Chapter 13

Vera's POV

I was woken up by Bree, who was whispering to me. I looked out the window and realized we were at our destination, wherever it was.I got out and looked around as I wondered where we were. 

I took a deep breath in and realized how cool and breezy it was... The air felt... sandy.

We're in a coastal area!! But I couldn't tell where exactly as we were still in the parking lot.

I asked Bree where we were and for how long I'd been asleep. 

She smirked and said,"Girl, I have no idea why you were so sleepy, but you slept straight for 2 and a half hours! And while we planned on coming here, we made a quick trip to a clothing store I bought a few swimsuits and bikinis, and I've bought one for you too!! WE'RE AT CARLISLE BAY, BABY!!" Bree shrieked at the end, ran towards the entrance, and went inside hurriedly. 

She stopped suddenly which got us all worried as we looked at each other's faces in confusion. We went forward and I didn't even look around as I tapped Bree's shoulder.

I stood beside Bree and looked at her awed expression. "Bree?""O-M-G!!! THIS IS SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL!!"She screamed again as she ran ahead and twirled around.I stared after her and began laughing helplessly.

Everyone joined in as my gang of girls and I ran after Bree and twirled around with her. While I was rotating, I suddenly noticed Ace's eyes on me, but as I stopped and turned back, he was talking to Rayan... Oh well, I was probably mistaken. 

As we all plopped down onto the sand, a laughing Andrea approached us and handed Bree a bag. I think it had our swimsuits in it. 

All of us got up and walked towards the changing stalls while Bree handed out all the bikinis... And when she handed me mine, I was so astonished... 

It looked so- I- I had never worn anything like that! I always wore one-piece bikinis, and I didn't know what to say, but then again,I didn't want to make a fuss, so I just took it and glared at Bree as she smirked back at me. 

Oh, Gawd.

It was a cotton candy and purple-colored tie-dye type two-piece with strings to tie the top.

I changed quickly and got out of the stall. I was the last one out because I'd taken time adjusting this thing around my waist. I felt very exposed and did not like it... 

But the breezy, cold, and slightly humid air covered my body the second I got out, and I honestly grew comfortable in that weather. My body was with this for four years.

My friends shrieked in delight and hugged me and 'Rea complimented me, to which I smiled at her.

Us girls walked ahead as a group of tourist guys, who looked European, looked at us and wolf-whistled and a blonde dude winked at me. I looked down as a blush crept up to my cheeks, which I tried to stop.

We saw a familiar picnic mat laid out, with the food basket that Andrea brought on top of it. The guys were nowhere to be seen. Andrea gestured towards it, so we knew that spot was ours.

We sat down on it, talking about our plan for the day...

Just then, the blonde dude from earlier, in board shorts, came up to us, scratching his head. I raised an eyebrow and smiled.

He smiled at me, and he was so cute.I stared as he stared back, not intensely.

He had a sharp jawline, and a dimple on his left cheek when he smiled.

My eyes raked down and though he was fit, Ace could beat him.

Huh? Ace? Why am I thinking about Ace?

I shook my head slowly in an attempt to empty the thoughts of Ace.

The blonde guy's friends were in the distance, watching us in anticipation.

"Uh hey, uhm... I'm Shawn, and you?"

"I'm Veronica," I said, jerking a brow again.

"I've been meaning to ask you, do you know how to train butterflies? The ones in my stomach right now are quite untamed." He suddenly shot out.

I couldn't help but throw my head back and laugh."Really? We're doing that?" I giggled.

"Well, did it work?"

"I will neither agree nor disagree."

"Would you like to get ice cream?" He asked.

"What's your fave flavor?"

"I'd say Mint Chocolate"

"Good one. Let's do it."I got up and looked back at my friends and winked. I needed this for me.

They beamed at winked back as Bree let out a tiny squeal while giving me jazz hands.

"Go get 'em!" Alair said.

I waved my fingers at them and turned to him and smiled."After you, m'lady." He said, his Irish accent making an appearance.

"So, we're Irish?" I asked.

"Yea, you?"

"I'm based in Denver, Colorado, but I live in Paris."

"The city of love, I see."

"Very much."

We came to a nearby ice cream truck and I couldn't bring myself to choose anything except chocolate after my inner debate.

"Classic flavor," Shawn commented.

"I'm pretty basic, I like all favors, but it's all based off chocolate."

"Mhm"

"So, how long are you here?"

"Another week, at most. How old are you, by the way?"

"I'm nearly 18."

"Oof, I graduated high school last year. I'm in my first year of college."

The conversation continued for a while, and we were getting quite comfortable with each other. Suddenly, I saw Ace from afar, and he was staring at us. I didn't think he noticed me looking at him from the corner of my eye while Shawn paid.

We exchanged phone numbers, and I walked back to our little group. They bombarded me with details, but honestly, the interaction was more like a friend's one than someone looking for a romantic connection. I told them that, and we eventually let it behind us. We got busy gossiping.

Eventually, the guys arrived, and Bree, Allison, Drey, Alair, Tyler, Nino, Alden, and the other gang, decided to hit the water. I declined Alden's offer to join them, as I wasn't in the mood.

I was just enjoying the sun when I felt eyes on me.

On instinct, I looked at Ace. He wasn't looking at me, and even if he did turn away, no. I just knew it wasn't him. For some reason, the look I felt on me made me throw up in my mouth.

I got up and just looked around for the stalls, or some secluded corner where I could throw up but the sickening feeling in my stomach got worse, and I had this extremely... violated feeling in me, and then I remembered.

His face. Damien's face.

The second his face appeared in my head, I looked up to see him a few feet farther from me smirking like he just won the lottery by cheating, I couldn't hold it in as I faced away from the beach mat and just threw up and emptied the contents of my stomach.

Bree was shouting worriedly as Ace was the first to approach me hurriedly and held my hair back. As I was done, I was handed a napkin by... Oh- Andrea. I cleaned my mouth and thanked her. But I just ruined their beach time.

Allison asked me if I needed to go home. 'Home'... That word seemed so distant.

I declined her offer and said I was fine. I looked around cautiously, to confirm that face's appearance in front of me, and to my surprise, he was nowhere to be found!!

Andrea and Ace caught my look and went absolutely crazy. I could tell by their looks. They looked immensely worried and glanced at each other.

"We'll be right back." She yanked Ace away and they both ran in opposite directions searching.

I-

I knew it, damn- They couldn't have forgotten me, we loved each other.

But then all the negativities came flooding back into my head, just as I was bringing in the positive thoughts.

They knew that that look of mine could only mean one thing: Damien's presence. But they were on his side a few years ago, weren't they?

Rayan and Jordan announced the same statement as Ace and 'Rea a minute later and ran off. They returned a bit later. They smiled at everyone and said they had a quick emergency from home and it was covered now.

Oh well.

I just sat down and spread out the food items we brought. Sandwiches, Fruit salad, and oh- trail mix. That was my favorite beach snack back when I was in Barbados. And theirs too.

We sat down peacefully and ate. Audrey asked me if I knew why I threw up, and I said it was probably because of the car ride since the ride was bumpy. None of them looked convinced but didn't push the matter further.

The rest of the time went smoothly. I kept feeling creepy stares on my back, but I couldn't see anyone.

I even got in the water for a bit. And maybe I did enjoy it.

It was around 3 pm now, and we all got changed into casuals. The guys, ie., Ace, Rayan, and Jordan, decided that our next destination was the Mount Gay Visitors' Centre. I was fine with it, as I had been there once. My friends hadn't seen it, so they were down for it.

And right now, that's where we're headed, with my eyes drooping, and me, ready to doze off again.