A Classic Teenage Romance

Chapter 33: Bullies and Bubbles

NOT EDITED :))

After we had crossed the short distance over to the lagoon, we began setting up a small picnic area. Dane was blankets on the lush grass, Hayley was fiddling with the speaker she had brought down, Chris, Tristan and Christian were setting up the large torches that Tristan's parents had suggested we use for light as dusk approached, and I was unpacking the food, drinks and towels. When we were all done we sat on the blankets, eating and drinking. I grinned as lively chatter surrounded me. Christian got up from his spot next to me and grabbed to beers from the cooler. He handed one to me and sat down with a soft sigh. "So Belle, how are you?" he asked turning to me". I was studying Tristan who was laughing with Chris and Dane about something Hayley had said. I turned to Christian "I'm good, I'm good" I replied, he seemed to study me to see if I was telling the truth. "You and Dane seem to be doing better then the other day..." he said referring to the incident at school and how upset I was. "Oh yeah, we are good, back to our normal selves" I cringed at the small lie. But I wasn't ready to discuss what had transpired between Dane and I with anyone until Dane and I had discussed it. Christian studied me, "You know, I'm really glad I met all of you, your all so.." he paused thinking, giving me the opportunity to study him I marvelled at the gentle curve of his cheekbones, his wide thoughtful eyes, his doll like lips and messy hair, he was so damn pretty. "So fun and I dont know you all care about each other so much, your like an actual family" I said meeting me eyes I smiled, "Well, yeah they have been my friends for so long, they represent home to me, but I guess that's what happens when your grow and go through things with people" I took a breath memories flashing through my mind, learning how to drive with Dane and Hayley, Dane being my first kiss, Hayley tryning to teach us how to dance, each of us cooking lunch, all of us teaching Chris to drive, being there for Tristan when he came over with a black eye after someone had punched him at school, Dane clumsily playing Pumped up Kicks on the guitar for the first time, there were so many memories. "We all love each other, and you are so similar to us, it's as though you've been here the whole time." I say looking at him, his head was tilted, listening to what I was saying and he grinned in reply his blue eyes sparkling, "Thank-you, it means a lot to hear you say that" I smiled and nodded and him, standing up as Hayley yelled for us to get in the water.

I felt Danes eyes on me as i pulled off my denim shorts and I turned to him, his eyes were scanning me and he began walking towards me. "I'll catch up to you, in a minute" I said to Christian who was waiting for me, his shirt having been discarded, he nodded and walked towards the water. I watched his retreating tanned back before turning back to Dane who now stood next to me. "He's really cool" Dane said not meeting my eyes I grinned and shoved him jokingly , "Jealous Spencer?" I teased. He caught himself and raised his eyes, smirking at me pausing before replying, "Oh, sorry I was just remembering yesterday in someones bedroom..." he trailed off his smirk growing wider at my blush. "Oh my gosh, shut up, I hate you" I replied shaking my head a smile playing on my lips. "You do not, you love me" he grinned coming closer to me, I backed up "No, no, no, I love no man, I'm a strong independent woman I love myself and myself alone!" Dane nodded sarcastically before racing forward and in one smooth motion picking me up and swinging me over his shoulder. I let out a scream and he laughed, "You totally love me" he said in between laughs slapping my rear end gently. "Dane!" I yelled hitting him on the back, as he began making his way to the water. He waded in a little before yelling and throwing me into the water. I let out a scream as I fell into the water, his laughter following me down into the cool water.

We spent about an hour or so in the water before I kidnapped Tristan for our chat. "So Trist, spill" he looked awkward as we waded in the water, we were about 10 meters away from everyone else so we would not be disturbed. He let out a sigh, "Well I dont know, I just can't seem to relate to any of the other people in my grade, they all care about things that I dont really care about at all. Like they are all into sports and skateboarding and sex," he blushed at that, "and I just I can't relate". I nodded in understand. Tristan had always been a quiet kid, I remember overhearing a conversation between Angelica and my mom in which Angie was concerned that he had something going on mentally and that she had taken him to see a psychologist who had said he had a slight case of asperges syndrome, which may be what was hindering him socially, because Tristan was a really smart kid, like child genius smart, but it took years for him to open up and get comfortable with Chris, Dane, Hayley and I, he was always very weary of strangers, which made him an easy target. I sighed considering my next words, "Oh Trist, it sucks hey. I know how hard it can be, but you know you always have Chris to talk to and all of us we all love you so much, and I know we can't be there all the time, but it will get easier to be around people eventually everyone will mature and start to take an interest in the things you like and you'll be able to relate to them a bit more," i paused and he nodded thoughtfully, "and you never know there might be one person there who is similar to you but is just good at pretending, but you never know until you really get to know them" He looked as though he was pondering my words, so I said something that we all made a point of saying to Tristan as often as we could, "You are the smartest person I know Tristan and your going to do amazing things, and what your going through now is just for a season, it'll be over soon and then you'll get your time to shine" he pursed his lips before he grinned the most adorable little grin at me and gave me a shy hug. I hugged him tightly and laughed, "now lets go get something to drink" I said after he pulled away, pushing him towards the shore where everyone had moved and were in the middle of popping a massive bottle of champagne, Tristan laughed and we slowly waded over.

When we got to the shore Dane handed the two of us towels and raised a perfect eyebrow at me, I winked back telling him everything was okay. "Champagne!" I exclaimed moving towards Chris who was attempting to impress Hayley by opening it, and failing miserably. "Move brother, let the master have it" Chris reluctantly handed it to me grumbling that "being the master of opening champagne is hardly something to brag about you alcoholic" I whacked him upside the head and popped the champagne with ease. The group let out a cheer and we began distributing it between the group, limiting Tristan and Chris to one small glass each, to which they complained extensively about. Dane lit the torches and we all sat watching the sky go from a pastel wash of pink and purple to a bright radiant coral and orange as the sun set behinde the waterfall. Motez 'the Future' played gently in the background as we all laughed, danced and drank late into the night.

SECOND UPDATE YO

Honestly I'm just in a writing mood atm, I'm at a loss as to where this story is going to go but Im excited about writing this next chapter only because its super cool concept and yeah idk but LOVE YOU ALLL! Don't hate me for any mistakes I hate proof reading with a passion but I shall go back in a couple days and edit my heart off. What do we think of Tristan, I was low-key hesitant to put him in cos this is a super sensitive subject but my younger brother has asperges so I know how it feels and just wanna shed a tiny little ray of light on the subject, its not a lot but idk it makes me happy.

Also lowkey considering making a playlist for this, but lemme know what you think.

Love you all,

-B