MassaHJ
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Chapter 42: Finally Beach Day
🕑 Added 2025-04-12 20:30:35 +0000 UTCHe is 12 years old (will change in Webnovel and here) - that gave me more ideas
The morning light streamed through the windows, and the buzz of plates clinking and laughter filled the beachside hotel’s dining room. I walked in to see everyone already gathered around the long breakfast table.
Chandler leaned back in his chair with a huge smile on his face. “You guys! The sun is out. I finally get one day of actual beach weather.”
Monica, halfway through a bite of toast, pointed her fork at him. “Don’t jinx it, Chandler.”
He shrugged. “Come on, what are the odds it starts raining again just because I said something?”
Joey, holding a plate stacked high with bacon, chimed in, “Pretty high, man. Like, scientifically proven high.”
Charlie smirked. “I’d bet on Joey before I’d bet on the weather.”
Everyone laughed. I slid into the seat between Phoebe and Charlie, and Rachel poured me a glass of orange juice.
“Maybe even God was happy the Dino convention ended,” I added with a smirk.
Ross shot me a deadpan look while everyone else burst into laughter.
Yep. It was going to be a good day.
———
A little while later, we all headed down to the beach, towels and sunglasses in hand. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and for once, the weather felt like paradise.
As we reached the sand, I couldn’t help but whistle when I saw Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe in their bikinis.
“Monica,” I said, raising an eyebrow, “there’s a sea in your hair.”
She turned, slightly confused, until I pointed at the several small seashells tangled in her curls.
Monica beamed. “Hey, at least my hair is finally behaving! Isn’t it cool?” She gave it a shake like she was in a shampoo commercial.
Rachel and Phoebe chuckled beside her.
I made my way over to Chandler and Joey, who were setting up towels under a big striped umbrella.
“I thought she was way out of your league,” I said to Chandler with a playful smirk, nodding toward Monica. “But maybe I was wrong.”
Joey burst out laughing, nearly dropping his sunscreen. Chandler opened his mouth to respond, then just gave me a look and shook his head with a smile.
“Kid’s got a point,” Joey said, still chuckling.
Just then, Ross walked over, drying his hands with a towel. “Hey, what are you guys talking about?”
Chandler and Joey both froze like deer in headlights.
I stepped in smoothly. “We were talking about how you nailed it yesterday.”
Ross gave a deadpan look, then softened and said with a loving voice, “Thank you guys.” Just then, my mom appeared within everyone’s view.
My eyes widened. “Wow, Mom is the hottest here.” (And with the expensive products she’s been using, she looked even better.)
Joey turned to me. “Are you sure your mother is gay?”
I looked slightly indignant. “Really?”
Chandler added, “Well, buddy, welcome to the team. Ross kissed my mother...”
I turned to Ross, my eyes wide. “You broke the Bro-code? How could you do that?”
Ross raised his hands defensively. “Okay, okay, in my defense—”
Before I could even hear what he was about to say, I felt a sudden pinch on my back.
"Ouch!" I yelped, turning my head to see Monica standing behind me with a warning look in her eyes.
Chandler looked confused. “What was that for?”
Monica leaned closer and whispered just loud enough for him to hear, “He’s making a trap for you.”
Chandler’s eyes widened in realization.
He slowly turned his gaze to me, narrowing his eyes with suspicion.
I raised my hands innocently and said, "Hey, I'm not the one dating the best friend's sister."
A few minutes later, I was standing near Charlie and Rachel, enjoying the breeze and the salty scent of the ocean, when something—or rather, someone—caught my attention.
Walking past us was a stunning blonde girl, probably around fifteen, with sun-kissed skin, bright blue eyes, and a confident walk. She wore a light floral beach bikini and carried a surfboard under one arm like she was born with it.
I couldn’t help. Channeling my inner Joey, I flashed a smile and said, “How you doin’?”
To my complete surprise, she looked right at me, smiled, and said, “Hey, you’re Jake, right? Nice song, by the way.”
I blinked. “Uh… thanks.”
She nodded toward a small boardwalk ice cream stand. “Me and my friend are getting some ice cream. If you wanna swing by…” She winked then walked
I stood there, stunned. Wait, that worked? I was going for the joke...
Joey, who had been watching from nearby, beamed. “Yeah!”
Charlie immediately jumped in, holding his hand to his mouth like a microphone. “Jake is with the ball, it is 60 yards out, but he throoow it…”
I laughed and raised my hand. “Aand it’s toouchdown!!!”
Charlie high-fived me.
Rachel, amused, shook her head and chuckled. “You boys...”
Just then, I felt a shadow behind me, and before I could turn, I heard a familiar voice.
“You are teaching pick-up lines to my son?” said Mom—Judith—arms crossed.
Charlie didn’t even hesitate. He pointed at Joey. “That was his line.”
Judith slowly turned her head toward Joey.
Joey froze like a deer caught in headlights, eyes going wide with cartoonish panic. He looked around, as if hoping for an escape route that didn’t exist.
Before he could open his mouth, Mom turned her eyes back to me.
“And where do you think you’re going, young man?” she asked, crossing her arms even tighter.
I blinked, trying to sound as casual as possible. “Well, it’s hot today, so... ice cream.”
She raised an eyebrow. Totally unamused.
I shrugged, then added with a little smirk, “Look, Mom, you realized you liked women in your late thirties. I just figured out a little sooner.”
Everyone around us tried to hold in their laughter, but you could hear a few stifled chuckles. Even Mom pressed her lips together, clearly fighting a smile. Finally, she gave in and laughed.
“I’m thirty-five,” she said, half amused and half dramatic.
Then, with a playful roll of her eyes, she gestured toward the ice cream stand. “Go.”
She didn’t need to tell me twice...
