The Boy From California

16. Saltier Than the Ocean

"Hey Seywhore?" I asked, slouched in the comfort of his leather seats. We had been driving for a good ten minutes and I managed to learn a lot about the raven-haired boy. He takes interest in writing and crafting which I frankly, found adorable.

A glint of amusement in his eyes threw off his frown, "quit calling me that."

"What?" I grinned. "Seywhore?"

He playfully rolled his eyes and continued on the road.  I sighed and gazed out the window. Truthfully, I hadn't gotten over the fact that my real friends had left me at that party while I was scooped up in the safe haven of the 'enemy'. I didn't expect of all things that could happen that I'd spend the night at Seymours'.

I mean Seywhore.

The sleek car pulled up into a suburban drive way. The house was of average size, decorated in bricks with an accent of grey stone. I found a particular liking in the rose bushes that graced the path leading up to the doors. Seymour came to a halt, making me jerk back in my seat with an oomph.

"Don't get out yet, I wanna open the door for you," he shuffled out the car and grabbed the passenger seat's door handle. I stifled a laugh with a grin and took his hand gratefully. "Shall we?" My smile grew as I nodded and stepped out of the car.

"Sierra, Seymour," a voice cried out. We both turned in unison and while Seymour's grin grew, mine fell immediately. "Where were y'all?"

"Lachowski," Seymour greeted. I gave him a tight-lipped smile. Can you blame me? If I opened my mouth all that would come out would be a series out curse words in the tune of Rap God. 

Dylan came around and wrapped his arm around me, "what's going on?" I peeled his grasp off of me and scowled. 

"Don't. Touch. Me," he raised his hands in surrender. 

"You didn't seem to have a problem when Seymour did it," I didn't even realize Seymour did wrap his arm around my shoulder.

"There's a big difference between you and Seymour."

He rolled his eyes, "I'm sorry about the past, I wanna make it up to you."

"Sorry about the past," I mock in a high-pitched voice. "I wanna make it up to you." I never fail to amuse myself.

"You never fail to amuse me," he laughed. 

A small grin cracked my frown. I wiped it away with the flooding memories of what Dylan not only did to me, but to Faith as well. He had not right to be strolling into my life like it's a walk in a park. If he even dare to try anything anymore, it'll be walking on hot coal.

We made our way into the house. It was as basic as they get, but I found that comforting. Seeing a small, cozy house was something I'd always desired but living in a place like Florida - those were rare. I took in the Northern-styled area. You could tell that it was Alana's home. It had an aroma of fresh-baked cookies that kissed your nostrils and the looks of a cabin that was tucked away in the blankets of snow. In this case, it was a gem of a home hidden in the spotlight of the Southern sun.

Dylan and I walked into the living room, greeted by a laughing Ryan, Alana, Faith and Jackson. The infamous blonde-haired boy had his arm flung around Alana and Faith was snuggled up in the limb of Ryan.

I gritted my teeth in my mouth - refusing to feel any envy for the position Jackson and Alana were in. The boy could do whatever he wanted, after all. We never made it official even with the roof-top talks and stolen kisses.

But this was exactly what I feared - catching feelings and not being able to throw them back.

"Sierra!" Faith cried once she caught onto my presence. She immediately chucked Ryan away and tackled me into a bear-hug. I let out a bubble of laughter.

At least someone is acting normal.

"Jesus," I breathed out. "You're going to strangle me," I stumbled back from the tightness and force of my best friend's embrace.

"I was so worried," she pulled away from me but kept her hands glued on my shoulders. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to leave you, I thought Jackson," she narrowed her eyes at her cousin. "Was taking care of you but apparently he thought I was."

I pursed my lips. I didn't want them to feel as if they needed to babysit me ever since I had that panic attack - I'm a big girl! I can deal with my own problems, even if they aren't in healthy ways. Anything felt better than them worrying about me out of the feeling of them needing to. 

"Seymour took me to his house," I smiled. The lack of reaction from Jackson made my insides twist.

 How do I delete emotion?

"I hope you didn't try any funny business," Faith poked Seymour in the chest. He laughed and nudged her away.

"Don't worry, mama bear. She slept in the guest room and we made pancakes," he shrugged. I felt a grin creep up my cheeks. This should be getting a reaction out of Jackson for sure.

I discreetly turned my head in the other direction but to my dismay, his eyes were locked onto Alana's. I felt a pang in my chest. She was currently the girl who was the sun in his eyes of skies. She was the one swimming in the oceans and by the looks of it, she knew exactly how to tame the waves.

Made sense - I think. Jackson wouldn't want a girl who'd choke up at the very sight of him. 

"Why don't we head out?" Ryan suggested, swinging his legs off of the couch. This group was really starting to feel more like a friendship - a toxic one. "We can grab some ice cream."

I snorted, "it's eleven in the morning."

"Since when are you to turn down ice cream?" he retorted.

Since when was Jackson one to go for Alana? 

How salty can I be?

As salty as the ocean. Speaking of oceans, have you seen Jacksons' eyes recently? Hey, Seymour calls me Sea. Jackson is practically the ocean - we were freaking destined. 

"True," I drawled. "Let's go - I wanna drive."

Faith and Ryan groaned in unison. I rolled my eyes at their reaction, "I'm not that bad, you know?"

"We'll see," Faith snorted. I smirked and snagged the keys to her car off the counter. 

I'm not a bad driver.

oops a filler lol hope u enjoyed

-nahdeeah