Consider me warned

"Mines on the way" Rhea informs me as we head out.

"Right" I say, I'm getting in my head again. Starting to doubt whether I should be going out anywhere in this mood.

"Let's get changed you can choose something of mine, add some makeup and we're ready." She really is excited about this, I'm not going to let her down. I smile back at her.

We walk to Rhea's house, once inside we climb the stairs nobody is home in the middle of the day. It's odd having nothing to do, no routine like school or studying. Rhea has the loft room in her house, I always thought I would love to have my room in the loft it's oddly cosy. She opens her blinds and light streams over the walls that are filled with band posters. Most of these we got either from HMV or when we managed to get tickets to see our favourites live.

My eyes settle on a Paramore poster, one of the bands Tom used to love. I begin to wonder why I can't be more like the singer Hayley Williams I'm sure nobody forgets her after a week.

"I'm wearing this leather skirt and top thingy" Rhea invades my silence. "Your go, have a look but I've got a really nice burgundy brandy Melville crop top you will love" she informs me. She really is a friend to keep.

"We are just going to a park right ?" I question her.

"Well yea but last time we all ended up at a house party after, the guy whose house it was, totally not by the way he was called Ross I think" she tells me.

She glances over at me looking hopefull.

"I was hoping that maybe Malachi would be there again" she admits.

Rhea likes Malachi a lot. He's charming, he has beautiful dark skin, dark eyes and he's tall for his age. He has a magnetic personality, he always makes a good impression. In all honesty I'm not sure where he stands on relationships and being with my best friend though.

"Right yeah I hope so" I murmur turning my back to her and trying on her crop top. I must admit it looks great. I usually wear long tops and jeans but this red low cut crop top I will make an exception for. I make a mental note to spend some time shopping for some new clothes.

"What should I wear with this then" I wonder whilst tying my hair into a half up half down ponytail.

"High waisted jeans?" She suggests

I pull on dark skinny jeans and my usual converse and I'm ready. Turning to Rhea I notice she is applying some eyeliner, I borrow some blush and lipstick to give my usual appearance a bit of a boost. I opt out of more eyeliner in case I start crying later when I'm drunk and likely to think about Tom. Cheating bastard that he is.

"I told you the top would look good." Rhea comments as we walk back out the house.

"ohh I like your new doc martins" I marvel noticing her outfit.

She smiles "got them on sale".

***

Whilst we're on the train we're talking names of the guys that she met at the skate park when she recognises two guys standing by the other doors.

"Oh I think that's Ross, the guy who's house it was we went too last time" just as she utters his name the two boys look up and in our direction.

Ross has longish, unruly natural blonde hair, I instantly think he looks like a young Kurt Cobain. He's wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans and carrying his deck like a fashion accessory. He walks over to us brushing some of his hair back and off his face. I am slightly in awe of his looks, his chiselled jaw and blue eyes are a welcome distraction. He eyes Rhea and recognition comes over his expression as he appears to remember her from before.

"Ri from before right, with Malachi?" He says smoothly. His eyes come to meet mine and do not leave again. I sneak a glance at my best friend, she's pleased as punch at being grouped with Malachi. Looking back at Ross again, my eyes sweep down away from his stare. He's wearing distressed jeans held up with a belt as he holds his skateboard over his shoulder I notice his t-shirt rides up slightly showing his impressive abs.

"Rhea or Ri is fine" she mutters looking from him to me. Since when did she let anyone call her by anything other than her name.

"Okay... this is Ross, Ross this is Taylor" she introduces us as the silence goes on a little too long.

"Hi" I say unsure of what else to say and equally not sure where to find my words right now.

"Hi there" Ross smiles and moves to the side, intending to introduce his companion.

The other boy, is Ross' opposite in many ways. He has natural dark chestnut hair which is not quite as long. He has green eyes which remind me of a dark forest and skin which glows with his summer tan. Shifting his gaze to look at me and away from his phone, he catches my eye and for a brief second he looks taken aback but quickly that expression disappears and he slides a confident smile across his face.

"Matty" Ross informs me, I get the impression that in the past girls have forgotten about Ross once they take a look at Matty and find themselves unable to look away again. Similarly dressed to Ross, Matty's biceps flex as he holds his board under his arm.

Both guys are more built than any guys I've ever seen, perhaps skateboarding makes boys more muscular.

The train slows to a stop and the doors open, the guys let us off first. My heart thinks this is sweet yet my head knows they want to check us out from behind.

Throwing a quick glance over my shoulder I catch Ross grinning at Matty as they follow us from behind. He has a friendly aura, somebody that likes being around people. Matty however appears much more reserved and moody.

Rhea and I walk down to where I presume the skate park is situated.

"Nice guys right" Rhea looks to me with a wide grin on her face.

