by GG Shalton
Paisley’s face lit up. “Hi, Bailey. Did you just get here?”
So that was Bailey. He was stocky with dark hair and had a tattoo on his arm. Nothing real becoming, but Paisley felt he was something special. He must have come in with the rest of the crowd a few minutes ago.
“Sup,” Bailey answered but didn’t look at her. He seemed a little disinterested in what she had to say and carried on a private conversation with another guy behind Trace.
Trace was staring at me, and I chose not to acknowledge him. It was a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps he wasn’t used to someone not falling all over him. I wasn’t used to this kind of party, but from the movies I’d watched with Isabel, he reminded me of one of that big man on campus type. He had a certain arrogance, as if he thought I was going to melt into a puddle, but he was mistaken.
“Ariel?” Great, he’d singled me out.
I looked at him. “Yes?”
“Want to take a walk?” He lifted the corner of his mouth in a lopsided grin.
I could see how some girls may fall for that cool exterior, but truthfully, he was a little too sure of himself. My mouth dropped slightly as I looked at Paisley, who was staring at Bailey. “Paisley?”
“Hmm?” she said, not looking at me. The girl was so obvious.
Trace leaned over and spoke to Paisley. “I asked your friend to take a walk. I’ll bring her back safe and sound. You know you can trust me.” He winked at me.
Gretchen snorted loudly and rolled her eyes. “Debatable.”
“Watch yourself, Gretchen,” he warned in a sharp tone.
Paisley raised her arm. “Go ahead. I’ll wait here for you.”
Great, I had no choice but to walk with him. As I stood, he smiled and tried to help me. I accepted his extended hand, but he held on to it after I stood.
I pulled my hand away and gave him a guarded smile. “Where are we going?”
“Don’t worry, you’ll have a good time.”
His over-confidence made me hesitate. This didn’t seem like the best decision. I glanced at the group, but they were preoccupied with their own conversations.
Trace nudged me with his upper arm as he flashed a huge smile. “Come on, cutie. Don’t be shy.”
I took a deep breath and followed him against my better judgment. We walked away from the crowds and headed toward the other side of the beach. We passed another group that had a smaller fire going. They were lying on blankets and whistled as we walked by. When I turned back to look at them, they laughed.
“Ignore them,” Trace said as he put his hand on the small of my back, leading me toward a tower of rocks. “What part of Matter Point do you live in?”
“I think Paisley called it the point with gates?”
He slowed, eyeing me. “You live through the gates?”
What is it with people and the gates? I almost didn’t want to tell people. I shrugged. “I think so. I mean, we had to go through the gates. I just arrived today and I’m trying to get my bearings. I met Paisley tonight.”
“Who’s your family?”
“My father’s name is Joseph Burns,” I blurted without thinking.
“Really? I know him.” He stopped and looked at me. “But I didn’t know he had a daughter. He and my father are friends. They golf together.”
I didn’t know if I was relieved that he knew my father or mad that my father didn’t talk much about me. I looked around at the water, unsure how to answer. “We’re not that close. I haven’t seen him in a few years.”
“Wow, that’s crazy. Did you live with your mother?”
I cringed. I knew it was natural to want to know about one’s mother, but my mother had left me as a baby, and I didn’t want to talk about it. Still, I let the animosity go and took a deep breath. “No, I live at a boarding school. Well, at least I did. As you probably know, he got married last year, and I think she may have had something to do with me coming here.”
“I’m glad she did.” His voice dripped with flirtation. “She seems cool. A lot of my friends think she’s hot.”
I wasn’t sure how he wanted me to answer that.
I took a step on a rock, and he grabbed my arm. “Watch that rock, it’s slippery.” I stepped down and walked around the rock as he took my hand. “Step here on this rock, it’s sturdier.” I followed his steps, and we climbed higher.
“Do you know where we’re going?” I asked.
“Trust me.”
Yeah right. That’s the last thing I want to do. I giggled. “I don’t think so. We just met.”
He snickered. “I won’t let you fall.”
Trace slid his other arm around my waist and guided me up the rocks until we reached the cliff. The lights from the dock allowed me to see the outline of his face. He really was quite handsome.
He sat down and patted the ground beside him. “This is the best place to see the lake at night. I come here often to just think.”
I sat down, feeling a little apprehensive. “Do you go to Matter Point High School?”
“I do. I play football.” He puffed out his chest a little. “I’m the quarterback.” Arrogance oozed from him, and I had to refrain from groaning.
“I’m afraid I don’t know much about American football.” I knew a little about it but enjoyed the disbelief on his face.
Trace snorted. “Those are foreign words to me.” He nudged me. “But I could teach you the basics.”
“I hear it’s like rugby, although we weren’t allowed to watch that at school.”
“Do you miss Europe?” I felt him looking at me as I stared straight ahead at the lake. He cleared his voice. “Or anyone there?”
“It’s only been a day. But yes, I miss the familiarity of my life. So much is changing now. I left all my friends.”
“Any boyfriends?”
I grunted. “I went to an all-girls’ school. They were very strict, and we had little free time.”
“There’s always time,” he teased. “It doesn’t take that long.”
