' Let Your Spirit Soar *Open*

[Alyria Cambian]

"The Ocean is to Calm ..."

' let your spirit soar

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Beach Attire[/center]

It was a wonderfully warm Saturday morning. The first week of Spring was coming to a close. The bright sun hit inside Alyria's all white room and woke her gently at eight o' clock. You're probably thinking, Alyria gets up that early on a Saturday morning? Usually no, but she was waking up every hour of the night anyway, so she had decided that it beat her. Aly could not get any sleep the night before. Her head throbbed with pain as well as her stomach. She had gone to the doctors a few days ago and they thought it was stress from school, however, they had gotten her an appointment for an ultrasound just in case. Aly herself was confused and didnt like it. The pains kept for about a week and, if it was stress, wouldnt go away until she had performed her lecture to the class for Modern Literature on Surrealism.

She knew that she couldnt do anything about it but rest and not think about school. Aly shook the whole idea of school out of her head. She was determined to have one day of no-school thinking. She got up from her comfortable bed and went to gt ready for the day - taking a shower with her raspberry shampoo, conditioner and body wash; brushing her pearly white teeth; putting her natural looking make up on; and finishing with going to her closet to find what to wear for the day. The question was, what did she want to do that day?

The Mall?
Stay home?
Jamba Juice with friends?

She had decided that the best bet was to stay home and relax another day. Alyria found a nice blue and white striped tube dress to wear. She had paired that with her white Hollister bikini and flip flops. Off of her shelving unit inside her walk-in closet, she also had picked up a pair of her aviator sunglasses. This outfit was comfortable and versatile if she was deciding to go anywhere else but the beach. Alyria took her flip flops by right hand and her white Hollister tote around her arm, walking down her hallway and her stairs.

Alyria's tradition was to make her breakfast and then go out on her deck to read, sing, or just chat on the computer. She conditionally went into her kitchen, having no one home but her family's maid, and raided the fridge for some fruit. She took out two banana's, a handful of strawberries, and an orange for more juice. Aly took a cup and filled it with ice from the freezer, putting it straight into the blender, adding a measuring cup of milk to it as well. She cut the fruit into small pieces, added it to the mixture in the blender, and blended it for a minute. The end process was to grab a plastic see-through cup with its matching lid, a pink straw, and pour the smoothie into the cup. As she assembled the cup, her bag was sitting soundly on the island that she was at with her phone, iPod, wallet, and book inside. Aly dropped her flip flops on the floor and put them on as she took her cup of her fruit smoothie and went onto her deck.

Aly set her cup onto the small table near her lounge chair and sat down, getting her pink iPod out of her bag and turned it to listen to The Morning Of's song Let Your Spirit Soar. Alyria's favorite thing to do, other than performing, was to look up new groups on youtube.com and such.

As the music played, she rested her head on the back of the plastic, cushioned lounge chair, hoping that her stomach ache would go away soon.

[Cole Rochowiak]

Cole was up, dressed and bored out of his mind.He knew most of his friends liked to sleep in late on weekend mornings but he didn't. He felt like he was loosing precious time of his day off and since he wasn't working part time just yet - not that he'd need to with his parent's salaries - he wanted to make most of his time.

It was a beautiful spring morning, it was hot outside just like every other days in California. Really, Cole couldn't see himself living elsewhere, he had gotten way too used to the hot sun and the beach. The only thought of snow gave him wrinkles.

Drumming his fingers on the table to a random beat, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun, sitting in a chair on the floor level deck of his backyard. The pool was tempting already but he prefered waiting a little later in the day to refresh himself. For the moment, he wanted to work on his tan. A noise to his left picked his curiosity and he extanded his neck to have a peak but the high cedars between his and Alyria's yard was too high for him to see anything. However, he figured the next door girl had just came out of the house and a smirk appeared on his facial features.

Standing, he weighted his options. Scare her, prank her or just say something stupid were in his choices, to which he decided the latter. He made his way over to the side of her house where a fence had been installed, providing a door and, therefore, an access to her yard and unlike the cedars, he could see through. She had her back to him and was apparently concentrated on something on her lap as she laid in the chair.

