Linky & Jordie’s Paradise For Two

The first day of summer vacation arrived just weeks after the Middle School year came to an end in Royal Woods. Lincoln offered Girl Jordan to join him on the beach together before the final day of school. For nearly half of the year since Christmas, they’ve done so much together, they’ve gotten closer to each other, to the point that Lincoln allowed Girl Jordan to be part of The Action News Team at school when Valentine’s Day came around.

At noon, Lynn Sr. took Lincoln, who’s in his swimsuit in Vanzilla while picking up Girl Jordan from her place who’s also in her swimsuit along with her phone. Upon arriving at the beach, Lynn Sr. parked by the side of the road which is where Lincoln requested. “You sure you don’t want me to park at the parking lot?” Lynn Sr. asked.

“Yes, I just want to pick the perfect spot.” Lincoln smiled.

“Okay, text me when you want to get picked up.”

As Lincoln and Girl Jordan got out of Vanzilla, Lynn Sr turned around and drove back home. The two kids stepped on the sand, witnessing the waves from the ocean and taking in the salty sea air. Even in June, the weather’s gotten hotter compared to last year’s. Lincoln and Girl Jordan not only brought snacks in their cooler, their beach towels, beach buckets and sunscreen, but also the turtle doves they got from Christmas. As they placed their beach towels on the sand, they sat down together. Girl Jordan squirted out some sunscreen and rubbed it on her arms.

“This is a great idea to kickstart our summer vacation.” Girl Jordan smiled. “Can’t wait to swim once we’re done putting on sunscreen.”

“Yeah, even if my family planned to go swimming again later this season, It’s not stopping me from taking you here.” Lincoln replied. “Although it’s strange, the beach is a lot quieter than usual.”

“Yeah, even families or groups normally stay at this spot. And yet you can still hear kids from the other side of the beach.”

Lincoln stood up for a moment to see both sides with no visitors in sight. It felt like a ghost town but only if it’s cloudy, foggy and of course a town. But a beach is usually nothing like a ghost town. “It looks like we have the beach all to ourselves.” He sat back down.

“Huh, who would’ve thought?” Girl Jordan handing Lincoln the sunscreen. “It feels like we own the beach.”

“Yeah, kind of.” As Lincoln squirted some sunscreen in his hand, he rubbed it on his arm. Upon looking at the waves again, he remembered the times he and his family went on the beach, there’s always tons of people around. The only way families or groups would get privacy by the ocean is on a private beach which Royal Woods doesn’t have. After a minute of putting the sunscreen on, Lincoln placed the sunscreen by the cooler. “So do you want to step into the water right away?”

“How about later? I’m still surprised we’re the only ones on the beach.” Girl Jordan turned to Lincoln. “Doesn’t it feel unusual?”

“Yeah. Like I wanted to have time off from my sisters, but this isn’t what I was expecting. Especially how I paid for a small pool for myself, only to feel bored for being alone, my fantasy didn’t play out as I wanted.”

Lincoln looked down while noticing how bored he was since he kicked his sisters out of the backyard. He didn’t imagine the way he wanted out of his fantasy when it came to life.

“Do you wanna know what my fantasy is like when it comes to swimming?” Girl Jordan asked.

“Yeah.”

“I wish I could breathe underwater to do more on the beach, but that would require gills.”

“You mean like jumping out of the ocean like a dolphin?”

“More than that.” She leaned towards Lincoln. “As a mermaid.” As she leaned back, she also blushed. “Then again, if mermaids exist, it would be a lot different.”

“Well, we can’t expect our visions to go as we hoped. But still, sometimes I wished the whole paradise for one would’ve been the peace I wanted.”

As the two remained seated on their towels, Girl Jordan also wanted peace, but knew it wasn’t enough. Even with no one around, she needed to feel the peace all around her and Lincoln. As she looks straight at the waves, the sounds of the ocean heal her sorrows, putting her in a state of peace that feels like bliss.

