Never Forget (Memories)

stormy blue-grey eyes that draw me in further than the latest Kindle best-seller, his ruffled dirty brown hair, his sun-kissed skin.
    ''Scouts honour?'' I turn around slowly.
    ''Scouts honour.'' He holds his fingers up.
    ''Okay, you win.'' I sigh and walk down the path, throwing my bag in the back seat before climbing into the passenger seat. His smile widens and he pushes the door closed. He walks around, gets in next to me and starts the engine.
    ''Were you even a boy scout?'' I peer at him out the corner of my eye.
    ''Nope.'' We both laugh. ''But I bet you weren't a girl scout either.''
    He looks at me and I smile.
    ''Got me there,'' I admit.
    ''Brownie?''
    ''Nope.''
    ''Hmm, army cadet?''
    ''Don't be silly.'' I elbow him and lean forward to turn the radio on. Us Against The World by Westlife is playing, and I can't find the heart to turn it off.
    I turn my face towards the window and let the music flow through me. I sing the words like a reflex, an automatic reaction. I don't even realise what I'm doing until I feel Alec's eyes on me.
    I glance at him and my cheeks flush.
    ''Closet Westlife fan. I knew it,'' he shakes his head.
    ''Shut up,'' I mumble.

    ~

    I chew the inside of my cheek anxiously as Alec picks me out a board and wetsuit from the rental place. I can see the beach from where I'm standing, and he really wasn't lying when he said that Croyde had bigger waves than Lilac Bay.
    ''Ready?'' he asks, passing me the wetsuit. ''There's a little room out the back you can change in.''
    ''I guess,'' I mumble and take it, walking in the direction of the changing room. The suit is a bugger to get on, and I can only zip it up halfway. I look upwards when I realise I have to ask Alec to finish zipping it up.
    ''Done?'' He turns to me as I step out.
    ''Can you, er, zip me up?'' I sweep my hair around the side of my neck, revealing my half bare back.
    ''Sure.'' He steps up to me and his fingers brush my skin. My breath catches and I hold it as he moves the zip slowly upwards.
    ''You can breathe now, Princess,'' he whispers in my ear and strokes his hands down my arms. His lips graze my earlobe and I shiver.
    He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the beach. Apparently, he's already taken the boards onto the beach. He must have done that while I was wrestling with the damn wetsuit.
    Alec smiles at my obvious reluctance to move towards the surfboard.
    ''Come on.'' He tugs my hand gently and I step up to it.
    ''Lie it down on the sand,'' he orders.
    ''Didn't know you could surf on sand,'' I quip dryly and release his hand, moving towards the board.
    ''Ha, ha.'' He makes a face at me. ''I'm teaching you the moves before you head out into the water. It's safe this way.''
    ''Great, now he tells me it's dangerous,'' I grumble and lay the board down next to his.
    ''It's not dangerous, just a little risky. Lie down on the board on your tummy, directly down the middle. See that line?'' He points to it. ''You need to be straight on that.''
    ''Right.'' I lie down. ''Now what?''
    ''Put your arms out and pretend you're paddling.''
    ''On the sand?''
    ''No, Princess.'' He rolls his eyes. ''Amongst the clouds.''
    ''Alright, alright.'' I put my arms out and exaggerate the paddle, much to his amusement.
    ''Let's try standing. Put your hands on the board level with your chest, and put yourself up quickly. Your legs need to be where your waist was, like this.''
    I turn my head and he demonstrates.
    ''Your turn.'' He nods to me and I take a deep breath.
    I'm on the sand. I can do this.
    I copy his movements and before I know it, I'm on my feet.
    ''Nice,'' Alec approves. ''And you're a regular.''
    ''A regular?'' I frown at him.
    ''Right foot first. Carl's a goofy foot, meaning his left foot goes in front of his right,'' he explains.
    ''Oh, okay.''
    We practise the movements a few more times until Alec is sure I'm ready to hit the waves. I hook the board under my arm the same way he does and he takes my free hand in his, linking our fingers.
    ''Relax.'' He smiles over at me as we head towards the water. ''I'll be close, you'll be fine.''
    ''Mm,'' I say and eye the waves. I'm definitely more at home in the surf shop opposed to the actual surf.
    We walk out until we're waist deep in the water. Alec holds my board steady as I climb on then moves sideways.
    ''I'll keep an eye on the waves and shout when one's coming. You focus on your movements, okay?''
    I nod in response, my eyes fixed forward.
    A few seconds later I hear him shout to paddle, so