His arms leaning on the fence above his head, he observed her for a moment before whistling loudly, brigning to life the well known symbol of the guy whistling to the sexy girl, after which he smirked in satisfaction.

[Alyria Cambian]

As Alyria took a short sip of her breakfast smoothie, she took her pink second generation iPod nano and changed the song. This time, she went to her movie selection and chose NLT's music video for She Said, I Said

[/url]. Aly hit the pink center button as a smile waltzed onto her face. She was fascinated on how the guys could dance! She had yet to find a guy like that ... that went to her school. Guys who could dance like that was rare. You'd always find those who could break dance and whatever, but if you found a guy that was musically talented and could dance like NLT, you should hold them for dear life. The song itself made Alyria tear up once in a while if she was having a bad day, but the guys would always cheer her up. It was about a couple breaking up and the guy leaving her when the girl wants so dearly to stay together. It happens everyday, yes, but they made the song like The Notebook - you can't help but cry at something that always happens.

Well then again, thinking of The Notebook, every girl would just dream of having a guy like Noah. It was a fairy tale.

She took a deep, slow breath as her eyes were glued to the iPod, and without any notice doing so, Alyria started to hum the song softly. Her book sat undisturbed on her lap. The oceans waves were a nice touch to the background of her relaxing daydream, until she heard a whistle. Not just any whistle, oh no, but the whistle to the scenario that a girl walks passed a group of guys. Alyria rose her right eyebrow as she turned around in her chair, turning off her iPod, to see ... well who else?

Alyria laughed softly as she stood, fixing the skirt of her dress and putting her book and iPod on the small table. She walked slowly off her deck, into the warm sand, and over toward where Cole was, opening the door of the fence.

"Well hi there Cole," she said with a warm smile. She was greatful that she didnt have to deal with the struggle of english. Now she was fluent in both english and italian ... yet still with the italian accent, "I didnt think that you'd be the type of guy to wake early just to hunt for girls." Alyria joked.

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[Cole Rochowiak]

Cole observed Alyria intently after he had whistled. It seemed like her muscles had tensed slightly as she had heard it. Smiling broadly, satisfied of the effect his whistle had on her, he straightened up and dropped his hands back to his sides while she was making her way towards the fence. As soon as she had opened it, his smile simply grew bigger, realizing how thrilled he was to see her. It wasn't like they weren't seeing each other everyday but it seemed like her cute italian accent always had the same effect on him.

"Apparently you don't know me as much as I thought you did," Cole said as a reply to her comment, equally joking. A bright smirk flashed on his face, one which girls who didn't know him would most likely fall for. People who were the closest to Cole knew it was his most typical facial expression and had gotten used to it.

Running his fingers through his hair and pushing it away from his face, he switched his black sun glasses from over his nose to on the top of his head, his eyes squinting at the brightness of the morning sun. "Would a girl like you let herself be charmed by a big hunter like me for the purpose of spending the day together?" he asked, letting out a slow chuckle. It was weird how he could have such a friendship with a girl, more than any guys in the area, and not be gay. His lips curled into a smirk again at this thought.

[Alyria Cambian]

The funny thing was, Alyria had moved in next door to Cole when she was around nine years old. Now being eight years older, you would think that she would know that about him. Especially for the fact that they were neighbors on a beach! Alyria knew that basically everyone on the beach knew each other since they were in the sand practically every day. No, the two weren't in any classes together, but they were in the same group of friends as well. Maybe the thing was, Alyria had never noticed before. It was early in the morning and she rarely spoke with people in the early mornings on the weekend, so it through her balance of the day off just a tad.

When he asked her if she wanted to hang out for the day, she laughed softly as to how he went about asking. She had always loved how theatre people spoke to one another. They would actually sound intelligent! Cole had used various words that an ordinary person would probably never have used in the sentence structure! An ordinary person would just ask 'Hey, wanna hang out?'. It made Alyria's day to have close friends that liked the same things as her.

