"You look cute," Harvey complimented me as I tug at the sleeve of my hoodie.
"Aw thanks," I grinned, pulling at the collar so that it sat more comfortably around my neck. "You don't look too bad yourself."
We are getting ready for the beach bonfire party that Ryan is holding. It is a relatively warm evening, however, the wind picking up has become quite cool. I decide to go with a pair of denim shorts, a singlet, with a hoodie over the top. The perfect mixture of warm and cold.
Harvey is dressed in one of his new outfits. He has a pair of maroon shorts on, with a white shirt, a surf logo on the left side. It looked a bit unusual for Harvey to be wearing branded clothes that aren't from a fandom or band merchandise. It looked good on him.
"I told Caitlyn to meet us here, is that cool?" Harvey asked as he lifted his bottle of beer to his lips.
I fought off the scowl that wanted to appear and smiled. "Sure."
"I asked her out," he told me with a small, nervous smile.
"Really?" I asked, excited that he was brave enough to take the step. I ignore the disappointment in my chest at the thought of us spending less time together. I firmly push the feelings aside and focus on how happy and proud I am of my best friend.
"Yeah, so, we're official now," he beamed, his cheeks reddening adorably.
"Aw, I'm so proud of you!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around him.
He stepped back from me, to have another drink but I hug him again. I tighten my hold of him and bury my face into his shoulder.
"Hey," Harvey said softly, hugging me back. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I lied, holding him to me firmly. "I just want to hug my best friend, okay?"
"Is there something wrong with Caitlyn? You don't like her?"
"She's perfect for you," I told him, leaving out the part where I was meant to answer yes or no. "I just don't want you to forget me, that's all."
"Forget you?" he laughed softly. "That would be impossible."
I smiled into his shoulder, loving the security I felt with his arms around me. We stay like that for a few more moments, until a throat cleared behind us. We sprang apart and Caitlyn stood there, a frown on her face, a six pack of Vodka cruisers in her hand.
"Caitlyn!" Harvey grinned, rushing over to her.
She looked unimpressed as he hugged her and I look away, downing the rest of my drink.
I went into the kitchen, cracking another can. As I walk back into the lounge room, I hear Harvey explaining, in a hushed tone, that it was "nothing to be worried about" and that she needed to "understand that I am his best friend".
I bit back a smile as I welcome the cold, crisp taste of the alcohol on my tongue.
"Let's get going," I told them, breaking apart their love quarrel about me.
I shove two cans of drink in my hoodie pocket and held two on top of each other, in my right hand. We were walking to the beach, not that we were meant to with alcohol, as the beach wasn't far from my house.
I could see the orange glow of the bonfire, the closer we got. I hug my hoodie closer to my skin as Harvey wrapped an arm around Caitlyn's shoulders. My legs had goose bumps, making me question my decision about the shorts, but once we got closer to the fire, I began to warm up. I kick off my shoes, feeling the sand squish in between my toes.
"Grace!" Leisel slurred, staggering over to me and engulfing me in a giant bear hug. I stumble back, holding onto her, laughing.
"Drunk already?"
"No," she grinned cheekily. "I haven't got to hang with you at all!"
"I know," I agreed. "You're always with Mia."
She rolled her eyes. "I know."
It irked me that she acted that way about Mia. Not for Mia's sake, but the fact that she acted like her best friend, but talks about her like this. It made me question what she would say about me and whether she really is a friend or not.
"I want to hang with you more," she told me, her words jumbling together along the way. "You're the type of person I want to be around."
I quirked an eyebrow at her in surprise.
"Come," she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me after her.
I look over my shoulder, not wanting to ditch Harvey, but he is already walking the other direction with Caitlyn. I scowl, turning back, allowing Leisel to drag me over to the group clustered near the fire.
"Well, well, well," Ryan greeted, a playful smirk on his lips. "Look who's here."
I didn't respond to him and instead, took a large gulp of my drink, noticing a frown appear on Leisel's face. The orange glow cast over everyone as the flames licked the air around it. I tug at my sleeves, covering my hand as a breeze rustled through the group, causing my hair to blow around my face.
Parked a little away from us, is someone's 4WD Cruiser. Realistically, it would be one of their parents. Actually, this is a rich, prestigious group. Someone probably does own it.
They have the doors open and the sub resting on the tailgate, allowing music to blare out the speakers.
Something like this for my 18th would be fun.
Mia walked over and clutched Leisel's hand, before dragging her away. I roll my eyes at the withering glare Mia sent me.
After downing my drink and cracking open another, everyone began to huddle in a circle near the fire. Someone had set up a stand type of thing with a light at the top, so that we could see the cards as they were dealt out. Clearly, this group had partied on the beach before. They were prepared.
After playing two rounds of King's Cup, me getting the King's Cup the first time, I was beginning to feel lightheaded. By the second game, Harvey and Caitlyn had joined the group, sitting beside me. I was thankful having Harvey close.
"Never have I ever," Leisel slurred, tapping her chin, looking around the group. "Kissed another girl."
A couple of the girls drank and I felt Hayden's eyes on me as I kept my can firmly sitting in my lap. I hardly spoke to him all night, except during games. He is keeping his distance, but kept looking at me. He is sending mixed signals and it is beginning to really annoy me.
It is Caitlyn's turn to go. She looked awfully uncomfortable and I felt sorry for her. This wasn't her normal crowd, but Harvey asked her to come.
"Never have I ever, done drugs," she announced, her voice considerably quieter than everyone else's.
Most people drank and again, I watched as Hayden stared at me, neither of us lifting our drinks. We both shared a look of slight surprise.
Harvey cleared his throat as eyes turned his way. "Never have I ever... Been on the swim team."
