"Did we really need to wake up this early to get filled with sand everywhere?" Carla whined to her older sister, already dreading the heat wave that was going to melt her into a goth puddle the moment she stepped out of the protective sanctuary that was the AC inside her sister's car.
"Do you really need to complain this much, this early Carly?" Mel asked her sister without taking her eyes off the road, looking over to find a spot where to park. "It's not even 10AM! Chill sis, you'll have fun!" She beamed at Carla a big smile, trying to appease her younger sis.
For her part, Carla wasn't having any of it, rolling her eyes at the mention of her childhood nickname. If their parents hadn't practically ordered her to go with Mel to the beach, the goth could have spent most of the day inside the beach house, venturing out only during the night.
"It's easy for you to say," Carla said, glaring at Mel. "You are built to withstand this horrible horrible season, me on the other hand? I can't wait for the chilly winds of Winter that will bring me back my beloved hoodies."
"Bluuurgh, Winter is so gloomy." Mel grimaced, as she parked her car in a good-enough spot. "Everything is so gloomy and dead, it depresses me."
"And that's why it's so good!" Carla quickly answered back, bracing herself to walk out of the car. "Bundled up on the couch with a cup of tea? What else could you a-AAagggh...!" A groan of displeasure escaped the younger girl's mouth as soon as the hot wind slapped her across the face.
As they walked side to side together, Carla's words held some weight. The two sisters couldn't be any more different.
If Mel was a ray of sunshine, Carla was a snow cloud just waiting for the season to end.
Mel looked like the textbook definition of a beach babe: golden tan, long sandy blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, and a body that was almost meant to be admired under the sun. She had tied her flowery towel around her waist like a skirt, her red bikini top making her already big bust pop out. She even carried a large, stylish beach bag filled with all the essentials for a perfect day in the sun.
Carla, by contrast, stood in stark opposition to her sister's Summer aesthetic. Dressed in a black one-piece swimsuit with a loose and oversized white T-shirt that was as pale as her skin, covered it. Her dark hair was pulled up into a messy bun, already dreading the inevitable battle against sweat and humidity. Unlike her sister's sun-kissed curves, Carla had a softer, more petite build. Her body was made for being bundled with layer after layer of clothes rather than flaunting skin.
"If I die of a heat stroke, I promise I'm haunting your ass." Carla huffed annoyed, carrying their parasol under her arm.
"If you die I promise to bury you somewhere cool," Mel answered back, giving her sister a teasing smile.
While Carla grumbled and groaned, Mel couldn't be any happier. "Here! Perfect spot!" The older sister stated, finding a spot that wasn't so close to the few people that were already there.
With a long and drawn-out groan, Carla stabbed the parasol into the ground, throwing her own towel underneath and skittering inside the meager shade as soon as everything was in place.
On the other hand, Mel stretched her arms high above her head, taking in the sun's warmth with a satisfied sigh. "See? Isn't this nice? The sound of the waves, the breeze, the sight of the seagulls stealing a distracted guy's fries," she said pointing at the bird robbery taking place a few meters away. "Summer is just perfect."
Unable to disagree any harder, Carla folded her arms, frowning. "Perfect for roastery chickens who enjoy slow-roasting in their own sweat."
Mel rolled her eyes, kneeling down to set her things up next to her sister's. She didn't want to admit it, but Carla's attitude was starting to get to her nerves.
"Where is it..." She mumbled, digging into her back until she finally pulled out a sleek bottle of tanning oil. The label had been peeled off long ago, leaving only the faint outline of where the branding logo had once been. 'Something something Golden Delight.'
Mel gave it a little shake before flashing Carla her sweetest (and fakest) smile.
"Speaking of chickens," Mel said holding up the bottle, "You're going to fry if you don't put on some protection."
Carla squinted at it, suspiciously. "That doesn't look like sunscreen to me."
"Well it's the only one I have with me," Mel responded, already pouring some oil on her hands. "You don't want your skin to dry out in this horrible, horrible season, do you?"
"Uuuuuugh, fine." Carla groaned, taking off her white tee.