California Beautiful

Chapter 3

Apparently Jo was more known of than I thought, by the time Alex had set up a finish line and the other guy.. Emmett, had cleared a path, there were at least twenty people on the other end watching. I did some light stretching, wiping my hands on my leggings.

"On your marks" Matt called. Jo and I put our right legs on the piece of tape Emmett stuck to the floor.'

"Get set." Jo looked over and smiled at me before crouching down.

"GO!" In an instant I bounced up and started to sprint, my pace increased as I found my rhythm my legs and arms pumping behind me. I breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth. I could hear Jo's rapid footsteps going in time with my own. I found another surge of adrenaline when I saw Alex the rest of the group waiting for us. I put my foot on the line of duct tape placed down clapping Alex's hand. Jo and I looked towards Alex expectantly before she went on either of our sides and lifted my arm up.

I let out a small laugh as people started applauding and I looked over at Josephine, she just smiled patting my shoulder before pulling me closer.

"Go ahead and bask in the glory, this is all you get." She said in a joking matter and clapped along with the rest of them. I'll crush you next year she mouthed and I shook my head.

You can try.

***

"So, I stand corrected." Andy mumbled, we were back at our original table. This time however, there were plates of food in front of us. Emmett placed a steaming burger and fries in front of me with a smile.

"Number 19 for the official fastest runner at The Best Place." He said the last part looking straight at Jo and she smacked his arm, he gave her a lopsided grin before rustling her hair.

"So what brings you to Myrtle Taylor?" Jason asked, everyone quieted down looking at me expectantly.

"My dad had a job up here, they're taking boats out inspecting whatever they thinks in the water. He's working with a team that's trying to preserve Marine life and stuff." I said looking over at Jason, who was staring at me. He immediately looked away as soon as I caught his eye and I knit my eyebrows in confusion. Alex nudged my shoulders giving me a look that I couldn't decode.

"What?" I asked her and she looked at me,then him, then back at me.

"Seriously? Tell me your not into all that." She said nodding in Jason's direction.

"If by 'that' you mean Jason, then yes. I'm not 'into that'. " I told her.

"Oh come on, you totally like him."

"I totally do not." I reminded her. She just shook her head.

"Denial is the first step." She sang patting my leg. I just laughed. But honestly, I couldn't help but think about what she said.

He's kinda hot though.

---

"We're going to take you on your unofficial tour of Myrtle. Starting now." Jason told me walking ahead and interrupting my conversation with Andy.

"This-" He pointed at a tree in a small park off the beach "-is the tree that Alex tried, and failed to climb before she tragically fell and sprained her ankle.

"You pushed me jerk!" He gasped putting a hand over his chest.

"I did no such thing!"

"Right."

Alex pushed him aside and ran up the boardwalk stopping a few feet in front of what looked like an ice cream shop. It was painted an awkward shade of yellow and looked desperately in need of some TLC.

"This, this is Dave's the beloved place we used to hang out in before accidentally flooding it in the 7th grade and getting permanently banned by Dave himself."

"Wait, isn't his real name Nick?" Jason said.

"A tiny, insignificant detail."

"My feet hurt." Matt whined.

"Then deal with it."

"Why are you so mean to me Alex? Isn't she mean Taylor?"

"Yea... I guess?"

"Hey!"

"No, I meant. I-" I groaned and Xavier started choking on... air?

Jo reached over throwing an arm around my shoulders.

"Stop messing with the poor girl you guys." She said.

"It's all good, she loves us! Right Tay." Jason asked and Alex started coughing really loudly while smiling at me.

I hid my head in my hair studying my feet, I could feel the blood rushing to my face as I kicked a rock with the back of my heel.

"Right."

___

VERY SHORT CHAPTER OOPS

I updated again! After what... 7 months 😂 okay, that's a bit of a stretch but it's been awhile, I have a story brewing that I think you guys are seriously going to enjoy and my writing has improved a lot more than you know. .. this xD

Chapter dedication for the lovely person who commented last chapter and got me to update again so thank xx

-July