The Smile Always Fades

11. Groovy Beach Day

A few weeks had passed since Anna had talked to Cassy's mom on the phone.  She had been busy getting all of the details worked out, even booking her plane ticket from Portland, Oregon to Manhattan, New York. She had dropped everything and practically ignored everyone once Linda said she could come visit during spring break. She had figured out how much money she'd need for the trip, even opening a debit card account and buying a few new outfits for New York City. She couldn't wait to get over to the Big Apple and spend time with Cassy, even if all they did was sit around at the Stevens' condo.

It was Saturday and Anna was bored, laying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her mom was gone promoting her new invention, as usual, and Jason had gone with Shane to a movie. Shane had wanted Anna to come, but they were seeing a horror film that she had no desire in watching, so she declined his offer easily.

Anna heaved a sigh and took a peek at her cell phone, she was absolutely bored out of her mind and couldn't think of anything remotely interesting to do.

Knock, knock, knock.

Who's at the front door, Anna wondered. She hopped off of her bed and stepped into the hallway.

Ding dong, ding dong. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding dong.

The first guess of Anna's was Jason. He always pulled annoying stunts like these and it immediately put Anna into a bad mood. Her excruciatingly, boring peace and quiet was being disrupted, and she did not appreciate it. But once Anna opened the front door, she was surprised to come face to face with Bentley and see his smirking face staring at her. Anna's eyes practically popped out of her head. "B-B-Bentley. What are you doing here?!" She tried to discretely smooth her hair and straighten her rumpled clothes.

"We're going to the coast," Bentley announced enthusiastically, stepping inside the house. "And you're coming."

"Are you kidding," Anna exclaimed. "It's the beginning of February! The beach will, in no way, be either warm or sunny."

"Doesn't matter," he argued. "You're still coming with us."

"Us?" Anna questioned, but Bentley didn't say another word. He found her purse sitting by the coffee table in the living room and handed it to her, as he was heading back out the door.

Anna was somewhat confused and definitely suspicious, but she decided to take her chances and go; she had nothing better to do. She ran to the kitchen, found the notepad her mom always kept next to the phone, and wrote a quick note saying she'd be back home later that night.

Anna grabbed her sneakers and threw her purse's straps over her shoulder, making her way for Bentley's car idling in the empty driveway. She noticed the winter air was a bit nippy, but she didn't want to run back in the house and make Bentley and his crew wait longer than they already had been, so she pulled her long sleeves farther down her arms and jumped into the back seat.

"Hey, Anna!" Anna was both surprised and delighted to see Bentley's cousin, Jordan, from Bentley's party, sitting next to her in the back and holding Bentley's plush ewok. Anna waved hello and Jordan leaned over to give her a quick hug. "I'm sorry that I never texted you after that party," Jordan said guiltily. "I've just been super busy and haven't had time."

"Oh, no worries," Anna dismissed. "Same here." She gave Jordan a warm smile.

Anna noticed that Jordan looked different than she had at the party. Her bright, red hair was flat-iron straight instead of displaying its natural curl, and she was wearing Daisy Duke cut-off jeans with a green knit long-sleeve shirt, completing her look with old, beaten up, black, high-top Converse. Anna thought Jordan was crazy for wearing shorts in the dead of winter, but decided to keep that thought to herself.