Daytona Baby [N.H]

2

Olivia Campbell

Walking through the airport in Daytona Beach, I could already see packs of college students forming, rushing to hit the sand. It was exceptionally busy, being July long weekend. The streets are already filled with half-naked bodies lathering up on sunscreen and securing a good hangout spot before the beach is too packed. And if you aren't hammered by noon you aren't doing it right.

My attention was drawn away from the crowds and to my phone ringing in my pocket. I stopped just outside the entrance where the taxis were lined up, dropped my bags at my feet and answered. Before I could say hello, an ear piercing squeal made me flinch.

"Olivia!" My friend Mackenzie screamed through the phone.

"Hey," I replied once it was safe to put my ear up to the phone again.

"Girl, where are you? It's fucking insane here!" I could hear loud music and shouts in the background. I didn't doubt that my crazy friends would have already found the bar, and I wouldn't be surprised if they got there before sunrise just to set up a good spot nearby.

"I'm just about to leave the airport. Going to drop my bags at the hotel and change, then I'll be there." I picked up my bags again, walking over to the assembly line of taxis looking for an empty one. One of the drivers a few cars down the road opened his door to step out and wave me over so I made my way, sliding into the backseat with my bags.

"Just come straight here! You can drop your bags off later," Kayla chimes in.

"Well I have to change, I'm not showing up to the beach in my sweatpants." I argued. My flight left so early that I basically crawled out of my hotel bed, put pants on and left. I slept on the plane and honestly still don't feel awake and ready to party.

"No, please just come straight to the beach! We got a nice set up here where you can leave your bags, no one is gonna steal your shit." She pleaded again. I was losing my strength to protest again.

"Fine, I'll be there in twenty." I cave, resulting in two excited squeals from my friends.

"Okay! See you soon!"

I ended the call and apologized to the driver for holding him up, which he waved off with a smile. I told him I was headed to the beach and he chuckled.

"Of course, I've been driving back and forth from the airport to the beach all morning." I nodded and started changing into my swimsuit in the backseat, trying to be as discreet as I could to people on the street. But if I know anything about myself after enough shots, my top is bound to come off at some point anyways. Once I was successfully dressed in my signature black bikini and shoved my other clothes in my bag, I proceeded to watch out the window at the busy streets. Nearly every other block, billboards and posters caught my eye making me laugh out loud to myself; Duplicity is playing here this weekend. What are the odds I run into Liam here? This is gonna be a great fucking weekend.

Before I knew it, I was dropped off at the beach, paying and thanking the driver as he sped back to the airport. With a quick glance at my phone, a text from Mackenzie told me they were set up near the bar that was rather close to where I got dropped off. I could hear the bass thumping from here, mixed with other music from people scattered everywhere. There was barely one square foot of untouched sand as far as I could see.

I heard my friends before I saw them. "You made it!" Kayla exclaimed as both she and Mackenzie ran towards me in the sand. They each grabbed a bag off my shoulder and directed me to their spot, leaving them on the lounger next to their own bags.

"You guys seem like you're off to a good start," I laugh, seeing how giggly they are already and it's only the morning.

"Babe, you look hot in that bikini!" Mackenzie ignores my comment, changing the subject but further proving my point. Kayla nodded in agreement.