Gracewood Academy (Hope and Secrets)

Chapter 46- To The Plan

It's the day before my birthday and we are all chilling by the pool. The perks of living in California. Sun all year round. Kelsi and I are lying on the grass nearby the pool, Tom and Ben are chatting on the other end of the pool and Chase is on the barbeque.

I close my eyes taking in the warmth of the sun when I hear a splash followed by a "CANNONBALL!" and another splash soaking Kelsi and I. We squeal looking up to see Ty and Matt swimming in my pool. What the hell?

"Hey, Hope." Ty says casually.

"Don't take this the wrong way but... What the fuck are you doing in my pool?" aren't they meant to be home? Like with their families? They do realise that Colorado and California are not the same place, right?

"You didn't think we would miss your birthday, did you?" Matt smirks and Ty has a cheeky grin on his face.

"Yeah, we are the three amigos. Where you go, we go. I also couldn't resist the chance to stay in Jennifer Carter's house." Ty jokes. I run into the pool and then splash Ty for that comment but I know he's kidding.

Chase comes over and joins us in the pool as Ben and Tom take over his job. "Did you know about this?" I whisper to him.

"Yeah, we planned it last week." He grins. "You ready for tomorrow?"

I nod. "As ready as I am ever gonna be." I lean in to give him a kiss but at the last second I splash him in the face instead.

"I am gonna get you for that." I take off swimming across the pool, jumping out the other side and running across the grass.

Chase eventually catches me, tackling me to the ground. He ends up landing on top of me, his arms either side of my head. He leans down to kiss me but at the last second I roll us over.

"I prefer being on top." I wink at him before running off again and diving into the pool.

We decide to play a game of chicken. Me and Chase against Ty and Kelsi. I am pretty proud to admit that we won. In fact I start singing We are the Champions. Okay. I guess you could say I was competitive.

"Hope?" Ben calls me.

"Yeah?"

"Phone rang. It's for you. I think it is the school?" I climb out the pool, grabbing my towel on the way I take the phone from Ben.

Everyone watches me intently as I talk to the Principal on the phone. When the conversation is over I hang up and scream.

"Hope?" Chase walks over to me confused.

I jump into his arms. "I got the scholarship! Oh my god! I actually got it! Straight A's in every exam!" I continue squealing.

"That's amazing!" Chase lifts me into the air. I wrap my legs around his waist and I put my arms around his shoulders and give him a kiss. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Gross. Stop being all mushy and let's celebrate!" Ty announces.

I jump down from Chase and go inside, into the kitchen. Looking around the cupboards I find what I was looking for. Tequila. I grab the bottle and then grab a lemon, slicing it into smaller pieces and putting it in a bowl. I then go into another cupboard and pick up the salt. I put all the ingredients onto a tray and then carry it over to the outside patio which is next to the pool. Everyone else has already seated themselves on the outdoor deck chairs. I put down the tray on the coffee table. Kelsi has already got the shot glasses out so we are all pour ourselves a shot.

"To The Plan!" Ty toasts.

"To The Plan!" we repeat together all downing our shots and then sucking on a lemon slice.