Chapter Eight
Chapter 8: Strangers
Selena's POV
Hilary's Beach
Deadlines... Hate them!
Sulking on a bench at the beach, and staring at the deep blue chilly baby waves is the only way I can think of to calm myself.
My two subconscious beings are currently having a battle and a major headache is slowly settling in. I desperately need a break, a day would do perfectly fine.
My motivation box is currently marked 'X' and it has been that way for the few days.
I hate this!
The landlord sent a notice for due rent yesterday and the bank keeps calling my parents.
Simply frustrating!
I slapped my cheeks multiple times, and then gave myself a face massage, the hit it repeatedly once again.
"Get your laptop Selena!"I scolded myself.
I'm over thinking and the more I do the little demon that wants my head to split open would pick up its pace up with it's dagger. I can feel it's only few strikes away
"Have a damn Popsicle and relax. Let's play volleyball." Someone poked my shoulders. The voice was neither demanding nor comforting.
I slowly raised my head up and looked at a brown haired girl with an eyebrow up.
"Come join us. You are the birthday girl." She smiled at me and I found it much more taunting than inviting. She pointed her fingers to a certain direction and I saw Lexi waving at me.
Beside her were a group of people that looked like they were birthed by the bank.
It really wasn't hard for her to make friends, especially rich ones. I envied her sometimes.
I shook my head "Thanks. But, I'd rather continue sulking here."
"No to fun? Drinks? Fun? More fun?" She folded her arms, staring at me confused.
"Aren't I too old for you to pull that card? I'm 26. I should be married with a stable job, a car and a house with no more debts if possible. Guess what? I have none of those! " I snapped at her, half yelling.
She stared at me, like she would to the grim reaper and I simply closed my eyes in embarrassment and smiled at her.
"I am really sorry about that. I simply won't be tagging along" I said and breathed out.
What's wrong with you Selena?
"i don't care about your opinion. Alexis dared to drag you there. I don't mind doing it literally darling. So you better stand up on your own and have fun with us. For fuck sake thank heavens you are healthy. You only live once." She snapped at me.
"You are?"
"That detail isn't necessary. Just call me B. Now! Get up. Even if you are suffering from cancer a girl has to learn how to hide it. If we whine all day, then women wouldn't have had the right to education. What am I even saying... Freedom of movement even. Okay!"
"Repeat that statement again please"
"I never repeat. Deal with it " She said, and before I knew it her soft cold palm gripped my hand and pulled me up. Before I could stabilize my self on the ground she ran, pulling me all the way.
No!
After a long game of volleyball, discuss and dare or double dare with the group and Lexi, I actually gained something.
inspiration!
Alexis has now being kidnapped by the hot dudes to a surfing competing and I settled withhaving a little chat with B. Turns out she studied writing at Melviks college— that's like the queen of writing colleges in America, but she doesn't write for a living. I asked if she regrets.
"The memories at college were sweet maybe even too good to have happened in reality because I was awarded best writer before I left but, you know. The world! It's cruel. At the point of making the decision to quit was bitter, it felt like it was better for me to start digging my grave because I lost meaning to life at some point. Writing couldn't really help much in my family's bills even though I earned a decent sum. It's really hard to get to the top in the field. You should know that."
"That's why I chose freelancing too. Sorry about that, Please continue."
She nodded " I quit my dream and subconsciously it felt like I quit living at that moment. The good thing is that I'm into advertisement so, I'm not totally away from the field but, I don't regret, because of the people I made the decision for. At least, I didn't turn out worthless. I am doing great. If otherwise maybe … just maybe, I might have regrets. "She smiled at me.
"Thank you for sharing B."
"It's Barbara by the way! I gotta bounce" She waved goodbye and that was an indirect welcome signal back to my mental melt down —I have to continue writing my article for the Sun's magazine.
I groaned for a really long time staring at great blue.
I was so lost in my thoughts, I stared at Lexi and the group for a long time. They had really wild and unique personalities and it was hard to believe they've been friends since high school. A group of four girls, three boys and they looked really young and each successful. Not, rich parents type of successful, self made successful.
Is the fight worth it? It should be.
Me: Babe! I have to go. Thanks so much for today. Say bye to everyone for me.
Lexi Love: Where!!!
Me: Work ;-( Deadline!!!
Lexi Love: I'll be with you in a minute
I took a quick glance at her direction and she wore a smile that you could get lost in. She kept on waving and blowing kisses, probably saying her goodbyes and the others kept glancing back at me.
Me: You can stay! I'll leave on my own. It'll be a bit boring for you to hang with me.
Lexi Love: ...
Me: No arguments. Dinner's on me.
Lexi Love: Lena!!!!!! I love you so much
Me: Lol. I know you want to stay. I'm just going to be at the restaurant down the street.
Lexi Love: I owe you a bucket of chicken <3
Me: You bet ya! Have fun ;)
Lexi Love: I might not come home tonight either. Don't stay up. Have dinner early. Love you.
I laughed and waved her bye before jogging to the spot we placed our belongings. Instead of packing and changing, I threw myself to the bench. I wasn't tired, I just felt like I needed it. I took in each and every view my gaze fell upon. The great blue was glistering and crowded with kids playing, laughing and shouting. Teens dancing and taking pictures, in their little groups and of course gossiping. Adults laughing, talking, I'm pretty sure bragging and they scolded their kids in-between conversations.
It was quite fulfilling to take a today off. I owe Lexi one
The world is really beautiful. I wished this view could go on forever and the cool breeze could continue drifting my pains away. It was really relieving.
That lasted till I heard someone scream my name. "Selena!" I kept on turning my head trying to find the direction of where it was coming from.
"Selena!!!!! Selena!!!" The voice was a bit familiar but I couldn't make the face. The lady was running really fast and I felt the urge to run away.
Did I do something wrong lately? I don't think so…
"Selena! Hey…." Placing her palms on her thighs, she smiled at me. She seemed to have just came out of the water because she was drenched from head to toe. Packing her hair up and using the towel formerly placed around neck to damp her body but, the creepish smile still on her lips. Having got a good picture of her face. She was young, like really young with delicate facial features but not a bit familiar. It was just the voice then.
I didn't move a muscle or say a word, just stared blankly at her wondering who the heck is she is and what she wanted?
"Selena. Hi, I'm Tonia. Chief editor to ALK magazine." She stretched her hand forward for an handshake.
I stared at the hand for some seconds before looking straight to her eyes trying to read her emotions.
Does she think I'm a six year old or does she not know ALK magazine? How can their editor be this young? ALK is a three generation company and she's like twenty? I took the tip of her fingers and shook it placing a soft smile on my lips.
"I saw your last update on your website. I really love your articles and essays especially the every week episode on 'all we need to know about men'. " She said while taking her seat on the bench beside me so naturally, like we've known each other for a long time.
"You are working on something right now? Can I see?" She asked pointing at the laptop.
I quickly put it into my bag still smiling at her and shook my head. "I don't understand."
"Excuse me?"
"What do you mean?" I aksed