Stay-At-Home Brat

Who Gave You Permission?

A/n: you can read the full story on Ream for free. The link is in my bio 🔗

Sophia's POV

''Let me help you with that,'' Sebastian insists, implying how I struggle to apply sunscreen evenly to my back body.

After having partied and celebrated graduating from school—yes, we did it—it was time to take a trip to the cabin and ground in the tranquil nature. Sebastian and I have had a lovely week to ourselves, and today is our last day here. Tomorrow, we are going across the country for a new adventure. But first, within the next few minutes or so, we are going to the beach, where we will meet up with our friends. The sweltering weather makes submerging my body in cool water a dream.

''No,'' I mumble, twisting in front of the full-body mirror. ''If I let you do it; the next thing I know is you smacking my ass so I can't wear this bikini.''

''That wouldn't happen if you controlled your bratty mouth,'' he ripostes, lingering behind me.

I bite my lip, squashing the response that wants to come out but almost certainly will cost me a trip over his knee. ''Go, wait in the car!'' I prompt.

He nods to me in the mirror and steps out of sight, surprising me with a smack as he passes. Squeaking, I jump aside like a startled animal and press my lips together to keep the number of smacks to only one this morning. I look over my shoulder to see if his palm left a mark. That bastard did—you can see a pinkish handprint on my right cheek. It better fade by the time we get there! On my left cheek, half of my 'Stay wild, sister' tattoo peeks out. I wish they made bikini bottoms that covered your whole backside because... Well, I live with Sebastian, and you saw what he just did, and I tend to do things on a whim sometimes. I'm not saying I regret living with Sebastian or the tattoo, but I'd prefer it if it wasn't put on display for the world to see. Hopefully, the pretty-looking bows on my thighs will draw people's attention, instead.

--

When we cruise into the car park, I catch Oliver, Wesley and Jasper waiting by their car, dressed in swim shorts, towels hanging over their shoulders. Sebastian finds a free spot in the opposite row, where we park. As I hop out of the car, the three boys greet us cheerfully, informing us that Bella couldn't wait to plunge into the water, so she dragged Aiden with her. I can see a tower in the water that you can jump from. I assume that's what Bella was eager about. Within a couple of minutes of chatter, I glimpse Corbyn's car driving into the car park. They hurry our way, particularly Zander, and eventually, we stroll down to the beach together. As expected on a warm summer day like this, it is busy but not packed.

''Zander, remember that you have to queue like everybody else,'' Michael says, grasping Zander by the shoulder whose attention is aimed at the tower.

Zander wrenches and takes a wide step to the side. ''Yes!'' he replies, nettled to be interrupted.

I spring into the water, my feet imprinting the soft sand. Zander bustles past me and throws himself in the water to swim toward the tower, whilst my other mates keep up with my relaxed pace. I halt when the surface reaches my chest. Sebastian, being vastly taller than me and the tallest of us all, continues to walk further into the lake. I bend my knees, sinking until the water grazes my chin. I wallow here and watch the men drift deeper into the water, Michael keeping an eye on Zander queueing to dive. Soon, Bella and Aiden notice us, too, thanks to me shouting their names, and wave as they swim around the tower to the side with a slide.

''Can you swim over to me, Soph?'' Sebastian calls in a breezy tone.

I'm not planning to drown or develop a life-long phobia of water due to almost drowning. ''I just thought to myself not to risk drowning today!''