Wherever I am, it is way too bright.
Squinting, I peer through my eyelids to discover I am in my room and had forgotten to draw the curtains. Groaning, I flop back down onto the pillow and wince.
My face hurt.
As my body slowly began to gain proper function, I soon realised, my stomach is churning and my head throbbing. I did not feel good...
My mouth began to water. I reel into sitting position and hastily searched my room, to find that I was by myself.
Didn't Harvey stay with me last night?
Before I could ponder that thought, I was running to the bathroom. I barely made it in time, before I threw up. My body began to tremble as I gripped the sink basin.
Why did I think tequila shots were a good idea?
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I stood, stumbling back slightly. I edged into the shower cubicle, my movements slow. I let out a sigh as the cold water ran down my skin.
As I leaned against the glass pane, I thought back to last night. I shouldn't have kissed Harvey again - I didn't want to lead him on. I was drunk and he was being so sweet... I let myself enjoy being with him.
He is my best friend. What was I thinking?
Were things going to be awkward between us now? I'm never going to forgive myself if things aren't the same as they were.
I am still hung up on Ashton. It wasn't fair of me to attempt to 'move on', with Harvey.
With a sigh, I exited the shower and toweled off, my mind stuck on replay of last night.
I threw on a pair of denim shorts and a daisy-print shirt, leaving my wet hair, hanging down my shoulders. I brace myself as I descend down the stairs. I'm not sure if Harvey is going to be down there or not.
As I enter the kitchen, being lead there by the smell of food, I didn't expect to see Harvey and my mother, eating breakfast together. My heart jerked in my chest and I froze, taking in the scene before me.
My mother is still dressed in her work uniform, her hair piled into a messy bun on the top of her head. She had a steaming cup of coffee, planted in her hands as they spoke. They hadn't even realised I'd arrived.
Harvey is chomping on a piece of toast whilst my mother's plate is empty. I'm not sure what would have been on it - I can't remember the last time we ate breakfast together.
"This is not what I expected to see on a Sunday morning," I announced, walking past the table and filling a glass of water.
"Good morning, daughter," my mother greeted, her voice slightly deeper than usual, sounding hoarse. "How are you feeling?"
"Not the best," I admitted, downing the glass before refilling it.
I sit down beside Harvey. My mother looked exhausted. She had deep, circles underneath her eyes. Her lips were chapped and her skin dry. It is noticeable that she neglected her appearance.
"You have a bruise on your forehead," she commented, her eyes never leaving my face as she studied me.
"Yeah, it hurts."
"How about now?" she asked, leaning over and prodding my forehead.
"Ow!" I exclaimed, slapping her hand away.
She chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee.
I glanced at Harvey and he is staring down the table, drawing something with his finger. I internally groan.
I am so stupid. Things are going to be weird now.
"So," she said, looking between the two of us. "You often invite boys over to stay the night?"
"Harvey is my best friend," I said, rolling my eyes. "You don't have to be worried."
It was so automatic to say that. I paused, the moment the words flew from my mouth.
"Uh huh," she said, her eyes glancing at Harvey. My stomach plummeted. Did he say something to her about last night? Oh God, what have I done? "Anyone else I should know about?"
I cocked my head to the side. How much has Harvey told my mother?
"Nope," I replied breezily.
"Right," she said, looking unconvinced. I want to glare at Harvey, but I control myself. "How is school?"
"It's okay."
"How's your swimming?"
"Good," I said, an automatic smile coming onto my face. "My times are really good." Despite what Ashton (jerk-face, as I like to call him in my head), says. "I've been working myself pretty hard."
"Make sure you keep eating healthy," she said, slipping into Doctor mode.
I rolled my eyes. "You sound like my Coach."
Harvey cleared his throat and took a drink of his juice. I glanced at him with a frown.
Traitor.
"So, what brings you here?" I asked her.
"To my house?" she asked sarcastically.
"It's more my house."
She ignored my comment. "I have the day off."
"Oh really?"
"Well, they sent me home," she admitted, a look of frustration falling across her face. "They said I've worked too many hours and that it's 'dangerous' for me to perform surgeries in this state."
"Probably have a point there."
She sighed. "I amvery tired."
"Why don't you go have a sleep?" I suggested, leaning back in my chair. "I might go for a walk or go for a swim at the beach. You can have the house to yourself for a while."
"Sleep sounds good."
She got to her feet, fighting off a yawn. "It was night to meet you, Harry."
