Lost in California (Leo Howard FanFic)

Chapter 18: Let the Tournament Begin!

The sound of bacon sizzling and the smell of fresh brewed coffee awakes me to start the day. It's Saturday morning and the volleyball tournament begins in 3 hours and 45 minutes, until then I began setting up my camera equipment. I gathered my black Canon EOS rebel T6s DSLR camera, my black Manfrotto 60 inch compact action tripod, and my MacBook air which are suited up in my Timbuck2 Navigator duffel bag. With everything settle into its right compartment I begin destroying through my closet. The last time I went to a volleyball tournament I did not dress for the occasion nor did I have "fashion sense". After living in California for more than a year I understood the fashion here, especially near the coast. I put on my white, button-down crop top and denim shorts, ones that show the insides of my pockets. To put over my shoulders I grabbed my Kimono cardigan that had black background with "pretty pink" floral pattern. For accessories I used my white, big, floppy beach hat and my vintage sunglasses. Now that I am ready to show my fashion flare I migrate to the kitchen.

I see my dad preparing my plate while humming his favorite Tina Turner song, 'What's love got to do with it'. I grunted to interrupt him and with in an instant he says,

"GOOD MORNING MY SUNSHINE!" Is it me or does my dad seem I bit too happy. Now two things have popped into my head: 1) he has a date or 2) his business went sky-rocketing to the roof with money. Now I know he was intimate with my aunt but I know she has told me they agreed to easy things with my moving and all so number 1 could not be it. Number 2 would be the BEST option. But still unsure I had asked,

"Why are you in such a good mood?" And then he replied with the most shocking answer,

"A man cannot be happy on a Saturday morning humming Tina Turner songs while serving his daughter breakfast?" Then I was obligated to answer, "No, no he can not." We then laugh.

When finished I walked myself to the beach, I wanted to get there in time to where I could setup a base. As I walk there I see Jeep Rangers and glamorous convertibles drive by and turn into the beach parking lot. As much as I understand the fashion statement within California I will never get use to the luxury of California. I crossed from paved sidewalks to hot burning sand, when seeing the volleyball nets and a crowd of teenagers I pass a wall. Now I have encountered this wall many times but not once have I seen this wall with a great giant mural on it. This art was magnificent! It reminded me of home; the way that shadows surrounds the city which is painted of colorful hand prints. Conveys a hidden message that only I, a true city girl, can really understand.

Immediately I found my camera and took a few shots. And as I review the images I recently took, I felt someone hovering over me watching me scan through my photos. Went to turn to see if anyone was there and come to find out it was the one person I least expected. JAX!

"I didn't know you had a thing for street art?" He asks, avoiding what happened yesterday.

"Only a few that catch my eye. This one in particular reminds me of..."

"Home?" He interrupts me as if he knew my thoughts. If only he did he would be hearing how hateful I am towards him ditching our plans.

"Yea, and the fact that art won't DITCH you when you make plans on meeting up at the BEACH!" I hinted full of hostility.

"Sorry about that. After school I saw you 'talking' with Jason and I though you may have changed your mind or something." [Jax]

"Just because I talk to other guys does not mean I will forget about plans I made with someone else. Even when I like the guy I made plans with." [Elizabeth]

"Wait, you like me?" [Jax]

"I thought I did up until yesterday! I waited for you for hours. I felt like I did something that made you disgusted with me and then come to realize that you were jealous with me talking to another guy, who is ONLY a FRIEND!" [Elizabeth]

"Well Jason has taken away so many things and I didn't want to be disappointed if he took you away either." [Jax]

"Jason could never take me away, besides he has a girlfriend, remember." [Elizabeth]

"Look, I've known Jason since middle school and just because he has a girlfriend tha does not stop him from getting what he wants." [Jax]

"You know that when hooking up with someone it is a two way street, right? I'll have to like Jason in order for us to become a couple. And trust me Jason is NOT what I want." [Elizabeth]

I left him because the tournament was going to start in 30 minutes and the beach is getting packed. But when I left I turned back to see Jax one last time and he never took his eyes off of me. Sadly we had to go do our own things, he would be sitting on the top of that wall over-looking the tournament while I stand by the sidelines snapping pictures for my album.

When setting up I could hear someone calling my name from the other side of the court. When I looked around I couldn't see anyone stand out, until a group of girls start waving their hands above their heads and I knew who they were. Laura Marono, Zendaya Colemen, and Dove Cameron! I was so glad to see them, for once I know someone I could talk to besides another guy. I have not been able to make any girl-friends at my new school.

"Hey girls, what are you doing here?" [Elizabeth]

"It's a tournament against your school and our school. Why wouldn't we be here?" [Zendaya]

"How's the transition?" [Laura]

"Its going ok. I miss you guys, I miss Mr. Shew, and sadly I miss dodging the paparazzi." [Elizabeth]

We all laugh.

"Enough about me how is everything at Celeb Prep?" [Elizabeth]

The girls looked down, as if none of them wanted to tell me anything. I hoped it would have been the same old same old, but seems like everything turned around in a 360 degree turn.

"What?" [Elizabeth]

"Well when you left , the week after Olivia and Leo broke-up when really everyone knew that they were in a 'real relationship'. Then she went on a full vengeance spree and now she is dating Luke. You know my Luke." [Dove]

"Oh, Dove, I am sorry." [Elizabeth]

"Don't worry, I am ok." [Dove]

"Yeah, don't worry, he will get what is coming to him." [Zendaya]

"Not that I care, but what happened to Leo?" [Elizabeth]

"Well there was a new student transfer. SKYLAR HOPKINS!" [Laura]

"You mean that foreign super model?" [Elizabeth]

"Yes. Any way she and Leo are now 'dating'. But all of us know that she is only his rebound." [Zendaya]

"The truth is I've heard from sources that he never has been able to get over you." [Dove]

"Well that is too bad for him. Speaking of moving on, I too have a guy that I am talking to." [Elizabeth]

Before I was able to say who the name was to this mystery guy to my best friends, Jason interrupts our conversation.

"Hey Liz! I am glad you came. Are you going to stay after the game? You should there is going to be booze and bonfires." [Jason]

He looks at me and I look at him. I notice he doesn't have a shirt on and he has the volleyball in his right hand while the  left hand is parted away as he is waiting for me to say yes.

"Yes I am staying afterwards." [Elizabeth]

"Great. Ladies." [Jason]

Laura, Zendaya, and Dove drools over him when he jogs back to the court.

"Come one guys stop drooling." [Elizabeth]

They look at me thinking that that's the guy I was talking about.

"No that is NOT the guy I was referring to. Jason has a girlfriend. I was talking about Jax."

I pointed to the person sitting on top of the wall and they nod. Sadly our talking time is over and the tournament began.