72 hours

i hate being social, just ignore me

I slipped into our banter with shocking ease. When

I was around Jules, everything else ceased to

exist. For better or for worse. - Twisted Hate

Elizabeth
The sun was barely starting to set on the horizon when Nicole and I first got to the beach, but the night has fallen quickly since. It's completely dark aside from a huge full moon, the firepit and a few string lamps hanging around the food area. The fire has been burning for hours so the air smells faintly of wood mixed with sea breeze.

Shayla and Nicole have gotten along well and we've been chatting aimlessly while the party gathers more people. The topic switches from school drama to crushes and a shit load of family issues. They ask about my dad and I force a good old "I'm fine, thank you" because I'm not in the mood to talk about it.

We're sitting further from the crowd and closer to the ocean. The music paired up with drunk teens noises makes a weird soundtrack. Beer bottles are passed between us and for the first time in months, I'm genuinely having a good time. Maybe uncle Barney was right.

- Who's that? - Shayla motions her head to the crowd and I force myself to hold the scoff.

Jeremiah, Conrad and Steven walked into the party and almost everyone turned to look at them. It's fair, the boys are eye candy, but Nicole is already dating Conrad and I don't need any more interaction with that crew. Especially with him.

- That's the guy I told you about. - Nicole whispers to Shayla while we take a step closer. - In the white shirt, his name is Conrad.

- Nice. - She nods in approval, her eyes tracking the group's movements like she's a huntress and they're the prey. - And the others?

- The kind of blond one is Jeremiah. - Nicole smirks at me before continuing. - Conrad's little brother and a huge player. He and Ellie don't get along.

- Really? - Shayla frowns. - Why?

- It's a long story. - I force a smile, watching the boys for a second.

I wish Jeremiah was ugly, but I don't think he could if he tried. The blue eyes are the first thing people notice and the asshole doesn't stop there. His light brown curls are a bit longer than last summer and he's already tanned. He looks fine and I hate him for it.

Conrad is behind him, much darker hair, an overall bigger frame and an expression of absolute misery. Steven looks exactly like he did the last time I saw him, hair styled back lazily and smiling from ear to ear. It doesn't take a genius to see he's the one who caught Shayla's eye.

- The one you liked is Steven. - I keep my tone low but she blushes regardless. - His family is close to Conrad's and they come here every summer since they were kids.

Despite the fact the Conklins have been vacationing here for almost a decade, I don't know much about any of them. Laurel is always nice when I see her at Kaida's and the same applies to Steven and Isabel. I don't think I've ever talked to any of them outside of work.

- Is he single? - Shayla recovers her confidence. Nicole excuses herself to talk to a girl I don't recognize. - Steven?

- No idea. Maybe you should go find out.

- You're the best! - She squeezes my hand before walking towards him, smiling brightly.

He had been watching her for a while so they engage in conversation in record time. I smile to myself, moving to the food table. My gaze falls on Jeremiah again, but I wish it didn't. There's no reason why, he always treated me differently, literally since we were kids. Was I hurt that the boy who seemed to like everyone chose me to have a problem with? Yes. Did I respond on the same level, annoying him back and calling him a bunch of names? Hell yes.