This Is Amelia Trying- A Tayvis Story

Chapter 60

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the beach, the golden light making the ocean shimmer as waves lapped gently against the shore. Amelia and James strolled along the sand, enjoying the rare moment of freedom. The sound of laughter and chatter drifted over from a group of teenagers further down the beach, and Amelia couldn't help but steal glances their way.

It wasn't long before one of the boys broke away from the group and jogged towards them. He was about sixteen, with sun-bleached blonde hair that fell into his eyes and a confident stride that suggested he was used to being the center of attention. Amelia's heart skipped a beat as she recognized him—the boy she had noticed earlier.

"Hey," he called out as he got closer, flashing a friendly smile. "I haven't seen you around before. Are you two new here?"

Amelia felt a jolt of nerves but quickly masked it with a smile of her own. "Yeah, we're just visiting," she replied, her voice steady. "We're sisters, actually. First time here."

James stiffened beside her, but Amelia pressed on, not daring to meet her younger friend's eyes. The lie rolled off her tongue easier than she expected, and she could only hope James would play along.

"Cool," the boy said, his grin widening. "I'm Logan. There's a bonfire we're hosting a little further down the beach tonight. You should totally come meet everyone. It'll be fun."

Amelia hesitated, her mind racing. She knew that Taylor and Blake, who were sitting on the deck of the beach house, would never approve. She could almost feel their watchful eyes on her, even from this distance. But the idea of spending time with kids her own age was too tempting to ignore. It had been so long since she felt like a normal teenager.

"I don't know," she said, trying to sound cautious, even as excitement bubbled up inside her. "Our parents would kill us if they found out."

Logan shrugged, his expression easygoing. "No worries. We can head down the beach, away from here. They won't see us."

The suggestion was like an electric spark, igniting a rebellious thrill inside Amelia. The chance to break free, even for just a little while, was too good to pass up. She turned to James, giving her a reassuring smile. "What do you think? It could be fun."

James hesitated, her eyes flicking back toward the house where their families were. But after a moment, she nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Okay," she agreed softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Amelia's heart raced as she turned back to Logan. "Alright, we're in."

Logan's grin was contagious. "Awesome! Let's go then. I'll introduce you to everyone."

As they followed Logan down the beach, Amelia felt a strange mix of excitement and guilt. She knew she was pushing the boundaries, but for once, she wanted to feel like a regular teenager, not the girl everyone pitied or worried about. This was her chance, and she was going to take it.

They walked farther away from the house, the sounds of the waves growing louder as the beach stretched out before them. Logan chatted easily, pointing out landmarks and talking about the area, but Amelia barely heard him. Her mind was racing with a thousand thoughts—what would Taylor think? What if they got caught? But alongside the worry, there was a bubbling excitement she hadn't felt in ages.

Finally, they reached a spot where the beach curved, hiding them from view of the houses. A small group of teens were gathered around a pile of driftwood, already preparing for the bonfire. The smell of saltwater and the distant sound of music filled the air.

Logan introduced them as his "friends from the city," and Amelia played along, smiling and nodding, though her stomach churned with nerves. The others seemed friendly enough, and no one questioned their story. For a while, Amelia allowed herself to relax, to laugh at their jokes, and to enjoy the feeling of being part of a group.