I've known Reed Whitlock since Kindergarten. And from the moment he opened his mouth, I've hated him. We may have the same friends, but he is not one of mine, that is for sure.
But, the week before we start our senior year, something changes between...
" Salt air, and the rust on your door, I never needed anything more." August — Taylor Swift
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE FAMILIAR sound of waves crashing along the rocks of the shoreline rushes through my ears as I look out my window.
The sun is still beating down on the beach even though it's just turned seven. The tourists and locals have gathered around with their towels and sun hats — one of the only instances that the two groups are seen to be together in harmony, with no conflict in sight.
Blue Lake is a small town in South Carolina. My parents were born here, my grandparents were born here. I was born here. I've never known any different.
And the same could be said for all the locals, and when it's tourist season, if you're not one of the many business owners of our little town, sometimes the crowd of new people can get annoying.
Considering my parents own two of the most popular tourist businesses in Blue Lake, I have no complaints about who's coming in and out of the area.
However, it does get annoying whenever the sand at my doorstep becomes too crowded to even think of going down there to tan. What's the point of having a beach house if we can't even use it?
That is why I tend to head down in the mornings so I can get a good spot for me, as well as my friends if they decide to exploit me for the location of my house.
And that's what happened today. My two best friends, India and Stella, came over. We tanned, played cards, read our books, and went in the sea.
Overall, the day had been fun, but now it was time to get ready for what was going to happen later tonight.
My hair drips down my back, and the smell of my shampoo and conditioner surrounds me. Behind the closed door that leads to my ensuite, the shower continues to run, with Stella still using it.
India is kneeling, throwing clothes from her bag out and across my room.
I've known these two my whole life. Our town doesn't have a lot of choice in who one can be friends with. Everyone knows everyone, no matter if you want to or not.
Stella is my cousin, her Mom and my Dad being siblings. So, because our Moms gave birth to us only a few months apart, we were basically raised as sisters. And we met India on the first day of Kindergarten when she sat beside us during carpet time.
I don't know what I would do without them, probably go crazy.
But, luckily, I won't ever have to figure that out. After this next school year, we plan on attending the same college before moving in together in whatever city we decide to end up in.
"Aurelia, what do you think?" India's voice breaks through my thoughts, the distant sound of children squealing from the sand beyond now going silent as I put all my attention on my friend.
