Lover (Conrad Fisher)

7

When we got inside Paige, the head of the debutante scene, scolded us for being late. Unfortunately, Belly and I were placed at different tables. But as I walked towards mine I saw Emma and Sarah waving towards me with big smiles.

"Hey Hailey!" They both speak at the same time. "Are you guys sure you're not twins?" I laugh. "No, definitely not. Just best friends who think alike."

The rest of the time goes by fast talking with Sarah and Emma, and the other girls at our table. They're all surprisingly nice. I turn around to check on Belly, who I notice is sitting in between the girl who was with Steven last night, and the girl who was with Conrad. I laugh audibly, earning some confused looks from the girls at the table.

"What are you laughing at?" Sarah turns towards me to ask. "Oh nothing. Belly just manages to get herself into sticky situations without even trying." Before I can continue further, a moving person catches my attention. It's Gavin walking past the tea room. I forgot he was a lifeguard.

I jump out of my seat, telling everyone I'll be right back. 'Gavin! Hey!" I yell out to him before he can make it any further.

"Hailey- Oh wow. Y-you look great." Gavin says, stumbling all over his words. He gives me his award winning smile.

"Thank you," I say blush rushing to my cheeks. "I was gonna text you, but alas I forgot to ask for your number." He says. I giggle at his choice of words and nod my head saying "It's totally fine. I figured I would end up seeing you at some point again."

"Well," He says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm actually going surfing tonight, and it can be really scary surfing all by yourself, so I-I w-was wo-"

"Yes," I say, not even letting him finish. "I would love to go surfing with you."

"Okay cool, cool" He says grinning. We both stand there for a minute just looking at each other with smiles on our faces. "Oh! Before I forget," He reaches into his pocket, pulling out his cellphone. "I would love to have your digits, you know so I can text you about tonight."

"Yeah sure, definitely." I say grabbing his phone and typing in my information. "Here," I hand his phone back. "I'll see you tonight?"

"See you," Gavin says slowly walking backwards towards the stairs, not breaking eye contact. He walks back too far and almost falls down the stairs. "There's stairs here, be careful." I let out a laugh nodding my head, and walk back to the tea room.

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As I'm adding my final touches to my makeup, I get a FaceTime call from Paige. "Hey! Long time no see!" She says. "What are you getting all dressed up for?"

"I'm going on a date," I say, blushing. "WHAT! Tell me everything right now!"

I spend the next few minutes talking to her about everything that has happened.

"Oh my God, why didn't you call me earlier Hails? You're clearly caught up in a love triangle."

"Oh please," I say, rolling my eyes. "It is not a love triangle, you're so dramatic. I mean I've talked to Conrad like twice maybe, and I think I really like this Gavin guy." She scoffs. "This is totally a love triangle. I mean he twirled your hair around his finger and basically begged for you to get to know him better."

"He did not beg!" I laugh. "He totally begged!" She responds. "I need to get up there ASAP and see these 'gorgeous' guys for myself. It's so boring here without you."

"I know, I miss you so much," I say, frowning. "But you'll be here before you know it."

I get a text from Gavin saying "Here."

"I got to go but I'll text you all the deets later, yeah?"

"You better," Paige says. 'Or I'll drive up there and tie you down till you tell me." I just roll my eyes and say our goodbyes to each other.

I look at myself one more time in the mirror. Why was I wearing makeup to go surfing? I scoff at myself, but it's too late to take it off, and walk out the room.

I hurry down the stairs and out the front door to where Gavin is, leaning on a black Nissan xterra. 

"Hi," I say smiling. "Hey," He replies. "You ready to catch some waves?" My smile falters for a second as I realize the most important thing. I forgot to tell him I can't surf.

He must've noticed something was wrong as he instantly asks, "What? What's wrong?" I send him a tight lip smile. "I forgot to mention that I don't really know how to surf." Gavin bursts into laughter, leaning on his knees for support. "Why did you agree to come surfing with me then?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I mean what am I supposed to say when a hot guy asks me to hangout with him?" He raises his eyebrows. "Oh? So you think I'm hot?" He says with a devilish grin. I push his shoulder, blush rushing to my cheeks. That makes him laugh even more.

"Don't worry babe, I'll teach you," He says, sending me a wink. I start to blush even more.

Eventually we get down to the beach, each of us holding a board. "So we'll start off with the basics," Gavin begins.

We end up spending half of the night on the sand. Gavin teaches me the basics. How to get up on the board, how to stand, etc. Just as we're about to get into the water I get a text from Belly saying "Drive-in. ASAP."

"Gavin I hate to ruin this night, but I think my friend's in trouble," I say, showing him the text she sent me. "Don't worry, they're playing Sabrina down at the drive-in anyway," He says, picking up his board.

"Oh my God. I love that movie." I say coping his actions with my own board. "Yeah? Me too. I love Audrey Hepburn." He says. "She's a goddess, but nothing compared to you." I can't help but smile at him.

"Let's go," Gavin says, walking down the beach in front of me. "Tell your friend Prince Charming is on the way!"