"It's Harvey, mum," I laughed. "Go to bed, you're just embarrassing me now."
She let out a tired laugh, rubbing her face. "Sorry Harvey."
"Nice to meet you, as well," Harvey said politely, also getting to his feet.
She walked from the kitchen. After hearing her bedroom door shut, I whirled around to Harvey and slapped his chest.
"Ow!" he whined, throwing his hands out the shield himself from my next hit.
"What did you tell her?" I asked, my voice breathless as I lung at him.
"Nothing!" he exclaimed. "Nothing, just stop!"
"Then why did she act like she knew something?"
"She kept asking me questions... I tried to avoid them and I kept asking about doctor stuff, but she wanted to know things!"
"Like what?"
"Like who you're seeing!"
"What did you say?"
"I said there was this guy, but you were really private about it." he said and ducked his head, thinking I was going to smack him again. "I said I wasn't sure if you were still seeing him or not."
"Ashton?" I asked, planting my hands on my hips.
"You did stay at his house," he argued.
"I'm not seeing him."
"Good! That would be bad, if you were," he said, frowning at me.
I knew he would take that angle, which is why I never told him any intimate details about us in the first place. I guess I made the right decision.
"Don't start," I warned, poking my finger at him.
"There are other people more your age," he said. "And more suitable to you. Like other students."
"Like who? Huh?"
"Me," he stated simply.
My heart clenched. I took a step back from him.
"I'm just saying," he said, with a shrug. "Don't peg him to be the best thing for you, just because he's 'hot' and older, or whatever. There are other people in your life, who can treat you better."
My heart ached as I stared at him. I knew it. That stupid kiss, or several kisses, meant more to him than they did to me. Of course it did - he has never been with someone before. I have. It wasn't a big deal to me.
"Harvey..." I said slowly, biting my lip.
"You don't have to say anything," he said, running a hand through his hair, a flush creeping up his neck. "Just think about it."
"You're my best friend," I whispered. "I can't think about you being anything more."
A look of hurt flashed across his face and I immediately regretted my words. His lips parted, before they spread into a thin line.
"Right. Of course not."
"Harvey," I reached for him and he shook his head.
"I'm going to go. I have stuff to do at home."
"Harvey," I called after him as he took off from the kitchen. "Don't, please."
With his back to me, he continued to stride to the door.
"See you at school, Grace."
Tears burned at my eyes as the door slammed behind him.
***
After laying on my bed for a few hours, regretting many things about this morning and last night, I decided that wallowing in self-pity was going to achieve nothing.
After calling and texting Harvey multiple times, it is evident he doesn't want to talk to me. I contemplated going over to his house, but decided against it. His ego is bruised and his feelings hurt. I had to give him time to mend.
Not feeling so hungover now, I changed into my bikini and threw my shorts back on. After placing a water bottle, cut up watermelon in a container and a towel into my back pack, I swung it over my shoulder. I shove my black cap over my head and fetched my skate board.
Shutting the front door softly behind me, I skipped down the steps and jump onto my board. I propelled myself forward and sighed with bliss, as the wind hit my face. For years, I have used my skate board as my main transportation. I haven't done it for a while. I didn't realise how much I missed skating.
I am surprised that I saw so many people from school down town. Most were with their family or friends, getting food or shopping. I skated through town, attempting to avoid most people. It's not like I was friends with them, anyway.
Sweat beaded across my forehead and gathered at the back of my neck, as I march down the sand, juggling holding my skateboard, while my bag is weighing me down. I withdraw my towel and collapse onto it, in some serious need of water.
My skin was warm as the sun rays hit my body. I tilted my head back, enjoying the sun kissing my skin.
The sounds of the waves crashing and the seagulls chirping in the distance, made me significantly more relaxed than I was before. I felt my tense muscles ease and my reeling mind settle. In this moment, I forgot about my argument with Harvey and the weird situation we are in.
I enjoyed being by myself, surrounded by the beautiful beach. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out my watermelon and began to nibble at it, watching the others on the beach. There are a few people sun bathing. Most in little clusters, playing in the water.
I smile as I stare at a child, no older than two years old, watch the water splash over his feet. He let out a cry of joy, clapping his hands, completely amazed at the scene before him. I watch as his father scooped him up into his hands, burying him into his chest.
My heart clenched as I watched the scene. My eyes burned with unshed tears as I thought back to my own father. He was taken from me far too soon. I didn't get enough beach days with him. I didn't get enough time to spend with him.