"That's a good one," I told him as I put my finger down and took a drink. That got quite a few of us. "Never have I ever..." I looked around, scrambling to come up with something. Mia leaned over to one of the others girls, whispering something to her, sending a pointed stare in my direction. Anger swirled inside me and I licked my lips, a malicious smile curving onto my lips. "Had my head bashed against the locker doors at school."
Snickers could be heard as eyes danced between Mia and I. I gave her a sadistic smirk as her cheeks darkened. She put a finger down and drank, her red cup crumpling from her grip.
The game continued and I laughed along with everyone else. It got to Mia's turn and she swiveled her eyes to me. I stare challengingly back, prepared for whatever she is going to throw at me.
"Never have I ever, screwed someone over the age of 20."
Eyes turned to me, to see if it was aimed at me and I kept my drink firmly in my lap and my finger firmly raised. It is true - I hadn't. I have only slept with one person before and he was the same year as me, only a few months older.
After a few more rounds, the game died off. We turned to a new one, that I hadn't played for a long time. It is called suck and blow. We shuffled around in the group, making sure that each of us were sitting next to the opposite gender. Harvey and Caitlyn excused themselves, not wanting to be a part of the game.
I notice that Ryan deliberately sat next to me. I ignore the fact because I am too busy watching Mia sit down in between Hayden and Mike.
David shuffled the cards, which is unnecessary, before he began. The card dropped three times, before it even got to Mia, causing Alex and Becca, two people I have never spoken to except tonight, to kiss. They could have avoided it but it was obvious they wanted to. They game continued and I watch as Hayden sat there, ignoring Mia as she waited, the card pressed against her lips. It fell down to her lap and I snorted, enjoying the fact the he dogged her, in front of everyone.
"Hayden!" she shrieked, an annoyed look on her face. "You should have said you weren't playing."
"I thought that was obvious," he said with a flat stare, causing my smirk to grow again.
I hadn’t wanted to see them possibly kiss, so I was cheering. The game picked up where it left, everyone still laughing at Hayden and Mia. Ryan turned to me, the card pressed against his lips. I leaned in, just as he ripped the card from his mouth and pressed his warm lips to mine. I jolt back in surprise, breaking the kiss.
I could taste the alcohol on him from the brief moment. I let out a small laugh, knowing he did it deliberately. He suddenly gripped my chin, pulling my head towards his. His lips met mine once more, his tongue trying to wedge in between my clamped lips. Whistles and cheers could be heard around the group. Instantly, I pulled back again, a little annoyed that he is trying to make out with me in front of everyone. I have turned him down, even though he is always flirty and joking, time and time again.
"Stop," I said with a laugh as he leaned in again, gripping my head, stopping me from pulling back.
Suddenly, he was yanked back, resulting in sand flying up into the air.
"Back the fuck off," Hayden spat, ripping Ryan backwards, using the hoodie of his jumper.
My mouth dropped open as I watched.
"Let go of me," Ryan snapped, wrenching Hayden's hands from his jumper. "It was a joke, chill!"
Hayden's eyes were fiery as they glared at each other. Everyone watched in stunned silence at the two. My mouth is still dangling open.
"Chill? She said stop," he growled, his fist clenching at his side. "Don't be such a prick next time."
"Why? Think I'll fuck her or something?"
I frowned at Ryan's word choice, when suddenly Hayden's fist projected into Ryan's face. He staggered backwards, trying to gain his balance, before sprawling onto the sand. Mike jumped to his feet and grabbed Hayden, reefing him back. Jay and Amy quickly went to see if Ryan was okay. My heart is racing as I watch Hayden shake out his hand, before stalking in the opposite direction of us.
I ignore the lingering stares on me and the groans coming from Ryan, as I scramble to my feet and jog after Hayden.
"Hayden!" I call out but he continued to storm away from me.
He finally slowed down and sank to the ground, quite a distance from the group, his hands tugging at his hair. Swallowing uneasily, I sat down beside him.
"Hayden-"
"You kissed him," he snapped, glaring at me with such intensity that I actually leaned away from him.
"He kissed me," I corrected, holding my hand up, quick to defend myself. "I told him to stop."
"You didn't try very hard." he scowled, a deep frown line appearing across his forehead.
"It was just a joke. He was messing around."
He clenched his jaw, looking away from me. I hate to admit that it pleased me to see him act the way he did. Not so much sending a punch into Ryan's face, but more the fact he felt compelled to in the first place.
"Talk to me," I pleaded, begging him to turn around and meet my eyes. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"You were jealous." I stated matter-of-factly.
"No. I wasn't." he bit back.
"Yes, you were," I said to him softly. "I was, too."
He whipped his head in my direction. "What?"
"I was jealous of Mia sitting beside you," I told him honestly, my voice small. If he wasn't going to be open and honest, I needed to. It would be the only way for him to finally admit the truth. "I didn't want you to play the game, especially with her."
He blinked at me, his lips parting. "What?"
I laughed. "Don't make me repeat the confession please."
"So..." he trailed off, his eyebrows furrowed together.
"I like you, Hayden Cameron." I announced, surprisingly not feeling as nervous as I thought I would. "And it's obvious you like me, too."
"I don't-"
"Save it," I said, holding my hand up once more. "Don't waste your breath because I won't believe you."
He let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair. He grew silent for a few moments, obviously thinking what to say next.
"Well, what happens now?"
"We sit here," I told him, scooting a little closer.
"And then?" he pressed.
I chose not to answer. Instead, I leaned my head against his shoulder. He stiffened slightly, surprised, before wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
I nestle into him and stare out at the waves which are crashing into one another.
Despite the events that took place mere minutes ago, this turned out to be the perfect night.