“Lincoln…” She spoke to his attention. “When you feel more comfortable…would you enjoy the beach more?”

“Like laying under the sun?” Lincoln wondered. “Because my sisters Lori and Leni-

“No, something else like…a couple close together with the girl hugging the boy from behind?”

Lincoln blushed from the idea, something he didn’t expect a dodgeball player to say. “What makes you think that?” He awkwardly smiled.

“I’ve seen it on TV where a girl hugged the boy on the beach…at night time when they’re alone. And since we’re alone…do you like the idea?”

Lincoln never had the privilege to allow a girl to hug him from behind. Even his sisters stopped doing that when they got older. “Kind of. But do you think it would work?”

Girl Jordan scooted over behind Lincoln. “It won’t hurt to give it a shot. Maybe later you could do the same to me.” As she slowly scooted closer, she wrapped her arms around Lincoln’s body. Lincoln blushed even harder with Girl Jordan right behind her. “Usually, a girl would lay her head on the boy’s shoulder.”

With the idea in mind, Girl Jordan laid her head on Lincoln’s shoulder with her eyes closed. Lincoln’s body shook with a girl hugging him from behind. If his sisters were here, they wouldn’t even give him the slightest bit of privacy. But then Girl Jordan placed her hand on his chest.

“Relax, you’re getting used to it. Your heart needs it.” She spoke in a sweet tone. Lincoln remained still while feeling Girl Jordan’s hand on his chest while listening to her breathing. Her breathing felt soft and natural as if she had a wholesome hum that no one at Royal Woods Middle School would hear. “Be happy and close your eyes…”

Lincoln slowly got into the moment as he smiled. “You’re right…” He closed his eyes, while Girl Jordan pushed her legs against Lincoln’s. Lincoln felt his back being protracted with Girl Jordan while listening to the waves of the ocean. The sound made him more relaxed as if this was the paradise for one he wanted all along. But in this case, it’s paradise for two.

“Lincoln…” She spoke with her eyes still closed.

“Yes…?” Lincoln replied.

“We should do this whenever we go to the beach alone…if we’re lucky.”

Lincoln laid his head on his other shoulder, giving Girl Jordan more space to lay on his shoulder. “I’m sure our families and others will respect our privacy.” Lincoln said in a quiet tone. “Let’s be in this moment for a little longer…”

“Okay…”

For the next twenty minutes, Lincoln and Girl Jordan savor the moment while still alone with no one around. As if they’re on an island in their imagination filled with waterfalls and mermaids. Mermaids that adore their time together without interrupting them. Girl Jordan finally opened her eyes, lifting her head off of Lincoln’s shoulder but he wasn’t phased as his eyes were still closed.

“Lincoln?” Girl Jordan leaned back from him. “Lincoln? Lincoln?” Without a response, he placed her hands on Lincoln’s arms, trying to wake him up.

“What?? What???” Lincoln opened his eyes while falling on his back while Girl Jordan got out of the way.

“You were sleeping before I let go of you.”

“I was?” He leaned up while Girl Jordan nodded. “Huh, I guess I was too into the moment.”

This caused Girl Jordan to giggle. “You know it’s cute that you will do this for me. It was exactly how it was from the show.”

“Beginner’s luck?” Lincoln blushed.

“More like a beginner's charm.” The two laughed at each other as they both got on their feet. “Anyway, I’m finally in the mood to swim now.” Girl Jordan stretched her arms.

“Yeah, definitely in the mood to swim now.” Lincoln also stretched his arms. The two walked together as they stepped on the water, causing Girl Jordan to shiver. Soon the water reached to their legs as they headed farther with the ocean up towards their chests.

“The water is just perfect.” Lincoln feeling the ocean.

“And beautiful with the current flowing towards us.” Girl Jordan smiled. “Do you like that?”

“I do, as long as it’s clean.”

“The beach water’s always clean.” She then looked in her surroundings and still no person or group in sight. “Though we’re still the only ones on the beach? I don’t even see a boat.”

