Never Forget (Memories)

the happy shouts of children as their parents win stuffed toys out of the machines. The noise increases as we pass the Landmark Theatre and approach Tunnels Beaches.
    Jen spies the fish and chip shop and grabs Carl's hand, dragging him towards it.
    ''I need food,'' is the only explanation she's willing to give.
    I stop by Tunnels Beaches and lean on the wall, looking out to sea. The beach is small, rugged, and covered in pebbles. Even from my higher position I can see how gritty the 'sand' is.
    The sea breeze drifts up towards me, teasing my hair gently, blowing it away from my face. I stand there absently, lost in a world of calm.
    I remember coming here for days out - visits to Combe Martin's Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Watermouth Castle, and the aquarium. Sometimes, we'd just sit on the beach and I'd listen to Westlife until my ears began to bleed. I smile slightly to myself at the memory, wishing I could plug myself into my iPod and listen to them.

    ALEC

    I watch her as she rests her arms on the wall and looks out to sea. The wind teases her hair, tiny locks of it blowing away from her face gently and I know I've never seen anything more peaceful. I've never seen anyone more beautiful.
    I don't know when she made the transition from sexy to beautiful in my mind, or when she became a need instead of a want. I missed when she switched from a one night girl to a forever girl. My forever girl.
    She doesn't trust me. I'm not stupid and I'm not blind. Unless I can prove I care, she won't touch me with a ten foot barge pole and I don't blame her. I'm not perfect.
    I'm not perfect enough for her but I don't care, not anymore.
    I want her to take a chance on me.
    I step up to the wall and let my arm brush hers gently. Her eyelashes fan out around her eyes, framing them in a natural kind of perfection. I've distracted her from what she was thinking about.. Even if she won't show it.

    ALEXIS

    I ignore the goose pimples his touch evokes, but it's kinda hard.
    ''It's lovely here.'' He looks at me.
    ''Yeah. I was just remembering when we used to come here.'' Seagulls fly overhead, squawking and looking for their next meal.
    ''Maybe I wasn't talking about the view.''
    I can feel his eyes burning holes in the side of my head, but I won't look, I won't, I won't..
    I give in to the compelling feeling and turn my face towards him slightly.
    ''You look lovely just standing there, that tiny smile on your face.'' He picks my hand up and links his baby finger with mine. I look at our hands. His are bigger, more tanned from working in Gram's garden and surfing.
    ''You're really laying it on thick today, aren't you?'' I laugh and take my hand back.
    ''Lexy, I don't wanna get in your pants. Well I do, but not like that. Oh hell,'' he hisses out a breath.
    ''First time for everything, then, Alec?'' There's an almost bitter tone to my voice as I refuse to make eye contact.
    ''Clearly Jen has been embellishing,'' he mutters to himself. ''Lexy, I know you're not like the girls around here, and I'm not just looking for one good night. I haven't slept with half as many people round here as you think I have.''
    I open my mouth to argue with him but he stops me.
    ''Just listen. I won't deny that I'm attracted to you - immensely - but I don't want just one night with you. I want you to give me a chance, get to know me. I'm not as bad as you think, I swear.''
    I make eye contact despite my best efforts, and he's deadly serious. His eyes are practically begging me to give him a chance, and I want to, oh how I want to.
    But giving him a chance means opening myself to him in return, and I know when that happens he'll get under my skin. It's so much easier to think of him as a flirt, a lad, someone I should keep at arms length. If he's at arms length he can't wriggle under my defences towards my heart.
    I know that's what will happen. If I give him a chance I may as well stand on the rooftop and shout 'hey, Alec, come and break my heart!' at the top of my voice. I don't know if I'm ready for that.
    The fact we've only known each other a week doesn't matter much anymore. The thought hits me suddenly and I recall Bing's words. You need to loosen up a bit. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and sigh it out. Damn my brother to hell and back on a rocket.
    ''One chance, Alec,'' I say quietly, looking into his eyes. ''If you can prove to me you're not a man whore, then I'll forget everything Jen has told me about you.''
    His face transforms and he smiles