He was gone before I knew it.
I cleared my throat, wiping at my eye. I didn't expect to cry, when I came here. I was planning to do the opposite. With a sigh, I jam my container back into my bag and stood, brushing the sand off of me.
I jog into the water, loving the feel of the cold. I dive under a wave and emerge, tasting the salt on my lips. I smooth my hair back and stare up at the sky.
Blinking furiously, I refused to let myself get upset. In attempt to keep myself distracted, I continue to splash and dive under waves.
After about half an hour of swimming, I retire back to the sand. As I make my way back to my bag, I notice someone sitting on my towel. My heart began to beat faster as I thought it may have been Harvey. As I got closer, I was surprised to see Leisel sitting there, eating the last few bits of my watermelon.
"I hope you don't mind," she said, gesturing to the watermelon. "It looked really good."
I fake gasped. "How dare you?"
"I'm sorry," she said back sarcastically.
"Should be," I teased. I wiped the excess water off my face and stared down at her. "What's up?"
"I have a problem."
"And what's that?"
"We all thought it would be fun to play volleyball."
"Who's we?"
She pointed down the beach and I noticed that the Elite group were there, setting up a volleyball net. I quirked my eyebrow. I love beach volleyball.
"What's the problem?"
"We're uneven," she smirked, tucking a loose tendril of her hair behind her ear. She is a tall girl. She has soft, pale skin and strikingly dark hair. Her lips were full and a dark shade of pink.
"Oh really?" I asked.
"Yeah..." she sighed. "If only there was someone else that would play."
"We both know that's not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"Um, they hate me?" I stated but it came out more of a question.
"Hate schmate."
"What?"
She laughed, getting to her feet. "Come on, it'll be fun. You promised me we would hang out at the beach."
I cocked my head to the side. "I don't remember the promise part of that."
She shrugged. "Okay, maybe you didn't, but now's your chance."
"Mia isn't going to let me come hang out," I told her, shaking my head. "Honestly, I don't really want to deal with her bullshit today. She graffited my garage door, I don't want to hang around people like that."
"Look, we didn't know they were going to do that until it happened. It was only Mia and Mike, not the whole group. You were the one who suggested we put everything behind us and move forward, right?" I frowned at her, folding my arms across my chest. So it was Mia and Mike. I should have guessed she wouldn't do it alone. "Come on, it'll be fun," she pleaded, giving me her best puppy-dog-eye expression.
I groan, wringing out my hair. She grinned.
"I'll go tell them."
She began to jog down the beach and I sighed. I slipped my shorts back on and pat-dried myself. As she spoke to them, their heads swiveled my way. I could see Mia shaking her head, her hands planted on her hips. I grinned to myself. She is so predictable. I take a long swig of my water, ready to pack up, when a breathless Leisel re-joined me.
"You coming or what?"
I choked on my water.
"They agreed?"
"We overruled her," she smirked. "Come on, now you have no excuse."
"Fine," I conceded, a small smile tugging on my lips.
Following her over to the group, I gave a small wave of greeting. In the group, stood Leisel, Hayden, Mia, Mike, David, Ryan (I guy I hadn't really met but Harvey told me he is a play boy and to stay away from him) and Claire, a girl I recognised from Leisel's party.
"Sup," Mike said, earning himself a jab in the ribs from Mia. I narrow my eyes at him and didn't reply. I wasn't going to make pleasant small talk with one of the vandals.
"Ow," I heard him mutter as we began to peel off into groups.
Me, Leisel, David and Ryan were versing Hayden, Mia, Mike and Claire. I'm glad I’m not on Mike or Mia's team. It could have ended in punches and I don't mean punching the ball over the net.
"Welcome to the Elite, baby," Ryan winked at me as he walked past.
I didn't reply. I threw my hair into a high pony tail as we all made our way into our places.
"Let the game begin," Mike announced, before spiking the ball over the net.
It went straight to Leisel, who was talking to David. There was a slight thud as it hit the sand.
"Leisel!" Ryan snapped. "Pay attention!"
"Sorry," she said, not taking this game seriously at all. "My bad, guys."
I watch Hayden as he stood there, his arms folded. He stared back at me. I tried my hardest to read his expression, but it was too difficult. He is a blank canvas. I desperately want to go talk to him, but I don't. I had a feeling, he is pissed at me. I ended up behaving exactly how he didn't want me to last night. Alcohol made me reckless.