“Yeah, we’re getting more privacy than I expected.” Lincoln turned around.

Just when he turned back to Girl Jordan, Girl Jordan splashed him with water, catching him by surprise. “I know we're still alone, I just want to get you off guard before getting splashed.”

“Yeah.” Lincoln wiping the water off his eyes. “Just like how you always hit me with a dodgeball in gym class, after the whistle was blown.”

“We were on opposite sides, what do you expect-”

Lincoln interrupted Girl Jordan by splashing her with water. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t do the same thing.” He grinned.

“You never do that!” Girl Jordan replied with her face and hair wet.

“Then splash back, dodgeball player.” Lincoln splashed again as Girl Jordan splashed back

They continued to splash each other for a few minutes as Girl Jordan laughed joyfully. Lincoln couldn’t stop splashing as he enjoyed his time with a girl who’s been enjoying herself since arriving. With both of them wet during the splashing, they didn’t even try to dive their heads into the water yet.

“Okay, that’s enough!” Girl Jordan slightly shouted as she and Lincoln stopped. “Can we do something else while we're still in the water?”

“Yeah, if only I brought along noodles for us.” Lincoln forgot. “Sorry, I was thinking about the snacks when I packed them.”

As Girl Jordan opened her eyes, she tried to think of another activity for her and Lincoln to do. “Since we can’t do cannonballs without jumping boards, do you think we should just swim together?”

Lincoln knew this would happen upon arriving at the beach but he didn’t think he got this far with a girl. “Okay but, do we just hold hands while swimming?”

“That’s what I thought, but do you have other suggestions?”

“Well…” Lincoln took his time to think of a way for him and her to swim together. Unfortunately, he had none, but he thought of something that could entertain Girl Jordan. “Instead of swimming, how about we make a cannonball by ourselves?”

“What do you mean?”

“I dive in, swim underneath you, I lift you up and while you’re on my shoulders, keeping our balance, you get on your feet on my shoulders and when I jump, you jump forward and make a cannonball!”

After explaining, Girl Jordan is stunned in place, and couldn't believe everything she heard. “Can you repeat all that?”

“I didn’t stutter.”

“Lincoln, I don’t think that’s possible.”

“You’re somewhat athletic and I can still carry you.”

“That’s the type of stuff swimmers do in gymnastics.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.”

Girl Jordan didn’t forget what he said, but at the same time, she hadn’t come up with the idea. She wasn’t ashamed to not do a cannonball on the beach, but she had little to think when it came to swimming. As if just being in the water and splashing was everything for Lincoln.

“I’ll promise you won’t get hurt.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Girl Jordan believed in Lincoln’s trust as she nodded. “Okay.” She turned around. “Let’s do this.” Lincoln held his breath as he dived into the water. He went underneath Girl Jordan’s legs as he lifted her up from the water. “Careful.”

“I’m holding on to your legs, we just need to keep our balance.” As Lincoln stood in place, Girl Jordan got onto his shoulders. “Okay you jump on the count of three.”

“No problem.” Girl Jordan nervously said.

Lincoln lowered himself down while Girl Jordan kept her balance to not fall off. She went into position, leaning down a little as Lincoln began the count. “One, two, three!” Lincoln jumped while Girl Jordan jumped off, moving forward while doing a cannonball. She splashed into the water as Lincoln watched the whole thing.

“You did great, Girl Jordan.” He smiled. “Now we can do cannonballs whenever we want on the beach!” Little did he know, Girl Jordan didn’t pop out of the water upon splashing. “Girl Jordan?” Lincoln looked around as if Girl Jordan swam away. But then he got launched from the water with Girl Jordan holding on to his legs.

“That was awesome!” Girl Jordan cheered.

“Girl Jordan!?” Lincoln nearly lost his balance.

“Come on, do a cannonball, I’ll do what you just did.”

“How did you-?”

“Do a cannonball!” Without any hesitation, Lincoln positioned himself just like Girl Jordan did, as Girl Jordan lowered herself, she began the count. “One, two, three!”

