My Summer with New York

You Can Call Her Rosie or New York; She Likes Both.

Colby's POV
I sit in the back of the surf shop, replaying everything I said to Rose Beckett. The girl is incredibly snobby, and it's obvious she's not the beach going type. Seeing her with Ryan makes me slightly angry, and the way he kept smiling at her made me want to jump across the counter and wipe the smug smile off of his face. Rosie was beautiful for an outsider. Her long, dark hair had been pulled into  one of those "messy bun" things that girls are so obsessed with, but it looked amazing on her. Her gray eyes seemed to know my every move, calculated to a point. Even with her face sunburnt, she is a natural beauty.

I kick myself for my thoughts. Rose wasn't a local; its taboo to get to know anyone who isn't from the island; it's one of the "rules". I understand the rule about not spreading island business to tourists and out-of-towners, but what if those "outsiders" want friends while they're here? The ones here for the summer are usually never accepted by the "island elders", but the young generation always interacts with them. I stay away from the outsiders unless they come into the surf shop for their beach needs, and that's usually the last I'll see of them. The job has it's perks; a pretty face here and there, but the main thing is that it keeps me busy.

I walk back up front, and I'm greeted by a family of tourists who are trying to find floats and toys. I roll my eyes at them as soon as I'm away from them. Everyone knows it's impossible to enjoy a float in the ocean. Even with the waves rocking you back and forth, the fear of drifting off into the endless blue keeps many locals from floating. "Where's Rose?" I ask Ryan when he walks into the back room. "At her beach house." He says. I wasn't in the mood to talk about her anymore; she's just going to turn out like that family out there in my eyes. "Dang someone's grumpy!" He jokes. I roll my eyes and say "I'm just tired." I tell him and he goes up front to check the family out. I slump down in the chair I'm sitting in and pull out my phone. Instagram is full of pictures from Cassidy's party, and Cassidy herself posted a picture of a giant number two. Two days until graduation, two days until I'd be out of school until next summer. Taking a year off of school wasn't my plan originally. It was one of those things I said "just happened."

To say I'm happy about graduating is an understatement. I've hated Crystal Island High since I stepped in the doors freshman year. The school is so tiny, seniors and freshman have classes together, and it wasn't because seniors needed easy credits so they could graduate with their class. In that school, teachers know your entire family, principals know each and every student by name, and worst of all: you're remembered. I always wished I could go to a high school where I could just blend in. 

Ryan makes a huge amount of noise as he enters the back room again. "What are we doing tonight?" He asks. I shrug; all the parties were last night, and they'd only ramp up again after Saturday. "There's a bonfire on the mainland."  Ryan says.  I look over at my friend as if he just suggested we rob a bank. "What?" He asks. "That's like a two hour drive. Not to mention we'd have to sneak of the island." I say. Ryan laughs and rolls his eyes before telling me I need to "learn how to live." "Fine if you want to go we'll go." I say.  "Hey I have a crazy idea!" Ryan exclaims. I look at my best friend, and wait for his "crazy idea" to come to life. "Let's invite Cassidy and Macy!" He shouts. "No. Not just no but hell no!" I snap. Running around with an outsider wouldn't be beneficial. "Why not?" He asks. "They hate the mainland." I tell him. "We're not even going to be that far from island you doof." Ryan says laughing. "Fine. Invite them." I say as I walk out of the room. "Be ready by seven!" He shouts as the door closes on his voice.

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I look out my door as Ryan's Jeep comes into view. This night isn't going to end well. "Where's the girls?" I ask as I slide into the front seat. "We're on our way to get you." Ryan says into his phone. I look out at the water and wait for him to hang up. My fingers drum along to the familiar country song playing softly through Ryan's speakers. "We're about to go get them." He tells me. I nod and continue to stare out of the passenger side window. A couple of blocks later, we pull up to Cassidy's. Ryan beeps the horn and gives her his brightest smile; I roll my eyes.