The rest of the summer was full of me trying to adjust to my new life in LA. I've managed to almost entirely avoid my stepmom and stepsister, and I haven't seen much of my dad at all. The house is normally pretty quiet and if not, it's so big I probably wouldn't notice if someone else was home. If I'm home I'm either in my room (which is slowly coming together), in the kitchen for a quick bite to eat, or outside on the tennis courts.
I try to spend as much time outside that house as possible. I've been able to keep busy with my new job at Jax's Mom's video store and my tennis lessons with a former Olympic tennis player my dad hired, since he could afford that now.
What I spent the most of my time doing, was hanging out with Deja and Jax. All three of us clicked after the first time we met. Jax's Mom was so sweet and scheduled all of our shifts together. We always hung out before shifts, after shifts, and on as many days off as we could.
Eventually there were two days of summer. I had tried out for the tennis team the day before, and the coaches were so impressed by my warm ups that they pulled me aside and told me I was guaranteed a spot right then and there. I was introduced to my new doubles partner Pandora, who was the top returning doubles player from their team last season. Her pairs partner was a senior last year, and got a full ride to UCLA.
Pandora was pretty tall, about 5'11, with straight blonde hair a little past her shoulders. I could tell by the way she stood that she was confident, but humble. I could tell right away that me and her would make a great team, and great friends. We practiced for the rest of that time and she was REALLY good! We had so much fun at practice, so we went out for smoothies afterwards.
I wanted to stay and get to know her some more, but I had to head home in time to shower and get ready for work. "Do you need a ride home?" she asked me, taking her designer sunglasses off the top of her head. I could have walked 20 minutes home, but it was pretty hot out.
"Sure I would love one, if it's okay with you," I said.
"Of course it's okay," she smiled at me.
Pandora was pretty rich. She drove a white BMW and wore designer everything, but she was one of the most humble people I have ever met. Her dad was a US Senator, and her mom used to be a famous model from Greece. We pulled up to my dads mansion, which was probably smaller than hers and she froze. She had a disgusted look on her face, and I immediately wanted to take back any thoughts of her being humble, until two seconds later she said: "You know Adeline?" I was so relieved she was making a face at my evil stepsister, who was getting in her car.
"Unfortunately, she's my stepsister," I sighed.
"That's horrible! I have no idea how you stand to live in the same house as her," she said, looking at me. "By the way, are you going to the senior bonfire tomorrow?" She asked.
"Oh, I haven't heard anything about it," I said, looking down at my nails.
"Omg you have to come it's tradition! Every year the seniors hang out for the last 12 hours of summer. We play games, eat great food, have boat rides, swim, and have so much fun! Seriously, you have to go! Give me your number so we can meet up and you can meet my friends," she said, handing me her phone. I quickly typed in my number before handing her back her phone.
"Okay, I'll think about it," I thanked her for the ride home and walked upstairs to my bathroom to shower.
I walked into work and found my two best friends already at the counter. "Corrine! How was tryouts?" Deja ran from behind the counter to give me a big hug.
"It went great! I've got a spot on varsity," I cheered.
"That's amazing Corrine, congrats!" Jax said.
"Who's your partner?" Deja asked excitedly.
"This girl named Pandora," I said.
"Pandora Padilla? Wow, you must be really good if you are partners with her! Her and her partner won state last year," Deja said
"I never got her last name, but it sounds like her," I said.
"She's really hot," Jax said leaning over the counter, "Is she single? Do you have her number?"
"Jaxson calm down, you sound so desperate," Deja said rolled her eyes, and walking off to organize some shelves. I went with her and started cleaning the opposite shelf.
Hours flew by, and our last shift of the summer was almost over. All three of us were playing a card game at the large rounded countertop in the middle of the store when a customer walked in. Deja looked up from her cards, but then immediately looked away blushing. I turned to see who she was looking at, but the person was hidden behind an isle. "Who were you looking at?" I asked her.
"No one, just a really hot guy from our school," she giggled.
"Ooh I can't wait to see him," I said, leading off the counter a little to try to get a look at him.
"You guys are pathetic," Jax rolled his eyes at us.
"Hey what's wrong with looking for some eye candy?" I asked with a wink.
"Exactly, you do the same thing Jax," Deja said crossing her arms.
"I do not!"
"Yes you do!"
They kept going back and forth bickering, but I couldn't hear them anymore. The "hot guy" from behind the isle emerged, and my heart rate skyrocketed. This can't be happening.
"Corrine?"
Authors note:
Hey guys it's been so long since I've post lol I'm sorry! I hope you like the chapter, I literally forgot about this story haha
