Work Text:
Oftentimes, parents got on their children’s case for studying too little. “You can’t go out with your friends until you’ve finished your homework,” they might say. Perhaps they’d ground them if they never got to it.
That never happened to Luis, though. His parents got on him about studying too much. “You should hang out with your friends this weekend,” they’d say. They also that he should enjoy being young while he still could, that work could always be done later. Luis didn’t listen to them, though. After all, colleges appreciated preparation! They liked extracurriculars; they liked dedicated people, so Luis worked hard at all times.
Even during the summer.
However, it seemed his parents had enough of their son working all day, so they packed him a beach bag, gave him a ticket for the train, and sent him to the beach for the day. It was the perfect plan to get him to relax for once...if Luis hadn’t managed to sneak some of his books into the bag. Maybe he couldn’t get out of going to the beach, but he could use his time there wisely.
“All for the boardwalk, please get off now, we have arrived at your stop,” the train’s tinny speakers announced. “All for the boardwalk, please get off now.” Luis grabbed his bag and stepped off the train.
The boardwalk was beautiful this time of year. The sand shined an almost brilliant white under the sun, and the water sparkled a royal blue. People were out in droves today, all of them seemingly wanting to enjoy the sunny summer weather. Chef Watanabe’s sushi bar was absolutely packed with customers, as was Luke’s surf shop and Justice’s temporary tattoo parlor, judging by the number of people entering and exiting those places. The beach was also filled with people. There were Taylor and Clara Belle, two kids he’d tutored before, Summer, watching over the beach from her lifeguard stand, Preston and Derek, playing a game of one-on-one volleyball with BeeBee suntanning right next to them, and Dr. F, Alexa, and T.O.B.O.R. doing...something science-related, most likely. Yes, it seemed everyone had something to do at the beach...everyone except for a certain goth manning a Turkey on a Fork cart.
Luis was somewhat familiar with Goth Boy. They went to the same school for a while, but Goth Boy graduated two years earlier than he did, and Luis hadn’t seen him since. They were sort of friends…or, at least they were friendly to each other. And Goth Boy looked like he was bored out of his mind. Perhaps he’d appreciate some company.
“Hey, Goth Boy,” Luis greeted, hiking his bag higher on his shoulder.
“Oh, Luis,” Goth Boy said, somewhat surprised. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I didn’t expect to come here, honestly. It was my parents’ doing.”
“Forced out of your natural habitat to come here? I feel that.”
“Uh...not necessarily...but I suppose you could say it like that. They wanted me to enjoy the nice day outside, instead of in my room studying.”
“I guess it’s nice. Would be nicer if I didn’t have to work this stupid stand, though.”
“Well, if there’s one thing I learned from my days working the newsstand, it’s that it’s okay to close early. I spent way too long standing around, yelling my throat hoarse just to get people to buy a newspaper for a drop in the bucket of what college costs. I could’ve used that time to study, or apply for scholarships, or do extra credit...uh, point is, there are better things to do with your time.”
“Well, there is that Turkey on a Fork poetry contest I need to work on…I guess I could do that…I’m kidding, I don’t need convincing to leave this dumb stand. Give me a second to close up.”
Goth Boy reached down behind his stand and pulled out a “closed” sign.
“I’ll move the cart later,” he said, getting his bag. “Let’s head down to the beach.”
The two of them walked down the boardwalk and to the beach, setting their stuff at a picnic table near the water. Luis cleared off all the stray sand that had blown onto the table and sat down across from Goth Boy.
Luis hadn’t looked into the bag yet, so he didn’t know what his parents packed him. He saw a towel, sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a deflated beach ball alongside everything else Luis snuck into the bag. It was the perfect kit for a swim in the ocean.
Perhaps later, Luis thought to himself as he opened his physics textbook to chapter eight.
Hours passed as Luis read, highlighted, took notes, and answered questions about the content in his book. Just as he was about to start going through chapter 9, Goth Boy spoke up.
“I’ve finished the poem,” he said.
“That’s good,” Luis said. “I was a little worried about your progress.” Goth Boy had torn out and crumpled up multiple pages as Luis was working and angrily scribbled out others.
“Can you read it? I want to make sure it’s good enough to win the contest.”
“Oh, of course. I’ve proof-read plenty of essays, so this’ll be no problem.”
