Chapter 3: Lesath Beach

When Lars woke up, Len was no longer in bed. Len had always been more of an early riser than Lars did and that day was no different. As usual, Len left some foods for his brother to have breakfast with, which were tuna sandwiches and fried eggs then. After finishing his meal, Lars opened the window to soak up the remaining morning air despite the sun was already high enough by that time.

"I would say good morning, but that doesn't seem right."

Len just entered the room, with a big smile on his face. He was carrying several brochures.

"Oh, hi," Lars said between his stretch. "How's the breakfast?"

"It was amazing! Everything's on the buffet are so delicious! Kinda feel bad that you missed that, I mean that's the whole experience of staying in a B&B."

"Well, I got more bed, you got more breakfast."

Len faintly chuckled. "Anyway, what do you want to do today? I was thinking maybe we could visit the beach? It's pretty close from here."

"Beach's cool. Yeah, let's check it out."

"Alright!" Len cheered. He fiddled with the brochures on his hand and meekly said, "while we're at it, maybe we could, you know, find some jobs there. I got this info from other guests - "

"Oh, I see what this is about," Lars said, squinting his eyes. "Len, we discussed this. I told you that I want us to lighten up and have a little fun first, didn't I?"

"Yes, I do understand, but that money won't last forever, Lars. I just thought maybe we can have fun but still preparing ourselves for the future. We're on our own now, remember?"

Lars heaved a sigh. Deep down, he was a bit disappointed because he presented the choice of going to Antares as vacation for Len because he felt they deserved it. He wanted Len to savor their moment of freedom first, although admittedly, he knew that Len was right. Lars also wanted to start sending out some of their money for his mother back home and having a job would provide a perfect cover for it.

"Alright then, fine. Let's see what you got," Lars said.

Len smiled and enthusiastically shoved the brochures on Lars. They were all about help wanted on the facilities of Lesath Beach, either full - time or part - time. Lars and Len were fresh out of the high school and 18 at the time, a legal age to work unrestricted in Mirepa. However, considering their slightly peculiar situation, Lars and Len also had consideration to not work in someplace that would disclose information to their guardian.

After Lars and Len tidied up, they went outside and met with the brighter side of Antares, a far cry from the night when they were running for their dear lives. The road, the alleys and the buildings all around looked alive under the sunlight. The colorful shop stalls also further added the merry atmosphere, especially so with delightful puns on their marketing banner such as a candy stand named 'Cottonmouth' and kebab one with 'Q - Babe'.

In the main road, the environment grew slightly familiar for Lars and Len. The traffic was comparatively decent than Algedi where they came from. There weren't any particularly too tall of a building to block the beautiful blue sky either. It was truly a nice weather when they were set out to the beach.

By the time Lars and Len caught a glimpse of the Lesath Beach, they were left breathless. The view was truly picturesque, with pinkish sandy beach surrounded by tall cliffs and there were little rock islands scattered on its crystal clear water. Myriad of bright summer colors from the people and umbrellas also adorned the whole beach.

"Holy shit that's so beautiful!" Len exclaimed. "Come on, Lars. Come on!"

"Alright, alright. Slow down." Lars could only just laugh along as he was dragged by Len.

Lars and Len walked along the beach and basked under the warm sunlight. The beach was full of people sunbathing and having a picnic, but it wasn't crowded enough that it didn't leave any space for people to playing kites, beach volley and other sports. It was a perfectly spaced out beach.

In the middle of their sightseeing, however, Lars and Len were distracted by a family they saw. The father was cheerfully laughing as his little daughter climbed him around like a monkey bar, and the mother was watching her two sons splashed each other on the beach with a big happy smile on her face. It felt heartwarming but also crushing for Lars and Len, shown by their little smile.

"Remember those times?" Len asked.

"All too well even," Lars said, "but, that's no longer us."

"We almost have that again, though."

"Yeah, right." Lars snorted a cynic laugh. "We'd be playing in jail if we did."

Lars and Len were back to their walk after that dreary talk. They asked around for any position open at the cafes and stalls along the beach but it was a fruitless endeavor. Eventually, they reached the edge of the beach and decided to stop by at the small café there.

The café had no sign name but it was still quite elegant despite its simplicity. Seashells were plastered all over the ceiling and the walls were decorated with several sand paintings. Lars and Len ordered fish and chips as per the waitress' recommendation and they had their lunch there.

"That was a bust," Lars said out of nowhere.

"I can't believe the positions are filled already. Those were recent brochures too," Len said.

"It's summer, Len. People would definitely come flocking to work in a place like this."

Len just munched on his cod unenthusiastically. "Yeah, I guess."

At that moment, someone approached Lars and Len's table. He was a tall guy and his body was very well built, shown by his gray shirt that clung so tight like a second skin. His shoulder length ash gray hair swayed gracefully by the sea wind and the guy flashed a smile towards the twins.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I couldn't help but hear you guys talking. Are you guys by any chance looking for work?"

Lars glanced to Len a bit. "Um... Yeah?"

"Name's Seth, I'm a new contractor of this beach house that's currently under construction, Hibiscus House. Have you heard of it?"

"Can't say we have. We're... new here," Len said.

"Well, it's not open just yet but we're already taking applications. Are you guys interested? I can introduce you guys to the manager after you're done with your lunch."

"Oh, that'd be great! Thanks, man," Lars said. "I'm Lars and this is my brother, Len. Nice to meet you."

"Twins, huh? Nice." Seth smiled and casually excused himself to sit next to Lars. "I suppose you two never done the classic twin switch shenanigans together, huh?"

Lars snickered. "We actually have though, back when we were kids. It's always been a blast for us watching people's reactions."

"Yeah," Len said, "but then, growth spurt happened and gave everything away so easily, took away all the fun."

Seth laughed. "Yeah, face aside, you two don't look identical at all. Which one are you who dyed your hair?"

"Damn, you got me," Lars said, "but to be fair, I dyed my hair brown quite recently though, so it's not always the differing mark between us."

Lars and Len then briefly shared their prank stories from childhood to Seth. How they once switched class without anyone noticing, acting as each other when talking to different friend groups, basically all playful stuff identical twins would do.

As Lars mentioned, however, they eventually grew different in stature and physique. Lars grew taller and more athletic - looking due to his routine in exercise and football club. Meanwhile Len, found passion in art like video games and reading, resulting him spending a lot of time indoors that made his slender, already alabaster skinned body fairer.

After Lars and Len finishing their lunch, Seth had them follow him to the Hibiscus House. They walked together to the opposite western edge of the beach where they first met. They clicked really well and joked around along the way, which was unfortunate in hindsight. Had Lars and Len didn't ran into Seth and went to Hibiscus House that day, perhaps their course of fate would be different.