09 | Beach Party

09 | Beach Party

Paige's Point of View ~

A pair of hands popped out of nowhere and opened my window. My room was kind of messy, but I didn't want to clean it. I changed into my dad's old band tee that covered the top half of my thigh, after coming home from dinner. That dress was cutting off my circulation, plus I like this shirt, it's comfy.

Someone launched themselves into my bedroom and I sat on my bed speechless as...I still didn't know his name, got back on his feet and looked up at me.

"He didn't mean it, he's not the type of person to mean something like that," He said. I then realized the shirt I was wearing was showing more than I thought it was. I grabbed the blanket on my bed and quickly wrapped around myself.

"He might not have meant it, but he said it," I started, "Why are you in my house?" I wrapped the blanket around myself tighter and he snorted.

"Chill just thinks of me as," He paused and thought, "The brother you never had." I smiled at that. I've always wanted a bigger brother to protect me and give me advice.

"Alright, what's your name?" I asked. He immediately sat down at my desk near the window. He smirked and waved like a little kid to something outside the window and snickered.

"Carson," He said and spun around in my chair.

There were a few seconds of silence until Carson broke it casually.

"Here's the deal, Paige," He started. Oh no. "I hope you're not the type to judge a book by it's cover because I believe you've been doing so with Leo since the second you saw him." He said seriously.

I'm not judging, I'm simply stating the facts. He's a hot and rude player who's out of my league and doesn't want anything to do with me.

I crossed by arms against my chest. I walked up to him sitting in the chair.

"I think you've got the wrong idea, Carson," I said and slightly poked/pushed his shoulder with my pointer finger. I started pacing around my room with my hands on my hips, like an angry mom.

"You think that because he's hot, I'll suddenly think he's a jerk because I look like a loser, and losers are also known to be bullied by the popular kids. Correct? You think that because I'm a loser I will judge a character by its cover because he is hot or popular. Correct? I think you're the one judging a book by its cover, smartass."

He sat there and stared at me not knowing how to reply to my statement. I took the words out of his mouth.

"You are a good person, Carson. I know Leo's a good person. I know everyone is a good person inside, but they are the ones that need to show prove it, not me." I plopped down onto my bed.

"You should write TedTalks," Said Carson. I laughed and threw one of my pillows at him, he slightly flinched at the big pillow that hit him in the face. He laughed and threw it back at me.

"Paige," He paused, "Give him a chance," He stood up and started to climb out my window and onto the tree next to it. "Beach at 9 tomorrow! Be there!" He yelled.

I've never been invited to a party before. People in my range of popularity (0/10), just don't. That's what I don't understand about society today. Why is it that you need to be popular to have friends? Why do you have to be popular to be invited to places, and included in conversations? Why do you have to be pretty or hot to be popular and noticed?

I'm going to that party, but only for Carson.

***

The next morning I woke up and went into the bathroom. I carefully stepped in the shower so that I wouldn't trip on the red rug with polka dots on the floor. The cold water that ran against my back and was reassuring in a way. I did not know what to expect for a party and I was nervous as hell.

After I brushed out the knots in my wet hair I pulled on a pair of black denim shorts and a blue and white striped baby tee. I walked down stairs and opened the fridge.

My dad left me an omelet and freshly squeezed orange juice, with a little note on top. I opened the small piece of paper and read,

Have a great day, sweety! Love you! - Dad

I smiled sadly and shoved it into my pocket. I sat down at the island and started eating when Ronnie walked in.

"Paige, I'm going out to buy a dress for a party later, stay out of my room," She opened the door and stepped onto the doorstep.

"Wait bu-" I was cut off by her slamming the door on her way out before I could say anything else. I sighed and kept on eating.

A few hours later I decided to go to the grocery store for food because I couldn't eat anymore frozen pizza and soggy mac n cheese.

I grabbed my keys and walked out of the house, and onto the sidewalk. I realized Ronnie took my car to go shopping. I decided to walk to the grocery store instead of calling an Uber.

As I was passing Leo's house I saw Madeline dancing on their front porch in a bright pink dress with a small shiny tiara on her head. She held her doll sunny in her hands and twirled around dreamily.

"Hey Maddie!" She turned around to the sound of my voice and ran up to me, smiling.

"Hi, Hi, Paige" She looked at her doll then to me.

The closest grocery store that I could walk to without dying from the heat, was about 10 blocks away.

"Just going to get some food so I don't starve," I paused, "Do you want anything?" I asked. I figured she would ask anyway. Little kids are always wanting things.

"Can you get me some cookies?" She whispered even though nobody was around.

I laughed and nodded.

"You two have fun," I pointed to Maddie and Sunny. She giggled and ran inside the house.

***

I took about 30 minutes to get to the mall. There were a lot of cars and the parking lot was bigger than I remembered. The last time I was here was last summer when I needed new shoes because my old ones were worn out.

I got to the grocery store and started to throw the ingredients and food I needed into the cart. I pushed my cart into the cookies section. Which ones does she like? Maybe chocolate chip cookies?

I heard giggles coming from down the aisle. I turned around and groaned. Why was it that he was everywhere now?

A bunch of girls were crowded around Leo flirting with him. They blushed as they talked to him. He just smirked and didn't say anything.

I took a box of chocolate chip cookies, but another box fell on the floor and made a loud noise. Suddenly all eyes were on me. Including The group of girls and Leo. Why do I have to be such a klutz? I get that from my dad.