As Girl Jordan jumped, Lincoln jumped off and did a cannonball himself. Girl Jordan watched the moment Lincoln splashed into the water, the same way she did without a single difference. As Lincoln popped his head from the water, Girl Jordan swim towards him and as he turned around after getting the water out of his eyelids, Girl Jordan gave him a hug

“That was a great idea Lincoln!” She smiled. “You have no idea how many times we can do this.”

“Did you swim after you made a cannonball?” Lincoln replied.

“Yeah, I got excited when I was swimming, I wanted to surprise you.” After she let go of him, she shook herself to get the water out of her hair. Upon stopping, Lincoln’s eyes shot wide open from Girl Jordan’s beauty. Her wet hair made her gorgeous even as a pre-teen. If she was a mermaid, it would suit her perfectly in Lincoln’s eyes.

“I think you already surprised me.” Lincoln blushed as Girl Jordan giggled.

“I guess you should’ve stayed at my pool party but…Liam told me everything.”

“Well thank you for making me rethink my choices, despite what me and my friends went through…and embarrassed at the same time.” Lincoln scratched on his wet head.

“You're cute when you're embarrassed, it makes me want to hang out with you even more.”

Lincoln became more shy as Girl Jordan splashed him with water. As he splashed her back, they continued to enjoy each other. They got out of the water to make some sandcastles together on the beach. For the next few hours, they finished their sandcastles, ate the snacks Lincoln brought along, and went back in the water to do cannonballs again. They also ran on the beach while taking their turtle doves with them, still having the beach to themselves as they can do whatever they want.

After a few hours, the sun started to set over the ocean with the sky turning orange. Thanks to the reflection from the sun, the ocean turning orange made it gorgeous to swim in. Lincoln and Girl Jordan swam for the fourth time today, but they did less cannonballs after doing it fifteen times previously. They’ve gotten so tired, they only did it once for their turn. They spend the majority swimming together with less splashing, as they’ve gotten closer. Lincoln had felt more happy to see the joy in Girl Jordan, while Girl Jordan had the best beach day ever. When they got out of the water for the last time, they dried their hair and bodies with their beach towels.

“Ahhh…” Girl Jordan moaned in delight, while laying down on the sand. “This really feels like paradise.”

“Paradise for two?” Lincoln replied, also laying down.

“Definitely.”

They didn’t move a muscle as they relaxed under the sun. They’ve lost their energy in their bodies, even when they drank their beverages from the cooler. The only thing they could do is rest, even with the hot temperatures.

“Lincoln.” Girl Jordan spoked. “I think we’ve just picked not only the perfect spot on the beach, but the perfect time to have it to ourselves.”

“You’re right.” Lincoln smiled. “I guess other people have other summer activities than simply going to the beach.”

“If we went to Dairyland today and to the beach tomorrow, I bet there would’ve been hundreds of people here.”

“I bet the only good thing that would come out of that is playing beach volleyball.”

“We would still play volleyball together…if a beach net is set up.”

“And if I bought a beach ball.”

The two giggled, relaxing while listening to the waves from the ocean. “Lincoln, even if your family were here, especially your sisters, I still think they would’ve had fun with us.”

“As much as I agree, you also forgot how…obsessed they are with the idea of me hanging out with a girl.”

“I know what you mean, especially that you have ten sisters. It took months for me to meet them when the time was right, but Lola still couldn’t get over it.”

“You know, as much as I appreciate my sisters at times, I’m thankful it was others who guided me to do my own thing.” 

“You mean what you went through during Christmas Eve?”

“It wasn’t complicated. If my sisters did all of that, I probably wouldn’t have kissed you the right way, not that my sisters would do any worse, but I don’t know how they would handle their boyfriends. Or in Luna’s case, girlfriend.”

Girl Jordan took time of her own to learn Lincoln a little bit from him since Christmas Eve. Even at school, she knew he was becoming more kinder than usual, with him allowing her to sit next to him and his friends during lunch break, giving her interviews with her friends in the Action News Team since she started taking part in it, and how he convince Coach Keck to be part on the same team in dodgeball. And yet it didn’t top what she wanted on the night Lincoln gave her Christmas present.

“Do you wish you wanted the kiss to be better?” She replied.

“It wasn’t my first kiss actually.”

“Who was the girl you kissed first?”

“Ronnie Anne, and a second time but let’s just say we want to forget about that more than the first.”

It gave Girl Jordan another thought in mind, since her friendship with Ronnie Anne was cut short since she moved away. “With your second kiss with her, was it around the time she bullied you?”

“Yes, but I didn’t know about her until we took care of an egg for our project.”

“You know, I may not be a bully like who she was, but I admit I’m not the nicest girl in Royal Woods.”

“So do I but…sometimes it’s hard to blame yourself when you can’t do everything right.” As Lincoln looked straight up at the sky with flow clouds coming by, he took a deep breath and let it out. “Having regrets is important…but when you’re in a position you can’t take control of, guilt isn’t always the answer to everything.”

Girl Jordan knew what she feels when guilt comes to her, but Lincoln went through so much compared to her. Even when she sees him happy, it still doesn't make him feel good at the same time.

“Do your sisters make you feel bad sometimes?”

“Yes, even I can’t deny that. But I also can’t deny the many good things they did for me. It’s just the bad they did went way too far to try and make up with the good.”

While looking up at the sky, Lincoln couldn’t consider relying on his sisters a lot like he used to. To the point the bond between them and himself isn’t as important to him as it was, even if he wouldn’t sacrifice any good they have in the present. Girl Jordan would tell if she became one of Lincoln’s sisters, she would’ve ended up like them, even as a different sister entirely. But in the life she’s in, it’s best for her to be in a smaller family then Lincoln’s. And yet, she wants Lincoln to feel good around her, knowing how she kissed him back.

“Lincoln.” She spoke to the loud boy’s attention. “Since we’re still here on the beach, do you think it’s your comfort place?”

“After a few long hours, it does seem that way.” Lincoln responded. “We may be late to dinner, but it’s worth it.”

This gave Girl Jordan the advantage, the same way he did back on Christmas Eve. Lincoln slightly closed his eyes, tired with the sun setting still in his sight, then just a second, a shadow got in his sight. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Girl Jordan on top of him, with a sweet smile on her face.

“Girl Jordan?” He blushed.

“Hehehe, relax, we're still in our comfort place right?” She lidded her eyes. “As long as we’re alone, it’s paradise for two.” She then pressed her lips against Lincoln’s, catching him off guard. Unlike the kiss he and Ronnie Anne had, he wasn’t prepared with Girl Jordan taking full control. His heart was pounding, that a girl was kissing him rather than him kissing her. But soon, he closed his eyes whilst savoring the moment by placing his hand on her face. As they continued for five more seconds, Girl Jordan broke the kiss as she saw Lincoln smile with satisfaction. With his lungs regaining oxygen, he’s more relaxed that his beach day with Girl Jordan is complete.

“Paradise for two is better than Paradise for one.”

“Perfect answer.” Girl Jordan got off of him while sitting down, looking straight at the ocean. “I still want to stay for a little longer if it’s okay with you. We may miss dinner but you're right, it’s totally worth it.”

Lincoln lifted himself up from the ground, while scooting behind Girl Jordan as he wrapped his arms around her, taking her by surprise. “Then let’s savor it more. It will be a great summer vacation for us.” As he got into the same position Girl Jordan was when she did it, he breathed calmly while getting into the moment like before, only this time, he’s giving Girl Jordan the relaxing sensation.

Girl Jordan soon smiled as she gave into the moment with Lincoln. She tilted her head as Lincoln laid on her shoulder with their heads touching each other. Then Girl Jordan took Lincoln’s hand and placed it on her chest just like he did to him. His palm connecting to her heart put him in more of a comfort state that he’ll treasure as long as he’s with Girl Jordan.

