The Lifeguard | A.C.M |

23.

I changed Lacey's name to Claire because I used Lacey in one of my other stories and it actually bothers me a lot more than it should.

/Lennon/

"What's got you all sunshine and rainbowed?" Claire laughs, watching me dance around my dorm, organizing and cleaning everything. I just shrug, and continue to tidy up, but she grabs my shoulders and turns me to face her, her eyebrows raised "Now I know that was a lie, so what's up?" She hops onto my bed.

"Well, my friends from Miami are on their way for my birthday and I'm super excited to see them" I grin.

"Does this mean I get to meet those boys?" She smirks "Because that's what I've been waiting for"

"I mean, I hope so" I shrug "My best friend said that everyone agreed to come, so yeah I guess you will" I say, finishing my cleaning and looking around the room "Much better"

"So what's the plan for tonight?" Claire lays back in my bed and I turn to look at her in confusion "I'm going, right?"

"I didn't think you wanted to but sure, you can if you want. But I'm probably going to take everyone out for dinner, maybe go play mini golf or something stupid like that" I snort, and she laughs.

"Well, that sounds like fun. When are they going to be here?" She asks and I look down at my watch.

"They should be landing any minute" I say "I'm just going to pick them up from the hotel. I'm sure Kylie will love you" I gush and Claire laughs.

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know" I shrug "Just a hunch"

***

"Oh my gosh, I'm so excited" I squeal as I pull into the parking lot of the hotel everyone is staying at. Claire laughs and places her hand on my shoulder.

"Calm down, you've known these people forever"

"But I haven't seen them in months" I find a parking space, and Claire and I get out "Come on, they're all in Kylie's room" I run into the hotel, finding Kylie's room and pounding on the door. She swings it open and we both scream, wrapping our arms around each other "I missed you so much" I kiss her cheek over and over, as she sways us back and forth.

"I missed you too" She says, before we let go, smiling at each other.

"Uh, this is my friend Claire, Claire this is Kylie" I introduce the two of them.

"Hi" Kylie smiles, giving Claire a bright smile.

"Hey, nice to meet you" Claire smiles back and Kylie let's us both in.

"Oh shit! It's my baby!" Shane yells running up to me, and wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

"Hi Tulip" I kiss his cheek, and he squeezes me tight.

"Lennon!" Dan and Kyle say in unison as they see me, both of them wrapping their arms around me.

"Hi guys" I grin, walking to grab Claire "Everyone this is Claire, Claire that's Dan, Kyle, Shane, and..." I look around "Where's Austin?" I ask, and all three of them awkwardly look at each other, before looking everywhere but me.

"Come here" Kyle grabs my wrist, pulling me into the bathroom "Austin really wanted to come, but he got caught up with work. He's designing a new building and they won't let him take off until it's finished. We thought he would've called you" He sighs.

"Oh" I nod "That's alright, we can still have fun"

"I'm really sorry" Kyle pulls me into a comforting hug "He was really sad that he couldn't come, I've never seen him that upset before"