Soon, it is Hayden's turn to spike. I knew where it was going, even before he hit it. I surged forward and hit it back. Without hesitation, he hit it back to me. It continued like that for a few goes, before I hit it and Mike got it. It bounced back and forth between players, until Hayden sprinted to the net and belted the ball.
I dived to the ground and got it the last second.
My skin burned as I slid against the hot sand. It sprayed onto my face, but it is worth it. Hayden smacked it back, before Ryan hit it back over the net and it landed next to Mia, who was too busy glaring at me, to pay attention.
I smirk to myself. I am winning this battle. I am befriending her group. The harder she tries to squash me down into the ground, the faster I will rise to take her on.
"Nice save," Ryan commented as I laid there, breathless. He extended his hand to me and I hauled myself to my feet, wiping the sand from me.
"You two are so competitive," Leisel commented, staring between Hayden and myself. "You're like children.”
"He started it-"
"She started it-" we chorused simultaneously.
Leisel snorted with laughter, and we glared at each other.
"Let's take a break," she called, wiping sweat from her face. "Who wants to come for a swim?"
"Last one in has to buy the group the first round of drinks at Mickey's!" Mike yelled, before tearing down the beach.
Mickey's is a small, beach shack in town. The front door is shaped like a surf board and so are the tables you eat at. Surrounding the board-like tables are red, leather, vintage seats. The creaky floorboards are littered with sand. They served slushies, soft drinks and food such as hot chips and burgers. It is a great place to go after the beach.
Everyone began to follow and I sprint as fast as I ca. I overtook Mia, Leisel, Clare and David with ease. Ryan hadn't even started running when I did, so it was down to Mike, Hayden and myself. Mike had a massive head start, so he is going to win.
Hayden and I become neck and neck.
I jump over the waves, trying to get my full body under water before he did. I tripped over my own feet and face planted into the water. I laughed so hard that water came out of my nose when I submerged. Even Hayden was chuckling.
"Children, honestly," Leisel laughed, jogging in behind us.
Ryan came last.
"Well, this sucks," he said.
"Should have tried harder," Mia said snippily.
"Oh really?" he replied.
"Yeah."
He suddenly grabbed her and flipped her upside down. She screamed loudly and I winced, the sound harsh on my ears.
"Want to change your attitude now?"
"Put me down!" she squealed, sounding like a two-year-old.
"Okay," he shrugged and let her go.
She landed with a splash in the water and I was laughing so hard, my sides were aching. I doubled over, almost wheezing from laughing too hard. Her face was hilarious. This Ryan guy just went up in my books. Anyone that manhandles Mia, earns respect from me.
We all laughed as she spluttered. Her cheeks were dark red. She soon began laughing herself and I stared at her in surprise. The She-Devil can laugh. That is something I didn't know.
Is it weird that I wasn't having a horrible time with these people? Who knew the Elite group could actually be fun?
After playing around in the water for a while, we began to head back up to the beach. The boys began to pull down the volleyball net.
"Thanks for making me hang out with you," I said to Leisel. "That was actually pretty fun."
"I knew it would be," she grinned. "Want to come have a bite to eat?"
"I better not overstay my welcome," I said to her, yanking my hair out of my pony tail, letting it cascade down my back. "Besides, my mum is home and I never get to see her."
"Okay, fair enough," she replied. "See you tomorrow."
"See you," I said as she began to walk back to the group. "Bye guys!"
Ryan, Claire and Mike said bye. I waited, for a moment, for Hayden to look at me, but he didn't. I sigh, turning from him.
He is a complete puzzle to me. Whenever I think I can put one bit together, it seems I'm more lost than I was to begin with.
As I skate home, I felt my body ache slightly with drowsiness. I am going to sleep well tonight.
Stifling a yawn, I stroll into the kitchen. Mum is standing there, cooking. She is cooking us kebabs and steamed vegetables. My mouth watered at the smell of it. It is so nice to come home to my mother cooking dinner.
"Hi honey," she greeted, shooting a smile over her shoulder. "How was your afternoon?"
I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. I placed my chin on the top of her left shoulder.
"I miss you."
She turned, pressing her palms to my cheeks. "I'm sorry that I'm never home and I'm sorry that when I'm home, I'm tired."
"I get it; your job is demanding."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
She pulled me into her arms and I buried my face into her chest.
Turns out, this was a day filled with surprises.