board above his head, a smirk on his face.

“Are you done with your break? Ready to rip another?”

Stweart laughed, “Another implies I ripped one to begin with.”

Riggs sat, he sat really close not helping the heart situation. Stewart ignored it. Smooth.

“Everyone has trouble at first, the waves aren’t helping today either anyways. They’re not that good.” He shoved his shoulder into Stewart’s. “Don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere.”

“You make a great pep talker.”

“Why thank you, you make a great surfing buddy.”

They were so close. And suddenly so quiet. Was this really a time to kiss? Or were they just staring because they liked each other’s eyes? Riggs had very nice eyes, and with the sun rays gleaming, they were glowing like honey. They seemed to hold an orange hue too, his brown waves seeming to have slightly bleached strands.

“Kai?”

The sound of Riggs' actual name broke their trance, and both boys turned their heads. No one called Riggs, Kai. At least no one Stewart knew. A blond teen stood with a yellow and navy blue surfboard. And he was absolutely stunning. He wasn’t wet yet signaling he’d just gotten here. His blond waves were up in a messy bun similar to Stewart’s. Somehow Stewart knew that the stranger’s looked better.

The sun rays greeted him just as beautifully as they greeted Riggs if not better. “Estaban,” Riggs spoke while standing, “I didn’t know you surfed here.” They fist-pumped, but Stewart couldn’t help but notice Riggs was awkward about it, a rarity. Esteban on the other hand seemed to hold an air of confidence. The blond’s grey gaze landed on Stewart which made him stand immediately. Stewart nodded in greeting, but Esteban ignored it. Did Stewart not nod obviously enough? Slight anxiety took over at the thought of seeming rude. He smiled in hopes that would fix whatever Esteban thought.

“I had heard the waves here were always good because of the sand bar and the channel that’s between . So I did my best to catch an early wave.”

“There's no channel here.”

“Really? The more you know. How come you’re here? It’s not like you to surf in an area for beginners.”

Riggs was silent and glanced at Stewart for a moment, “I’m teaching my friend how to surf.”

Esteban smiled. Stewart frowned. Friend? He thought they were more than friends. He knew they weren’t boyfriends. But he could’ve sworn they weren’t friends. Was he being too needy just now. What if he was? Should he calm down? Was this spiralling?

“Stop thinking.”

He missed whatever the two had just spoken about, and only came to when Riggs asked a question for what seemed to be a second time. Stewart was too afraid to ask him to repeat it, so he guessed. “Yes.”

“Awesome,” Esteban exclaimed, heading towards the water with his board.

Riggs turned to Stewart, “It shouldn’t take long. The waves aren’t good so it won’t be much of competing and more so surfing together for a bit. Are you sure you’re okay with this though? I brought you here.”

He was not okay with this. Stewart was so confused, but it felt like it was too late to back out. “Yeah, it’s totally okay,” He smiled. Riggs nodded and headed towards Esteban.

Esteban had taken off his rashguard, which Stewart didn’t understand why. Was there really a need to show off the six pack he had instead of protecting his skin from a surf rash? When Riggs stood next to him, Esteban placed an arm around his shoulders, and whispered something into his ear. Riggs, who had been awkward before, suddenly seemed to dissolve and break down in laughter. He pushed Esteban away, and although it wasn’t in the way that Stewart wanted him to be pushed away, he appreciated the distance that was in place once more. He sat down and brought his knees to his chest as the two males got in the water. Once the water was waist high they got on their boards and paddled further out.

What Stewart was told wouldn’ be a long time became a few hours. It started with Riggs coming out, and Esteban whining how they were tied.

Stewart was fine, or so he said. Then it was how the waves suddenly got stronger and they needed to take advantage.

Stewart was fine, or so he said. Then it was how Riggs somehow stole Esteban’s wave. With his pride on the line, Riggs went back into the water. They were having fun. They were laughing, and joking. Stewart was fine. That is what he said.

Currently, he was at the vending machine at the surf shop just off the shoreline. He got three drinks, because he’s fine. And their date is still fine. Stewart is not possessive or jealous, or so he thinks.

He heads back to the beach where the boys are laughing, about something else Stewart doesn’t understand. Riggs already has a drink in hand. A can of peach soda. Stewart places their water bottles in the middle.

“Sorry, Stewart. I forgot I had drinks in my car. I know how much Riggs loves these so I had to go get ‘em.”

This is fine.

Stewart smiles, “That’s alright, at least you guys have water now.”

Riggs smiles at Stewart, and moves next to him. Stewart’s smile brightens.

“Thanks Beau-”

A can opening, and suddenly being spilled all over the beach blanket makes Stewart and Riggs look over. “Ah, man, I am so sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Riggs chuckles.

“Must’ve moved around in the car,” Stewart adds.

“Yeah, I’m so glad the one I gave you didn’t do that, Kai.”

“Welp, it’ll dry.”

“This reminds me of that date we had, where the same thing happened, and the soda went up your nose.”

Riggs protests, but like many things that happened this morning, Stewart doesn’t hear or see them. All his mind could focus on was on the one word, date. They dated. Stewart’s mind became full of comparisons. Blond versus dark, grey versus brown, fit versus meh…