Friends & Paradise

Chapter 32 - Setting Up (Natasha's POV)

After the firework show at the beach, my friends, our dates, and I went up to our suite. The guys said their goodbye's before they left. Jason kissed me goodbye, while Ralph kissed Danielle goodbye. Amelia and Aaron just stood there by the side a little awkwardly.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Aaron looking longingly at Amelia, while she tried to look around the room, as if trying to find something to not have to look into Aaron's eyes. This was the first time ever that I actually saw her nervous with a boy standing there. Other times, she was never nervous, like right now.

After seeing how Amelia and Aaron were acting around each other, I looked over to Jason, and, from his eyes, I could tell we had the same crazy idea. If Aaron wasn't going to be brave enough to ask Amelia out, we'll help him out.

So, after the boys left, the three of us sat down in the couch by the living room.

"So, how was your night?" I asked excitedly.

"It was good. Very good." Danielle said.

"Hm, we noticed! We saw you and Ralph very into your kiss."

"You kissed Jason too!"

"By the way, we're very happy for you that you and him are now an item." Amelia said.

"Thanks. It took me by surprise, but I was really happy. He gave me this bracelet too." I said, showing them my new bracelet that was a gift from Jason after he asked me to be his girlfriend earlier tonight.

"Wow, it's very cute." Danielle said.

"Thank you." I said.

"Why a starfish?" Amelia asked.

"So that when I look at it, like when I'm bored in class or just miss him, look at the starfish and know that he's right now thinking about me or waiting for me. I find that really cute." I said.

"That's very sweet... I can't believe I'm going to say it, but I hope someone gives me something like that one day." Amelia said.

"Oh, we know who can give that to you." I said.

"You mean Aaron?" Amelia asked.

"Yeah! You like him!"

"I do not!"

"You actually do. It's clear in you eyes when you see him." Danielle said.

"No. You guys are just trying to get and him together just because you want triple dates and don't want me to end up forever alone. That won't happen! Calm down!" Amelia said. And then got up and basically stormed into her bedroom.

Danielle and I looked at each other, and then got up and followed Amelia to her room. Luckily, the door was unlocked. So, we opened it, and then walked over to where she was sitting up in her bed.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Do you maybe want to talk about it?"

She took a deep breath. "I...I just don't want to end up with a broken heart or raise my hopes up and then go back home all depressed and having to act as if nothing's happened."

"Trust me, that won't happen. Did you see the way he was looking at you? You know what that look means, right?"

She shook her head, 'no'.

"It meant he liked you. He couldn't take his eyes off you. I mean, you two walked down the beach alone while fireworks were in the sky. Do you not think that's romantic?"

"Maybe he was just being friendly..." She offered.

"Since when does taking a girl out in a walk by the beach is not romantic?" I asked a sarcastic question.

"Since when did you become such a boy-expert?" Danielle asked, curious. She was sitting in the foot of Amelia's bed.

I shrugged. "Since my one of my best friends is basically ignoring a guy she truly likes just because she's scared of getting hurt. I mean, in life, you have to take chances. No matter how afraid you are."

"Where did you learn that?" Amelia asked.

"Life." I said. "Look, I was terrified of being hurt, and even though I accepted Jason really quick, was because, with me, I felt like he wasn't going to lie to me. I trust people too quickly, and I know I did that with him. But, Amelia, the point is that I chose Jason because of trust, and ends up that he hasn't hurt me yet. I think you should give Aaron a chance. If you don't like him at all, then just forget about him and move on. But just give him a chance. The guy looks like he really likes you...And you seem to like him very much as well."

"Maybe you're right. But...I don't know."

"Amelia, just trust him. Give him a chance." I said.

She nodded.

"Okay, well, it's kind of getting late, and I'm pretty tired. Today was seriously an incredible day. I think we should go to sleep." I said while stretching my arms above my head and yawning. "Goodnight, people."

"Goodnight." Amelia said.

"Goodnight." Danielle said.

Danielle and I walked out of Amelia's bedroom, and then went to our own room. I closed the door to mine, and then walked to the dresser and changed to pajamas. Then, I pulled out my phone, after not having used it for a couple of days, and then saw that I had a few missed calls from my mom. I quickly called her, and she picked up the moment it ringed.

"Why didn't you call me?" Mom said.

"Sorry, mom, I was a little...distracted." I said.

"Why? What happened?"

"Nothing major, don't worry."

"So how's everything?"

"It's going great. I love The Bahamas. It's an amazing place. Thanks for the trip."

"You're welcome. How's Amber?"

"She's doing well, in the suite beside ours, just taking care of us and being protective of us."

"What about your friends?"

"They're great. We've really had fun this trip so far."

"Are you ready to come back next week?"

"To reality? I don't think so."

My mom chuckled. "Well, honey, soon enough paradise will end."

"Please, don't remind me."

"Sorry to break it to you. But anyway, have you met any interesting people while you're there?"

"Yeah, we met some really great people. They're our friends."

"They? Hm. Is it boys or girls?"

"Boys."

"Wow. Are you three flirting or getting cozy with those boys?"

"Mom! I am not like that."

"You told me you had guy friends. Are they cute? How old are they?"

"Mom, please. Anyway, yes we have guy friends." ...and your daughter has a boyfriend... "And they're awesome people."

"It seems nice. I'm happy for you. I can't wait for you to come back, though! I miss you like crazy!"

"I miss you too, mom."

"Well, now, enjoy the rest of the vacation; it's almost done. You've only got one more week to go. I love you."

"I love you too, goodnight!"

"Bye!"

Then, I hung up.

It sucks that there's only one more week to go from Paradise. After this week, we'll be doomed to return to torture for the rest of the school year. The last thing I wanted, is to go back to a classroom and have a teacher yell at me as though to understand what they are trying to explain...But, I can always use my mind to drift off and think about Jason.