Splash

4 • in which serena goes to a party

Hope you guys like it.

I felt his eyes on me all through lunch.

I tried to be nonchalant about it, but it's hard when an extremely attractive guy is staring at you and you're pretending not to notice. But it wasn't like he was staring creepily or anything, it was more like a curious stare. Like he was thinking deep and hard about something.

Still, he's hot.

I heard footsteps behind me and I looked up to see not the starer, but another attractive guy standing right in front of me. He had messy curls, super tanned skin, lean and muscular arms, brown eyes, and a perfect cheeky smile.

There has to be something in the San Diego water.

"I'm Ryan, and who may you be?" I felt his warm brown eyes on me and I almost blushed.

"I'm Serena, and I'm new. Nice to meet you," I offered him a smile.

He looked like he was about to say something mildly flirtatious when Riley came to my rescue.

"Hey Ryan, pouncing on the new blood already? Poor Serena hasn't even finished her lunch," she sassily hip bumped him before sliding down next to Ella and snatching one of Bree's chips.

Ryan laughs. "All I wanted to do was come and remind you girls, Serena included, that my block party is tomorrow night. You'll all be there right?" He asks the group.

Riley looks over at me. "Every year, Ryan throws this huge block party on the first week of school. It's super fun, and he basically invites the entire class. Cardiff people only. It's perfect if you want to meet some new people and have a good time. And everyone knows about it so it definitely won't get rolled. So, what do you think? You'll come with us right?" Riley pouts her bottom lip, and of course I cave.

"Sure, why not," I sigh.

"Yes!" Riley and Ryan both cheer.

"Alright ladies, my work here is done. I'm gonna go see where Max ran off to," Riley winks at us and walks off to find her boyfriend.

There's a comfortable silence for a little bit, but then I decide just to ask the question that's been storming in my head all morning.

"Hey guys, who's that guy over there?" I nod my head towards him. Ella and Bree share smug looks. "That's Myles Rickard, and why do you wanna know missy?" Bree raises her eyebrows suggestively and I feel heat rising to my cheeks.

"No, no, no, not like that!" I laugh. "I just didn't know his name, I was just wondering."

"Sure, Serena," Ella says doubtfully. At that moment, Bella and Tessa sit down next to us. "What's up ladies?" Bella asks, munching on an apple.

"Serena's into Myles Rickard!" Bree blurts out, way too loudly. I almost died on the spot. I looked around quickly, thank God no one heard that.

Bella, on the other hand, nearly drops her apple. "Oh my gosh, Serena, he's perfect for you!" she squeals. "I'm so going to introduce you two." As soon as she starts to get up, Tessa yanks her down by her shirt. "Not so fast, Cupid. Don't you think Serena should know about Myles first?" At this, Bella sighs. At this point, I was totally confused. Is there something wrong with him that I don't know about? Does he have a sketchy past or something? There are so many different scenarios running through my head that I have no idea what to make of it when Bree, of course, spills: