Run Away

Chapter 28

"Evie!" Zane shouted out above the music, as he jogged across the sand to her side. "You just made me ten bucks, thank you."

The party seemed to be in full swing already. There had to be at least a hundred teenagers on the beach, between the bonfire, a table of drinks and across the sand. The sun was on its way down towards the horizon, casting shadows across the sand.

"Excuse me?"

"Owen and I had a bet on whether you would show up or not. I bet you would come."

"Owen didn't want me here?" Evie asked in almost a whisper. Suddenly her fear of going to the party was for an entirely different reason.

"No, nothing like that," Zane assured her, "He's going to be so happy that you came. Trust me."

Zane took Evie by the arm and guided her towards the bonfire. Standing near the heat of the flames was Owen, talking to Mark and a girl Evie didn't know, but looked familiar.

"Pay up, Owen," Zane announced as they approached.

Owen looked up at them and Evie could swear his face lit up when he saw her.

"Evie, you came," Owen sounded surprised. Realising he was staring; he turned to his two other friends. "Mark, you've met Evie before. Evie this is Danielle."

"Yeah, I think we have English together," the blonde girl smiled cheerfully at Evie as she waved.

Realisation hit Evie; they shared a class, that's why Danielle looked familiar to her.

"Hi," Evie replied shyly.

"Do you want a drink?" Owen offered and Evie eyed him cautiously. "There's bottled water or soft drinks."

Evie smiled knowingly, "Water, please."

Owen disappeared to get Evie her drink, leaving her with Zane, Mark and Danielle who were talking animatedly about a video that had gone viral on the internet of a dog. It was the most bizarre and normal conversation Evie had heard in a long time.

"You came!"

Evie recognised the squeal of delight immediately as Harley, who ran up and hugged her as she turned around. Harley was wearing a short skirt and low-cut top that left little to the imagination.

"Uh, it was a last-minute decision," Evie lied, throwing Zane a look that told him to keep quiet, to which he just smirked.

"The group is over by the dunes, come say hi," Harley announced, taking Evie by the hand to pull her away from Zane and the others.

Evie dug her heels into the sand, not wanting to go anywhere near Marcus or leave the semi-safety of Zane.

Before she could protest, Owen showed up, handing Evie her bottle of water. It was then he noticed Harley standing next to her, holding Evie's hand.

"Owen, happy birthday," Harley purred, no longer trying to pull Evie away.

Harley smiled flirtatiously at Owen, twirling a finger in her hair that hung down to where her breasts lay half-exposed.

Evie noticed Owen's brow creasing in disinterest.

"Maybe I will come say a quick hello to the others," Evie suggested, pulling Harley away with her in the direction of the dunes.

Owen watched Evie carefully, he didn't want to break his promise to her of leaving her alone, but the last thing he wanted at his own birthday party was to hang out with Harley and her friends. He could tell Evie was doing it in a way to rescue him from Harley's advances, which he was grateful.