I threw the bag of cookies into the cart and fast walked out of the aisle leaving the other bag that fell on the floor. I heard a faint 'Hey!" call after me but I ignored it and kept walking.

A hand grabbed my arm and spun me around. I stood there looking up at Leo. To be honest, I looked bad. My hair was kind of messy and wasn't wearing any makeup. I guess I just normally look like this, though.

"Why are you running?" He asked, staring back at me. "Did my good looks scare you away?"

I scoffed and turned back around. He followed me when I started to walk away from him. He quickly grabbed the box of cookies making me stop my cart.

"What are you doing? I'm getting those for-" I was cut off by some girls whispering a couple feet away from us. I didn't turn around but listened carefully.

"What's someone as hot as him doing with that nerd?"

"Ew, her outfit."

"What's up with her hair?"

My body went stiff. Why do girls have to be so mean? What ever happened to girls supporting girls? I'm a girl too. What made me any different? Was I that bad looking? I thought for a moment but walked out of the aisle leaving Leo stranded with the snakes.

***

2 hours till the party. I stood in my closet and stared at my clothes. Should I wear a swim suit since I'll be at the beach? No, the water would be too cold. Jeans and a sweatshirt? Casual? No, it's too hot out.

I dialed Sarah's number on my phone. She pure fashionista, she would know what to do.

"Come over, I need your help." She replied with a small 'K' and arrived about 2 minutes later.

"Thank god. You need to help me out here. Carson invited me to a beach party and I don't know what to wear." Her eyes widened and I smiled. "And you're going with me."

She started jumping up and down and ran to my closet and started throwing my clothes around. While she decided what we should wear I read my book on my bed.

Five minutes later it was 8:07 p.m. an hour till the party. Sarah asked me to decide which out of the three dresses she laid out on my bed I should wear, but she shooed me off when she didn't like the one I picked.

She made me put on a red mini dress with spaghetti straps and black stiletto heels that made my short legs look a bit taller. It looked like I was wearing a red tank top and no bottoms...It was way too short.

"No, no, no, no. This looks like a long tank top that barely covers my butt. I can't wear it. Where'd you even get this?" This wasn't even mine. I don't have any dresses like this. I don't have any clothes like this.

"From your sister's closet," She said Casually. "Please, Please, Please, wear it. You look so good in it," She begged and I looked at myself in the mirror. How'd she even slip into my sister's room without me noticing?

"Fine but you're bringing me a hoodie," I settled only because I would put the hoodie on right when we get there.

"Yes!" She smiled happily and got herself ready for the night of her life.

Me and Sarah never thought we would be invited to something like this. I never thought we would even go to something like this. I have to watch out for Ronnie, because if she sees me in her clothes she will act casual the whole night then kill me in my sleep.

We took Sarah's car because Ronnie still had mine. The beach is 2 minutes away from my house when driving, but I didn't want to walk because I was too tired from walking to the grocery store. Yeah, I'm not one for physical stuff.

"WOOOOOOOO" I heard a faint yell when I slammed the car door shut. I crossed my arms over my chest and shivered.

When we got closer to the sand, the electronic music started to get louder and louder.

"Paige!" A familiar voice called out to me. I turned my head and body in different directions to look around but didn't see anyone I knew. I noticed that Sarah was gone and a hand grabbed my shoulder.

I practically jumped, but calmed down when I saw Carson's face.

"Paige you made it!" He was yelling over the loud music. It looked like there were about 70 to 90 people on the beach. Almost all of them held red cups in their hands.

"This is Noah," He pointed to the guy standing next to him. He had golden brownish hair and green eyes that popped because of the green shirt he was wearing. He seemed nice because he just nodded his head and casually said 'sup.'

"Hi," I greeted him smiling shyly.

"Nice dress," Said Noah.

"Thanks." I'm a little dry conversation wise when it comes to new people, but when I get to know them I can't stop talking. I got that from my mom.

"We're gonna go swim, wanna come?" He asked. I couldn't swim because I wasn't wearing a swimsuit and I didn't bring one. Even if I did bring one I wouldn't swim because the water was freezing.

"No, I'm not wearing a sw-" I was interrupted by Carson picking me up bridal style and running towards the water. I gasped and put my arms around his neck.

"So what?!" He yelled and kept running towards the water. Ronnie would kill me If I got this dress wet. And she was around somewhere.

"No, Carson! Stop!" He ran onto the dock where a bunch of teenagers were swimming in the water below. He smiled and his eyes widened.

"You ready?" He asked me. Of course I wasn't ready. The water was so dark I couldn't see the sand or anything in it. What if there was fish? Or worse; A shark.

"No! Don't!" I held on tighter to his body not letting go. If I was going, he was going with me.

He laughed and threw me towards the deep, cold, dark blue water. My hands slipped from his neck. What If I got a cold from how cold the water was? I screamed as I was flying in the air. I knew he didn't mean to be rude and he was just playing around, but I didn't care.

"Assho-" I was interrupted by my body hitting the cold water. It was so freezing it felt colder than ice. I shivered as my body sunk deeper and deeper into the sea. I moved my arms to swim up to the surface.

I quietly gasped when an arm grabbed my hand and I swatted it away. How rude.

I don't have any other clothes so I would freeze my ass off once I got out. Why did I even come in the first place?

"Why would you do that? It's freezing cold and I didn't bring any other clothes!" I screamed and turned around. My eyes widened and I realized I was screaming at the wrong person. It wasn't Carson. It was someone else.

Guess who?

***