Hot Summer Playlist (free)

Early morning was Leah’s favourite time to go running. Before all of the tourists woke up and filled the air with loud music coming from a cheap speaker, screams of kids, yelling of the parents and the intense arguments of lovers, the world was quiet and peaceful place, letting her to be alone with her thoughts.

Her sneakers were hitting the ground, steam coming off the concrete - it must’ve rained last night, but any remnants of that will be gone before everyone woke up. Her ginger ponytail bounced with every move, as she made her way down to the beach. It’s been a route she ran hundreds of time, the familiarity made her feel calm and at peace... usually.

This time, as her legs were moving in a well-known rhythm, her mind kept wondering. Soon she was going to leave the town she loved and embark on a completely new adventure. She was offered place in prestigious college to pursue art, just like her parents did many years ago. And just as them 30 years ago, she was going to start summer classes, meaning that she had just a few weeks before moving away. Leah still wasn’t sure if she should do it. She loved her town, her summer job at the local hotel, the noise and liveness that came with tourists. Was she ready to leave all of that behind, for a dream she wasn’t sure was her own?

Lost in thought, at first she didn’t realise what made her stop. But then, here he was. Christopher Matthews, or the golden boy, as she liked to call him in her mind. He and his parents came to town at the beginning of May and were due to stay till August ended. It’s been their tradition for the last five years, and it was another reason why Leah didn’t want to leave. Christopher, a few years older than her, has been her first love, a crush she’s had on him since the first time she saw him in the ice cream parlour. She spent days fantasising about him, learning everything there was to know about him, but she never made a move. What would a gorgeous 15-year-old want to do with a chunky, ginger 12-year-old with braces? So the years went by and Leah kept her crush a bay, allowing herself some brief moments of stolen looks and smiles that were not aimed at her. And now, here he was, in all his glory. Just came from the sea, water dripping from his gold blonde hair, body covered in tiny droplets. And, as both of them quickly realised, with nothing else covering him. Leah stood there speechless, as he quickly grabbed a towel to cover himself, his freckled cheeks the colour of beetroot.

“I couldn’t sleep.” he ran his hand through his hair.

“I could, but I didn’t.” Leah was still in shock. “I mean, I just... I wake up to run. That’s why I’m here. To run.”

Christopher gave her a shy smile.

“I just thought I’ll go for a swim, and realised that I forgot my shorts when I got here... And since it’s early and no one’s here, I didn’t think much of it.”

“The kids could’ve seen you.” Leah started to feel like this entire conversation is more like a fever dream than a reality.

“I don’t see any kids around, just a beautiful woman... one that I definitely would not mind seeing naked.” He raised his eyebrows and gave her a fantastic smile.

Leah felt blood rush to her cheeks, but she couldn’t decide if she was more flattered by the compliment or angered by the implication. So she did the only thing she thought made sense. She ran away.

“Hey, wait, I didn’t-” Christopher tried to catch up with her, but undressed, without shoes he had no chance against Leah.

“He said what?” Angelica put the glass down with such momentum, that Leah was surprised it did not break.

They were standing in the hotel bar polishing glasses before the opening. It was not the most exciting of chores but allowed plenty of time for gossip. Angelica Leon, tall and beautiful, with short black hair and green eyes was the bar manager and often referred to herself as Leah’s older sister. She was both loved and feared, accepting no nonsense and now she was staring mortified at Leah, who just told her about the earlier encounter.

“Listen, babes,” Angelica put her hands on her hips and moved her chin forward. “I don’t care how cute or handsome a boy is, no one, and I repeat no one has the right to make comments like that about you! Absolutely disgusting, what a pig!”

“Maybe he just meant it as a compliment...” Now, that same time has passed, Leah was worried that she overreacted.

“You’re beautiful. You’re smart. You have a great figure. These are compliments, Leah. Not tit for tat, you saw me naked, so now you strip. That borders on assault.”

“You make it sound like such a big deal...”

Angelica sighted. She knew that trying to talk to Leah now would be like talking to the wall. She knew about that her friend’s crush on Christopher and she remembered all too well how she acted when she was her age. Oh, to be eighteen and innocent again, Angelica rolled her eyes as she grabbed another glass.

“Listen, we both know that when this all goes tits up, I’ll be here with wine and pizza to pick you up.”

“There’s absolutely nothing happening, so chances of that are non-existent.”

“Mhmm...”

“I mean it.” Leah rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t even know my name. Not that’d he care.”

“You’ve seen the goods, I’ll bet some good money that you’ll hear from him soon.”

“Doubtful.” Leah laughed, the whole situation now seemed amusing to her, though she still felt upset at the comment he made. She’d expect it from anyone else, but golden boy? She thought he was better than that. Knowing that he’s just like everyone else meant that she should stop crushing on him and focus on the things that mattered. Like trying to figure out what to do with her life.