"Of course kind hunter, I'd be delighted to spend the day with you!" Aly grinned while looking upward toward him, being that he was over a head or two taller than her, "What did you have in mind?" As she asked, she walked around and back up to her porch, grabbing her iPod and book. She stashed them both into her bag while walking slowly back to where they were standing, listening in on his plans.

[Ehh, its short ]

[Cole Rochowiak]

Cole grinned as she answered in the same manner as he had asked his question. It wasn't the typical conversation he'd have with anyone else. Not only because they had been friends for about 8 years already but because they were both very much involved in drama and plays. Hell, acting that was the one thing Cole would trade anything for, it was normal that somehow this showed through his everyday personality.

"Perfect," he commented as Alyria agreed, flashing her a bright smile. Truth was he had planned absolutely nothing for this upcoming day and up to five minutes ago, he had figured he'd take it easy and maybe go on the beach simply to relax and watch people surfing the waves or taking advantage of the hot sun. Plus, there was always a bunch of tourist with their camera attached to their hands he loved to observe and laugh about with their sun block.

As Aly came back with her stuff and put it in her bag, he shrugged slightly. "To be perfectly honest with you, I have nothing planned whatsoever," he replied with a mocking smirk. "I was thinking of maybe just wandering on the beach or something. Unless missy's got any better idea." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave a gentle friendly squeeze before letting go of her, still smiling brightly.

[Alyria Cambian]

Alyria thought about it, people-watching that is. How funny it was to do that with friends, but then again, how rude it was at the same time. Alyria had mixed feelings about that sport, but ended up agreeing that everyone people-watches no matter what. You do it everyday without noticing ... however some more than others she had to admit. She never tried to gossip of others, but it was also in a girls nature to ... critique on some things around her, say clothing that someone is wearing perhaps? Aly shrugged the thought off her shoulders and looked to the sun. A relaxing day was just what the two probably needed anyway on a Saturday morning.

"The beach it is then!" She laughed softly, "I can't think of anything more relaxing to do anyway." Aly smiled up to Cole as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. But another thought came to mind. Did they have that much to talk about? Maybe, at least until they thought of something else to do. The water was cold in the mornings, so Aly didnt plan on going into the water at all. But they could always just hang out somewhere else on the Pier or something.

To start a simple conversation off as she had started to walk, she asked him a question in which he was sure to like. Come on, it was about a party! "So, you're gonna come over to help with my party on Monday right?" Aly's birthday was on April 13th and she intended to have a get together and invite everyone from school to her place, preferably the beach in her backyard however. She was contemplating on whether or not she should have a theme as well, such as black and white or even something like Las Vegas or what not, but had let that question go. The only thing she knew was that her group of friends, at least in her mind, would come over early to help out with everything, like all of their parties. She would also be shopping in the next few days for a very stunning dress to wear for the occasion!

[Cole Rochowiak]

Cole walked at the same pace as she was, him being taller than her and indeed having longer legs, it was simply the obvious thing to follow her instead of being followed. They were walking slowly anyway, having nothing to be stressed or rushed about and it felt just great to spend some time being careless about everything and pushing all of the problems, the school and the tests for the sake of one lazy day. They'd have plenty of time to worry about it all on Monday again.

"Wouldn't miss it for anything in the world!" Cole exclaimed as Alyria asked about her birthday. In fact, her birthday was usually a great party and just like every other guy his age or so, parties were like magnets to him, especially when they involved his friends, his best friend and when they were right next door. Probably this year once more, his house would host people sleeping over. "I can't believe you're even asking me about it when you should already know my answer," he said in a teasing tone as he sent her a wink.

He paused for a short moment, looking back ahead of him and thinking about last year's party. It had been great and he wondered if this year would manage to equal it or be better. Most likely, if Alyria was faithful to her usual habits. "So what's the plan this year? Everyone dressed as a superhero? Oh no, even better, how about playboy bunnies for girls and Chippendale for guys?" As much as he had wanted to keep this seriousness going on his face, he bursted out laughing at that thought, trying to picture everyone dressed very lightly in a 17 years old birthday. Definitely, the wouldn't pass parental approval. But who said they needed any?