I ignored his innuendos. “Hardly. We weren’t allowed out of the dorms during the week unless it was study group and that was only girls. On weekends, we had a few hours on a Saturday, and Sundays were for church and studying.”
“I wouldn’t have lasted,” Trace said, clearly not understanding that I’d had no choice. After a second, he scooted closer to me. “You’re due for a good time.”
I looked away as his thigh brushed against mine.
“Are you shy?” He softened his voice, making me uncomfortable.
“No,” I said quickly. Well, that was probably a lie, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“I think you are, and it’s adorable.”
He leaned over, but I turned away and stood abruptly. “I think we should head back.” Wiping the dirt from my bottom, I looked down the beach at the fire burning in the distance.
He let out a fake laugh. “Sure. If that’s what you want.”
Standing up, he brushed off some dirt and took my hand. I tensed but didn’t pull away.
When we walked back toward the fire, more people were sitting around it. The music was softer, and many people were lying on blankets. I spotted Paisley and waved as I came up to her blanket, letting go of his hand.
She smiled. “You were gone a while.”
I shrugged as Trace stood behind me.
“Relax. I didn’t ravish her.” He chuckled.
One of the boys I assumed was Trace’s friend yelled, “Want a beer?”
He nodded and walked a few steps, leaving me standing by Paisley. Turning back, he smiled. “Are you ready for a drink yet?”
“No, thank you. I think we’re ready to go.”
He crinkled his forehead. “Go?” Walking back over to me, he looked at Paisley. “Why are you leaving?”
She c
himed in. “I told Ariel we would only stay an hour.”
“Then I’ll take her home.” He accepted the beer from his friend. “Come on and sit in the hot tub with me.”
I smiled. “I’m pretty jet-lagged. I told my stepmother I would be back soon.”
The group watched our exchange as Trace looked around, scowling at all of them. He asked me, “Do you have a phone?”
“Yes?”
“Can I see it?” He held out his hand for me to give it to him.
I was confused but took it out of my pocket.
“Open it.”
I pushed in the code and he took it again. He pressed some numbers and his phone buzzed.
“There, locked in.” Smiling, he handed it back. “I’ll give you a call.”
“We’ll see you all later,” Paisley said as she stepped beside me.
Her friends murmured their goodbyes and I heard a few protests. Trace leaned over and kissed my cheek. My face warmed and my mouth slightly hung open. I refrained a protest as my body tensed from his display of affection.
He looked at Paisley. “Bailey and I are hanging out at Chester Falls this weekend. You both should join us.”
Bailey narrowed his eyes at Trace. Clearly, he was not expecting that. “I thought it was a boys’ trip?”
Trace glanced at him. “I’m trying to brighten it up.” His gaze landed on me.
One of Trace’s friends interrupted. “The condos are filling up fast. They only had a few left when I called yesterday, so it may be booked up.” His eyes roamed over Gretchen’s body. “But I may be persuaded to share mine if you’re nice, Gretchen.”
Gretchen groaned. “Please, I would rather sleep in my car.”
The crowd laughed and I heard someone yell, “Burn.”
The Dillon guy put his arm around Gretchen. “Good one, Gretch.”
Paisley wrinkled her forehead. “I thought Chester Falls was closed?”
Dillon shrugged. “They were, but they opened them back up. They fixed the bridge and are allowing people to visit. My brother went there last weekend. He said the caves were cool for swimming and they jumped off the cliffs.”
A few girls who were hanging around the pool earlier came up beside us. “Who all is going?”
Bailey sighed loudly. “I’m not in the mood for dramatics. Besides, the girls won’t jump off the cliffs. We should make it just the boys.”
Trace shot him a dirty look. “What’s your problem? Dillon and I were talking yesterday about inviting girls.” He smiled at me. “I would much prefer to swim with Ariel.” He winked at me as some of the girls gave me a dirty look.
“Whatever, man.” Bailey turned and walked away.
Trace turned to a few of the other guys. “Anyone else have a problem?”
One of the guys in black swim trunks held up his hands. “No problem here, man. I like girls.” He put his arm around the girl beside him as she giggled.
“Then it’s settled.” Trace glanced at Paisley. “I’ll text you the place we’re staying at and you can make arrangements. Only our regular group.”
She nodded as I felt her loop my arm with hers. “Got it. Come on, Ariel, let’s get out of here.”
Walking back to the car she was quiet, and I felt her anxiety. “What’s wrong?”
“Bailey.” She let out a sigh. “Did you see how upset he got? It’s like he doesn’t want us going. Not sure what that was about.”
I shrugged because the truth was, I had no idea what the guy’s problem was, but it was obvious he didn’t want the girls coming. I reached the car and slipped inside.
Paisley backed up her car and maneuvered through the cars as she put the music on low. “So, what did you think of your first American teen party?”
I chuckled. “It was everything I thought it would be.” Drinking, dancing, and dramatics. Typical from what I’d heard.
“You should have seen the looks on their faces. New girl gets the most popular boy to drool all over her! It’s what teen romance novels are written about. Trace was into you—he’s kind of a hot commodity. But he knows it…”
“He’s cute, but not really my type.” Truthfully, he was hot, but a little too smooth for me.