The rest of her shift went by quickly and soon Leah was back home, eating dinner with her parents. She couldn’t help but feel that they’re more interested in her moving out than she was. She knew that she should be happy, excited... yet all she felt was dread. Maybe I’m just homesick already? I never lived anywhere else... But deep down she knew that it wasn’t true. She loved art and she loved painting, but she saw first-hand the sacrifices, pain and struggles her parents experienced. She didn’t want that fate.

“I’m going out!” She ran from the stairs holding her secret notebook and bag filled with snacks and drinks.

“There’s no need to be shouting.” Lawrence Damuir, Leah’s dad, stood smiling next to the doors. “I was about to do a grocery run, need a lift?”

“Thank you, but I’d rather walk. I’m not going far.”

“Got it.” Lawrence let his daughter go through the door first and locked the door behind him. “Mum and I will be out later for a gallery opening. Do you have your keys?”

“Always in my bag. Love you, see you later.”

Lawrence waved his goodbye and like that, he was gone. Leah started a slow climb through the forest. Up there, near her house was a wee clearing with a view of the bay. Her secret place, one she’s kept away from everyone. Years ago she drew a wee map for her parents, so they’d know where to find her, but they always respected her privacy and as far as she was concerned they never stepped there. Certain, that she’d have all the peace and quiet she so desperately needed, she allowed herself to relax.

The sun was shining, leaving freckles on Leah’s skin like a memory of gentle kisses. The hike was not long, but Leah could not wait to finally sit down and take off her sneakers. She put up her hair in a messy bun and tied her green checkered shirt around her waist hoping to cool herself down, but the air was standing still, with no breeze to cool her down, to bring relief. She was just approaching the clearing, when a quiet noise alarmed her. She’s been coming here for years and never encountered anyone. Why would today be different? Against her better judgement, she decided to go there anyway. Her morning run was disrupted, she’ll be damned if she allows something else to change her plans.

“I thought you’ll never come. I’ve got drinks, thought we could have a picnic.”

Twice in a day, Leah has found herself face to face with Christopher. But this time she was not speechless - she was furious.

“What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”

“Oh, God, no. I called your house and your dad said you may be here.”

“You did what?" Leah was beside herself with anger, and fear. Alone, with someone who was clearly unstable, no help. This man wanted to see her naked in the morning, and now he was here. No one but just the two of them. That’s how girls end up dead, Leah was certain that’s how it’ll end. Focused on experiencing her imminent and inevitable death, she didn’t realise that Christopher was still talking.

“... so I told him that I might have come across really wrong, without going too much into details, obviously, and he said not to wait with apologising and that you’ll be here later. So here I am. To apologise.”

“What? Who did you talk to?” Leah was starting to feel less and threathened, and more confused. Good God, was this his way of torturing her?

“Lawrence. Your dad? I just told you he teaches me every summer...?” Christopher threw his arms up in a gesture of a man who’s been defeated. “Have you listened to a word I’ve been saying?”

“Excuse me, you’ve made some comments in the morning, stalked me and ambushed me in a remote location. I was too busy wondering if I’ll see my parents again or if my bare bones will be recovered here in decades.”

Now it was Christopher’s turn to be surprised.

“You thought I wanted to kill you? Why would I tell your dad I’ll meet you here if I was going to do that?”

“If you wanted to apologise, why didn’t you come to the house? Especially since you’re such a good friend with my dad?”

“To spare both of us?”

“Spare us? From what?” Still suspicious, Leah decided to stay. Nothing was making sense, but she was hot, thirsty and really annoyed. She was not going to stay uncomfortable through this whole conversation. She put down her blanket, grabbed a drink and sat down. Christopher saw this as an invitation and sat down on his own blanket. He moved a pack of fresh fruit towards her, and Leah grabbed a piece of watermelon.

“Your dad has been teaching me how to paint for the last few summers. I’ve met your mum too, Julianne is a wonderful woman. But they both seem to be very... involved?”

Leah knew exactly what he meant. As cool as her parents were, they loved knowing things, verging on the side of nosy when it was something they found interesting.

“I didn’t think they needed to know about our earlier encounter.” Christopher continued, joining Leah in snacking on the fruit. “It’s pretty selfish of me, but I’ve tried to save my face. You know, it’s not that easy to find a good teacher, and your dad is the best. And I know he’d be mad at me, if he knew the truth. Rightfully so.”

“So this is all just to keep my dad as a teacher?”

“Oh, absolutely no. I really want to apologise. I really didn’t expect to see anyone and you’ve caught me off guard. And I realise how I must’ve sound like...”

“Like a pervert. One that should be locked up.”

“Touché.” Christopher laughed. “I’m really sorry, and I’ll explain why I said what I said, but can we please start again?” He cleaned his hands on his shorts and reached his hand towards Leah.” I’m Christopher Matthews, but you can call me Kit. I’ve been coming here every summer for the last five years and I love to paint. It’s my pleasure.”