[Alyria Cambian]

She wrapped her arms around his waist, being that he was tall, and gave him a quick 'thank you hug' as she laughed thinking that they did always help out with the parties.

Here it goes, Cole's usual joking around. And yet, what guy didnt joke about playboy and such? It shouldn't be any surprise to Alyria. She rolled her eyes and thought of the first idea, superhero. Everyone wearing the traditional spandex tights with underwear over top, a cape, and a mask covering their tired dark circles around their eyes? Haha, no thanks, but she couldnt help but ask Cole if he'd really dress like that. She described the exact thing she was thinking to him and smirked as she waited for an answer, "Would you really dress like that? Or dyou know some other way to make a superhero sexy that I dont know of?"

The second thought, Playboy. Because that would so go well with everyone's parents! 'Hey mom? Im going to Alyria's birthday party. I need a Playboy bunny costume!' psh, please. Alyria thought it over and possibly had a twenty-first birthday theme! Playboy mansion and cocktails. The only thing about that would be that not everyone would be invited. Sad to say, she was older than some of her friends in the group, it would be horrible to do it without them!

She took a hair tie from around her left wrist and put her long brown beach waved hair in a high ponytail to keep it out of her face as the morning breeze blew. Alyria was pretty excited to be turning seventeen, the only thing she was frustrated about was that the Village Theatre had auditions for the musical Tommy. She was so excited to be auditioning for it, until she looked online to find that you had to be eighteen or older. Alyria then got an email from a past director of hers from Annie saying that they were doing Rent in August. Seeing that Rent is worse than Tommy, then there would be an age restriction on that as well, which made Aly even more depressed about being seventeen. Its one year older, but nothing really special about seventeen like your Sweet Sixteen or Eighteen, or even said before, twenty-one.

So many things rushed through her head in such as small time that she stopped as Cole spoke.

[Cole Rochowiak]

Cole wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she wrapped hers around his waist, getting her in one of their usual friendly embrace. As much as he always wanted to look tough in front of his other friends, he was often being more emotional and had love rushes when he was around Alyria. Nothing that would mean them being together as a couple, just a never ending friendship. And today was no different.

Giving her a gentle tug before releasing his grip on her, he stared at her with a raised brow as she asked if he'd really put a superhero costume on. "What?" he started, acting like he was offended, which he definitely wasn't. "You really believe I wouldn't put something like that on?" he asked her, narrowing his eyes slightly as he tried to remain serious but a smile cracked up on his face. "You know, I can find a thousand ways to look sexy in a superhero costume and none of them involve wearing panties over leggings," he said with a smirk, referring to Superman. God did that guy looked gay in his costume.

Thinking for a moment, Cole looked away towards the ocean. "I still think my Playboy idea is better," he said, flashing her a bright smile, his thoughts drifting to the image of all the girls at the party wearing few clothes on, bunny ears and a bunny tail. Biting his bottom lip, he could already picture himself starring at their asses and completely forgetting about the ongoing conversation. But obviously, that wasn't going to happen.

[Alyria Cambian]

Alyria knew that she wasn't going to have a superhero or Playboy party for sure, but she kept on with those ideas just for the sake of conversation. Her party, whatever it would be, would probably pretty formal, knowing that the group would have a Halloween party in the near future. Aly had an idea of, instead of just dressing up, creating a genius haunted house. The Halloween parties where everyone just dressed up and danced (like every other party you go to) were just too 'last year'. Unless Cole and Aly thought of something genius and original for her party, it would probably Black and White or something.

Alyria laughed as they walked slowly on the soft sand, "Mkay, you create a sexy superhero outfit for you, as well as me, and then I'll think about it." A light smirk slid across her face. All of the superheroes that she had seen growing up in Italy were in the tights and capes ... with complimentary colors mixed together. It was a real sight to see when you were only a few years old watching television. Alyria thought for a second on something he would pick out, but couldnt make anything up; she laughed to herself and went on about his other idea for the party.

