Vitality

Chapter 8

It's been a couple days since Keaton told me about his dyslexia. I've been tutoring him a lot more. He's already progressing which means he isn't kicked off the football team. He only got suspended for a couple practices.

Tonight is the second party I'll be attending in South Carolina but this time it's on a beach. It should be interesting. I heard there's going to be a huge bonfire and loads of people from neighboring schools. I decided to get ready alone this time. Ever since I went on that "date" with Danny, Bethany has been acting weird. Hopefully tonight she'll be better. I dressed in jean shorts and a cute tribal shirt with flip flops. I thought since this party is on a beach, we'll probably all end up taking our shoes off. I curled my hair but then put it up in a cute messy bun to show off my ear piercings. I only have a couple but when I add ear cuffs, it looks really good. I also did my make up really well because my hair wasn't down. I decided driving myself to this one would cause less drama.

"Okay mom, I'm leaving" I yelled upstairs as I was about to walk out of the door.

"Be home before 11:00 please" she yelled back.

"Alright" I answered and was now on my way to a beach party.

*Keaton's POV*

Tonight's beach party is going to be insane. I can't wait for everyone to be there. Especially Walker. She's been helping me out with tutoring and all and I think we're becoming good friends. But that's not my goal... my goal is for us to become more than friends. I don't know how I'm going to do it but it's going to happen. She knows about my past and how I've acted and I don't know if I can make her forget all of that. But I'm going to try.

A couple of my friends and I drove to the party together. I own a black 2014 Jeep Wrangler with four doors. It's my baby. We usually use my car to go to the beach because it's easy to drive on the sand. Some beaches in South Carolina allow people to bring their cars on the shore and this is one of the beaches.

"Hey Keaton, want a beer?" Will asked me as he opened the cooler.

"Yeah sure" he threw the beer at me and I caught it with one hand. The other guys were setting up the bonfire by stacking tons of wood on top of each other and lighting a match. I pulled out speakers and my laptop to put music on. I'm not a DJ but I do play around with music a little bit. People started showing up and the party was getting started.

"Keaton, how are you baby?" Jessica put her arms around me and was flirting with me. She's my ex girlfriend but she still hangs out with my group of friends.

"Stop it Jessica" I said grabbing her arms and taking them off of me.

"But, don't you want to have fun with me?" She kept touching me. God she's so annoying.

"Jessica stop it, we're over! Don't you know that?" I got so fed up and walked away.

I took a seat by the fire and looked out at the ocean. I heard some commotion coming from the parking lot and more people were showing up. I watched the people flood onto the beach and were reuniting with their friends. And then I saw her, alone. She walked on the sand and looked around. I got up and approached her.

"Looking for something?" I asked surprising her.

"Oh hey Keaton" she smiled

"Care to join me by the fire?" I asked her. Wow she looks amazing.

"Sure why not" she followed me towards the bonfire

"Want a drink?" I asked opening up the cooler.

"No, no thank you. I don't drink" she looked down. I closed the cooler and took a seat next to her.

"Oh, do you care if I ask?"