Dog Days || Teen Fiction

i. first day

chapter 1

I really hate summer.

I hate the way the sun shines too bright hurting my eyes, I hate the way it makes one sweat involuntarily, but mostly I hate how it's so bright; it illuminates the atmosphere as soon as it rises and it cheers people up.

I undeniably hated that.

I hated it back in Chicago, even thought it would never reach above 81 degrees (a/n: that's 27 degrees Celsius), and I hate it here.

How people enjoyed the most unpleasant season of the year, how they'd make it their goal to go on 'vacation' and sit under the sizzling sun in a foreign country is beyond me.

I prefer autumn to summer; I love how it wasn't cold, yet it was cold enough. I love the colourful sight of cascading leaves sprawled against the sidewalks that contradicts with the lukewarm city's overall appearance. The slightly crisp wind being as refreshing as a morning espresso, waking up all my senses.

However, I was no longer in the thriving city of Chicago, instead, I was at one of the most humid and torrid places in the world: The Bahamas. The decision upon coming here wasn't my call, not at all.

Ever since grandma found out about my 'indigent behaviour', as she called it, of excessive drinking and partying she decided it was time to keep me away from everything for a while and ship me off to volunteer as a few things at The Bahamas Beach Resort, e.g.: receptionist, life guard etcetera.

It wasn't hard for her to get me the so-called job, she has her many ties and relationships, and this one in specific required the least amount of effort on her behalf.

Weeks prior to coming to this over-the-top resort, I had received my acceptance letter to Penn State University stating my enrolment mid-September. To say I was ecstatic would be a lie.

Sure, I was glad I had gotten accepted to such a high rank university, but the truth is I'm questioning university education all in all. What's the point? We're all dying eventually.

But I promised myself I'd go, not for the sake of learning or the experience, but for the sake of making my grandma proud, after all it's the least I can do as a way to thank her for putting up with my unwarranted attitude over the years.

Some stern driver was sent to pick me up from the airport to drive me to the resort; it isn't my first time here, which makes me even less than enthralled by the route to the extravagant resort's main building.

During the ride, the driver kept eyeing me from the rear-view mirror with a firm look on his face, I'd hold his gaze with slightly narrowed eyes; showing him he doesn't intimidate me.

When we reach the resort, I practically have to drag myself out of the black SUV, mumbling a quiet 'thank you' to the driver that he probably didn't hear.

Just as I'm about to pick up my bags from the floor and make my way inside the building, a relatively tall and built young man wearing a uniform scurries towards me immediately picking up my bags.

"Let me, Ms...?" The resort's porter trails off.

"It's Ms. Charlotte Miller, Scooter." The driver calls out from behind me.

Scooter's eyes slightly widen and he takes in my appearance, slight bafflement apparent on his fair face as he notices my attire. What's wrong with wearing all black?

I personally believe people who cannot handle all black outfits are pussies.

"Lola, it's Lola." I correct him with a slightly agitated tone. "Not Charlotte, not Ms. Miller, not Beyoncè - Lola."