Goth Boy handed over the black journal he’d been writing in, and Luis read what was written.
Turkey from the others
Is dry. It smothers
The throat. Turkey
On a Fork is not like jerky.
It is moist; it is delicious
Smothered in gravy most luscious.
Eaten
In a way that cannot be beaten:
On a fork.
It was all Luis could do not to laugh.
“What do you think?” Goth Boy asked. There was a sliver of hope in his voice.
“It’s...not bad,” Luis said, trying not to hurt his feelings. “I think...it could use a little work, though.”
“You hate it.”
“I don’t hate it! I just don’t think you can win the contest with this.”
“Well, what needs improving? Tell me how I can mold my craft into the perfect turkey shape for this contest.”
“Uh...well, I don’t think they were looking for something like this. I think they want something more...slogan-y. Lyrical. More Annie Radd, less Edgar Allen Poe, if you understand me.”
“So, something more suited to the public masses.”
“Yes.”
“Ugh. My goth soul can’t do this. I need to get into the mindset of a watered-down pop song writer. How can I do that?”
“Listen to Annie Radd?”
“No. If I do that, I’ll become a watered-down pop song writer.”
“Uh...okay then. Hmm.”
Luis looked around to see what could help. He just needed something quick, it sounded like. Unfortunately, Luis didn’t know what would get Goth Boy into that mindset without listening to pop songs. His eyes landed on the ocean, and suddenly, he had his solution.
“How about we go for a swim?” he suggested. “I know you don’t have a swimsuit, but Luke sells some in his store.”
“A swim, huh?” Goth Boy said, thinking it over. “You know what, that’s a good idea. I’ll meet you back here in a bit.”
He got up from the table as Luis packed up his study materials. He grabbed his bag and ran to the changing rooms to put on his swimsuit. He had to admit, he was excited about this. He hadn’t been swimming in forever.
Goth Boy came back to the table a bit after Luis did. He’d changed out of his work uniform into a neon purple swimsuit with an equally neon red stripe down the side. It did not fit his style at all.
“Don’t laugh,” he said. “It was the only one they had in any colors I liked.”
“I wasn’t going to!” Luis said, holding his sunscreen-covered hands up in defense. He’d been applying it while waiting for Goth Boy. “Come on, put on some sunscreen, you’ll need it.”
Goth Boy took the bottle from the table and began applying it. As he did that, Luis decided to try and inflate the beach ball. Hopefully, Derek and Preston would be willing to share their pump.
“Hey, you two,” Luis said nervously as he approached them. Derek was well-known for his mean streak, and though he never personally met Preston, he’d heard plenty of bad things about him from the agent. “Can I borrow your ball pump?”
“Yeah, whatever,” Derek shrugged.
“Just make sure you return it,” Preston added.
Huh. That was much easier than Luis thought it would be. He quickly pumped up the beach ball and left before they could start being mean.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Goth Boy said once Luis came back. “Let’s get into the ocean.”
“You don’t need to sound so grim about it,” Luis laughed. “Swimming is fun!” He threw the beach ball to Goth Boy and walked into the ocean. The cold waves lapped at his ankles. “See? Come on, join me!”
Goth Boy sighed and joined him. As soon as he stepped into the water, he shivered.
“Oh no this is so cold,” he said through chattering teeth. Luis just laughed and swam further into the water. It was cold, but refreshing.
As Luis swam and splashed in the deeper part of the ocean, Goth Boy just waded around near the shore, complaining of the cold.
“Come on, Goth Boy,” Luis sighed. “Shouldn’t your ‘goth soul’ be able to handle the cold?”
“On the contrary, Luis,” Goth Boy said, still chattering. “It’s because it’s so goth that it’s hard to stand it. Ugh, I’m getting out. I’ve been inspired enough.”
Luis didn’t quite know how that worked, but he just shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
He watched as Goth Boy left the water and sat back on the bench, scribbling away in his journal.
His loss, Luis thought. He dove under the waves hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the local marine life. He didn’t have any goggles, but it would still be fun to try. He forgot just how much fun swimming was and he couldn’t believe how long he’d been away from the beach. He’d have to remember to thank his parents once he got back home.
Perhaps there were things more important than studying for college. Only slightly, though.