Played.

37: "To The Beach."

The next week came and went sooner than I had expected, meaning the first week back at school was over already.

It went a lot more smoothly than I anticipated, which I was thankful for after the Winter Break I had. Hopefully, the rest of the school year would follow the same route. Hopefully.

Most days after school I had gone to visit Justin. He was getting better but he still struggled to do things by himself. That's where I came in; anything he needed I would get for him, as well as keeping him company.

Right now, though, I was at home and from where I was sitting on my bedroom floor, I could see my phone in front of me flashing. Reaching forward, I pressed answer and activated the speaker. "Hello?"

"Maddieee!" I could tell who it was straight away by the voice. " What are you doing?"

"Not watching movies on Netflix, if that's what you're asking."

"Well, it's a good thing you're not watching them."

"And why is that?"

"Because, you're coming out."

"I am? But -."

"No buts, Missy. You're coming, there are no other options." Bailey's voice echoed through the phone, in the background of which I heard a faint clicking sound, like a door opening and closing.

"Okay, where are we going?"

"Hmm."

"Well?"

"It's a surprise."

"Bailey." I said sternly.

"Fine, we're going to the beach."

"Why didn't you just say that, yes!"

"Good. Get some things, and hurry up." The line went dead.

"But, Bailey, wait! Ugh." I put the phone back on the floor, jumping up to pack a bag.

After finding a bag, I threw in various beach essentials, and spare clothes, should I need them. I was interrupted by the opening of my bedroom door.

"Bailey? When did you get here?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"Like, five minutes ago." The clicking in the background must have been my front door. "Come on, we've got to get going and meet everyone."

"Everyone?" Again, I was confused.

"Yeah, there's a group, like ten of us. Now, let's go." She dragged me out of the house, to the car.

Living in L.A. had its perks, one of which being there's always a beach nearby, so the drive only took thirty minutes max.

Since it was late afternoon when we left, it was going to get dark soon. Bailey carefully led me down to where 'everyone' had arranged to meet; near the front of the beach by the sea. She and I went over and greeted them all, sitting down in the circle they had formed, and initiating conversation with the people, who were not as unfamiliar as I thought they would be.

"Guess who." An unusual voice asked as a pair of hands masked my eyes.

"Can I have a clue?"

"I don't know, can you?"

"Please?"

"Uh, uh." They tutted. "You've got to guess."

"Um, I don't know." My hands moved up, placing themselves on top of the ones that were covering my eyes, trying to feel who they belonged to.

"Surprise."

The owner of the hands removed them. I leaned my head back, my forehead being met with a kiss and my eyes being met with Marcus'.

"I didn't know you were coming." I smiled, my mood instantly lightening and a set of lips being pressed against mine.

"You didn't think I'd leave you all alone with these lot, did you?" He laughed, gesturing to the others, as I shuffled along to make space for him in the circle.

"How's Justin doing today?"

"He's great, kinda bummed you didn't visit though."

"Aw, what a cutie. Tell him not to worry, I'll be coming tomorrow."

"He'll be please. But for now," He grabbed a hold of me. "You're all mine."

Marcus' hold remained strong as he planted kisses all over my face and the top of my head. I giggled and squirmed, attempting to fight him off.

"Get a room, or cut it out you two." A messy haired blonde kid called Andy shouted, laughing, from across the circle. "And come and help set up the campfire."