“You know, for someone who can’t swim, you sure do come to the beach a lot.”
“Oh, hey Michelle.” I said, turning around to match the voice to a face. “And just because I can’t swim doesn’t mean I don’t like the water…I like it. I just don’t like being in it.”
She nodded but didn’t say anything, seeming to sense it was a sensitive subject. “So, we’re having a bonfire later. Wanna come?”
“Ooh, a bonfire, sounds exciting.” I said, slightly sarcastic, and Michelle rolled her eyes and nudged my shoulder.
“Come on, it’ll be fun! Good music, food, boys…” She winked at me and I tried my best to smile, but it wasn’t too genuine. If only she knew that trying to persuade me with boys would only make me want to stay away more. But then I remembered that I was supposed to be trying to make friends and let go of everything that restrains me from having fun. So I agreed to meet her at the beach at 8.
“Hey Grams? I’m going to head over a bonfire at the beach, my friend Michelle invited me.” I said right before I was about to leave.
“Do you think Ryan will be there?” Grams smiled mischievously at me.
“Grams!” I exclaimed. “I’ll see you later!” I called, shaking my head in disbelief as I walked out the door. She was too funny.
“Have fun!” She shouted after me.
I decided against wearing a sundress because it was already late, and I’d decided to just wear it tomorrow. I wore a pair of denim shorts and a loose tie-dye tank top; I felt like that was socially acceptable for a bonfire.
I stood on the outskirts of the beach, searching for Michelle so I wouldn’t look lost. “Fancy meeting you here.”
I turned around and Ryan smiled at me. “Hey, yeah I was supposed to meet a few friends here, but I don’t see them…” I trailed off looking into the crowd.
“The ones who almost drowned you? I thought I told you to get better friends.” He smirked and I glared at him, holding back a smirk. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to mine.” He put his hand lightly between my shoulder blades and guided me toward a small group of people sitting at a picnic table.
“Ryaaannnn!” One of his friends called as we approached the table.
“Steve-oooooo!” Ryan retorted. “This is my friend Aislinn, she just moved here and she’s in need of some better friends.” Ryan said and I elbowed him. It didn’t faze him at all, aside from the fact that he laughed.
“Oh yeah I remember you, Aislinn from the beach!” A red-headed girl spoke, cutting her conversation with a blonde haired boy I’d yet to learn the name of. I looked at her quizzically and she explained, “I’m a lifeguard with Ryan, I was on duty with him when he saved you. I’m Bridget by the way.” She smiled.
“I’m James.” The blonde boy next to her said.
“Hi.” I smiled at them both.
“Wanna play cards? Have you ever played Egyptian rat screw?” James asked.
“Nope, never heard of it.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll teach her.” Ryan said from beside me.
“No, then she’ll be way better than us! Ryan here is a pro. Can’t we let Steve teach her?” Bridget whined jokingly and Steve held up the middle finger to her.
“Nope, I’m teaching her. Let’s go!” He said as he took his jacket off and we sat down at the table ready to play.
 

 

Check out part 2! I'm not sure I'll be able to do notifications anymore,
I don't have time for them, I hope you all understand!