"Yea, I know that you'd love a Playboy party. Every guy would probably love it, but I just think that should be saved until my eighteenth or twenty-first party!" Aly grinned. The whole party could include cocktails and bunnies if it were her twenty-first. The only think good about turning seventeen was seeing rated R movies. Its not like your Sweet Sixteen where you can get your license or your Eighteenth when you're an official adult, or even the twenty-first where you go out partying all night and having the worst; and your first, hangover ever. Another thing was that this summer was the community theatre's production of Tommy and they had to put an age limit on it. Then she just got an email from Wendy, a woman who worked with her on Annie and Follies, and said that they were doing Rent after Tommy! That made Aly even more mad to be only seventeen because she knew that Rent was worse than Tommy. The only thing was, she wasnt going to complain, she knew other production companies that she could audition for.

Alyria sighed and looked down at the sand, still with a light smile on her face, awaiting for Cole's answers.

[Cole Rochowiak]

As they continued walking through the sand, Cole decided to take off his flip flops in order to feel the hot sand between his toes, a feeling which he had come to love with all those years spent in a house right next to the beach. He held them in his right hand and let out a slow, satisfied sighed added to a smile as he carried on walking.

"I'll hold that thought for your 21st then," he commented as he looked down at her and send her a bright grin that meant he definitely wouldn't forget to remind her of this conversation, even in four years from now. However, for now, they still had the 17th birthday theme problem and it had to be somewhat straight, no alcohol whatsoever, to Cole's demise. Not that he was the alcoholic type but a beer or two never hurt anyone. However, with this big of a party and plenty of minors, it would be hard to infiltrate some into the party without being caught, or even stopped by the police. And of course, Cole's parents probably wouldn't be so grateful for it.

"So, we've still got to find that perfect theme." He paused for a short second and frowned before drifting his sight over to the ocean. "Or a backup last minute solution like every previous years," he added, looking back at her briefly and sending her a wink.

[Alyria Cambian]

All Alyria could think of was costumes! But something came to mind when she thought about the night before. She was looking up recipes for various smoothies and other drinks when she came across an advertisement that reminded her of the 1940s. Aly spent the whole night listening to famous songs from the 30s and 40s, her favorites being Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters and Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah by Johnny Mercer. This gave her the idea of a mystery murder party or something of that nature. Alyria knew a amazing writer that put the story together. This would also give them a chance to give out non-alcoholic drinks and the party would still be somewhat formal. She could get a band that could play a mix songs from the radio as well as make the famous 1940's songs sound modern.
She told the idea to Cole. As she was saying it, it sounded kid-ish, but fun at the same time. Alyria knew quite a few adults that had Murder Mystery Parties before. It was the only think Alyria could think of, so if he didnt like the idea, then it would take a little longer for her to think of another idea!

Alyria knew that if she told everyone that the drinks were alcoholic, they would trick themselves into thinking that it was truely alcoholic and that they were drunk. She wanted to see it happen, to see if her psychology teacher was right on this.

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah was running through her head as they walked on the sand.

[Cole Rochowiak]

Cole listened carefully as Alyria explained her idea and so far, it was definitely the best they had came up with. And maybe the only one, in fact, not counting the out-of-question propositions he had made a few minutes back. The more she gave out details, the more his face brightened with ideas for costumes and decorations. The Film Noir style would fit perfectly, people portraying detectives and femmes fatales... Long dresses, red lipstick, hats and cigars...

"Aly, that's great!" he exclaimed in his usual cheerful tone, showing clearly he was excited about this idea. Then his mind drifted off to what could be the scenarios of the night. In any case, they would have to somewhat play their characters and this idea was even more appealing to Cole. When it came to play up some sort of role, whatever it was, he was totally ready. "Can I be the killer?" he asked quickly, grinning as he looked sideways at her before he started laughing, out of excitement mostly. "Just kidding," he added with a wink, he didn't want to push anything, those sort of decisions would come in due time.