Shout

Chapter Twenty Four - Competitions and Cuddles

I woke up to the familiar smell of pine, wood, and something distinctly masculine... and dirt? I opened my eyes slowly to see the slow waves of the beach. Where the hell was I? Suddenly last night filtered back into my head. Nathan attempting to get everyone to do a fire dance with him and no one joining in, Nathan attempting to get everyone to walk over the coals to prove their bravery and no one joining in, Nathan attempting to have a sand castle building competition and failing. Basically, a lot of Nathan's failed attempts at encouraging competition. I was beginning to realize that he had a lot of energy.

I tried to sit up but a heaviness was weighing me down. I looked down at my torso to see a muscular arm over me and a leather jacket over that. I knew that jacket. I knew that arm.

I glanced to my side to see Alexander with his head on one of his arms and the other draped over me. I hoisted myself into a sitting position, Alexander's arm shifting to my lap and looked beyond him to see Avery asleep next to Nathan who had his arm draped over Bryan lying next to them both. I chuckled at the view.

Alexander stirred next to me. If I thought he was attractive before, seeing him when he just woke up - hair adorably tousled, eyes barely opening - was just a cruel joke. I couldn't imagine the wreck that I looked like now.

"Morning," he smiled lazily at me, keeping his arm around my waist but leaning his head on his hand. Everything he did seemed so carefree.

"Morning," I whispered in return. I shushed him as I pointed to Bryan and Nathan. He sat up and looked over before turning back to me and grinning.

Alexander jumped up and pulled his phone out, walking closer to get a few shots of the two of them. They were going to kill him.

He returned and sat next to me, crossing his legs in the process. He ran a hand through his hair a few times and let out a yawn.

"Is it weird that I slept great?" Alexander asked quietly.

"I actually slept amazingly." I admitted. It had felt like a cathartic experience after my interaction with Heather and Stacey. Sleeping on the beach, in the open air, and near the warmth of a bon fire with people that were true friends really was a freeing feeling.

I heard a shuffle and looked over to see Bryan waking up.

"What the hell?" He muttered touching Nathan's arm.

"Hmm," Nathan sighed contentedly, still sleeping.

"Dude, get off me." Bryan stated shoving his arm.

"Hey!" Nathan complained as he woke up. "What's wrong Avery?"

"Huh?" Avery asked shuffling around on the opposite end.

"Yeah, wrong side," Bryan muttered gesturing to Avery.

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt your cuddling?" Avery asked grinning at the two of them as she sat up and looked over.

"No," Nathan and Bryan replied in unison before moving a little further apart.

"Was that the best sleep anyone's had in a while?" Avery asked moving her neck from side to side.

"Yeah," Bryan replied. I was surprised that he replied. By the look on Avery's face, she was too.

Alexander jumped up,"Who's ready for a slide show?" He asked as he whipped out his phone, turning it around for Nathan and Bryan to see.

Nathan groaned as Avery started laughing, "You have to delete that!" He complained.

Bryan rolled his eyes at Alexander.

Alexander turned the phone around, "This is a great screensaver."

Realization dawned on me, "Did we tell your parents where we were last night, Avery?"

"I'm extremely responsible, Olivia," Avery replied, "but no, I didn't."

"Great, well that's coming." I pulled my phone out, "out of battery."

"Yep," She confirmed testing her phone as well. "Well we should head out."

We said our goodbyes quickly and got into Avery's car to head out. I was hoping cops weren't called at this point. It was very out of character for Avery's parents to not be contacted if there was an overnight stay.

Avery broke a dozen laws to get us back to her house on time. Tommy was playing in the yard in the front when we parked.

"Well, well, well," he drawled out, placing his hands on his waist.

"Are mom and dad pissed?" Avery asked getting out of the car quickly.

"I'm not gonna lie, they aren't ecstatic," he replied grinning. "Hey, Olivia."

"Hey, Tommy," I smiled back before Avery grabbed my arm and pulled me up the porch steps. She tugged the door open quickly and walked inside. Larry and Margaret were sitting on the couch in the living room.

"I know, I know, I know. I'm so sorry!" Avery exclaimed walking up to her parents.

"We are extremely disappointed that you made us worry all night, Avery. But, we're glad to see you safe." Larry replied with concern.

"I'm sorry, dad, honestly." Avery hung her head.

"We were very worried about you too, Olivia." Margaret scolded.

"I'm so sorry, Margaret. We just kind of fell asleep and by the time we checked our phones, we were out of battery."

"You fell asleep?" Margaret asked raising her eyebrows.

"Yes," said Avery, "on a beach."

"On a beach," Larry repeated. I guess I knew where Avery got her repetitive quirk from.

"A public beach," she added.

Larry shook his head, "You guys are about to move out and when that happens, sleep on all the public beaches you want, but when you're in our house, you'll inform us when you're not going to be home overnight."

"I'm really sorry," I felt awful for making them worry like that. I never had to think about telling someone about where I was or what I was doing. My mother was barely around. When I was younger, I was able to go wherever I liked at night as long as I knew the nanny's schedules. Most of them began their days at eight, so if I was home before then, everything was fine. It was a new feeling to have to think about someone else thinking of you and worrying about your safety.

"That's all?" Tommy exclaimed from the doorway. "If I did that, I'd get sent to military school," Tommy huffed.

"Try something like that and you'll get much worse than military school." Margaret shot her son a harsh look. 

He raised his arms in defeat and walked back outside. 

Avery lead us back upstairs. "We should try and sign the lease papers today," Avery suggested. "I'm excited for us to have our own place!" 

"I can't wait," I replied. It would be such a drastic change to what I was used to. I wouldn't have to look at those uncomfortable cream colored couches in my living room or those hard leather island stools. I wouldn't have to await my mother's sporadic visits or put up with her yearly mixer that she threw for her friends. I would be finally be free of the entitled lifestyle I'd spent my entire life silently rebelling against.