Fall (Wesley Stromberg)

Chapter 1 'New Familiar Faces'

Saige's POV

I just arrived in Cali with my best friend and boyfriend, Mariana and Elijah. We decided to come down for the Summer. We're originally from Washington, so it's different, but I'm used to coming down. I thought about going to UCLA in the Fall and possibly moving down here, but for now, we're staying in a beach house that my dad owns.

"This is so amazing," I gasped, checking out all the rooms. The even more amazing part was the open windows and view of the beach. It was so gorgeous!

"Your dad is the absolute best," Mari exclaimed.

"He's pretty sick," Elijah agreed.

"Too bad my dad isn't sick enough to let you stay in the same house as me," I muttered. My dad doesn't trust us, so he's staying with one of his friends that live pretty close. It's not like my dad would know if he stayed or not, unless he has cameras or something set up.

"Hey, it's okay. I wouldn't trust me with his daughter either," he chuckled, pulling me into his side and kissing my forehead. I playfully hit his chest and took off outside to check it out. Even though the beach was close, there was a fenced in pool, which was awesome.

"Look over there at those hot neighbors. Hopefully they'll be here all summer," Mari whispered, trying not to let Eli hear.

"Mhm," I chuckled. I wasn't going to say they were hot because I have a boyfriend, but they were fine. I've never been one to cheat or anything, so I hope I can trust Eli enough not to find someone in Cali either.

"It's not nice to stare at them," Eli deeply said in my ear. I shifted my trance to him and giggled. He wrapped his arms around my waist and was leaning in for a kiss, but I pushed him away. I took off running throughout the house, making sure I wasn't messing anything up. I slipped into a closet in my room. I quietly shut the door, and kept my breathing quiet.

I could hear someone shuffling through the hallway, opening and closing doors. I heard him enter my room, and I know he knew where I was.

"Saige, come out, come out wherever you are," he creepily sang. He tiptoed to the closet door, and just as he opened it, I screamed and jumped onto him. He caught me, after peeing his pants a little.

"You're a little shit," he chuckled.

"I know," I grinned. I shifted to his back, so he gave me a piggyback ride downstairs to Mariana. We hung out for a bit and watched some TV.

"We need to have a party here," I suggested.

"Not tonight, maybe some other time," they both said.

"You guys are no fun! I'm going to go swimming," I groaned. I went to my room and dug through my unpacked suitcase to find my bikini. I decided to wear my coral colored one since it popped out on my tan skin. Eli and Mari were still being bums, so I was out there all by myself.

I laid down on a tanning chair before actually swimming. I was in a peaceful state, the sun beating down, no noise. It was relaxing. I was enjoying myself until I heard a little splash in the water. I shot up, jumpy from the noise, and looked to see what it was. All I saw was a soccer ball in the pool. I know I didn't have one, so I don't know where it came from.

"I'm sorry! I sort of kicked my ball too hard, and uh, yeah," a very familiar voice chuckled nervously through the fence. His body was very toned, and he had little beads of sweat on his body. He looked really fine. Stop, Saige. You have a boyfriend. When I saw who it was, I couldn't believe it. Does he even remember me? He's grown up so much. I never got a good look at his face earlier, but he was definitely one we were checking out.

"Looks like you'll have to come over and get it," I played it off, wanting to see if he'd remember. I didn't want to come straight out and tell him it was me because, well, I've changed a lot since he's seen me last, and it might be a little creepy. He didn't even go around to the gate. He just hopped right over.

"So, are you moved in here now? I live right next door," he said. "I'm Wesley, by the way," he added. I already knew that, silly. Butterflies arose in my stomach when he shot me his signature million dollar smile.

"I'm Saige! I'm just here for the summer, but I'm more than likely moving down, so I can go to UCLA in the fall," I explained. As soon as I said my name, his mouth dropped.

"No way. Saige- uh, you're, um, you look- amazing," he stuttered. I wonder if he still likes me.

"You do too, Wes! It's been awhile. I was wondering if you'd remember me," I chuckled.

"You look so different! I can't believe you look like this. I've known you for forever. It's only been two years, Saige. You look so good."

"Thank you. I worked pretty hard on my body, and everything kind of fell into place after that. Crazy what can happen within a couple years, huh? How's my baby Keats?"

"Uh, not such a baby anymore," he chuckled. "We're all great, Drew, Keaton and I. You should call us to hangout some time. I missed you being around all the time! I can't believe we just saw each other like this. Maybe I should kick my ball hard all the time," he joked.

"You can stay for a swim if you want. Mariana and Eli won't swim with me, and some company would be nice," I suggested.

"I haven't seen Mari in forever either! I'm not sure I know Eli though," he trailed off, maybe realizing I had a boyfriend.

"He's my boyfriend," I told him.

"Oh, cool," he said nervously. I shrugged off his nervousness, figuring it was probably because we hadn't seen each other in so long. I know he's always had feelings for me, but surely after two years he's over them. I jumped into the pool and threw his ball out to him. He let it go near the fence and jumped in after me.

"Oh man, it's been too long," he sighed.

"Tell me about it! I missed you guys so much! I almost didn't survive without my best friends, except Mari helped me." We swam around for a little longer, until someone very jealous decided to join. Eli walked out and gave me a confused look.

"This is Wesley. He kicked his ball over here, and was trying to flirt, but failed, so I invited him to swim," I teased Eli, pulling Wesley in for a hug. Wesley gave me a 'what the fuck' look. Eli gave me kind of the same.

"I'm kidding, Elijah! I've known him since we were tiny tiny, and I just discovered he lives next door, and I haven't seen him in forever, and I'm rambling now," I chuckled.

"Nice to meet you, uh, Wesley," he managed to spit out without sounding jealous. This might not be a great idea, having my boyfriend and little kid crush around at the same time. Oh, did I forget to mention I had a crush on Wesley while he had one on me? Well, now it's out there.

He stayed out there, eyeing us while we swam. I've never liked over protective boyfriends, and I don't like how Eli isn't trusting me. He won't keep me from hanging out with my childhood friends, I'll tell you that. He's never been like this before, though.

When we were done swimming, we ordered some pizza and caught up a little more. I knew that he was on xFactor because I watched them. He said they just got back from their first tour, so they're taking a break for the summer.

"I think I better get going. It was nice catching up, Saige and Mari. Nice meeting you, Elijah," he added. I led him out the door, even though his house is right next door.

"Sorry about Eli tonight, he's usually not like that. I promise I won't let him keep us from hanging out, so if he ever gives you any trouble, let me know," I teased a little.

"Okay, will do. See you sometime," he waved goodbye and took off to his house. I wish I could've seen my baby Keats and Drewski.

Eli finally left after knowing Wesley wouldn't come back. He needs to calm down. I've never cheated, so why start now? I don't know why he doesn't trust me. This is going to be a long summer if he doesn't.