“Oh? Trust me, girl, Trace is every girl’s type. Enjoy his attention while it lasts. He’ll move on to someone new after you hook up. So, no attachments. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I looked out the window, uncomfortable with the conversation. “Seriously, the last thing I need is a boyfriend.”
Paisley laughed as if I was joking. “He is not boyfriend material, trust me.” She looked in the rearview mirror and smoothed her hair. “I sort of went out with him my freshman year. It was a disaster, and now we’re just friends.”
“You dated Trace?”
“I didn’t say we dated. We just hung out a few times. His parents are the Jenkins and mega rich. They live on the point.”
I shook my head. “Please, I’m sure Trace would find me boring.”
“I don’t know think so.” She wiggled her eyebrows as I tried not to laugh.
“Trust me. I have no experience with guys like that.”
She wrinkled her forehead. “Are you for real?” Looking at me, she hesitated. “You’re gorgeous. I find it hard to believe that you don’t have experience.”
“Never mind.” This conversation was making me uncomfortable. My lack of experience with the opposite sex wasn’t something I wanted advertised to the entire school.
“What is it? I’m not a blabbermouth. Did something happen?”
I sighed and sagged my shoulders. “It’s just that I haven’t had much opportunity to meet boys. I went to an all-girls’ school, remember?”
“Have you ever…”
I remained quiet, unsure how much I could trust this girl. My phone beeped to break the silence. I looked down, reading the name. “It’s Amanda.”
Amanda: Hi Ariel. Just checking on you to make sure you are doing okay.
Me: Hi Amanda – we are driving home.
Amanda: Okay – There is some leftover lasagna in the fridge.
Me: Thank you. I am not hungry, just very tired.
Amanda: I bet. I am excited to do some shopping in the morning. Your father should be back for dinner tomorrow.
My fingers lingered over the phone. I thought of a million retorts to the news of my father, but I chose not to respond. I slipped my phone in my pocket.
“Everything okay?”
I tried to act casual. My feelings for my father weren’t something I would discuss. “Yes, she was just checking on me.”
“That’s cool. Are you going to go to Chester Falls this weekend? I think the only reason Trace asked the girls to come was because of you.”
“I don’t know if they would let me.” Honestly, I was a little out of my element with her friends and needed a moment to digest my new surroundings. I shifted in my seat and looked at Paisley. “I’m sure Amanda has plans for us, but I guess I can ask my father. He’s coming home tomorrow.”
“You have to come! Did you see the way Trace was looking at you?” Exactly why I don’t want to go. “We’ll figure something out. I can ask my mom to talk to Amanda.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow. I’m not sure yet how strict they’re going to be.”
“Well, I know they’ll want you to meet new people before school starts. This is a perfect way to get to know them.”
Chapter 3
Ariel
Coming home, I tried to be quiet but noticed Amanda in the family room. “I’m home.”
She was lying on the sofa, rubbing her stomach. I could tell she was beat, as she covered her mouth and yawned. “Did you have fun?”
I shrugged, not knowing how to answer. Fun may not be the right word. “She took me to a party by the lake. They
had a bonfire and were dancing.”
She laughed. “I used to love to dance. Did you meet kids you’ll be in school with?”
“A few.” I stood by the staircase, not knowing how long I should stay downstairs and talk with her. I wasn’t used to parental figures asking me questions.
“I’m sure you’ll meet more. Do you have any interest in sports or clubs?” She stood from the sofa and walked toward me.
“I haven’t really thought about it. I guess I’ll see what they have to offer.”
“I understand. It’s good to join something though. It can help with your college applications.”
“I’ll look into it.”
She patted my shoulder as she stood by the staircase.
“Paisley invited me to go to some place called Chester Falls this weekend.”
“Chester Falls?” Amanda tightened her robe around her waist. “I went there once with my college friends. It’s a good time, but it’s usually an overnight trip. Where are they staying?”
“I’m not sure. Someone mentioned a condo. But I don’t know if I want to go. Do you think my father has something planned for us?” After all, I hadn’t seen him in two years.
“I’ll talk to him and let you know.” She smiled and gave me a quick hug. “I’m going to turn in for the night.”
I nodded and climbed the stairs behind her. “I’m exhausted too.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
Amanda was waiting for me downstairs the next morning. The boys weren’t anywhere to be found and I noticed a coffee cup in her hand.
“I didn’t know if you liked coffee, but my favorite is latte.” She offered the cup.
“I do like it.” I took the coffee and smiled. “Are you ready?”
“Yes!” She laughed. “I’ve been waiting for you to get up. Are you hungry?”
“Not yet. I’m not much of a breakfast eater.”
“Then let’s go shopping!” She seemed like a teenager the way she cackled.
We hopped into her convertible and took off down the highway. It was the first time I’d ridden in a convertible and I loved it. We were heading to Creston. Amanda thought I would enjoy the choices there better than the boutiques in Matter Point. I did enjoy the breeze and surprisingly the music she chose. As we rode along, feeling free from having no top on the car, I sneaked some looks at her and realized how fun she could be. She was singing along to some ninety’s music and dancing in her seat.
