That stupid fucking beach. Where everything began, where I never should've gone. I'd heard the rumours just like everyone else in town, but when I'd been invited to join the 'delinquent crowd' , as everyone called them, down on the sands I let curiosity get the better of me. Except I couldn't turn back after that I got trapped.
-
It wasn't even the second week of summer, and I was already bored of everything. Lounging around, house sitting for my aunt all summer while she went away with my parents seemed like the perfect idea. But in reality, I had a load of money that she's left for me still unspent and her lack of tv channels bored me more than anything.
The town seemed nice enough, empty but nice. And right by the sea as well. Not that I'd gone down there at all. I'd heard the rumours about the kids that hung out by the rocks down on the beach. Dean had told me that. He was the boy who worked in the shop on the pier, I'd met him on my very first day. And ever since then it had become routine to go in for something even if it was just for a chat.
"Look at this y/n, my dads got me working double shifts all week." I'd gone in for a coffee from the shitty machine in the back, and stayed with him while I sipped it slowly.
"Shame, I wanted someone to show me round this hellhole."
"Oh come on, it's not that bad!" I raised my eyebrows. "Yeah, maybe it is. But unless you want to wait another week then I can't help you out."
"It's fine, I'm sure I'll find my own way."
A old lady came in and bought a magazine about boats then left, the shop once again quiet and empty like it seemed to be all day.
"God, this place is dead." A voice joked from the doorway. I looked up from where I was sat on the counter next to the till. Dean laughed at the boy with floppy hair who lolled over. Making sure to get a good look at me.
"Hi Chan, uh- this is y/n. She's in town for the summer." I waved a quick hi then went back to reading my magazine and swinging my feet about.
"This is my friend Chandler" I nodded, head still down.
"Hey dean, there's this party going on tonight. You should come, we've missed you." He said, leaning next to me.
"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, and besides I'm working double what I normally do. I barely have any free time anymore."
"Okay but next time you have to be there."
"I'll see." Dean kept his head down a little and fiddled with the cigarette stand.
"I'll take a pack please," He dug in his pockets for money but frowned. "Shit." I looked up. "I think Chris stole my wallet again."
I took out a tenner from my pocket and offered it over to Dean without looking up.
"Thanks." Chandler said.
"Keep the change." I said, getting down from the counter and putting the magazine back onto it's shelf. "I'm gonna head off, see you tomorrow?" Dean nodded.
"See ya."
I walked outside, pulling my coat on and stomping along the pier's decking in my boots.
"Hey! Wait up!" I didn't bother turning my head, it was Chandler. "You got anywhere to be?" He asked.
"Not particularly."
"Well then why don't I show you round? If you're new and all."
"If you want." I shrugged.
"All right then. Quick this way." He grabbed my hand and before I could argue he dragged me across the street and into the arcade.
"This isn't anything new to me you know." I complained as he nodded to the guy in the money booth. The boy handed over a pot of coins to him without hesitation and smiled to me. I rolled my eyes and followed Chandler as he rushed to the 2p machines.
"You're from the city aren't you?" He asked, his eyes locked on the small crappy prizes inside.
"Yeah... and?"
"Well then you've never won a prize from here have you?"
"Well obviously."
"BINGO!" He yelled and kneeled down to collect whatever lump of plastic had fallen from the machine.
With a proud smile, and no more 2p's remaining, he produced a tiny tiara to me.
"You've gotta be kidding, I'm not wearing that!" He grabbed my hand again and placed it inside my coat pocket.
"I spend hard cash on that."
"I thought you said you didn't have any money." He began to walk out, towards the Main Street again.
"I don't."
"Well then how did you get those 2p's?"
"I know people." I remembered the guy in the money booth who'd just handed over the coins no question.
"You're quite the celebrity round here." I stated, he smirked back to me.
"You could say that, yes."
He spent the rest of the day showing me round in excruciating detail, and he was most likely showing off about how many people knew who he was.
"And here's the beach, our home."
"You what?"
"Down there, you see." It was getting dark and as I squinted I could see a small fire being lit nearby the rocks close to the sea wall.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"My people." I could see the group of them now, about 6 or 7 all huddled round. "Why don't you come down, meet them all?"
"I should be getting back really, maybe another time though."
And I left, made it seem so easy to myself. But it didn't stay that way. Oh no, I was easily swayed by that boys floppy hair and relaxed walk. And his leather jackets and bad boy demeanour that only came out when he wasn't excited by the simplest of things.
I closed the front door and went to put the keys back into my coat pocket. But something got in my way, the lump of plastic he called a tiara. I smiled to myself. Oh how easily I could have gone with him.
That only made saying no so much harder.
(There's gonna be a proper part 2 I promise. !!!)
