The Chase (And Everything That Comes With It)

Chapter 1

*Caroline's POV*

I breathe in the fresh air and step out of the car. The front of the luxurious hotel is surrounded by huge palm trees and people milling around. I walked around to the trunk of the car to get my luggage. I really can't believe that I'm California right now. My sister and I have wanted to go on a road trip together ever since we were little, and now that we're eighteen, our parents finally let us go. My sister, Elizabeth, and I are traveling all along the West Coast for the whole summer, and I'm so excited to be in Los Angeles.

Just as I rounded the side of the car, I suddenly found myself sprawled on the concrete and a boy sprawled next to me. He quickly got up and held out his hand.

"Hey, are you okay?"

I took his hand and slowly nodded. Now that I look at him, he's kind of cute. He was taller than me (but who isn't) and he had curly brown hair. He pulled me up to stand in front of him, and I could see the specks of green and brown in his eyes. I smiled a little bit, and he started to grin when a shriek came from behind him.  He smiled apologetically, and jogged into the lobby of the hotel behind three other giant boys that seemed to be slapping each other and yelling about something.  Curly Hair caught up to them and whispered something to the boy with the stuffed penguin. Just as I turned back to the trunk, I got pushed over by a horde of shrieking girls and I hit the ground once more. I got up a second time and scoffed at the group, turning again to the trunk and successfully got our luggage out and dragged it into the lobby, checking in and sitting on a couch to wait for Lizzy.

When she finally made it in, I stood up and walked over to her, still rubbing my arm where I fell on it. She glanced at me and hid a laugh.

"What, got run over, did you?"

I picked up my suitcase and slapped her on the arm.

"Oh yeah, make fun of the injured girl. But seriously, what were those girls screaming about?"

Lizzy shrugged and we walked to our room. When we unlocked the door, I was speechless. The room was huge, despite being fairly cheap. The room faced a wide expanse of palm trees and beyond that, the ocean, a tiny blue sliver among all the green. I looked over at Lizzy and she smiled, running to the bed and throwing herself on the white comforter, smiling like she just won the lottery.

"This is super awesome," she said, but then she got up and rummaged through her suitcase.  "I want to go out to the pool.  Maybe we'll see that hot guy and his friends out there."

I laughed and went to change into my bikini.  It was simple and black, but I didn't really care.  When I walked out of the bathroom, I looked out the window and saw the four guys that were out front walk to the pool.  I grabbed my towel and yelled at Lizzy to hurry up.  This is going to be a fun vacation.