Pretty boy's hero

Chapter 8

"It's only six. What are you doing here?It's not supposed to start until nine," I said looking at the boy in front of me.

"Yeah well I thought I'd bring you to get your stuff for the beach first,"

"Uhm no thanks," I turned away walking back up to my house. I was only wearing an oversized sweater and leggings and he wanted me to go out?

"Get in the car Arielle,"

"I don't want to Alexander,"

"You have no choice. You can't go to the beach with no beach clothes and I'm taking you beach clothes shopping,"

"No you are not,"

"How are you supposed to go to the beach then?"

"I won't go then," I said stubbornly.

"Oh come on Aria!" I heard him yell as I walked back up to my room. As I closed the door, I felt guilt surge through me. He already came here early for me. So I grudgingly put on a white ralph lauren T-shirt, my maroon hoodie, dark blue jeans and took my wallet and phone. I stuffed them into my dark blue denim tote bag along with the other gadgets Tyler gave me and headed down again, hoping Alex would still be there. And yeah I can look normal if I wanted.

"Woah, you look.. different," I looked up to see Alex staring at me.

"Well you can't expect me to wear a leather jacket all day," I said rolling my eyes.

"Alright alright, let's go,"

:(:

"How about this one?" I asked holding up a bikini to my body jokingly.

"Go try it on," He suggested not taking the joke.

"I was just kidding Alex!" I laughed.

"Go try it on," He urged.

"No freaking way," My eyes widened.

"Come on Aria I've seen girls in bikinis many times before I won't freak out over you," He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah but I will.." I said softly shifting from one foot to the other.

"Hey, come on, it's okay. We don't have to buy one if you're uncomfortable," he said softly, noticing my distress.

"I never said I was," I said stubbornly as I looked away uncomfortably.

"It's kinda obvious Arielle,"

"N-no," I stuttered involuntarily and held the bikini closer. I was never accustomed to wearing things that showed a lot of skin outside. I didn't like the fact that everybody could see me bare. It felt like they could see my secrets when I don't cover up.

"Come on. Let's just get a drink first,"He said pulling me away from the section. At that I brightened up and almost forgot about the awkward moment.

"I so need coffee, you have no idea,"

<..>

"You okay?" Alex asked me. I nodded and squirmed a little. He had coaxed me into wearing a pair of dark blue jean shorts and sandals. I knew I had to wear something short anyway. It was the beach after all.

"Don't worry, there won't be many people from our school. Just the people I hang out with," He said trying to reassure me.

"Okay. Just the popular crowd. I can so do this," I said looking at him pointedly.

"It's not like you care if they're popular or not," He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"That's actually right I don't," I smirked back at him and opened the door. Seeing all the people there, I freeze in my steps and I'm about to go back in the car when someone pulls my hand lightly.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Alex said at the same time locking the car doors.

"Yeah yeah alright,"

"You have nice legs by the way," He wriggled his eyebrows and I slapped him on the back of his head.

"I gave you a compliment!" He cried.

"Pervert," I muttered under my breath as I let go of his hand and walked ahead. I slowed down as we neared them though. I didn't have confidence around people my age. Especially a lot of them.

I walk beside Alex as we entered their sight and held my head high. Well, not too high but still.

"Well lookie here! Alex brought a girl!" I glared at a smirking Ryan. He just had to draw all the attention to me didn't he?

"She's-"

"OH MY GOD!! Aren't you Arielle Moore, the badasssss," A girl shrieked. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and bounced over to me in a second.

"Erm.." I tried to say but another girl cut me off.

"I'm sorry for my sister she's a little overwhelming sometimes," Another girl who looked exactly the same told me.

"Wooooow I loooove your hair!!" Her 'overwhelming' sister said again, suddenly behind me, playing with my maroon hair.

"Uh.." I started again but got cut off yet again.

"Hey I'm Tom," A dirty blonde guy came up to me with green eyes.

"Hey?" I said back, still too confused.

"Yeah he's Tom an-"

"GUYS! Will you shut up??" Alex finally shouted, cutting Ryan off.

"Guys, this is my friend, Aria," he said calmly. I smiled slightly and waved.

"Sorry, they can all be a bit overwhelming sometimes," He whispered in my ear.

"Uh huh, I totally didn't already realize that thanks,"

"Lets introduce ourselves shall we?" Tom exclaimed.

"I'm Tom,"

"HI! My name's Emilieeeeee,"

"Beth,"

"Rya-"

"I don't need to know your name you dumbass," I bit at him, rolling my eyes. Then I realized what I did. Everything was silent as my eyes widened slightly. That is not how you act in front of people Aria!

"HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHThat was great!!!" Tom and everyone else started laughing all at the same time. Even Alex chuckled a little.

"I like her," Tom half-smiled and everyone nodded. I grinned in relief. Lets have a little fun, shall we? And this time, I meant it.