I had to admit, part of me was happy when Cerice made Terry upset. And yet a larger part of me was feeling guilty, upset, and worried. Guilty because it was my idea that Terry was the one to try and seperate us, upset because I felt bad for Terry and this whole situation, and worried because I still didn't like the looks we were recieving from the group.

I didn't feel completely safe with them, or in my comfort zone. But I was older than them all, and felt I should not be so concerned.

We hiked up the coast, watching the waves roll in and out as we talked, feeling the sun beating down on us as we reached one of the highest points along the coast. Terry suggested we all sit for a while and rest, so Cerice and I wandered a little away from the group so that I would not be disturbed while taking photos. As I gazed out at the sea, Cerice's hand slipped in to mine. I felt that tingling I always got from her skin when it touched mine, and sighed in delight. She grinned and pecked me on the cheek.

"You know, I was thinking about what you said. Maybe I would be ok with you painting me, or sketching. I mean, you're such a good artist, I don't think I'd mind."

I grinned and wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her in for a kiss.

"Tonight?" I whispered, looking up at her through my eyelashes.

She paused in thought for a moment.

"Maybe. Now I think I ought to go and apologise like you said." I glanced over and saw Terry and two of her friends watching us.

"Ok. I'll be here." I whispered.

Then I watched her walk away.

I turned my back on purpose so that it seemed Cerice had done this of her own accord, as I didn't want to appear like I had arranged the apology. Out of the corner of m eye I watched her though, because I was feeling extremely nervous about what would happen if Terry decided she didn't want Cerice's apology, especially when all her friends were around her, and Cerice only had me.

I snapped a shot of the cliff from the top of it, looking down on the sand and catching the rough and tumble of all the little crevices in the cliff. Then I stepped away, because being near the edge un-nerved me.

I turned to see the conversation between Cerice and Terry.

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Author guidance for This exercise

Name: Sasha Tillman
Age: 24
Appearance:Long strawberry blonde hair to her hips, blue eyes, pale skin, slim, 5,6. Hair is often loose, or tied up with a piece of material, and dresses in a carefree manner unless she has a meeting or something of the sort, in which case a dress or some smart trousers and a shirt emerge from the cupboard.
Personality: Cheerful, loving, happy. Very relaxed, always chatting but hates gossip, and only gets angry when something is really important to her.
Extra: Teaches Art and an afterschool dance class. Loves to take photos, paint, dance and read.
Stargazer

Name: Cerice Clairoux
Age: 18
Appearance: short blonde hair with red highlights, emerald green eyes, very tall and thin. Wears black or white all the time, sometimes wears overalls that makes her look like a boy. No makeup.
Personality: quiet and reticent, has a general loathing for the world and submerges herself in art to escape from reality. Defensive and arrogant.
Extra: French girl, who is in Australia to study, is staying with her aunt. She is majoring in Science to please parents and secretly studying art outside college. She carries a harmonica with her all the time.
LuneXian

updated Jan 1 '01 by Stargazer