“Leah Damuir. It’s nice to meet you too. Come here often?”

Christopher, or Kit, Leah corrected herself, laughed. His laugh was surprisingly low and sweet, and reminded Leah of running honey.

“Only to apologise. And now, if you’d let me, I’d want to show you this.”

He handed her a sketchbook, and Leah opened it carefully. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but definitely not this. Kit was a great painter, and she could see why he enjoyed working with her dad. Lawrence was an expert in landscape painting, and Kit was becoming master of that. The views of the town, the sunsets, sunrises... She was slowly flicking through, taking in every painting, every sketch. It was beautiful, and she had to admit that Kit was very talented but it didn’t clear anything for her.

“Wow, Kit, this is just... breathtaking.” She handed him the sketchbook, expecting a witty reply, but she was met with silence. His cheeks were red, and he looked extremely nervous.

“Now, that’s what everyone sees... but it’s not why I said that I’d love to see you naked. This is.” He handed her a much smaller book, in way better condition. The landscapes were clearly his pride and joy, touched and seen by many people, but this? This was something clearly personal, and she didn’t know why he’s decided to share it with her. Leah, unlike herself, didn’t make any comment. She felt like this was important, and whatever led them to this moment didn’t matter. Kit, a man she idolised and loved for so long wanted to share a piece of him with her. Before she opened it, he put his hand on hers, gently touching her fingers.

"Titanic is my mum’s favourite movie and I don’t know how many times I’ve seen it. Last year, I saw you on the pier. You had your hair down, and a white sundress with strawberries on it, and I remembered the scene where Jack sees Rose for the first time... And for the first time I understood how he must have felt. You were so breathtaking...”

Leah blushed, unable to say a word. She was overwhelmed with emotion, unsure that that’s how he seen her.

“Crushing on a red-headed woman that’s too good for me is not the only thing Jack and I have in common.”

And with that, he moved his hand. She could hear the tremble is his voice, as he let out deep breath and she opened the book. Subtle black lines, single line art of a woman of a body... if she thought that the landscapes were beautiful, she didn’t know how to call this. The art was bold, but not obscene. The lines were gentle, a bit unsure. There didn’t seem to have been a model, but she was hypnothised.

“I’ve had a crush on you for a year, but I knew that you’re dad wouldn’t want me near you, not to mention that you never met me before. But when I saw you today, hot and sweaty from your run, lost in thought, with sun shining through your hair... I wanted to draw you, Leah.”

"Athaliah. That's my legal name. But no one but my parents know that."

Now, both of them were blushing. Leah could not believe her luck - she was sitting in her secret place, with a boy she's been crushing on for years and she just told him her biggest secret...

"Wait, did you say you've been crushing on me for a year?"

Kit laughed awkwardly, and run his hand through his hair.

"Well, yeah... I mean, I've seen you around before, but no offense you were just a child, and against the public opinion, I am not a pervert."

Leah smiled shyly at Kit. "Do you still crush on me?"

Kit seemed to be taken by surprise, as he let out a nervous chuckle. "What is this, an interrogation?"

"Barely. Buf if you do, I may have some good news for you."

"Is that so? In that case, let's say yes."

"I may have a crush on you too."

Kit didn't think it was humanly possible, but be blushed sven more and delicately placed his hand on Leah's. "In that case, it's very good news indeed."

Despite the awkward start, Leah and Kit spent the rest of the evening together. They had a picnic, spend some time drawing, and enjoyed each other company. Leah learned that Kit was currently on a gap year, that he did the art for fun, and studied Graphic Design. Leah told him, that she was going to study Art, and was leaving soon to go to the summer school programme. In that case, we'll have to make the most of the time we have, Kit said with mischievous sparkle in his eyes, and Leah felt butterflies in her stomach. They ended the night by watching the night sky, the stars invisible from the city. Their hands were close together, but not yet touching, and Leah wanted this monent to last forever. But soon they had to leave, and Kit waked home.

"So, I was wondering if you'd like to go surfing tomorrow? I know a good spot." He seemed nervous, smiling shyly.

"It's your lucky day, as by some miracle I'm not working then. I'd love to."

Kit let out a sigh of relief. "See you here at 9?"

"I'll be waiting."

"Goodnight, Leah..." he didn't leave just yet. He looked into her eyes, and took a deep breath, before gently kissing her cheek. His smell, of cedarwood, tobacco and sweat surprised her, and she was incredibly overwhelmed, butterflies in her stomach flying around. But before she said anything, he went into the night.

"Goodnight, Kit." She whispered, touching her cheek.

And now, hours later, she was lying in bed with a smile on her face. She had no hopes for this summer to be different, but now... Now she couldn't wait.