“I really like being with you, Lincoln.” Girl Jordan closed her eyes.

“So do I…” Lincoln replied, slowly drifting into a slumber again.

Three hours have passed with the moon up in the sky with stars. Lincoln and Girl Jordan got so tired, they fell asleep after they got out of position together. With them laying together, they couldn’t separate from each other, whilst also not laying in an uncomfortable position. Even when the temperature gets colder at night, they don't think about it due to their deep slumber, they are warm enough to handle it.

Back on the road, Lynn Sr. drove Vanzilla after Rita got a call from Girl Jordan’s mother about her daughter missing dinner. “You sure he didn’t text you back?” Rita crossed her arms.

“He last texted me eight hours ago, I was focusing on making dinner.” Lynn Sr. replied.

“Do you even know where they are?”

“Lincoln told me he wanted to pick the perfect spot so that’s why I didn’t go to the parking lot to drop them off.”

“I knew it’s wasn’t a good idea to leave them alone on the beach.”

When Lynn Sr. soon remembered the road itself, he parked Vanzilla on the side. “I think this is where I dropped him off.” As the two got out, they headed straight to the beach while looking in their surroundings.

“There’s no one here.” Rita retorted. “It’s late to search for them.”

“Then you go down on the beach while I go up so we can find them double time.”

“Wait.” Rita looked closely down the beach. “I think I see them down there. Let’s go.”

As Rita and Lynn Sr. headed down the beach, they saw Lincoln and Girl Jordan still laying down on their beach towels. Upon looking straight up after running on the beach, they witness the two kids sleeping together. Just when Rita and Lynn Sr. were about to put their foot down, they were touched just how adorable they were at the moment.

“Maybe Lincoln had more of a reason why he didn’t text us back.” Rita wrapped her fingers with a smile on her face. “They’re like angels, sleeping together on the beach.”

“Do you think Girl Jordan’s mother will approve of this?” Lynn Sr. added.

“After inviting us for family dinner, she approved the things Lincoln did since Christmas. She’ll be willing to approve this.” As Lynn Sr. looked straight at the two sleeping together, he also remembered the stuff Lincoln brought along. “I’ll get Vanzilla so we can carry all of Lincoln’s stuff.”

Lynn Sr headed back to Vanzilla as Rita was touched by the moment itself. As she took out her phone, she took a picture of Lincoln and Girl Jordan sleeping together. Then suddenly, Lincoln and Girl Jordan woke up as Rita immediately put her phone away.

“Uhh…what time is it?” Lincoln slowly got up until he noticed his mother.

“8PM.” Rita responded.

“Mom?”

“You forgot to text Dad to pick you up.”

“Ohh, I forgot to text Mom!” Girl Jordan took notice while picking up her phone. “I almost forgot I had this!”

“Don’t worry, at least nothing bad happened. But the next time you two are going to the beach, me and the family are coming along.”

Lincoln and Girl Jordan lowered their heads after the mistake they made. “Well, it was fun while it lasted.” Lincoln replied.

“We had the beach to ourselves.” Girl Jordan added.

“Ohh…what did you two do here then?”

“We did cannonballs in the water. It was a bit confusing to do it, but we managed it quite well.”

“Is that what you two did all day?”

“We rest also.” Lincoln smiled.

After Lynn Sr. turned around, he parked where Rita is located. “I’m here, pick up your things Lincoln.” He called.

Upon taking notice, Rita turned his attention back to Lincoln. “Just make sure you remember to text us.”

“Okay, sorry.”

After Lincoln and Girl Jordan took everything from their beach spot, they and Rita headed inside Vanzilla. Lynn. Sr drove back on the road to head back home. With Lincoln and Girl Jordan sitting together, they didn’t forget about their turtle doves. Girl Jordan laid her head on Lincoln’s arm after the day she had with him. Even if they will never have their time alone on the beach again, they’re happy they got their chance when it lasted. It will always be their paradise for two, with a kiss that is sealed in their memories.