Elite

X

Celene's POV:

It was 9 a.m. when I woke up. I glanced down to my floor to see Sienna sprawled out. We ended up coming back to my house instead of going out in the middle of the night to eat. We talked, binge ate, and watched old reruns of Sex and The City. Lennon dropped us off and decided to crash at her house because she still had her dad's car, which was fine because she was exhausted anyway.

When I finally got around to looking, my phone was filled with missed calls and texts from Austin. I rolled my eyes as I remembered our fight last night. It wasn't even a fight. I don't even know what it was, but he pissed me off. I got dressed in leggings and a sports bra hoping I could run off this hangover.

Running was one of my favorite things to do. A past time my parents thought was atrocious for a girl. I felt like I could escape reality when I ran. You know how people say they solve their problems in the shower? Great ideas and inspiration come to mind whilst showering? Well, that's how it is for me with running.

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After I finished my run, I was sitting on a bench adjacent to the entrance of the beach, catching my breath and observing all of the people engaging in their mid-morning adventures. Some people were running just like me, others were playing at the beach, some were longboarding. Everyone seemed so at peace, like nothing was wrong in their life. But the sad thing is... that everyone has problems. Every single one of us. No one is perfect and sometimes the smiles plastered across someone's face is just a facade. I wish life was like the movies. Problems on the surface easily solved with a witty plot and dialogue.

I was so lost in thought I almost didn't hear my phone ringing in my arm band.

"Hello?" I answered quickly.

"Where are you?" Sienna sounded a little worried.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should've told you I went for a run, but you looked so peaceful in a puddle of your own drool I didn't wanna wake you." I could hear her genuine laugh over the phone. It made me smile.

"Shut up, Cel! I'm gonna get a shower. I'm hoping to wash this stink off. Do you wanna go out to dinner later tonight with Lennon? Is she mad at me?"

"No, I don't think she is. I think there's something going on at home though. She seems a little off lately. Why don't you call her and I'll go get something from Paulina's for lunch while I'm out?"

"Yes! Alright, see you soon. Love you!" She was in such good mood, I couldn't help but wonder if she remembers anything from last night. I really hope she didn't.

Paulina's was a block or two away so I figured I would call Austin and talk things over with him while I walked. Surprisingly, he picked up on the first ring.

"So now you wanna talk?" The annoyance in his voice made me annoyed, almost instantly.

"Listen, I don't know why you're mad at me. I don't know what I did to make you so upset. Can we just talk about this?" I sounded desperate but I didn't care. Austin was the only person, other than Lennon and Sienna, which I could not lose.

"I saw you talking to that guy. I don't know who it was but you seemed to be having a great time with him while I was by myself most of the night."

"That guy? He's just-" I stopped abruptly before I let slip that the guy was in fact a teacher at Vandy Prep. Not just any teacher but one who taught a class I was currently attending. If he knew that, he would definitely think I had some kind of crush on him. He would never let it go.

"He's just what, Celene?"

"He's just someone who lives on Cannes. He was talking about calling the cops on us for all of the ruckus and I was talking him out of it. So you should be thanking me." I lied. I know, I lied. Lying to Austin was bad. But, I honestly didn't know what else to say to Austin. Telling him the truth seemed far from what I could do.

"You promise?" Now he was the one who seemed desperate.

"I promise. Why would I lie?" I wanted to punch myself so hard in the face right then.

"Okay, I gotta go meet with the gardener for dad. Call me later?"

"Of course. Love you." I hung up the phone just as I was entering Paulina's. Perfect timing.

I was so thankful it wasn't busy because crowds in small restaurants caused me such bad anxiety. Small cramped places with too many people just didn't agree with me.

I ordered our food; two large caramel lattes, two huge gourmet salads with sides of cheesy potato soup and extra cut French bread. Perfect hangover food. Too many calories.

"I should give you a discount card for how often you come here." The woman, Sarah, said as she rang me up.

"I only come here because your food is so delicious!" I smiled as Sarah laughed and handed me my card. She is part owner of Paulina's, her mom being the other owner. She's always working and I'm always here so I see her plenty.

I thanked her and put a 20 dollar bill in the tip jar. As I was walking to the door with the bag of food in one hand and the coffees in the other, I tripped over my shoelace and completely face planted into this guy. The hot coffee spilling all over him and I.

"Oh, my God. I am so sorry." I said as I was bending down to tie my shoe.

"It's no problem. Are you okay?" He grabbed a bunch of napkins and was drying the coffee off his shirt and pants while he spoke. I stood up, my face beat red, and picked up my food.

"I'm fine. I'm so sorry again. Is there anything I can do?" Our eyes met and I almost choked on my tongue. Mr. Benson!?