"Since when did you let anyone call you Ri?" I dodge her question but smile all the same.

She laughs openly "have you seen the guy, I didn't have the heart to correct him he looks like Alexander Skarsgård, you know the dude that played Eric in True blood"

"What about Matty, what's his deal?" Why am I asking this. I am shocked at myself. Tom, I remind myself. Shouldn't I be mopping over him and eating ice cream? My mood has elevated since I came out with Rhea. My mind travels back to the way Matty pulled his natural dark curls up out of his eyes to look at me, and those eyes. A shade of emerald green with thick lined lashes.

"Matty? Urm I, I mean I'm not sure Taylor" she says pulling me away from my thoughts.

"He's got a bit of a reputation I mean. I've only been here once and I know that already" she warns. "totally hot though" she adds as she sees my frown.

"He seems nice, kinda quiet and moody" I say

"I get it, he's totally hot and with a great body-trust me he took his shirt of last time when I was here." She laughs

Rhea continues "I dunno though I mean he might even have girlfriend look at him."

"You're right a guy that good looking must have a whole trail of girls and bitter Ex's" I say remembering Tom.

"Look all's I'm saying is make sure you know what you're getting yourself into before you even look in that direction" she warns.

I smile back faintly. She always knows what to do, and gives me the best advice. No more guys like that for me I decide, consider me warned.

We're almost at the gates I can see large metal ramps and an area of grass just past the half pipe where young people are sitting enjoying the weather. Music is playing over a wireless speaker, the kind of music you hear in tattoo and piercing shops.

There's a group of girls all wearing tight fitting clothes like mine but they're all showing much more skin. I consider whether that's somebody I could be; the type of girl that wears a mini skirt, a bra top and fishnets. I have a good body, I'm not ashamed of it or anything but my mind would tell me that everybody is watching me and judging me. The dance practice at college has gifted me toned legs and a tight tummy, but I'm not sure about wearing deliberately sexy clothes in front of people just yet.

Most of the guys have their tops off revealing tattoos and nipple piercings. It strikes me that the only guy I've seen with his top off his Tom. I suddenly feel really intimidated. I didn't quite realise how many people there would be just hanging out here.

Just as I'm considering bailing I hear a roar of wheels on the pavement behind me, I turn around to see Matty pass me by on his board. It may sound silly but he's really good on that skateboard, I can't imagine gliding down a hill and not falling flat on my face. He jumps and swings the board around when he reaches the gates, stopping he picks the board up in his hands and enters the park. The others already situated inside the skate park all notice him arrive although he doesn't seem to care much about everybody else. As girls appear to get up and walk towards him he wastes no time jumping up the half pipe, pulling his T-shirt over his head and beginning skating. Rhea was not over exaggerating about his body, he has broad shoulders and a well defined six pack. I have to stop myself from staring. Tom, you love Tom I remind myself, Tom indeed. I notice Matty has a few tattoos as he acknowledges the other guys skating, he is a guy of few words and instead likes to be busy and doing stuff. I instantly resonate with that, I'm not a talker either.

Rhea glances my way and laughs.

"Tom who!?" She whispers with a suggestive grin on her face.

Just as we are smiling and laughing Ross, not to be overshadowed by Matty's entrance, skates by and slaps my ass playfully as he passes us by. "In a bit, Tay" he calls behind him as he too enters the skate park. Flashing a smug grin at me before he looks away and joins Matty on the half pipe.

"He's one to watch, I'm not sure I approve of hot skater guys slapping my besties ass within 10 minutes of knowing her" Rhea says playfully.

I smile back at her. Normally I would be mortified by a guy doing this. I definitely would tell him to leave me alone too. But there is something playful and charming about Ross. He gets away with it this time. I decide that I like him, he seems fun and carefree someone to have a laugh with. What girl wouldn't want to talk to him and laugh along at his charming jokes.

"He was just messing around" I definitely want to play this one down

"He was staring at you on the train" she says matter of factly and peers at me through her lashes

"Was he ? I didn't notice" I lie looking away

Of course I remember him staring at me, his steely blue eyes trying to keep my own in his gaze. I try to convince myself that he does this too all of the girls he meets.

"You are beyond help, he was. If you could stop thinking about Tom you might see what's actually going on around you" Rhea snaps

"Ouch! I'm not thinking about him" I say and mean it. Partly.

"Good and no checking your phone, okay?" Rhea tells me

"Yes Boss, I mean Ri" I stick out my tongue

"I'm definitely calling you Ri from now on" I tease.

Laughing we walk into the skate park together. Matty looks towards us from the top of the half pipe then looks away when I meet his eyes.

"Rhea and Tay you made it" calls Malachi.

Rhea beams at him arms opening as she drags me over with her towards him and the group of people surrounding him.